Gili Biaha is a small island that is accessible by boat within 20 minutes of Candi Dasa. Starting at Gili Biaha requires a high level of dive experience. The large waves and strong currents are not uncommon, and the site is suitable only for experienced divers.

After descending, the island offers a wall with a depth of 40 meters. Even at this depth, we can feel the wave action during a heavy sea. The cliffs are covered with lush vegetation and Red Tooth Triggerfish accompany us throughout the dive. A special type of nudibranch, characterized by its strong colors, inhabits the wall. This dive site has a chance of encountering the Sunfish. With strong currents, turbulence can occur at the corners of the island, and a respectful distance should be maintained.

One of the highlights of the dive is a cave at a depth of between 15 and 6 meters. Usually, we visit this cave at the end of the diving. It is possible that the entrance will be difficult due to the strong waves. In the cave, there is no wave movement, but we can feel the change in pressure caused by the waves. Those with problems with pressure equalization should not dive into the cave. We often encounter reef sharks in the cave, which are looking for rest. We approach these wonderful animals slowly and calmly, without scaring them away. The view from the cave into the Indian Ocean is wonderful, and another highlight of the dive.

At the end of the dive, we find a nice plateau between eight and 14 meters that makes it safe to end the dive. Good buoyancy skills are important to compensate for wave action and avoid damage to the reef. We recommend Gili Biaha as one of our favorite dive sites in Bali, but it can be very challenging even for experienced divers.

Three rocky islands in Amuk Bay near Candi Dasa are a marker for Mimpang. We can get to the place in ten minutes by boat from Candi Dasa. In this area, the waters are shallower than those of the Lombok Straits, and we see the first corals as we drive to the island.

Our dive begins with a free descent to 20 meters below the middle island. We are continuing to dive over a sandy bottom with a light coral growth to deeper depths. From this point onwards, you will have an excellent opportunity to see one of the popular Sunfish throughout the dive. Nevertheless, the chances are greater during the so-called cold water period between July and October. Additionally, reef sharks can also be observed at this dive site. After a while over the sandy bottom, we reach the outer island reef, which has healthy corals and numerous schools of tropical fishes.

This reef gradually changes shape from a slope to a drop-off, reaching a depth of 50 meters. In good weather, we dive around this wall and end the dive between the two outer islands. There are large coral blocks with a height of four to five meters in the shallow area. Thanks to the favorable conditions for coral growth, large table corals feel at home on these blocks. We can end the dive here and hope a turtle says “Goodbye” at the safety top. This dive site is not suitable for beginners, as strong currents can occur, which requires experience.

Gili Tepekong is the largest of the islands that we can reach from Candi Dasa by boat. The boat ride takes approximately 20 minutes, and entry to the dive is via a back roll. The island is large and offers numerous entry points and diving tours. To ensure a pleasant diving experience, we must take care of the currents, which can sometimes happen in that area when planning the dive.

The best conditions for starting the dive are usually on the east or west side of the island. Both sides have beautiful coral growth and plenty of fish. There are several types of coral and impressive rock formations to admire. We encounter the typical tropical reef dwellers such as angelfish, fusiliers or soldier fish, as well as octopuses or cuttlefish. Tepekong is also known for its sightings of sunfish. The best time to see one of these sunfish at this location is between July and October.

The south side of the island contains several topographical highlights, such as a wall, a canyon, and a dive-through tunnel. Due to the currents, it is also possible to see more fish. The shallow area on the north side of the island contains large broken rocks that create a fantastic underwater world. Many crevices and small caves offer shelter to many fish, and occasionally reef sharks swim by.

Due to the strong currents, diving in these waters can be strenuous. Accordingly, Tepekong is reserved for experienced divers.

One of the best macro dive sites in Bali is offered by a large unused bridge near Padang Bai. By boat, we reach this place from Candi Dasa in 20 minutes.

The majority of the dives take place under this bridge. The bridge pillars are overgrown with corals, which provide a habitat for many fish. The bottom is sandy and contains a lot of debris, such as old tires, which serve as a shelter for many underwater animals. In this area, we find frogfish, flying cocks, scorpionfish, ghost pipefish, and imitation octopuses. Several mackerel cruising between the bridge piers are worth mentioning as a small highlight.

The dive begins at a depth of 18 meters after descending near the bridge. Here, you will find large rocks that serve as shelter for octopuses. We search the entire site by diving from pier to pier. Because the dive is shallow, it guarantees low air consumption and a long dive. This is especially true for photographers, due to the exotic biodiversity. Furthermore, the sandy bottom offers enough space to position yourself for the perfect photo without damaging the underwater world. With the good conditions and shallow diving depth, the site offers divers of all experience levels an unforgettable diving experience.