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The southern coast of East Bali offers a number of dive sites easily accessible from Candidasa and Padangbai. The currents are stronger in this part of the sea, so beginner divers should not attempt some of these sites without expert assistance.
 

Diving Around Candidasa, East Bali

The dive spots just off the town of Candidasa are ideal for more experienced divers: Biaha, Gili Mimpang and Gili Tepekong, all islands with strong currents, a healthy coral population, and large pelagic fishes in residence.

• Gili Mimpang, the closest of the three to Candidasa, is also called Batu Tiga (Indonesian for "three rocks"). There is a flourishing reef in the vicinity, with a rich complement of marine life. Hang around awhile to meet a few sharks or sunfish. 8°31'34.26"S 115°34'33.78"E, Google Maps.
• Gili Tepekong has an amazing variety of diving conditions considering the island's small size: reef slopes, vertical walls, and swim-throughs lined with soft and hard corals. Diving in this area is reserved for experienced divers only; the strong surges and down currents along Tepekong make it particularly dangerous for newbies. 8°31'57.82"S, 115°35'4.19"E, Google Maps.
• Gili Biaha is buffeted by unpredictable currents from the Lombok Strait, but experienced divers who can handle them will appreciate the tiny island's many diving attractions: a cave on the east side populated by whitetip reef sharks; a slope carpeted with coral; and local denizens that include scorpio leaf fish, puffer fish, lionfish, nudibranches, and octopi. 8°30'32.11"S, 115°36'53.83"E, Google Maps.

Diving Around Padangbai, East Bali

The diving spots around Padangbai have something for divers of any experience level; Blue Lagoon, Jepun, and Tanjung Sari are rife with coral and marine life, with plenty of opportunities for photography. (For more on the town, read our Travel Guide to Padangbai; for other things to do in the area, find out how to Spend One Day in Padangbai, East Bali.)

• Blue Lagoon is very close to the Padangbai town harbor; this shallow coastal reef can easily be reached in five minutes by boat, and is suitable for both snorkelers and beginner divers. Its sandy bottom, slope and wall accommodate elephant coral and table coral with accompanying marine life: nudibranch, squid, sharks, and octopi, with the occasional manta. 8°31'48.17"S, 115°30'48.93"E, Google Maps.
• Tanjung Sari can be found right at the mouth of Padangbai town; you'll find a sloping reef with a small coral population. Marine life tend to be small, like scorpio leaf fish and nudibranches, excluding the odd shark. While Tanjung Sari is a relatively easy dive, the boat traffic may pose a danger. 8°31'58.91"S 115°30'38.89"E, Google Maps.
• Pura Jepun ("Temple of Frangipani" in Indonesian) takes its name from a temple standing on a nearby cliff. The site's easy visibility, sandy bottom and agglomeration of corals makes it an ideal jump-off point for beginning divers, who will enjoy their first encounters with small marine creatures like seahorses, lion fish and ghost pipe fish. 8°30'54.47"S, 115°32'31"E, Google Maps.

Submarine Rides Around Labuan Amuk

Labuan Amuk (Amuk Bay) between Padangbai and Candidasa boasts of a rich complement of corals, which you can see without a diving license. The Odyssey 2 is a 72-ton recreational submarine that takes up to 36 passengers down to the depths - at 150 feet under the sea, visitors can gaze out of large portholes to encounter the reefs, fish and other marine life up close.

Most Candidasa hotels will be happy to arrange a trip and transfers between your hotel and the jump-off site. If you want to arrange your submarine voyage yourself, you can reach Submarine Safaris Asia (submarine-bali.com) at +62 361 759 777 or email them at reservation@submarine-bali.com.