Bali is a small island that has had a big impact on the diving world. It’s about 1000 times smaller than Thailand but has a 5 out of 5 marine life rating. This makes it a top spot for divers.
Bali has Nusa Lembongan island as a habitat for manta rays and ocean sunfish. It also has diverse coral reefs and unique diving spots. After diving, you can enjoy Bali’s culture and nature, making it a complete experience.
Thailand, known as the “Land of Smiles,” is another top choice for diving. The Similan Islands offer clear waters and manta rays. While it might not have as many fish and corals as Bali, it still provides unforgettable dives.
Both Bali and Thailand offer unique diving experiences and cultural adventures. Our guide will help you decide which is the best scuba diving destination for you. Whether you want vibrant marine life or unique diving spots, we’ve got you covered.
Why Bali and Thailand are Top Dive Spots
- Bali has a marine biodiversity rating of 5 out of 5, offering incredible underwater adventures on a smaller scale compared to Thailand.
- Thailand has diverse diving spots like the Koh Tao Islands, but with slightly fewer fish and coral varieties than Bali.
- Bali’s unique combination of cultural attractions and natural landscapes provides enriching post-dive experiences.
- Bali is particularly renowned for Manta Ray sightings and Mola mola during specific seasons.
- Thailand is famous for its beautiful islands like Koh Tao, which have crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.
What Months are Best for Scuba Diving?
Planning your dive is key to a great adventure. The best months for diving depend on where you go. Bali and Thailand are top spots for diving, each with the best conditions at different times.
Best Time to Dive in Bali
Bali is famous for its amazing dive sites like Blue Corner in Nusa Lembongan. The dry season, from May to September, is best with clear skies and calm waters. This time is great for diving because you can see up to 40 meters underwater.
From July to October, divers go to see the Mola-Mola at Crystal Bay. The water is between 23-25°C deep there.
The rainy season, from November to April, causes visibility to drop to about 10 meters. But, November to February is less crowded, making it cheaper to dive. The water is warm, between 27°C and 30°C, even in the low season.
Best Time to Dive in Thailand
Thailand’s top diving spots, like the Similan Islands, are best from November to April. These months offer great diving with mild temperatures and clear water. The park is open from October 15th to May 15th, making it the peak time to dive.
If you want a quieter dive, the shoulder seasons are good. These times, there are fewer tourists, but there is still good visibility and warm water. Thailand also has live-aboard trips from November to April, which are perfect for diving enthusiasts.
Is Bali or Thailand Safer for Scuba Diving?
Choosing a safe place for scuba diving is key. Bali and Thailand both have certified dive centers and expert guides. However, there are different things that affect the safety of diving.
How Safe is Scuba Diving in Bali?
Bali offers a beautiful underwater world but has strong currents and complex dive sites, like around Nusa Lembongan. This can be tough for beginners. Yet, scuba diving Nusa Lembongan is achievable for beginners by using local dive centers in the area. Always check that a dive center is accredited by either PADI or SSI before enrolling, this ensures reliability in their training and equipment for a safer diving experience.
They offer courses for both beginner and advanced divers. This course teaches how to use scuba gear safely and give important diving safety tips. Here are some of the benefits you will get when taking a scuba diving course in Bali:
- Experienced guides accompany all dives
- Properly maintained and certified scuba gear
- Strong currents in certain areas like Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida
- Nusa Lembongan is well-suited for advanced divers
How Safe is Scuba Diving in Thailand?
Thailand is great for beginners, with calm waters and lots of tourist support. Places like Koh Tao are perfect for new divers because of their gentle currents and clear water. But, watch out for tourist traps and make sure to use safe transport.
- Ideal for beginners with accessible dive sites
- Well-established infrastructure ensuring safe practices
- Be cautious of tourist traps and ensure using reputable operators
Bali and Thailand both focus on making diving safe and suit different diving levels. Bali is great for beginner and advanced divers who want a challenge. Thailand is better for beginners with its calm waters. Knowing these things and following safety tips will make your dive safe and fun.
Best Scuba Diving Spots in Bali and Thailand
Exploring the best diving spots in Bali and Thailand is a dream for scuba lovers. Both places offer a unique underwater experience. It’s hard to pick between them. Let’s look at some top spots in Bali and Thailand where the marine life will amaze you.
Nusa Lembongan Island
Nusa Lembongan is known for its vibrant marine life and is a top choice for divers in Bali. This island offers a great diving experience with its amazing dive sites. You can explore an underwater paradise.
How do you get to Nusa Lembongan island?
To get to Nusa Lembongan, take a short boat ride from Sanur Beach in Bali. The trip takes about 30-45 minutes. It’s a quick and beautiful way to the island. Many boats go daily, making it easy for divers to visit
Scuba Diving Gear For Diving Nusa Lembongan
Before using your scuba diving gear in Bali, enrolling in a scuba diving Nusa Lembongan course for at least two days is essential. The dive refresher course at Diving Lembongan ensures that the scuba diving gear used during the dive is of high quality and guaranteed to be safe. They teach you how to use and inspect scuba gear, creating a no-stress fun dive.
This dive center not only provides courses, but also rents out scuba diving equipment for advanced divers.
Swim with Manta Rays
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are known for manta rays. At Manta Point, divers can see these gentle giants up close. The strong currents and lively marine life make diving here thrilling.
Koh Tao Island
Koh Tao in Thailand is a great spot for diving. It’s known for its excellent dive schools and beautiful underwater views. It’s a favorite for both new and experienced divers who want to see tropical marine life.
How do you get to Koh Tao Island?
To get to Koh Tao, take a ferry. Ferries often go from Chumphon and Surat Thani and also from nearby islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. This ferry network makes getting to Koh Tao easy for divers.
Scuba Diving Gear For Diving Koh Tao
Koh Tao has many good dive shops that rent out gear and offer courses. Each shop makes sure divers have safe, quality gear. This is important for seeing the colorful coral reefs and marine life.
Swim with Sharks
Divers in Koh Tao often get to swim with different shark species. Places like Chumphon Pinnacle are known for bull sharks and sometimes whale sharks. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
Bali Diving Price vs. Thailand Diving Price
Bali and Thailand offer different diving packages for all levels of divers, with prices that vary. Bali is famous for its rich marine life, from colorful reef fish to big manta rays. Divers can go from shallow waters to depths over 40 meters, exploring various landscapes.
Price for Scuba Diving in Bali
Prices for Scuba Diving in Bali have various options depending on the diving package. Prices for Scuba Diving in Bali have various options depending on the diving package. You can choose from daily dives or full packages for beginners to experts. These packages include basic training, equipment, and lessons from PADI-certified instructors.
Scuba Diving Packages
For Beginners
Beginners in Bali can expect to pay $70-$100 for a dive, including gear and an instructor. Places like Diving Lembongan offer great deals without cutting corners on safety or training.
For Advanced
For those looking for more, advanced packages cost $350-$500. These let you dive at famous spots like Nusa Penida, known for its clear waters and lively marine life.
Price for Scuba Diving in Thailand
Thailand is also great for diving but can be pricier than Bali, especially for living expenses. Still, it offers a wide range of diving packages for all skill levels.
Scuba Diving Packages
For Beginners
Beginners in Thailand pay about $80-$120 per dive, which includes gear and a guide. It’s a great way to start diving.
For Advanced
Advanced divers can expect to spend $400-$600 over several days. These packages offer deep dives and unique experiences at places like the Similan Islands.
| Category | Bali | Thailand |
| Beginner Single Dive | $70-$100 | $80-$120 |
| Advanced Packages | $350-$500 | $400-$600 |
Choosing where to dive depends on your budget and what you want to see. Bali is often cheaper but Thailand offers unique marine life and affordable liveaboard trips. Think about what you want and what you can spend to pick the best place for you.
Is Scuba Diving More Expensive in Bali or Thailand?
Bali and Thailand are both known for their amazing underwater worlds. Prices for scuba diving in Bali vary, with prices for shore dives between $30-$60, boat dives from $60-$100, and drift dives at $70-$120. The cost depends on the dive type, location, and season. Famous spots like Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Padang Bai draw divers from all over.
In Thailand, diving costs are similar to Bali’s, but living there can be pricier. Hostels in Bali cost $5-$15 a night, while in Thailand they’re $3-$10. Hotels in Bali are $20-$50 a night, and in Thailand, they’re $15-$30.
When looking for affordable diving spots, think about the total cost of living and travel. Bali’s vacation rentals are $30-$100 a night, and in Thailand, they’re about $20-$80. Dining in Bali can be more luxurious, with meals for two costing around $21 USD. In Thailand, it’s about $16 USD.
Transport costs also matter. In Bali, taxis start at $2, and renting a motorbike is about $3 a day. In Thailand, taxis begin at $1.50, and motorbikes are $5 a day. But Bali’s dive sites are closer together, saving money on travel for budget divers.
Overall, diving in Bali might be cheaper than in Thailand, considering diving and living costs. Bali offers a rich diving experience without breaking the bank.
How To Scuba Dive on a Budget
Scuba diving doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many ways to save money and enjoy your underwater adventures. We’ll share some budget scuba travel tips for Bali and Thailand.
Budget Tips for Scuba Diving in Bali
Bali has beautiful underwater scenes and ways to save money for memorable dives.
- Choose Off-Peak Seasons: Diving in Bali during off-peak times means fewer people and lower costs on diving packages and places to stay.
- Opt for Local Dive Shops: Local dive centers, like Diving Lembongan, offer better prices than big companies. This dive center is a top spot with expert PADI instructors and various courses.
- Consider Shore Diving: Blue Corner has great shore diving spots. You can dive right from the beach, saving money on boat trips.
- Package Deals: Look for unlimited dive packages like in Lembongan. For $100 USD, you can dive up to 5 times in a day, which is a great deal.
Budget Tips for Scuba Diving in Thailand
Thailand is a top spot for affordable scuba diving.
- Lesser-Known Islands: Dive in places like Koh Tao for prices from 22 € to 352 €.
- Off-Peak Season: Diving during the off-season in Thailand means lower prices for places to stay and diving. Try to avoid the busy tourist times.
- Bundled Packages: Find all-inclusive deals. For example, a 4-day liveaboard in the Similan Islands costs about $620 USD. That’s around $45 USD per dive, including food and a place to stay.
- Combining Services: Many dive centers offer packages that include both diving and accommodation. This is cheaper and easier.
- NAD Lembeh Resort has a deal of $399 for 8 dives, four nights stay, and all meals, which is $50 per dive.
- In Utila, Honduras, diving costs from 20 € to 225 €. Some packages also include food and a place to stay.
By using these budget scuba travel tips, you can dive in Bali and Thailand without spending a lot. Picking the right time, dive centers, and packages helps you save money. This way, your scuba diving adventure will be both affordable and memorable.
Here is Our Preferred Scuba Diving Spots with Affordable Prices
Bali and Thailand are great for diving without spending a lot. In Bali, Amed and Tulamben are perfect for those watching their budget. They offer amazing underwater sights. The northwest coast also has beautiful coral walls at affordable prices.
Koh Tao in Thailand is a top spot for budget-friendly diving. A PADI course there, including where you stay, costs about $315 USD. An SSI course can be as cheap as $285 USD. Certified divers can enjoy dives for $25 to $50 USD each, depending on the gear and number of dives.
There are over 50 diving schools and sites like The Twins and White Rock. Koh Tao is known for its lively marine life. It’s a great place for divers of all levels.
In Bali, diving with manta rays at Nusa Lembongan is a must. Or, explore the waters near Candidasa for more mantas. Legend Diving is a trusted PADI 5-star dive center. It offers courses for beginners to experts. Bali’s diving prices are quite low, making it a great choice for budget divers.
Whether you pick Bali’s vibrant waters or Koh Tao’s value, both places offer amazing dives at good prices. So, get ready and explore these incredible yet affordable spots!
Is Bali or Thailand FAQ
Is Bali or Thailand Better for Diving?
Bali and Thailand both offer amazing underwater adventures. Bali is famous for almost guaranteed manta ray sightings and diverse coral dives. Thailand is known for its Similan Islands and blue waters, where you might see manta rays too. Both places have vibrant marine life and exciting activities above water.
How safe is scuba diving in Bali?
Bali has certified dive centers and experienced guides. But, it has strong currents and challenging dives, which might be tough for beginners. It’s important to pick reputable operators, especially with the risks of dodgy planes and ferries in Indonesia.
How safe is scuba diving in Thailand?
Thailand is great for beginners with its well-set tourist infrastructure. It focuses on safe practices, making it a comfortable place for new divers. Just remember to avoid tourist traps like tiger tourism and elephant camps.
How do you get to Nusa Lembongan island?
To get to Nusa Lembongan Island, take a boat from Bali. Several operators offer fast boat services from Sanur, Serangan, or Padang Bai, making it easy for divers and travelers to reach.
How do you get to Koh Tao island?
Koh Tao Island can be reached by ferry from the mainland port of Chumphon or Surat Thani. There are also ferry connections from nearby islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Is scuba diving more expensive in Bali or Thailand?
Generally, Indonesia, specifically Bali, tends to be more cost-effective for scuba diving compared to Thailand. Bali offers greater value for money with its unique diving experiences, accommodations, and lower overall expenses.
Thailand, with its well-established tourism infrastructure, has slightly higher costs for accommodation and transportation, impacting the overall price of diving. Budget-conscious divers might find Bali more affordable, while those prioritizing ease of travel and amenities may prefer Thailand, albeit at a higher cost.
