Quick answer: A Bali snorkeling tour costs $30-110 USD per person depending on the site. Amed shore snorkeling (Japanese Shipwreck, Jemeluk Bay) is $30-50 for a half day. The USS Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben is $50-80 with a short boat ride. A full-day Nusa Penida boat trip covering Manta Point, Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh is $60-110 per person. All Ohana tours include mask, snorkel, fins, hotel pickup, and an English, French or Mandarin speaking guide. Kid-friendly gear available at no extra cost. Best season: April to October.
Bali sits inside the Coral Triangle — the most biodiverse marine zone on the planet. Within a one-hour drive of most southern hotels, you can be floating above a sunken WWII shipwreck, drifting alongside a 4-metre manta ray, or watching butterflyfish thread through staghorn coral in a sheltered bay. You do not need a diving certificate, you do not need to be a strong swimmer, and you do not need a week of holiday to see the best of it.
Ohana is a family-run agency. We are an Indonesian family from Medan who have lived in Bali for years, and our family includes a certified French and Mandarin speaking guide. Our snorkeling tours are organised through a small network of trusted local skippers in Amed, Padang Bai and Nusa Lembongan — people we have worked with for years and whose boats, gear and judgment we trust with our own children.
Why Bali Is One of Asia's Best Snorkeling Destinations
The reefs around Bali, Nusa Penida and Menjangan sit at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the marine equivalent of the Amazon rainforest. Visibility on a clear dry-season day routinely reaches 25-30 metres at Amed and Menjangan. Water temperature stays between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round, which means a rash guard is enough — no wetsuit required.
Beyond the reef life, Bali offers something unusual: dramatic underwater landmarks accessible from the surface. The USS Liberty, a 120-metre WWII cargo ship sunk in 1963, lies on its side just 30 metres from Tulamben beach. The wreck starts at 5 metres depth — fully visible from the surface — and is now wrapped in coral and patrolled by bumphead parrotfish, sweetlips, and the occasional reef shark. Few destinations in the world let you snorkel a shipwreck of this size from a beach entry.
Add Nusa Penida's resident manta rays, Menjangan's wall dives that double as world-class snorkeling, and the gentle bays of Amed where first-time snorkelers can stand on sand and still see coral, and you have a destination that works for every level of swimmer in the same week.
For travellers planning a longer itinerary, our Amed destination guide and Nusa Penida destination guide cover where to stay, when to visit, and how to combine snorkeling with the rest of your trip.
Top 4 Snorkeling Sites We Cover
Bali has dozens of snorkeling spots. These four are the ones we book most often, in order of how beginner-friendly they are.
| Site | Best for | Entry | Depth | Highlights | Approx. price/person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amed (Jemeluk Bay + Japanese Shipwreck) | Beginners, families, calm-water lovers | Shore | 1-8 m | Coral garden, small wreck at 6m, reef fish | $30-50 (half-day) |
| USS Liberty Shipwreck, Tulamben | Anyone wanting a wreck experience | Shore (or short boat) | 5-30 m | 120m WWII shipwreck, bumphead parrotfish | $50-80 (full-day with transfer) |
| Nusa Penida — Manta Point + Crystal Bay + Toyapakeh | Confident swimmers wanting big animals | Boat | 5-15 m | Manta rays, mola mola (Aug-Oct), pristine coral | $60-110 (full-day boat) |
| Menjangan Island, West Bali National Park | Wall snorkeling, photography, fewer crowds | Boat (15 min) | 3-40m drop-offs | Coral walls, turtles, no currents | $80-120 (full-day from north) |
| Blue Lagoon, Padang Bai | Kids, total beginners, sea-sickness sufferers | Shore | 2-7 m | Sandy bay, easy snorkeling, lunch nearby | $35-55 (half-day) |
Every price above includes mask, snorkel, fins, drinking water, hotel pickup from south or central Bali (where applicable), and your guide. Boat-based trips also include the boat, fuel, and any park entrance fees.
Amed — Calm Water, Beach Entry, Big Coral
Amed is the gentlest introduction to Bali snorkeling. The sea here is sheltered by Mount Agung to the west and the Lombok Strait to the east, which keeps surface conditions glassy on most mornings. Jemeluk Bay has a wide coral garden in 2-5 metres of water that you reach by walking off the black-sand beach. The Japanese Shipwreck — a small WWII patrol boat at 6 metres — sits five minutes' swim from shore and is now home to sweetlips, lionfish, and bannerfish.
This is the site we recommend for families with kids, complete beginners, and anyone who wants to take their own pace without a boat schedule. Half-day tours run from 8 AM or 2 PM and last about 4-5 hours total including transfer. For more on the area, see our dedicated Amed snorkeling guide.
USS Liberty, Tulamben — A Shipwreck You Can Snorkel
Tulamben is a 30-minute drive north of Amed and home to one of the world's most accessible wreck sites. The USS Liberty was torpedoed in 1942 and pushed off the beach by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung; it now lies on its side, parallel to shore, between 5 and 30 metres deep. Snorkelers float over the bow at 5-7 metres and can clearly see the entire ship, the mast covered in soft coral, and the resident school of bumphead parrotfish that gathers at dawn.
We recommend Tulamben for travellers who want a memorable, slightly more adventurous half-day. The site is busier than Amed (it's a bucket-list dive too) so we start at 6:30 AM to beat the dive boats and to see the bumpheads before they move offshore.
Nusa Penida — Manta Rays and World-Class Coral
A full-day Nusa Penida snorkeling boat tour is the headline trip for most visitors. We leave Sanur or Padang Bai harbour by fast boat at 8 AM, transfer to a smaller traditional boat on Penida, and visit three sites in sequence: Manta Point (cleaning station for resident reef mantas), Crystal Bay (clear water, healthy coral, and the chance of mola mola in August-October), and Toyapakeh (drift snorkeling along a vibrant coral wall).
Manta sightings are most reliable from July to September, but mantas are present year-round. Our local Penida skipper has been working these waters for 15+ years and knows the cleaning stations and the tide windows. For a deeper look at the day, see our Nusa Penida day trip guide. For sea-sickness sufferers, this is the trip to think twice about — the open-water crossings can be choppy.
Menjangan Island — Wall Snorkeling in West Bali National Park
Menjangan is a small island inside West Bali National Park, four hours' drive from south Bali. The reward is some of the clearest water in the country and a series of vertical coral walls dropping from 3 metres to 40+ metres. You snorkel on the surface but the visibility means you can see down the entire wall. Turtles are common, currents are mild, and the site is rarely crowded.
This is a long day or a one-night trip — most travellers combine Menjangan with a stay in Lovina or Pemuteran. We arrange the boat, the park entrance fee, and the guide; you pay for accommodation separately if staying overnight.
Blue Lagoon, Padang Bai — Family-Friendly Half-Day
Blue Lagoon is a small white-sand bay 90 minutes east of Sanur. The water is shallow, calm, and clear, with coral starting just a few metres from the beach. We recommend it for families with younger kids, mixed-ability groups (some swim, some don't), and anyone who wants a half-day option that does not involve a boat. Optional add-on: lunch at a beachfront warung in nearby Padang Bai harbour.
Snorkeling Gear — What's Included and What to Bring
Every Ohana snorkeling tour includes the equipment you actually need. You should not feel pressured to rent extras on the day or buy gear before your trip.
What we provide: silicone mask in your size with anti-fog treatment, dry-top snorkel, open-heel fins (S/M/L/XL), and a floatation vest if you request one. Child-size masks and vests are available at no extra cost — just tell us your child's age. All gear is rinsed in fresh water and inspected between groups.
What you should bring: a swimsuit and rash guard or t-shirt (the sun on your back during 2-3 hours of snorkeling is fierce), reef-safe sunscreen (most regular sunscreens contain oxybenzone which kills coral — look for "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly" labels), a hat for the boat, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone if you want to bring it on a boat tour. A waterproof phone case or an action camera if you want photos of your own.
What we sometimes carry on request: GoPro rental ($10-15/day), reef-safe sunscreen if you forgot to buy any, motion-sickness tablets for boat trips.
What you do not need: a wetsuit (water is 27-30 degrees year-round, a rash guard is plenty), your own snorkel gear (ours is good quality), or any prior certification.
Day-Trip Pricing in Detail
Pricing depends on the site, group size, and whether you book a private or shared boat. The figures below are per person, including transfer from south or central Bali.
Amed half-day (shore snorkeling, Jemeluk + Japanese Shipwreck): $30-50 USD per person. Includes morning hotel pickup, 90-minute scenic drive to Amed, gear, two snorkel sessions with a break in between, and return drive. Total time: 8-9 hours door to door.
Tulamben half-day (USS Liberty shipwreck): $50-80 USD per person. Early start (6 AM pickup) to reach the wreck before dive groups. Includes gear, two snorkel sessions, light breakfast, and return drive. Total time: 9-10 hours.
Nusa Penida full-day boat (Manta Point + Crystal Bay + Toyapakeh): $60-110 USD per person depending on shared vs private boat. Includes Sanur transfer, fast boat to Penida, local boat with skipper, three snorkel sites, lunch on the island, and return. Total time: 10-11 hours. Private boat upgrade $30-40 per person on top.
Menjangan full-day (West Bali National Park): $80-120 USD per person. Long day from south Bali (4 hours each way) — we strongly recommend this combined with a Lovina or Pemuteran overnight. Includes park fees, boat, guide, gear, lunch.
Blue Lagoon Padang Bai half-day: $35-55 USD per person. Easiest option for families. Hotel pickup 8 AM, two snorkel sessions, lunch in Padang Bai, return by 3 PM.
Multi-day combos: popular package is Amed + Tulamben over two days with one night's accommodation in Amed — we arrange the lot for $180-250 per person including the room. For a fully bespoke multi-day trip, see our custom itinerary service.
Group size matters. A boat for two people costs almost the same as a boat for six, so per-person pricing drops significantly with group size. If you are travelling solo or as a couple and want a private boat at Nusa Penida, expect to pay closer to the top of each price range.
Group Size, Private Boats, and Why It Matters
We deliberately keep snorkeling groups small — usually two to six guests per guide. Most "shared" tour boats in Bali pack 10-15 people on board, which means crowded entries, divided guide attention, and rushed snorkel sessions because the operator wants to fit two trips into one day.
For Nusa Penida and Menjangan, we offer two booking options. Shared boat ($60-80 per person) means joining a small Ohana-curated group — never a 15-person tourist boat. Private boat ($90-110 per person) means just your family or party. Private is worth it if you have kids, if you want flexibility on timing, or if your group has mixed swimming abilities and needs more guide attention.
For Amed, Tulamben and Blue Lagoon shore snorkeling, group size is much less of an issue because there is no boat — your guide takes you in directly from the beach.
Snorkeling With Kids — What Actually Works
Snorkeling is a brilliant family activity in Bali, but it has to be matched to the child. We have spent enough time on these reefs with our own family to know what works for which age.
Ages 4-7: Blue Lagoon Padang Bai or Amed Jemeluk Bay only. Floatation vest, child-size mask, parent in the water at arm's length. Sessions are usually 30-45 minutes, not the full hour adults manage. Kids this age love seeing fish but tire quickly.
Ages 8-12: All shore-based sites including the USS Liberty shipwreck (which kids find genuinely thrilling). Boat trips to Menjangan are fine. Nusa Penida is borderline — Crystal Bay is fine, but Manta Point currents can be too much. Discuss your child's swimming level with us when you book.
Teenagers and adults with limited swimming: Floatation vest, beach entry sites only at first. Build confidence at Amed before considering boat trips. Manta Point requires comfort in open water — if you are unsure, skip it and do Crystal Bay only.
Non-swimmers: Yes, you can snorkel without being able to swim. A vest keeps you upright at the surface, and your guide stays within arm's reach. We have taken adults snorkeling who have never put their face in the sea before. Tell us in advance and we plan a gentle entry.
What to Bring (Beyond Gear)
A short, honest packing list for a Bali snorkeling day.
- Swimsuit (worn under your clothes for the morning pickup)
- Rash guard or t-shirt for sun protection during snorkel sessions
- Reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone-free)
- Towel
- Hat for the boat or beach
- Sunglasses
- Drinking water (we provide some, more is always good)
- Light snack (we provide breakfast/lunch on full-day trips)
- Dry bag for phone, wallet, hotel key
- Small cash (50-100,000 IDR) for tips, drinks at the warung, parking
- Motion-sickness tablets if you suffer (take one hour before boarding)
- Underwater camera or phone case if you want photos
You do not need a wetsuit, dive computer, dive certificate, or any specialist gear. Snorkeling is the most low-friction water activity in Bali, and that is part of why it is so good.
Why Choose Ohana for Your Bali Snorkeling Tour
There are dozens of snorkeling operators in Bali, from beachfront kiosks at Amed to giant tour platforms selling shared boat trips at Nusa Penida. Here is what is genuinely different about booking with Ohana.
Family-run, multilingual. Our family includes a certified French and Mandarin speaking guide, and her parents are official Mandarin tour guides. Most snorkeling operators offer English only. We brief your group in English, French, or Mandarin and you get a guide who can actually answer questions about marine life in your own language.
Small groups, never overcrowded boats. We deliberately limit group size — two to six guests per guide on shared trips. If you have seen photos of 15-person tour boats at Manta Point, that is not us.
Trusted local skippers and dive masters. We work with the same small group of Amed, Padang Bai, and Nusa Penida skippers we have used for years. They know the reefs, the tide windows, the cleaning stations, and when not to go out. Safety judgment is non-negotiable — if conditions are unsafe, we reschedule or refund.
Kid-friendly equipment included. Child-size masks and floatation vests at no extra cost. We are a family ourselves and we plan tours for families.
No upselling on the boat. The price you confirm via WhatsApp is the price you pay. No mystery "park fee" added on the day, no pressure to buy underwater photos, no suggestion you "tip the boat" beyond the standard guide tip.
Direct contact throughout. You book by WhatsApp with our family, not a call centre. If conditions change, your hotel pickup needs adjusting, or you want to switch sites, you reach a real person within an hour.
If you are combining snorkeling with the rest of your trip, our private driver service can handle airport pickup, hotel transfers and any non-water-based day trips with the same multilingual standard. For Bali waterfalls, rice terraces, and other inland highlights, we plan and drive the whole package.
Snorkeling FAQ
How much does a Bali snorkeling tour cost?
A half-day shore tour at Amed costs $30-50 per person. A USS Liberty shipwreck day at Tulamben is $50-80. A full-day Nusa Penida boat tour with Manta Point is $60-110 per person. All Ohana tours include gear, hotel pickup from south or central Bali, and a multilingual guide.
What is the best season to snorkel in Bali?
April to October (dry season) offers visibility of 20-30 metres and calm seas. November to March (wet season) has shorter visibility and occasionally rough waters around Nusa Penida. Manta rays are present year-round but most reliably seen July to September.
Is gear included in the price?
Yes. Mask, snorkel, fins, and a floatation vest if you ask for one are included in every Ohana booking. Child-size gear is available at no extra cost. You do not need to bring your own equipment.
Is Bali snorkeling beginner-friendly?
Yes — Amed Jemeluk Bay and Blue Lagoon Padang Bai are ideal for first-timers. Both are shore entries in calm, shallow water (1-5 metres) where you can stand on sand and still see coral. Manta Point and Toyapakeh on Nusa Penida have currents and require open-water comfort.
Can I take kids snorkeling in Bali?
Yes — Amed and Blue Lagoon are excellent for kids ages 4 and up. We provide child-size masks and floatation vests at no extra cost. We do not recommend Manta Point or Nusa Penida boat trips for children under 8, as currents can be strong.
What if I get sea-sick on the boat?
Choose Amed or Blue Lagoon Padang Bai — both are entered from the beach with no boat ride. For Nusa Penida and Menjangan, take motion-sickness tablets one hour before boarding, eat a light breakfast, and sit at the back of the boat. We carry Antimo (local anti-nausea tablets) on every boat trip.
How likely am I to see manta rays at Manta Point?
Manta rays are resident at Manta Point and sightings occur on roughly 8 out of 10 trips during the dry season. July to September is the peak window. Mantas are wild — we cannot guarantee sightings, but our skipper knows the cleaning stations and the timing.
Do I need a license or certification to snorkel?
No. Snorkeling requires no certification, no prior experience, and not even strong swimming ability. A floatation vest keeps non-swimmers safely at the surface and your guide stays close throughout.
Ready to Book Your Bali Snorkeling Tour
Whether you want a relaxed half-day at Amed with the kids, a sunrise trip to the USS Liberty shipwreck, or a full-day boat to Nusa Penida hoping for manta rays, we will match you with the right site, the right boat, and the right guide.
Send us a WhatsApp message with your dates, group size (and ages of any children), accommodation area, and language preference. Within 24 hours we confirm availability, send a transparent quote in USD and IDR, and recommend the site that fits your group best. The day before your tour, we share your guide's name and the exact pickup time.
The reefs are waiting.
How We Plan This
Every snorkeling tour we run goes through the same process. First, you message our family directly — we ask about swimming experience, ages of any kids in the group, sea-sickness history, and any sites you have already heard about and want to include. Second, we recommend a site (or a two-day combo) that matches your group, and we confirm the boat or shore plan, the guide, the price, and the pickup time. Third, the day before the tour, we check the marine forecast — if conditions are unsafe at Nusa Penida or Menjangan, we move the trip to a sheltered alternative or reschedule with a full refund.
Skippers are matched to bookings based on language requirement, group size, and the specific site. A French-speaking family at Amed goes to a francophone-friendly guide. A photography-focused traveller at Tulamben goes to a skipper who knows the bumphead timing. A first-time snorkeler at Blue Lagoon goes to a guide who teaches mask-clearing and breathing patiently before getting in. Matching is deliberate, not random.
Our family stays involved throughout — from the first WhatsApp message to coordinating your guide on the day. If anything needs adjusting mid-trip, you reach us directly, not a dispatch desk.
