While Bali offers excellent diving in its own waters, the island is also the departure point for liveaboard trips to some of the world's best dive destinations in the wider Indonesian archipelago.
Komodo National Park (3-7 day trips): dramatic drift dives, manta ray feeding stations, reef shark encounters, and the chance to see Komodo dragons on land. Liveaboards depart from Labuan Bajo (short flight from Bali).
Raja Ampat (7-14 day trips): the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. Over 1,500 fish species and 550 coral species. Remote islands, pristine reefs, and encounters with wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, and massive schools of fish.
Alor and Flores (5-10 day trips): off-the-beaten-path diving with incredible marine biodiversity, traditional villages, and volcanic landscapes. Fewer boats and more remote than Komodo.
Banda Sea (7-14 day trips, limited season): legendary pelagic encounters including hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and oceanic manta rays. Only accessible during calm weather windows (October-November).
Costs: liveaboard trips range from $200-500/day depending on the boat and destination. Most include all diving, meals, and accommodation on the boat. Flights and equipment rental may be extra.
If a liveaboard is in your future, we recommend getting your Advanced Open Water certification in Bali first. Many liveaboard dive sites require Advanced certification due to currents and depths.