Exploring the beauty of Tulamben

The Jakarta Post   |  Sun, 10/05/2008 11:16 AM  |  Photo

Tulamben is totally worth the two-and-a-half-hour overland trip from Sanur, Bali. When pressing the deflator button to descend, we seemed to get mysteriously, suddenly recharged by a new energy, the feel of the deep seawater through our wet suits soothing.

Ready to dive!

Welcome to Tulamben: one of the world’s best diving sites near this island paradise. This site has attracted diving lovers from home and abroad to check out the underwater life and to treasure its beauty.

On the day we dived there were about 50 divers divided into several groups, mostly crowding the site of the U.S. Liberty shipwreck.

“During peak season, there could be hundreds of people diving in this particular site,” said Chris, our guide from Bali Scuba.

The U.S. cargo ship was torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. It is now covered with anemones, gorgonian and coral.

Near the shipwreck, a school of Jackfish passed by, apparently unfazed by the arrival of divers.

A school of Surgeonfish even approached Chris, as if worshipping him as a god of fish. It was a rare yet fascinating scene.

Besides the shipwreck, the coral garden and drop-off were must-see sites replete with underwater life, with examples of Napoleon, Stingrays, Clownfish, Barracuda, Butterflyfish and Angelfish.

With 12 to 25-meter visibility and relatively slow currents, Tulamben has a perfect seabed not only for diving but also for getting to know the underwater beauty.

 

— Text and photos by Arief Suhardiman

 

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