Padang Bay

Southeast coast of Bali

Pura Jepun lies fifty metres off shore directly in front of the shrine after which it was named.

The reef starts as a shallow ledge at a depth of ten metres. Swim further to sea, and a slope will take you down to 20 metres, after which a sandy bottom levels out at 40 metres. The slope is dominated by magnificent anemones, black and yellow featherstars and sea squirts. Oriental sweetlips, boxfish and yellow trumpetfish are common on Bali scuba dives here.

On the sand you can see lizardfish or you may be lucky to spot the heavily camouflaged peacock flounder, peering up at you with its two eyes, both on the same side of its flattened head. In the shallows cruise crocodile long toms, or needlefish.

Tanjung Sari is the name of the headland on the left as you come out of Padang Bay. It is the most different and surprising of all the dives here. It has a distinct population of sharks, such as cat sharks, nurse sharks, wobbegongs and reef sharks. Rare critters such as shrimps, crabs and nudibranchs, mean this site is very popular for night diving. As ever, Bali can turn up the most amazing creatures, just when you least expect it.

Blue Lagoon lies just around the corner from Padang Bay, and is rather imaginatively named since it is neither blue nor a lagoon. It's a protected and shallow, patchy reef of scattered staghorn corals and hydroids. Its unremarkable nature belies the potential for unusual sightings such as stonefish, octopus and eels.

Tanjung Bungsil is a shallow scuba dive to the south of Padang Bay Harbour, but the fish life here is still very good. Blue-faced and six-banded angelfish and clown triggerfish will brighten up your dive.

• Bali tourist information

• Map of the island

Padang Bay Reef Basics: Fringing reef
Depth: 5 - 20m
Visibility: 10 - 20m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 20 - 24°C
Experience Level: Beginner
Number of dive sites: 2
Diving Season: All year round, but can be difficult June to September
Distance: ~45 km northeast of Kuta (2 hours)
Access: Bali scuba diving resorts

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