USAT Liberty Wreck, Tulamben: Bali's Shore Dive

The USAT Liberty is one of the most accessible shipwreck dives anywhere, lying just off the beach at Tulamben, a short drive north-west of Amed. A United States Army Transport cargo ship, it was torpedoed in 1942 during the Second World War and beached on the coast, then pushed into the sea by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung. Decades underwater have turned the hull into a reef, and divers and snorkellers now come to this stretch of the north-east coast for it.

From wartime to reef

The Liberty was carrying supplies when a Japanese torpedo struck in 1942. Its crew ran the damaged ship aground on the Bali shore, salvaged the cargo, and left the hull on the beach. When Mount Agung erupted in 1963, the tremors and lava flows shifted the wreck off the sand and into the water just offshore. Coral has grown across the steel since then, and shoals of reef fish move through the openings. The ship now reads as a living reef as much as a relic.

Diving and snorkelling the wreck

The wreck lies close to shore in about 5m to 30m of water, which is why it is dived straight from the beach rather than by boat. That easy access and gentle depth range suit a wide span of divers, from those still in training to experienced ones working the full length of the hull. Snorkellers can take in the shallower sections from the surface, especially where the structure rises towards the top of the slope. Amed and Tulamben dive shops run guided trips and match sites to your certification.

Making the most of it

Go early. The Liberty is a popular site, and daytime groups can gather thick along the slope, while the morning tends to bring calmer, clearer water. Tulamben sits a short drive from the Amed villages, so many visitors base themselves in Amed and travel over for a dive before returning to the coast for the rest of the day. Local operators handle gear, guiding and transport, which keeps the logistics simple.

How to visit

The Liberty makes a natural centrepiece for a diving trip based on the Amed coast, close enough to fold into a wider few days in the area. Back near your base, a gentler swim over the reef at Jemeluk Bay is an easy counterpoint to the wreck. For more on planning your time, see the full list of things to do in Amed. Arrange a scooter or driver in advance, as ride-hailing apps are unreliable in the far east.

Frequently asked questions

What is the USAT Liberty wreck?+

The USAT Liberty was a United States Army Transport cargo ship, torpedoed in 1942 during the Second World War. It was beached on the Bali coast and later pushed into the sea by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung. It now lies just off the shore at Tulamben, where coral and reef fish have colonised the hull. Although the file name uses USS, the ship is correctly the USAT Liberty.

Can you snorkel the Liberty wreck or do you need to dive?+

You can do both, because the wreck lies in shallow water starting at about 5m and sloping to around 30m. The shallowest sections are within reach of snorkellers looking down from the surface. Divers explore the full length of the hull and its coral growth. For the closest view of the structure, a guided dive is the better option.

How deep is the Liberty wreck?+

The wreck sits between roughly 5m and 30m of water, running along the slope just off the beach. This range makes it suitable for a wide span of divers, from those in training to more experienced ones. The shallow upper parts also allow snorkellers to see sections of the hull. Local dive shops match sites on the wreck to your certification and comfort.

How do I get to the Liberty wreck from Amed?+

The wreck lies off Tulamben, a short drive north-west along the coast from Amed. Most divers travel by scooter or hired driver, or join a trip arranged through an Amed dive shop. Grab and Gojek are unreliable in this area, so plan transport in advance. An early start helps you reach the wreck before the busier daytime groups arrive.