Tamarind Divers Lembongan

Located at Villa Wayan on Tamarind Beach, Tamarind Divers serves as a gateway to the diverse marine environments of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan. The centre is positioned just a short drive from Mushroom Beach, making it an accessible base for exploring the region's most famous drift dives and cleaning stations.

Since opening in 2016, the centre has established itself through a focus on small group sizes and local expertise. They operate with a deep connection to the local marine environment, actively supporting the Lembongan Marine Association and the Coral Triangle Center to ensure the reefs they dive remain healthy.

The team is composed of an international group of PADI instructors and Divemasters who bring over 30 years of combined experience to the local waters. This expertise is particularly valuable when navigating the unpredictable currents characteristic of the area.

Safety and environmental stewardship are central to their operations. They maintain a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide or instructor and adhere to specific Codes of Conduct for encounters with sensitive species like manta rays and mola mola. The centre also participates in the Reefcheck research programme to monitor local reef health.

Tamarind Divers offers the full spectrum of PADI training, beginning with Discover Scuba Diving and progressing through Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. They also provide the Scuba Diver course and various specialty certifications, including Nitrox, Deep Diver, and Underwater Navigation.

For those looking to advance their professional skills, the centre runs the PADI Divemaster course and provides training for Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response. They are also the only centre in Bali to offer the PADI Mola Mola Awareness specialty. Additional training includes Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diver, and Digital Underwater Photography.

The centre operates a custom-built 12m twin-engined fibreglass boat designed for local excursions. The vessel is equipped with VHF radio, mobile phones, and lifejackets for safety.

Onboard, you will find snacks, lunch, tea, coffee, and drinking water provided for the day. The boat is also equipped with emergency oxygen to ensure safety during all outings.

The centre provides a complete range of rental kit from reputable brands including Scubapro, Aqualung, and BARE. All equipment is kept new and well-maintained for every diver.

For those who prefer to use their own gear, a discount is available on all recreational diving packages. The facility includes a recently renovated centre and a dedicated training pool for practicing skills and buoyancy.

The region is a hotspot for large pelagics. You can expect to see reef sharks (Carcharhinus), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), and eagle rays (Aetobatus) patrolling the walls and currents. During the mola mola season, the ocean sunfish are a primary attraction at sites like Crystal Bay and Sental Point.

The reefs are built upon a foundation of diverse hard corals (Scleractinia), including table corals and large coral bommies. You will find vibrant soft corals (Alcyonacea), gorgonians, and various sea fans (Gorgoniidae) decorating the underwater landscape.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and reef flats host a variety of smaller organisms. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), mantis shrimp, scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and various species of moray eel (Muraenidae). You may also encounter orangutan crabs, frogfish (Antennarius), and diverse crustaceans like hairy lobsters (Homaridae).

Diving in this area requires an understanding of varying water conditions. Some sites, such as Blue Corner, Sental Point, and Ceningan Wall, are subject to unpredictable and potentially strong currents.

Certain locations, including Manta Point and Manta Bay, are exposed to swell from the Indian Ocean and are only suitable for diving when conditions allow. However, the sheltered waters of Lembongan Bay and Tamarind Bay provide calmer alternatives for training and beginners when the swell permits.