AquaMarine Diving - Bali

AquaMarine Diving – Bali is a British-owned PADI 5 Star Dive Resort located in Seminyak. Since 2016, they have established a reputation for delivering highly customised diving experiences that move away from the standard tourist package.

Whether you are looking for a single day trip or a multi-day diving safari, the centre organises itineraries tailored to your specific experience level and interests. They act as a central hub for diving in Indonesia, facilitating trips not just around Bali, but also to remote destinations like Komodo, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, and the Bunaken Marine Park.

The team is composed of dedicated Indonesian professionals who have made diving their lifelong career. A significant majority of the staff are PADI instructors, with many having been with the centre for over a decade. This longevity ensures a high level of consistency and local knowledge when guiding you through the various dive sites.

Service is focused on a low diver-to-guide ratio, with a maximum of four divers per guide. This allows for the level of attention required for specialised activities, such as macro photography or navigating more challenging currents. The centre also manages all the logistics of your trip, from airport transfers to coordinating with local hotels and resorts.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses for every stage of a diver's development. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while more experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster levels.

For those looking to specialise, they provide various PADI Specialty Dive Courses, including the Drift Dive specialty. The centre is well-equipped to handle professional training and custom programmes for specific groups, such as underwater photographers.

The region offers spectacular variety, from the massive pelagics of Nusa Penida to the intricate macro life of the muck sites. You can encounter Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at Manta Point and Mola-Mola during their season from July to mid-November. Large reef fish such as Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), giant trevally, and various reef sharks, including the Bali Wobbegong shark, are common sights on the walls and reefs.

The hard and soft coral structures are immense, featuring large gorgonians, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera) that provide a home for countless invertebrates. You will find diverse life on the reef flats and walls, including sea snakes (Hydrophiinae), turtles, and large schools of fish like fusiliers (Caesio) and snapper (Lutjanus).

For macro enthusiasts, the muck diving sites are world-class. The sandy bottoms and seagrass meadows host a dense population of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). Look closely for the mimic octopus, wonderpus, flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) tucked away in the debris.

Conditions vary significantly depending on the site. Nusa Penida and Lembongan are known for moderate to strong currents, making them suitable for experienced divers. Some sites, such as Tepekong and Blue Corner, can experience very strong currents and are best suited for advanced divers.

In the Bunaken Marine Park, currents are generally described as gentle, ideal for slow, relaxed drift dives. However, sites like Secret Bay can experience currents reaching up to 7 knots. Swell and wave conditions can also affect accessibility, particularly at Manta Point I and Biaha, which can become quite choppy.