Quick Facts: USS Liberty Wreck at a Glance
| Location | Tulamben, Karangasem, North-East Bali |
| GPS | -8.2722° S, 115.5913° E |
| Depth | 5m (shallowest) to 30m (deepest section) |
| Visibility | 10–30m depending on season |
| Water Temperature | 26–29°C year-round |
| Dive Type | Shore dive, wall/slope, wreck penetration possible |
| Certification Required | Open Water minimum; Advanced for penetration |
| Best Time | April–November (dry season, best visibility) |
| Access | Beach entry — rocky, bring booties |
| Proximity to Pebble & Fins | ~15 minutes by car from our Kubu resort |
What Makes the USS Liberty Wreck Special
The USAT Liberty, the famous USS Liberty Wreck dive site, is a 120-metre United States Army transport ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 off the coast of Lombok. After being towed to Tulamben and beached, the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung pushed the wreck into the water, where it settled on a black volcanic sand slope just 30 metres from shore.
Today it is one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world. You can walk in from the beach and reach the hull in under five minutes. The wreck sits at an angle on the slope, with the shallowest sections at 5 metres and the deepest at around 30 metres, making it suitable for everyone from snorkellers to technical divers.
Dive Site Layout
The USS Liberty Wreck lies roughly parallel to shore on a slope running from northwest to southeast. Here’s how it breaks down:
Shallow Section (5–12m): The stern area is the shallowest and most popular section. The hull has split open, creating swim-throughs and enclosures filled with coral. Great for Open Water divers and even snorkellers.
Mid Section (12–20m): The main body of the ship. You’ll find the cargo holds, engine room remnants, and the iconic boiler. Schools of jackfish circle here. Ideal for Advanced Open Water divers.
Deep Section (20–30m): The bow area slopes deeper. Liberty’s gun mounts are visible. Best for experienced divers or those doing a deep dive speciality.
The Wall (adjacent): A coral drop-off runs parallel to the wreck starting around 20m. Many divers combine a wreck tour with a drift along the wall, which has excellent coral and reef fish.
Marine Life You’ll Encounter
The USS Liberty Wreck has been underwater for over 60 years and is now a fully mature artificial reef:
Fish: Schools of bigeye trevally, barracuda, batfish, and fusiliers. Reef sharks occasionally patrol the deeper sections. Parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish are everywhere.
Turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles are common, especially in the morning.
Macro Life: Nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses on the gorgonian fans along the adjacent wall.
Coral: Hard and soft corals blanket the entire structure. Table corals, brain corals, and branching acropora create a colourful canopy.
Seasonal Visitors: Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) are spotted here July–October, particularly along the deeper wall section.
Practical Dive Tips
Entry: Beach entry over rounded volcanic rocks. Dive booties or fin socks are essential. The Pebble & Fins dive team will help carry gear to the entry point.
Currents: Generally mild. The site is somewhat sheltered by the bay shape, but surge can occur during rough weather.
Best Dive Plan: Start at the deep bow section, work your way up through the mid-section, and finish exploring the shallow stern on your safety stop. This natural profile maximises bottom time.
Photography: Excellent for wide-angle in the morning when sunlight streams through the structure. Macro opportunities are best along the adjacent wall.
Night Dives: The wreck transforms at night — parrotfish sleep in mucus cocoons, Spanish dancers (large nudibranchs) emerge, and flashlight fish light up the dark interior. See our dedicated
night diving guide.
Who Is This Dive Suitable For?
Beginners (Open Water): Absolutely. The shallow sections are perfect for training dives and first wreck experiences. Visibility is usually excellent, and the gradual slope means depth control is easy.
Intermediate (Advanced Open Water): You can explore the entire wreck, including swim-throughs and the deeper bow section.
Experienced/Technical: Penetration diving into the cargo holds, deep exploration, and rebreather dives offer plenty to keep you engaged.
Snorkellers: The top of the wreck is visible from the surface in good conditions. You can snorkel over the site and see fish, coral, and the outline of the hull.
Getting There from Pebble & Fins
The USS Liberty Wreck is approximately 15 minutes by car from Pebble & Fins in Kubu, making it our most accessible dive site. We run daily trips — morning, afternoon, and night dives are all available. Our dive centre handles all logistics including equipment, transport, and dive guiding.
Book a USS Liberty dive trip with Pebble & Fins →
