Discover Scuba Diving

Bali Dive Trek’s beginner program gives you a quick, careful introduction to scuba, then takes you into the sea near Amed for one guided underwater session. The standout feature is the four-person maximum, which gives your instructor room to watch your breathing, equipment, and comfort closely.

I like the gentle order of the morning: tea or coffee first, safety rules next, pool practice after that, and only then the ocean. I also like that the price includes equipment, towels, water, fruit, and photos or videos, so you are not building a pile of small extra costs. The main catch is location: the experience is sold for Ubud, but the listed meeting point is in Amed, several hours away by road, so confirm pickup and travel time before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Smallest possible group: The maximum is four people, useful for a first underwater session.
• Pool practice comes first: You can get used to the regulator and equipment before entering the sea.
• Two possible ocean sites: The session may take place at Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben.
• One ocean session included: A second session is available only as an upgrade.
• Practical inclusions: Equipment, towels, tea or coffee, water, fruit, and underwater photos or videos are provided.
• Strong safety focus: The program includes rules, risks, and instruction from an experienced scuba instructor.

A beginner-friendly start near Bali’s east coast

This is not a full certification course. It is a short introduction built for people who want to try scuba without committing to several days of classroom work and multiple open-water sessions.

The roughly five-hour schedule is compact but sensibly arranged. You begin with tea or coffee, which gives you a calm start rather than sending you straight into gear and instructions. The instructor then explains basic scuba rules and the risks involved. After that comes a pool session, where you can become comfortable with the breathing equipment before heading into the sea.

That order matters. Scuba feels strange at first. Breathing through a regulator, clearing water from a mask, and managing your position underwater all take concentration. A pool gives you a controlled place to get the basics right. You can ask questions, pause, and repeat an exercise without the added movement of waves or the pressure of an open-water site.

I especially like the small group limit. Four people is still enough for a shared experience, but it is small enough for an instructor to notice when you are tense or unsure. The center’s wider teaching program has been associated with instructors such as Fernando, Pepan, and Zebastain P, while the instructor for this particular booking may vary. The important point is that the program is led by an experienced instructor, not a casual escort.

What your five-hour schedule looks like

The morning begins at 8:00 am at the listed Bali Dive Trek meeting point on Jalan Bali Bali Dive Trek in Amed. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The pickup information needs a careful look. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, yet the formal meeting details list the Amed center as both the start and end point. If you are staying in Ubud, do not assume the transfer arrangement is automatic. Confirm your hotel address, pickup time, and whether transport is included before you pay. The difference between Ubud and Amed can have a major effect on your day.

Once you arrive, expect an introduction over tea or coffee. The session then covers the basic rules of scuba and the risks you need to understand. This is not filler. A good first session should explain how to breathe, how to communicate underwater, how to handle common equipment problems, and when to signal that you need help. The supplied information does not give a full list of exercises, so you should treat the pool portion as a practical orientation rather than a certification class.

The pool session is the bridge between theory and the sea. You get a chance to check your equipment, practice breathing, and settle into the sensation of being underwater. If you are nervous, this is the moment to tell the instructor. With no more than four people, you should have a better chance of receiving individual help than on a large introductory outing.

The final main part is one ocean session. Your site may be Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben. The final choice can depend on conditions and the plan for the day, so ask which site is likely before you leave.

Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty wreck

Coral Garden offers a natural setting for a first look below the surface. Its appeal is the chance to focus on the basic experience of scuba and observe the underwater environment without the added historical focus of a wreck site.

The other possibility is the USAT Liberty, a Second World War shipwreck at Tulamben. This gives the outing a stronger sense of place. You are not simply practicing underwater skills in an anonymous patch of sea. You may be introduced to a well-known wreck site with a clear story behind it.

The wreck option also comes with a practical consideration. A historic shipwreck can be more interesting, but it may give you more to process as a beginner. You need to pay attention to your instructor, your air supply, your body position, and your comfort rather than trying to see everything at once. The program is still designed for beginners, but the site choice is worth discussing before the session starts.

Only one ocean session is included. If you want a second session, you need to arrange and pay for the upgrade separately. That is important when comparing this experience with a full-day package. The included program is best understood as a first taste, not a full day of underwater exploration.

The value of the $120.94 price

At $120.94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend five hours in Bali. The value comes from what is bundled into a small, guided introduction.

You receive the instructor, equipment, towels, tea or coffee, water, fruit, and photos or videos of the experience. A group capped at four also has real value for a beginner. You are paying for supervision and structure, not only for time in the water.

The photographs and videos are a useful extra. Your first session can pass quickly, and you may not be able to pay attention to the scenery while also remembering how to use your equipment. Having visual memories afterward means you do not have to choose between concentrating on instruction and trying to document the moment yourself.

The price makes more sense if you want a contained introduction and personal attention. It makes less sense if you already have scuba training and only want maximum time underwater. Since a second ocean session costs extra, check the upgrade price if you are hoping for more than one descent.

I also recommend comparing the total cost of getting to Amed. A hotel transfer can make the package easier, but the booking details should be clear about what pickup covers. If you are based in Ubud, transport time may be as important as the activity price.

Safety and instruction come first

The strongest feature of this program is its teaching structure. The center explains rules and risks before the pool session, then puts you in the sea only after you have had time to get used to the basics.

That approach suits a first-timer who wants reassurance without signing up for a full qualification. The instructor is expected to remain involved throughout the session, and the four-person limit should help keep the group together.

Feedback connected with the center repeatedly highlights careful organization, calm instruction, and attention to safety. Fernando is described as keeping close watch during an open-water session, while Pepan is associated with friendly and clear guidance. Other comments describe staff as flexible when schedules changed and helpful beyond the actual session. Those points do not guarantee which instructor you will meet, but they give you a useful idea of the center’s teaching style.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the instructor if you feel anxious, have trouble with the mask, or need more time in the pool. A short introductory session works best when you treat it as a lesson, not a test.

The description says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed medical or age policy. If you have a medical concern, ask Bali Dive Trek before booking. Do not wait until the morning of the activity to raise an important health question.

What is included, and what is not

The practical inclusions are generous for a short program:

• Scuba equipment
• Towels
• Tea or coffee
• Water
• Fruit
• Photos and videos
• An experienced scuba instructor
• One ocean session
• Hotel pickup and drop-off, as offered

The main extra is a second ocean session. It is available as an upgrade, but the price is not supplied here. Ask about it in advance if one session sounds too brief.

The exact underwater conditions, final site, and instructor are also not guaranteed in the supplied details. Coral Garden and the USAT Liberty are both named, so the program has a clear east-coast focus, but the final plan may depend on the day’s operation and conditions. Ask direct questions before booking rather than assuming you will visit the wreck.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this experience most

This is a good match for you if you are curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a full course. It also suits a visitor with limited time who wants pool practice and one ocean session in the same morning.

The small group is especially helpful if you are nervous about breathing underwater or learning unfamiliar equipment. Families and groups of friends should note that the total limit is four people, so a larger party may be split or require separate arrangements.

It is less suitable if your main goal is a long underwater day. One ocean session is included, and the program lasts about five hours from start to finish. Certified scuba users may find the introductory pace too slow, since the schedule is built around first-time instruction.

It can also be a poor fit if you are staying in Ubud and do not want a long transfer to Amed. The listing offers pickup, but the stated meeting point is in Amed. Get the transport details in writing before you build the rest of your day around it.

Should you book Bali Dive Trek’s introduction?

Book it if you want a careful first step into scuba, value a tiny group, and like the idea of a pool session before the sea. The supplied equipment, refreshments, towels, and photos make the $120.94 fee easier to justify, particularly when personal instruction matters more to you than getting the lowest possible price.

Before booking, confirm three things: your pickup from Ubud, the likely site, and the price of a second ocean session. If those details work for your schedule, this is a well-structured introduction with a sensible focus on safety and individual attention. If you want certification or several ocean sessions, choose a longer course instead.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

The listed start point is Bali Dive Trek on Jalan Bali Bali Dive Trek, Amed, Purwakerthi, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80852, Indonesia.

What time does the activity begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, but the formal meeting details also list the Amed dive center as the start and end point. Confirm the exact arrangement before booking.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is four people.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. The program is designed as an introduction and includes scuba rules, a pool session, and one guided ocean session.

What ocean sites may be visited?

The named possibilities are Coral Garden and the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben.

Is a second ocean session included?

No. One ocean session is included. A second session is available as an upgrade, and you should contact the provider for details.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund.