Discover Scuba Diving

Bali makes a first scuba session easy. This five-hour experience begins with tea or coffee, moves through safety instruction and pool practice, then takes you into the ocean with an experienced instructor. I like the maximum group size of four, which gives a beginner more direct help, and I like that equipment, towels, drinks, fruit, and photos or videos are included.

The main point to check is the location. The experience is marketed for Ubud, but the stated meeting point is Bali Dive Trek in Amed, at Jalan Bali Bali Dive Trek, Purwakerthi, Abang, Karangasem Regency. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact arrangements before paying. The price of $120.94 is fair if you value a small group and an all-in package, though this is only one ocean session unless you pay for a second.

Key points to know before booking

• Four-person maximum: You get closer attention than on a large introductory outing.
• Pool practice comes first: You learn the basic rules and get comfortable with the equipment before entering the sea.
• Two possible ocean sites: Your session may take place at Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty Shipwreck in Tulamben.
• Amed meeting point: The listed start and finish point is Bali Dive Trek, not central Ubud.
• Photos and videos are included: You receive memories of your first underwater experience.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund.

The real location is Amed, not central Ubud

The first practical issue is geography. The experience is described as being in Ubud, but the official start point is in Amed, on Bali’s east coast. That matters because your day may involve hotel transport, and you should not assume the activity begins near central Ubud.

Pickup and drop-off are offered, which removes the nuisance of finding the center yourself. Still, ask the operator to confirm whether your hotel is included in the pickup area, what time you will be collected, and how the five-hour estimate fits with the road journey. The stated start time is 8:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

I like the simplicity of returning to the same place. You do not need to arrange a second meeting point at the end of the morning. Just keep your schedule light afterward, since the exact transport timing is not provided.

A calm start with tea, coffee, and clear rules

The program begins with a welcome tea or coffee. That small touch gives you time to settle in before the serious part starts. For a first attempt, a relaxed beginning is useful. You can meet the instructor, ask basic questions, and get a sense of how the morning will run.

Next comes an explanation of scuba rules. This is not filler. You need to understand how to breathe with the regulator, communicate underwater, manage basic problems, and respond to the instructor’s signals. The supplied information does not list every lesson, so I would treat this as an introduction rather than a substitute for a full certification course.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the care taken with instruction and safety. One customer described completing theory, pool work, and open-water sessions with Fernando, who kept close watch throughout the underwater portion. Another praised Pepan for being friendly, well prepared, and enthusiastic. Those details matter more than polished equipment photographs when you are doing this for the first time.

Pool practice before the ocean session

The pool session is the most important part for a beginner. Here you can get used to the mask, breathing equipment, fins, and the feeling of moving underwater without dealing with ocean conditions at the same time.

I like that the program does not send you directly from a briefing into open water. The pool gives you a chance to practice the basics while your instructor can correct small problems early. If your mask feels awkward or you are nervous about breathing through the equipment, this is the moment to say so.

The small group makes a difference here. With no more than four participants, the instructor has a better chance of spotting hesitation or poor technique. That does not guarantee a perfect fit for every person, but it is a stronger setup than being one face in a large class.

Most people can participate, according to the provided details. However, the program is still a physical activity involving water and specialist equipment. If you have concerns about your health or swimming ability, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on a general statement that most people can take part.

One ocean session at Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty

After the pool work, the program includes one ocean descent. The listed options are Coral Garden or the USAT Liberty Shipwreck in Tulamben.

Coral Garden sounds like the more straightforward choice for a first underwater outing. The name suggests a site focused on marine life and coral, though the available information does not promise particular animals, visibility, or conditions. Your actual site may depend on the day and the instructor’s judgment.

The USAT Liberty is the more distinctive option. This Second World War shipwreck in Tulamben gives the outing a clear sense of place, not just a generic swim with tanks. The ship is described as historic, but the supplied information does not state how close beginners get to it, how deep the session goes, or whether every booking uses the wreck. Do not book on the assumption that the Liberty is guaranteed.

The operator may choose the site based on the program and conditions. You should ask which location is planned when you confirm your booking. That one question can help you set realistic expectations.

The experience includes only one ocean session as described. A second can be added for an extra charge by contacting the operator. That upgrade may appeal if you finish the first session feeling comfortable, but the cost and added duration are not given, so ask before the day begins.

What the instructor support means for a beginner

The praise for Bali Dive Trek is unusually consistent around organization, safety, and personal care. One customer went on to take a full course with the center after an introductory session. Another said the staff were accommodating when plans changed and helped with other parts of the trip. These comments suggest a useful advantage: this can function as a test of the center before you commit to a longer SSI course.

The staff includes instructors with experience in both beginner and technical training. The supplied feedback names Fernando, Pepan, and Zebastain P as instructors who made participants feel safe and well supported. Technical expertise does not automatically make someone good at teaching novices, but the comments here repeatedly connect experience with patient instruction.

The format is best for someone who wants guidance rather than independence. You will not be left to figure out the equipment alone. At the same time, this is an introductory activity, not a certification. If you want formal qualifications, ask about the SSI Open Water course separately.

What is included in the $120.94 price

At $120.94 per person, the cost is not the cheapest possible way to try scuba. The value comes from what is bundled into the morning.

You receive the equipment needed for the activity, towels, tea or coffee, water, fruit, and photos or videos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, and the group is limited to four people. Put together, those inclusions reduce the small expenses and planning tasks that can make a first attempt feel complicated.

The strongest value is the personal attention. If you are anxious, the difference between four people and a large group can be substantial. You are paying not only for time in the water, but also for a structured briefing and pool session before that ocean portion.

The limitation is the one-session format. You pay $120.94 for approximately five hours, but some of that time is instruction, preparation, and transport. That is normal for a beginner program, yet you should not expect a full day of multiple ocean sessions. The extra session is an upgrade, and no price is supplied for it.

Photos make the first attempt easier to remember

Photos and videos are included as memories of your first underwater session. That is a pleasant extra, especially if you want something to share or keep after the trip.

Do not treat the media package as the main reason to book. The important part is the instruction and the safety setup. Image quality, the number of files, and delivery method are not specified, so ask how the photos and videos will be sent.

Still, including them adds value. First-time scuba can feel like a blur of equipment, breathing practice, and new surroundings. A few images give you a way to remember what you saw and can help you decide if you want to continue with a certified course.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this for a first-timer with limited time who wants a careful introduction rather than a full qualification. The short program, hotel transport, small group, and included equipment keep the planning simple.

It also suits someone considering an SSI course. You can meet the instructors, see how the center handles safety, and find out whether the atmosphere feels right before signing up for several days of study and underwater work.

This is less suitable if you want a full day of ocean activity, several sites, or a guaranteed wreck visit. It may also disappoint if you are staying in Ubud and assumed the activity was based there. Confirm the pickup details and exact site before booking.

The cancellation terms are sensible but strict close to departure. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

My booking advice

I would book this experience if your priorities are patient instruction, a tiny group, and a simple first session. The consistent praise for organization and safety gives it a strong foundation, and the included gear, refreshments, towels, and media make the price easier to justify.

Before you commit, confirm three points: your pickup from Ubud, the likely ocean site, and the price of a second session. If those details suit your plans, Bali Dive Trek offers a sensible way to try scuba in east Bali without taking a full certification course.

If the USAT Liberty is your main goal, ask for confirmation rather than assuming it is included. If your goal is simply to learn the basics with close instructor support, this is the better match.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, but you should confirm the exact arrangement for your accommodation before booking.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

What happens before the ocean session?

The program begins with tea or coffee, followed by an explanation of scuba rules and a pool session to help you become comfortable with the equipment.

Where does the ocean session take place?

The ocean session may take place at Coral Garden or at the USAT Liberty Shipwreck in Tulamben.

Is a second ocean session included?

No. The described program includes one ocean session. A second is available as an upgrade, and you need to contact the operator for details.

What is included in the price?

The package includes equipment, towels, tea or coffee, water, fruit, and photos or videos from the experience.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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