Multi-stop dive trip
Seven dive days across Amed and Tulamben, Nusa Penida and the Gilis. Fly into Bali, travel between each base by road and boat, then fly home from Lombok.
Gili Trawangan is shown as the arrival port. Choose the equivalent sailing to Gili Air or Gili Meno if staying there.
Flights
Book your inbound flight to Bali (DPS) and your outbound flight from Lombok (LOP). This avoids a final fast-boat crossing back to Bali. Direct Penida-to-Gili sailings can change or be cancelled. Keep the transfer day flexible and confirm the boat before booking non-refundable accommodation.
When to go
Base in Amed or Tulamben and keep the diving road-based. If the Gilis matter more, fly from Bali to Lombok and use the short Bangsal crossing. Skip Penida rather than depending on two exposed fast-boat legs.
Experience check
Bali and the Gilis have plenty for Open Water divers. Nusa Penida is recorded as Advanced open water because many sites have strong tidal currents. Open Water divers should use an operator that will choose gentler sites rather than promising Crystal Bay or Blue Corner regardless of conditions.
Choose the length
Your itinerary
7 dive days
This is the recommended balance of diving and transfer time. The plan still leaves site selection to local operators and conditions.
Days 1–4 · Amed or Tulamben · 4 nights
Arrival and transfer
Land at Bali airport and meet a driver for Amed. Allow roughly 2½–3½ hours by road, longer in afternoon traffic. Stay in Amed or Tulamben for four nights.
Plan this stop
Two dives
Start with the USAT Liberty and a nearby shore site. The wreck begins in shallow water, so the operator can adapt the route to the group’s experience.
Two dives
Dive the reef slopes around Jemeluk, Bunutan or Lipah. Site choice should follow the morning current and surface conditions.
Two dives
Use the final Bali dive day for macro sites, another Tulamben shore dive or a site missed earlier. Keep the evening quiet before the transfer.
Days 5–7 · north coast · 3 nights
Transfer day
Drive to Sanur, normally 2½–3 hours. Check in early for a 30–45 minute fast boat to Nusa Penida. Stay near the north-coast harbours for three nights.
Plan this stop
Two or three dives
Let the operator choose the safer sites for the tide. A typical day may combine north-coast drift dives with a more sheltered third dive.
Two or three dives
Keep this day flexible for Manta Point if swell permits. Mantas are resident, but the crossing and site conditions can still rule it out.
Days 8–12 · 4 nights
Transfer day
Board at Toyapakeh, Banjar Nyuh or Buyuk, depending on the operator. Direct services take about 1¾–4 hours. Stay on Gili Air, Meno or Trawangan for four nights.
Plan this stop
Two or three dives
Start with sites suited to your certification. Turtle sites are available around all three islands; currents determine the exact route.
Two or three dives
Use the second Gili dive day for sites missed on day 9. Advanced divers can ask about deeper or faster-drift options.
No diving
Keep a full surface interval before flying. Walk or cycle the island, snorkel only if it fits your dive computer guidance, or move to Lombok tonight for an early flight.
Departure
Take a public boat or short private transfer to Bangsal, then allow roughly 1½–2 hours by road to Lombok airport. Leave more time for a public-boat departure.
Cost guide · 12 days
International flights, equipment rental and optional private transfers are not included.
Add more time
Add Ubud, Sidemen or north Bali before the first dive day. Do not squeeze a cross-island sightseeing day between dives and boat transfers.
Add a land day for the island’s cliffs and beaches. Road journeys are slow, so allow a full extra day rather than using a dive afternoon.
Continue to south Lombok or add a Mount Rinjani trek. The trek needs several extra days and should sit after the diving, not inside this plan.
Before the flight home
Each version includes a no-dive day before the flight. For an early departure, cross to Lombok that day and stay near the airport.
Checked September 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
Note on the data: Fast-boat schedules change with operator, weather and season. Confirm the exact sailing before fixing accommodation around it.