Reviewed · SCUBA DIVING
All Inclusive Bali Scuba Diving at Tulamben with Lunch -Transport
Tulamben and Bali’s east-coast waters offer a fine introduction to scuba, with warm tropical water, reef fish, small camouflaged creatures, and the chance of seeing whitetip reef sharks. This private outing includes hotel transport and equipment, so you avoid piecing together taxis, gear rental, and a separate meal.
I like the personal attention from the instructor, especially for a first underwater session. I also like the practical package: insurance, taxes, water, lunch, and round-trip transport are included in the $150 price. The main drawback is the long road journey from southern Bali, and the supplied route details mention both Padang Bay and Pantai Amed, so you should confirm the exact meeting and launch point before setting out.
Key points to know before booking

- Private group setting: Only your party takes part, which should make instruction and pacing more personal.
- Pickup times: Hotel collection is scheduled for roughly 8:00 to 8:30am.
- Long east-coast transfer: The drive takes about one hour from Ubud or Sanur and around one and a half hours from Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, or Nusa Dua.
- Boat access: The trip includes about 15 minutes by boat from shore to the chosen underwater site.
- Site choice depends on experience: Possible locations include Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugel Beach, Shark Point, and Tanjung Jepun.
- Helpful first-timer support: The instructor gives a safety briefing and provides guidance throughout the underwater session.
Why this Bali scuba outing works well
The appeal here is simple: you get a full day of practical support without having to organize each part yourself. A vehicle collects you at your hotel, the operator supplies the scuba equipment and insurance, and lunch is ready between activities.
That matters in Bali, where a coastal day can become complicated once you add traffic, unfamiliar roads, equipment rental, and a return journey. You pay $150 per person, but that price covers the main costs that can otherwise appear as add-ons. For someone staying in Ubud, the package is especially convenient because the drive is listed at about one hour each way.
The tour is private, but private does not mean luxurious. You should expect a working scuba day built around transport, instruction, time in the water, and a simple Indonesian meal. If you want a quiet outing with your own group rather than a large shared boat, this arrangement has a useful advantage.
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The early pickup and ride toward Bali’s east coast

Your morning begins with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 8:30am. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a small but welcome detail in Bali’s heat, especially before a long ride.
From Ubud or Sanur, the drive is described as about one hour. From Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Nusa Dua, allow about one and a half hours. Those estimates are useful planning guides, but road conditions can affect the day, so do not schedule a tight evening commitment after the outing.
The route information names Padang Bay as the arrival area and also lists Pantai Amed as a stop. Since the exact launch point is not entirely clear from the supplied details, I would ask the operator which shore you will use and which site you are booked for. That small check can prevent confusion on the morning of the trip.
One particularly useful part of the service is the driver. The driver named in the feedback is Maha, also called Butu. He was described as punctual, friendly, calm, and reassuring during a difficult drive. You are not booking a sightseeing transfer, but a dependable driver makes a real difference when the road takes up a large part of the day.
Safety briefing before entering the water

On arrival, you meet the instructor and receive a detailed safety briefing. This is the part that makes the outing suitable for a first scuba session, provided you are comfortable in the water and meet the operator’s participation requirements.
The instructor reviews the equipment and basic techniques before you go out. The aim is not to rush you into the sea. You learn at your own pace, with attention to comfort and safe handling underwater.
One of the strongest features of the experience is the instructor’s personal support. The available feedback describes an instructor who kept a first-time participant comfortable and offered help throughout the session. Another assessment highlights staff who were ready to assist and give advice at any time.
That level of attention is more important than fancy extras. A first underwater outing can feel strange at first, and calm guidance helps you concentrate on breathing, movement, and the marine life around you. If you are nervous, tell the instructor early. The private format should make it easier to explain your concerns.
Choosing among Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugel, and Tanjung Jepun
The exact site depends on your experience, qualifications, preferences, and the other people in your group. The possible locations include Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugel Beach, Shark Point, and Tanjung Jepun.
That flexibility is useful because different sites suit different interests. You might prefer colorful reef life, tiny animals, and camouflaged creatures. You might instead hope for larger fish, including whitetip reef sharks. The operator uses your qualifications and preferences to help determine the site, though no particular animal sighting is guaranteed.
The boat ride from shore to the underwater area takes about 15 minutes. It is short enough not to dominate the day, while still giving you access to sites away from the immediate beach.
You should keep your expectations sensible. Marine life is wild, and the selection of a shark-oriented site does not promise sharks. Conditions, visibility, timing, and animal behavior all matter. The attraction is having several possible areas rather than being locked into one location regardless of your experience.
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What the underwater session is like

After the briefing and equipment preparation, you spend time underwater with the instructor. The session is designed around learning and observation rather than speed. You can expect tropical fish and other marine species, with the chance to notice both larger animals and small creatures hiding among the reef.
The operator says you can master techniques at your own pace and spend as much time as you like underwater. In practical terms, your instructor will determine the safe length of the session according to your training, air supply, comfort, and conditions. Ask how many underwater sessions are planned and how long each is expected to last if that detail matters to you.
The available feedback gives special weight to the instructor’s skill and attentiveness. One person describes the outing as a first scuba experience and says the support made them want to do it again. That is a useful sign for beginners, though it does not replace checking the instructor’s guidance for your own ability and comfort.
You may also be able to purchase a souvenir photo or DVD afterward. These are optional and not included in the $150 cost. If recording the session matters to you, ask when and how those items are arranged.
Lunch between activities
Lunch is included, with à la carte Indonesian food and a bottle of water. The meal takes place between activities, giving you time to sit down and recover before the return journey.
I like this part of the package because a full coastal outing can be tiring, and a meal avoids the need to search for food in an unfamiliar area. The food is described as Indonesian rather than as a fixed international menu, which suits the setting and keeps the experience connected to Bali.
Do not book this expecting a long restaurant visit or a food tour. Lunch is fuel for the day, not the main event. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure because the supplied details do not explain substitutions or special menus.
What the $150 price really covers

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to arrange a morning in the water. The price becomes easier to assess when you count what is included:
- Air-conditioned round-trip hotel transport
- Scuba equipment
- Scuba insurance
- Instructor-led safety preparation
- Boat transfer to the selected site
- Indonesian food
- A bottle of water
- Taxes, fees, and handling charges
The private format adds value for couples, families, or a small group with mixed confidence levels. You are not simply paying for access to the water. You are paying for the logistics and the professional supervision that make a first session easier to manage.
Group discounts are offered, though the supplied information does not state the discount amount. Ask for the exact total if several people are booking together. Since only your group participates, the outing may be a better buy for a small party than for a solo participant comparing basic shared options.
The price does not include a DVD or souvenir photo. Those purchases are optional, so you can keep the advertised cost under control by treating them as extras rather than expected parts of the package.
Who should book this outing
This experience is a good fit for a first-time scuba participant who wants instruction, equipment, transport, and lunch arranged in one booking. The strong emphasis on safety and personal help also suits someone who feels uncertain about breathing underwater or handling the gear.
It works well for a private group that wants to move at its own pace. Couples and small groups can discuss their preferences with the instructor rather than being placed into a large mixed party.
It is less suitable if you want a short local activity from southern Bali. The road journey can take three hours or more in total from Kuta-area hotels, before counting the boat ride and underwater time. You should also think twice if your schedule is packed, since the total outing lasts about eight hours.
The experience is not presented as a sightseeing tour with many land stops. Its focus is scuba, marine life, instruction, lunch, and transport. Choose it for time in the water, not for a broad tour of east Bali.
Practical booking advice
Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can participate. The activity is private, but the supplied information does not list detailed medical, age, or certification requirements. If you have a health concern, limited swimming ability, or an unusual qualification history, contact the provider before paying.
The site depends on qualifications and preferences, so share your experience level clearly. A beginner should say so rather than assume the instructor will know. If you already hold a qualification, provide the relevant information when arranging the outing.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancelling within 24 hours, or making changes during that period, does not qualify for a refund. That policy makes early planning sensible, especially because the morning pickup time and long transfer require coordination.
Should you book it?
I would book this outing if you want a private, well-organized introduction to Bali’s underwater world and value having transport, gear, insurance, lunch, and instruction bundled together. The praise is strongest for punctual transport, calm driving, and attentive instructors, which are exactly the services that matter most to a beginner.
I would skip it if you are seeking the lowest-cost scuba option or if a long east-coast transfer sounds tiring. Before confirming, ask one practical question: will the outing depart from Padang Bay or Pantai Amed, and which site is most likely for your experience level? With that point clear, the $150 package offers a straightforward way to spend a full day in the water.
FAQ
What time is hotel pickup?
Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30am.
How long does the whole experience last?
The outing lasts approximately eight hours.
How long is the drive from Ubud?
The drive from Ubud is listed as about one hour.
How long is the drive from Kuta or Nusa Dua?
The drive takes about one and a half hours from Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, or Nusa Dua.
How long is the boat ride to the site?
The boat ride from shore to the selected site takes about 15 minutes.
Which underwater sites may be used?
Possible sites include Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugel Beach, Shark Point, and Tanjung Jepun. The choice depends on experience, qualifications, preferences, and the other participants in the group.
Is lunch included?
Yes. The package includes à la carte Indonesian food and a bottle of water.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable.
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