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The USS Liberty Wreck or USAT Liberty Wreck is one of the absolute highlights for divers in the waters around the Indonesian island of Bali. Thanks to the lively underwater life, the intact corals and the wreck itself, a visit to this sight is an absolute must on any Bali trip and one of the most beautiful diving areas in Asia.
Where is the place of interest?
The wreck of the USS Liberty is located off the eastern shores of the island near Amed. The area is accessible by land, as the wreck is only about 30 meters from the bay of Tulamben.
What activities are available?
At the wreck, which is located at a depth of between 10 and 30 meters, divers can experience live not only the remains of the ship, but also the fascinating and colorful underwater world of Bali.
The extremely rich biodiversity of underwater creatures and plants, as well as the healthy coral formations are absolutely worth seeing. In the area the water is also extremely clear and visibility up to 30 meters is not uncommon.
Brief history of the USS Liberty
The 120-meter-long cargo ship was first launched on June 19, 1918, and transported not only normal cargo but also live cargo. In January 1942, while en route from Australia to the Philippines, the ship was fired upon by a Japanese submarine.
Since the ship filled with water too quickly after the shelling, an attempt to remove it failed. Finally, the ship was unloaded on the beach of Talumben (eastern Bali) and left there.
Due to the eruption of Mount Agung volcano in 1963, the wreck was again carried from the beach into the water and ran aground on a sandbank. Since then, the wreck has been located on this spot and quickly became one of the most popular underwater sights on the island.
This is what you should have done at the sights
A dive at the USS Liberty Wreck offers not only an amazing glimpse into history, but also into Bali’s underwater world. Many large exotic fish can be seen in the area, some of which are also at home in the wreck.
The most spectacular fish species include large barracudas as well as large Napoleon wrasse, moonfish or filefish. But also the underwater flora around the wreck is absolutely worth seeing.
Night dives on the wreck are also a highlight. In the process, divers can also experience the nocturnal sea creatures up close.
For whom is the sight suitable?
A visit to the wreck is suitable for recreational and amateur divers with the appropriate training and equipment. Diving beginners are also in the right place here, because in the immediate vicinity there are numerous diving schools that offer year-round training and guided dives.
But also during a simple snorkeling tour the wreck can be admired because of the clear water. Therefore, the sight is really interesting even for non-divers.
Around the USS Liberty Wreck
For divers, eastern Bali around Talumben offers many other interesting and worth seeing dive sites besides the area around the USS Liberty Wreck.
Best time for a tour
There are no particularly suitable seasons for a dive in the area, as a visit to the wreck is an absolute highlight at any time of the year. The water temperature is very pleasant all year round, between 22 and 26 °C.
However, the absolute high season is from May to September, during these months there is a lot of activity. Therefore, divers who want to enjoy an undisturbed view of the underwater world and the wreck should consider better other months.
Conclusion
The wreck of the USS Liberty is truly one of the most beautiful sights on the island. Here you can admire history and nature at the same time. However, a dive is possible not only for recreational divers, but also for beginners, even during a snorkeling tour the wreck can be admired.
Thanks to numerous diving schools in the area and easy accessibility, the sight also enjoys great popularity.
