Published
The reefs below the cliffs are made for surf, not snorkelling. Here is where the calm, clear water actually is.
The reefs below the Bukit are surf reefs. The coral sits shallow, the edges are sharp, and on any real swell the current runs hard along the base of the cliffs. It is a coast built for waves, not for drifting about with a mask.
On a small, clean swell the smaller bays soften. Bingin and the corners around Padang Padang hold pockets of clear water at low tide, enough for a slow look at the reef close in. Keep an eye on the sets and the current, and treat the coral gently. It cuts.
For water that stays calm and clear, the better snorkelling is a trip away. Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan lie off the east side of the island, reached by fast boat from Sanur, and the reefs there draw people for the manta rays and the visibility. It makes an easy day out, or a night if you want the islands to yourself in the morning.
Further round the coast, the calmer water near Padangbai and up at Amed suits both snorkelling and a first dive. The reefs shelve gently, the operators are used to beginners, and the dry months from May to September give the clearest water.
Bring your own mask if you are particular about the fit. Otherwise gear is easy to rent at any of the launch points. Tell us the day before and we can point you to a boat or a guide who knows which reef is working.
