Dive deep. Know the rules first.
Bali has calm bays, a famous wreck and manta rays within reach of a single breath. It also has visa rules, a tourist levy, marine park fees and wildlife laws that apply the moment you get in the water. This guide covers all of it in one place.
The eight things that keep you legal
Most visitors only need the first five. If you plan to teach, guide or open a school, read the work and business sections carefully, because that is where people get into real trouble.
Arrival declaration
Fill in the free All Indonesia declaration online, up to 3 days before you land.
The right visa
Visa exemption or a visa on arrival covers diving as a tourist. Neither one lets you work.
Bali tourist levy
IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per visit through the official Love Bali system.
Marine park fees
Nusa Penida charges foreign divers and snorkellers an entry fee. West Bali National Park has its own.
Hands off wildlife
Manta rays and sea turtles are protected by law. Touching, taking or trading them is a crime.
No work without a KITAS
Teaching or guiding on a tourist visa can get you deported. Bali immigration actively checks.
Insurance that covers diving
Not a legal requirement, but chamber treatment and evacuation are expensive.
Check the calendar
On Nyepi, the Day of Silence, Bali shuts down. In 2027 it falls on 8 March.
Key numbers at a glance
| What | Amount or rule | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival / e-VOA | IDR 500,000, 30 days, extendable once by 30 days. A price rise has been proposed. | evisa.imigrasi.go.id |
| Arrival declaration | Free. Required at all international airports. | allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id |
| Bali tourist levy | IDR 150,000 per person, per visit | lovebali.baliprov.go.id |
| Nusa Penida marine park | IDR 100,000 foreign adult, IDR 50,000 child | Bali regional regulation 7/2021 |
| Distance from mantas | At least 3 m, no touching or feeding | Nusa Penida MPA code of conduct |
| Emergency | 112 general · 118/119 ambulance · 115 search and rescue | Full list |
| Nyepi 2027 | Monday 8 March, island-wide shutdown | Government holiday decree, Sept 2026 |
Common questions
Do I need a licence or certification to freedive in Bali?
No Indonesian law requires recreational freedivers to hold a certification from a specific agency. Schools set their own entry rules, and courses (AIDA, PADI, SSI, Molchanovs and others) are widely available. Diving businesses, however, must be licensed.
Can I teach freediving in Bali on a tourist visa?
No. Visa exemption, visas on arrival and other visit visas do not allow any work, paid or unpaid. You need a work permit sponsored by an Indonesian company. Foreigners have been deported for guiding divers on a visa on arrival.
How much is the Bali tourist levy?
IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor per visit, paid cashless. Pay it in advance on the official Love Bali website (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) to skip the queue.
Is there a fee to dive at Nusa Penida?
Yes. The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area charges foreign adults IDR 100,000 and foreign children IDR 50,000 for diving and snorkelling. Your operator usually collects it.
