After an unforgettable week celebrating the 5th anniversary of MAR Hosted Trips in Malaysia, a smaller group of 13 divers decided to continue the adventure.
We call these trips “Trip Links”, a way to link two trips together. Nearby places, but very different experiences.
After all, we flew all this way, we should use the time as best we can!
From Malaysia, the group flew to Bali for a relaxed dive extension focused on macro diving, culture, and slowing down after a busy week on the Seaventures Dive Rig.
The trip combined diving in Tulamben with cultural experiences across Bali, creating the perfect mix of underwater adventure and island exploration.
About Diving Tulamben
Our group started in Tulamben, a quiet coastal town on the northeast side of Bali known for its incredible shore diving.
Unlike many dive destinations that rely on boats, diving here begins right from the beach. Local women carry our gear down the rocky shore for us, and we just walk into the ocean over black volcanic sand, and descend directly onto the reef.
We did 8 dives in Tulamben, enjoying a slower pace and time for relaxing in the afternoons.
Tulamben is famous for macro life, and every dive felt like a scavenger hunt. Tiny critters hide in the volcanic sand and reef structures, rewarding divers who slow down and pay attention.
The black sand creates a dramatic backdrop for photography and makes colourful marine life stand out even more. Every dive revealed something new.
Between dives, the group relaxed at a beautiful oceanside hotel with infinity pools overlooking the water. After the pace of Malaysia, it was the perfect place to recharge.
Culture and Community in Bali
One of the highlights of the trip was experiencing Balinese culture beyond the diving.
The hotel organized a traditional Balinese dance performance and local buffet dinner for the group. The dancers were local girls around 10 and 11 years old who learn traditional dance in school as part of preserving Balinese culture.
It was a beautiful example of how tourism can directly support local communities and cultural traditions.
Later in the trip, some of group traveled south toward Sanur, stopping along the way to visit a sacred water temple.
There, the group participated in a traditional purification ceremony using holy spring water that has flowed through the temple for centuries. Built in the 9th century, the temple remains an important spiritual site for local communities today.
Standing waist-deep beneath the flowing water was a powerful and memorable experience, connecting the group to a part of Bali that many travelers never get to experience.
Exploring Bali Beyond Diving
The trip also included time to explore some of Bali’s most famous cultural and natural sites.
The group visited:
- Rice terraces
- The Monkey Forest
- Elephant Cave
These excursions added another layer to the trip and gave everyone the chance to experience Bali beyond the ocean.
One of the best parts of a trip like this is balancing active dive days with slower cultural experiences and moments to simply enjoy being somewhere completely different.
Bali Water & Weather in April
Water temperatures during the trip were around 28-30°C (79-83°F). Trip Leader Maira and most the group didn’t need a wetsuit.
Conditions were calm overall, making for easy shore entries and enjoyable diving throughout the week.
Because Tulamben is shore diving focused, the relaxed conditions made it especially easy for divers to move at their own pace and fully enjoy the underwater environment.
Why We Love Trips Like This
This Bali Link perfectly captured what MAR Hosted Trips is all about.
It combined incredible diving with cultural experiences, relaxation, good food, and a group of travelers who were excited to keep exploring together.
What started as a simple “why not?” add-on after Malaysia turned into its own unforgettable adventure.
From black sand macro dives to ancient temples, infinity pool sunsets to traditional Balinese performances, this trip showed just how rewarding it can be to slow down and fully experience a destination.
Once you are already halfway around the world, adding another week just makes sense!
Join MHT in Bali
This is one of Maira’s personal favourite trips, so we go almost every year!
Check out our Upcoming Trips to see when we have the next one!
