The USAT Liberty is a wreck in Tulamben Bay. The ship was built in 1918, torpedoed in 1942 in the Lombok Strait, and then beached. The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung sent the wreck sliding into the sea.
The wreck is 120 m long and lies on its side, close to a pebble beach. The depth is about 3–30 m. Entry is from shore.
The hull is covered in hard and soft coral, gorgonian fans, sponges, anemones, and crinoids.
- Map coordinate
- −8.27421, 115.59304
- Dive type
- Wreck
- Entry
- Shore
- Depth
- About 3–30 m
- Water
- Salt water
Marine life
Bigeye trevally
A school of bigeye trevally often circles in the open water beside the wreck. They are the easiest animals to spot when you first drop in.
Sweetlips
These fish live in the gaps between the plates, among the coral and sponges covering the hull.
Angelfish
These fish live in the gaps between the plates, among the coral and sponges covering the hull.
Batfish
These fish live in the gaps between the plates, among the coral and sponges covering the hull.
Surgeonfish
These fish live in the gaps between the plates, among the coral and sponges covering the hull.
Turtle
Turtles often pass through to swim or feed on the coral growing over the wreck.
Napoleon wrasse
This large fish often cruises along the hull. Approach slowly, without chasing it.
Great barracuda
Great barracuda often hang in the open water around the ship, alone or in a small group.
Bumphead parrotfish
On night or sunrise dives, this school often sleeps on the wreck. By day they have usually moved on.
Whitetip shark
May rest in a gap or swim slowly along the wreck.
Macro life
The hull is covered in coral, sponge, anemones, and feather stars, so the small animals are in the gaps between the plates. A day dive is enough for nudibranchs and gobies. A night dive brings out shrimps, crabs, and Spanish dancers. For macro photos, use a macro lens and a focus light.
Nudibranch
Small sea slugs with odd shapes and bright colours. Often on sponge, coral, or the ship’s plates. On a night dive, the large Spanish dancer often comes out of hiding.
Shrimps
They hide in the metal gaps, in anemones, and under sponges. They are easiest to see on a night dive, when they come out onto the wreck.
Crabs
They hide in the metal gaps, in anemones, and under sponges. They are easiest to see on a night dive, when they come out onto the wreck.
Crayfish
They hide in the metal gaps, in anemones, and under sponges. They are easiest to see on a night dive, when they come out onto the wreck.
Ghost fish
Ghost fish camouflage among feather stars or sea fans. Small gobies often peek from holes in the coral growing on the ship. Approach slowly without stirring the water.
Goby
Ghost fish camouflage among feather stars or sea fans. Small gobies often peek from holes in the coral growing on the ship. Approach slowly without stirring the water.
Garden eel
On the sand on the swim back to shore. They rise from their holes and drop back in if you approach too fast.
Scorpionfish
Camouflaged among the coral and sponges on the hull. More often seen on a night dive. Do not put a hand on the wreck.
An animal on this list is not guaranteed on every dive.