Spotfin lionfish at Napoleon Reef, Pemuteran

Photo: portioid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Napoleon Reef

Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia

  • Beginner
  • Mild current
  • Best Apr to Oct

Napoleon Reef is a beginner dive site in Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia. Dives run from 5 to 35 m, with mild current. The best months are April to October. Marine life here includes nudibranch and cuttlefish. 4 dive shops on Scubalo run trips here.

Updated

Conditions at Napoleon Reef

Max depth
35 m
Depth range
5–35 m
Current
Mild
Level
Beginner
Depth profile: dives from 5 m to 35 m.

Safety

Depth
The walls drop to 35 metres; keep to the plateau if you are a new diver.

About Napoleon Reef

Napoleon Reef is a chain of reefs and underwater islands about 1 kilometre off Pemuteran in northwest Bali, formed by an extinct volcano. Coral garden plateaux and walls run from 5 to 35 metres, 10 to 15 minutes by boat from shore.

Napoleon Reef lies about 1 kilometre off Pemuteran, on Bali's northwest coast, 10 to 15 minutes by boat. It is part of a chain of reefs and underwater islands left by an extinct volcano.

Its upper area, about the size of half a football field, slopes gently on each side and sends three ridges out to the deep blue. Depths run from shallow coral garden plateaux at 5 metres to walls of 35 metres, with visibility of 10 to 35 metres.

The reef is a breeding area for many fish, and large cuttlefish lay their eggs in the coral. Giant table corals, gorgonian fans, barrel sponges, nudibranchs and egg cowries cover it. El Niño bleached some of the shallows, while the deeper reef stayed healthier. The current is usually mild, so it suits every level.

When to dive Napoleon Reef

Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Season

Right now
Year round
Dived all year.
Best visibility
April to October, Bali's dry season, with the calmest seas.

Marine life at Napoleon Reef

What divers report seeing here. Tap one to see where else it turns up.

Type of diving

Questions about Napoleon Reef

Where is Napoleon Reef?

About 1 kilometre off Pemuteran in northwest Bali, 10 to 15 minutes by boat.

How deep is Napoleon Reef?

From coral gardens at 5 metres to walls of about 35 metres.

What can you see at Napoleon Reef?

Cuttlefish laying eggs, giant table corals, gorgonian fans, barrel sponges, nudibranchs and egg cowries.

Is Napoleon Reef good for beginners?

Yes. The current is usually mild and the plateau is shallow.

When is the best time to dive Napoleon Reef?

Pemuteran is dived all year, and April to October, Bali's dry season, usually brings the best visibility.

Reviews

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Dive shops that go to Napoleon Reef

4 shops in the directory run trips here.

See all 4 shops