Coral Reefs & Marine Ecology

Bali is located in the Coral Triangle — the marine equivalent of the Amazon rainforest. The waters around the island host a breathtaking diversity of species: over 500 coral species and thousands of fish species, along with manta rays, Mola Mola (sunfish), turtles, reef sharks, and occasionally whale sharks.

The best reefs are located off Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Amed, Tulamben, and Menjangan Island (West Bali). The reefs in the south (Kuta, Seminyak) are severely damaged by pollution and development.

The marine protected areas around Nusa Penida (since 2010) have achieved remarkable successes: The manta population has stabilized, and coral bleaching has been limited by local conservation measures. Nevertheless, the threat from climate change (rising water temperatures), overfishing, and plastic pollution remains massive.