setting up diving center in Bali

The waters surrounding Bali are great for all sorts of water sports businesses including a diving center. Given the many natural attractions underwater, facilitating water sports is a popular business. 

If you’re interested in setting up a diving center in Bali, this is the right article for you. We will discuss foreign ownership of diving centers and other water sports facilities in Bali. 

Can a foreigner own a diving center in Bali?

Diving centers fall under the business classification for water tourism. This classification now allows a maximum of 100% foreign ownership.

Previously, foreign investors needed an Indonesian partner to open a diving center in Bali. It was because they could only own 49% of this type of business, and investors from ASEAN countries could own up to 70%. 

Under this classification, investors can now operate businesses involving the following, among others:

  • Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Surfing
  • Windsurfing
  • Sailing
  • Rafting

Best areas for a diving center in Bali

Ideally, it will be great to have a diving center in the areas of all the best diving spots in Bali. But, if this will be your first diving center, we recommend the following areas.

Sanur

It is located in the southeast of Bali. To be precise, Sanur is situated in the east of Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. 

Sanur is popular for its beautiful sunrise view from the coastal stretch of its beaches. And also for its speed boats along the coast for travels to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

By having your diving center in Sanur, Bali, you can have the most strategic location for it. You can provide diving lessons and certifications in Sanur. 

Then, your customers can travel to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan for their dive trips. Nusa Penida is known for its Manta Point and Crystal Bay dive sites. Neighboring it, Nusa Lembongan is known for its Mangrove Bay and Blue Corner dive sites.

Padang Bai

It is located on the east coast of Bali. Padang Bai is familiar for its port for boat travels to Lombok and the Gili islands. 

Other than that, Padang Bai is well known for its colorful reefs in the Blue Lagoon dive site. It is ideal for amateurs to professional divers. 

For long dive trips, you can take your customer to other dive sites along the east coast of Bali. From dive sites in Candidasa, in Amed, to the famous USS Liberty Wreck dive site in Tulamben.

Menjangan Island

Menjangan is a little island located on the northwest coast of Bali. The island is still a part of the West Bali National Park.

Due to its protection and conservation of biodiversity since 1917, the underwater view of walls and marine life remains pristine.

Business Registration for a Diving Center in Bali

Foreign-owned company

Now that a diving center business is open for foreign ownership, you should register for a foreign-owned company

A foreign-owned company allows foreign entrepreneurs like you to have up to 100% ownership of a diving center in Bali. You can buy assets, obtain industry licenses and obtain work and stay permits similar to a local-owned company.

The minimum capital requirement for a foreign-owned business in Indonesia is IDR 10 billion (USD 700.000). Note that in Indonesia, if a foreigner owns any part of a company, it is still considered a foreign-owned company.

Open a diving center in Bali.

Register your business through Emerhub.

Documents and Licenses Needed for a Diving Center in Bali

Before you can begin to operate your diving center in Bali, you will need the following:

  • Articles of Association
  • Approval from the Ministry of the Law and Human Rights to the Articles of Association
  • An operational license from the OSS, known locally as Nomor Induk Berusaha (NIB)
  • Company domicile, known locally as Surat Keterangan Tempat Usaha (SKTU)
  • Company tax, known locally as Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak (NPWP)
  • Tourism license, known locally as Tanda Daftar Usaha Pariwisata (TDUP)
  • Environmental licenses, known locally Usaha Pengelolaan Lingkungan (UKL) and Usaha Pemantauan Lingkungan (UPL)

Our experts will take care of company registration and acquiring licenses for your business. We will also check on your property to make sure it is suitable for your business.

Are you ready to set up a diving center in Bali? Get in touch with us by filling out the form below or by sending an email to [email protected].

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