๐ ฟ๏ธ Thinking of starting a diving business in Bali? ๐๏ธ Youโre not alone! Every year, dozens of foreigners dream of opening their own dive shop in Bali, attracted by the islandโs stunning coral reefs, year-round sunshine, and booming marine tourism. From Nusa Penida to Amed, the opportunities seem endless.
But the reality is more complex. To start a legal dive business in Bali, you need more than just passion and scuba gear. Without the proper PT PMA Bali setup, the correct tourism licenses, and a valid diving license in Indonesia, your dream business could be shut downโor worse, you might face immigration penalties or deportation ๐
๐ย The good news? Itโs absolutely possible to launch a fully legal diving business in Baliโand even start your own dive shop in Bali that complies with marine activity laws, employment regulations, and tax requirements. You just need to follow the correct steps: register a PT PMA, get the right permits, and understand the work permit process for dive instructors.
๐ย โWe thought we could just rent a boat and start offering dive trips,โ says Tom, a British instructor now based in Sanur. โBut we nearly got fined for operating without a local tourism license. After working with a legal team, we properly registered our PT PMA in Baliโand now our dive center attracts clients from resorts, travel agents, and Instagram. 100% legit and growing.โ
๐ ดย A couple from Germany made a different mistake. They opened a dive shop in Tulamben without fully understanding the diving license requirements in Indonesia. After their Indonesian partner disappeared, they were left alone during a surprise government audit. They had to shut down and pay penalties. But with proper legal help and a full license reset, they now run a successful and fully compliant operation.
๐ ฐ๏ธย So, if you’re serious about turning your dream into reality, this guide will show you how to start a dive shop in Bali the legal wayโfrom setting up your PT PMA, obtaining a diving business license, hiring staff with the correct work permits, and protecting your investment for the long run โ
Table of Contents
- Can Foreigners Start a Diving Business in Bali Legally?
- What Is a PT PMA and Why Divers Need It in Bali ๐ข
- Step-by-Step: How to Start a Dive Shop in Bali โ
- Tourism & Marine Activity Licenses for Dive Operators ๐
- Real Story #2: โOur Local Partner Vanishedโand Took the Boat Tooโ ๐จ
- Real Story #2: โWe Almost Lost EverythingโUntil We Switched to a PT PMAโ ๐ฐ
- How to Hire Dive Instructors in Bali Legally ๐งโ๐ซ
- Tax and Immigration Rules for Diving Instructors in Bali ๐งพ
- FAQs About Starting a Diving Business in Bali โ
Can Foreigners Start a Diving Business in Bali Legally?
Absolutelyโforeigners can start a diving business in Bali, but only if they follow the correct legal process ๐งพ Many expats assume itโs as simple as renting some equipment and offering tours, but Indonesia has very strict laws around foreign business ownership, especially in the marine tourism sector.ย
To launch a legal dive business in Bali, you must first establish a PT PMA Bali (a foreign-owned company), obtain the correct tourism licenses, and register your operation locally.
Failing to do so can result in serious consequences, including business shutdowns, heavy fines, or even deportation.ย
The positive news? If you meet all the requirements, you can run a fully legal, profitable, and respected dive shop in Bali thatโs visible on tourism platforms and trusted by local partners ๐
What Is a PT PMA and Why Divers Need It in Bali ๐ข
A PT PMA in Bali is the only legal way for foreigners to own and operate a business like a dive center in Indonesia ๐๏ธย
This legal business structure allows you to open corporate bank accounts, sign contracts, apply for tourism and marine licenses, and hire both foreign and local staff. Some foreigners attempt to bypass the law by using an Indonesian nomineeโputting the business under someone elseโs name.
But this is both risky and illegal ๐ซ Without a proper PT PMA, you have no legal protection. By contrast, a registered PT PMA Bali gives you full control of your business and ensures long-term security.ย
It also builds credibility with hotels, travel agents, and resorts that prefer to work with officially licensed dive operators.
Step-by-Step: How to Start a Dive Shop in Bali โ
Want to know exactly how to start a dive shop in Bali? Hereโs a simplified roadmap to help you legally launch your diving business in Bali:
- Choose a legal business activity under KBLI (such as โmarine tourismโ or โrecreational divingโ)
- Register your PT PMA Bali through a licensed notary or legal consultant
- Open a business bank account and deposit the required investment capital
- Register your business with OSS (Online Single Submission) to get your NIB (Business Registration Number)
- Apply for relevant tourism and marine activity licenses
- Get approval from your local Banjar (village authority)
- Ensure all business addresses and operations match your permits
โ ๏ธ Each step requires accurate documents and local knowledge. Thatโs why partnering with a consultant who understands diving business registration in Indonesia is highly recommended ๐
Tourism & Marine Activity Licenses for Dive Operators ๐
Even after setting up a PT PMA in Bali, you must apply for specific tourism licenses for diving and marine operations ๐ง ย
These are issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Maritime Affairs. Depending on your locationโespecially if youโre near a marine protected area (MPA)โadditional permits may be required.
Youโll also need:
- Proof of diving insurance
- Safety inspection results
- Certified dive instructors on staff
- Staff registration with labor authorities (including BPJS health and employment coverage)
Skipping even one of these can result in a routine inspection shutdown. Many popular diving areas in Bali, such as Nusa Penida, are now under closer environmental scrutiny due to coral reef preservation laws ๐ชธ
Make sure your marine activity permits in Indonesia are up-to-date to protect your business and the ocean.
Real Story #1: โWe Thought It Was LegalโUntil Immigration Showed Upโ ๐จ
Alex and Julia, a couple from Canada, moved to Nusa Lembongan to follow their dream of opening a small dive center ๐ย
They partnered with a local Indonesian friend who handled all the business paperwork. On paper, Alex and Julia werenโt workingโthey were โhelpingโ their friend run the shop. Because of this, they didnโt have any work permits or company registration under their own names. โWe thought our friendโs name on the documents would be enough,โ Julia recalls.
That illusion shattered one morning during the peak holiday season, when immigration officers arrived at the dive center without warning. They asked for business licenses, work permits, and legal proof of operation. โWe had none of it,โ says Alex. Their shop was shut down on the spot, and they were given 10 days to either fix the situation or leave Indonesia.
Panicked but determined, they hired a legal consultant, set up a proper PT PMA, and went through the full licensing process. Now, they run one of Nusa Lembonganโs most respected eco-dive schoolsโcompletely legal and fully insured โ โIt was stressful at the time,โ Julia admits, โbut in the end, doing it the right way gave us peace of mind and a real future here.โ
Real Story #2: โOur Local Partner Vanishedโand Took the Boat Tooโ ๐จ
Thomas, a diving enthusiast from Sweden, started a dive shop in Padang Bai with his Indonesian girlfriend Ayu. Ayu took care of all the paperwork, while Thomas focused on diving and client operations. For a while, business was boomingโuntil one day, everything disappeared.
โI came down to the dock and the boat was gone. So was the business accountโand Ayu,โ Thomas says. To make matters worse, all the licenses and ownership papers were in her name. Nothing was registered under Thomas or even the business entity they thought they had. Legally, Ayu owned everything. Thomas had no legal rights to reclaim any part of the business.
โI lost over $60,000 and had to start from scratch,โ he says. Looking back, Thomas admits he ignored red flags because of their relationship. โThe truth is, I thought love and business could mix in Bali. But in the end, I felt like just another foreign ATM.โ He warns other expats not to rely on romantic partners for legal ownership in Indonesia, no matter how close the relationship seems. โIf youโre serious about your business, do it the right wayโfrom day one.โ
Today, Thomas runs a new, fully legal dive shop under his own PT PMA, with proper marine licenses and insurance coverage ๐งพ โThe hard lesson? A handshake isnโt enough when the law demands a signature.โ
How to Hire Dive Instructors in Bali Legally ๐งโ๐ซ
You can hire both foreign and Indonesian instructorsโbut there are rules ๐ Foreigners need KITAS work permits that match the diving industry code. That means no freelance teaching while on a tourist visa ๐ซย
Indonesian staff must be registered and receive fair wages and insurance (BPJS). Youโll also need to comply with training and certification standards, like those from PADI or SSI.ย
Some employers assume that hiring expat friends as โhelpersโ is okayโbut if they get caught teaching without work permits, your business is liable too. Always provide contracts and follow labor regulations.
Tax and Immigration Rules for Diving Instructors in Bali ๐งพ
Diving instructorsโwhether foreign or localโmust pay taxes if theyโre working in Indonesia ๐ธ Foreign instructors on KITAS must register for NPWP (tax number) and file monthly reports.ย
If theyโre being paid in cash or off the books, both the employer and employee risk legal issues. Immigration also checks your business address and whether foreigners are living in line with their visa type.ย
For example, if your foreign instructor has a Social Visa but is working daily, they can be deportedโand your business could be fined. Avoid this by hiring properly and using a payroll system that tracks taxes and insurance.
FAQs About Starting a Diving Business in Bali โ
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Can I rent a boat and freelance dive without a company?
: No. This is illegal and puts you at risk of arrest or deportation.
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How much capital do I need to start a PT PMA dive shop?
Minimum investment is usually around IDR 10 billion (approx. USD 650,000), but not all of it must be cash upfront.
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Can I hire only foreign instructors?
No. Youโre expected to balance hiring with local employment regulations and contribute to local job creation.
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What if I already have a dive license abroad?
Youโll still need to follow Indonesian rulesโyour certification does not replace business permits.
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Is it hard to get clients if you go fully legal?
Not at all. Many resorts and travel agencies prefer licensed partners, and youโll appear on official tourism platforms too ๐ผ
