Day 1 — Snorkel & Settle In
Morning: Drive from south Bali (3 hours), check in to a beachfront bungalow.
Afternoon: Snorkel Jemeluk Bay coral garden directly from the beach.
Evening: Sunset at Sunset Point, dinner at Warung Enak.
Amed Bali Travel Guide 2026
Quick answer: Amed is a string of seven traditional fishing villages on Bali's quiet north-east coast — Bali's best beach-entry snorkelling at Jemeluk Bay, world-class wreck diving on the USAT Liberty at Tulamben, dramatic Mount Agung views and an authentic, slow-paced atmosphere. Plan 3 nights for snorkelling, the Liberty wreck dive and a Lempuyang sunrise — Amed is best for divers, snorkellers and off-the-beaten-path couples.
Amed is a string of seven traditional fishing villages along Bali's quiet north-east coast — a world away from the resorts of the south, with black-sand beaches, world-class snorkelling and diving, traditional jukung outrigger boats and uninterrupted views of Mount Agung. See our Bali itinerary for ways to combine Amed with Ubud and the central highlands.
Amed is best for divers, snorkellers, couples seeking authentic Bali, off-the-beaten-path travellers and anyone wanting a quiet escape from the south. It is less suited to families with very young children or travellers who want polished resorts and nightlife — for resort comfort try Nusa Dua or Sanur, pair Amed with Lovina for a full north-coast loop, browse where to stay in Bali for dive resorts, and read our Bali travel tips before booking.
Where to Stay in Amed
- Jemeluk Bay. The main bay — best snorkelling from the beach and the most restaurants.
- Lipah. A quieter beach area with several boutique dive resorts.
- Bunutan. The most photographed jukung-boat beach at sunrise.
- Lean. The quietest, southernmost section, close to the Japanese shipwreck.
Luxury: Hotel Uyah Amed and Bali Asli boutique resorts from US$150 per night.
Mid-range: Family-run dive resorts and bungalow hotels at US$50–120 per night.
Budget: Beachfront homestays from US$15–35 per night, often with breakfast and snorkel rental.
Stay in Jemeluk Bay for the best snorkelling and walkable restaurants; choose Lipah for serious diving; choose Bunutan for sunrise photography.
Things to Do in Amed
Top Attractions
- Snorkel the Jemeluk Bay coral garden directly from the beach
- Dive the Liberty Wreck in Tulamben (20 minutes north)
- Sunrise on Bunutan Beach with the jukung outriggers
- Free-dive or scuba-dive the Japanese shipwreck
- Sunset point above Jemeluk Bay
Hidden Gems
- Pyramid dive site below the Sunset Point hill
- Salt-making cooperative in Amed village
- Tirta Gangga water palace (40 minutes)
- Pura Lempuyang sunrise temple gate (90 minutes)
- Eel Garden snorkelling spot at low tide
Best Experiences
- Discover Scuba Diving day with PADI dive shop (US$80)
- Free-diving course at Apneista
- Traditional Balinese cooking class
- Sunset jukung sailing trip
- Day trip to Mount Agung viewpoint or Pura Lempuyang
Getting Around Amed
- Scooter rental — Essential here — Amed villages stretch over several kilometres along one coastal road. (Rp 70,000 per day)
- Private driver — Best for the long drive from the south or for day trips. (Rp 700,000 per day)
- Bemo (local minibus) — Cheap but unreliable; mostly for locals. (Rp 10,000 per ride)
- Walking — Good within a single bay but not between villages. (Free)
There are no Grab drivers in Amed — arrange transport through your hotel or rent a scooter.
Best Time to Visit Amed
- April – October — Dry, calm seas. Best diving and snorkelling visibility.
- November – March — Wet season, occasional rough seas. Quieter but plan around the rain.
Peak season: July, August and the Christmas/New Year window.
Off-peak: February and May–June for the quietest dive sites and best deals.
How Many Days in Amed?
Ideal: 3 nights to dive, snorkel and visit Lempuyang or Tirta Gangga.
Quick visit: 1 night doesn't justify the long drive — 2 nights minimum.
Slow travel: Divers often stay a week to complete an Open Water or Advanced course.
Sample Amed Itinerary
Day 2 — Dive Day
Morning: Two-tank dive to the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben.
Afternoon: Lunch at Tulamben dive resort, return to Amed.
Evening: Sunset jukung boat trip, fresh fish dinner on the beach.
Day 3 — Lempuyang Sunrise
Morning: Pre-dawn drive to Pura Lempuyang for the famous Gates of Heaven photo.
Afternoon: Tirta Gangga water palace and lunch in the gardens.
Evening: Free-diving sunset session in Jemeluk Bay.
Costs & Daily Budget in Amed
Accommodation: US$15 homestay → US$70 dive resort → US$200+ boutique villa.
Food: US$2–4 at warungs, US$8–15 at restaurants, US$20+ at boutique hotel restaurants.
Activities: Two-tank dive US$80, snorkel rental US$5/day, free-dive course US$300.
Transport: Scooter US$5/day, private driver from south Bali US$60 one way.
- Budget: US$30–50 per day (homestay, warungs, snorkelling).
- Mid-range: US$70–130 per day (dive resort, daily dive, restaurant meals).
- Luxury: US$250+ per day (boutique resort, daily diving, private driver).
Pros & Cons of Amed
Pros
- Best snorkelling directly from the beach in Bali
- World-class wreck diving at the USAT Liberty
- Authentic, slow-paced Balinese fishing-village atmosphere
- Stunning Mount Agung views
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- 3-hour drive from the airport
- Black-sand beaches that get hot in midday sun
- Limited dining and nightlife
- Few ATMs and less English spoken than the south
Amed Travel Tips
Cultural etiquette
- Greet your guesthouse hosts — Amed villages are tight-knit
- Buy local salt as a souvenir to support the cooperatives
- Respect the small fishing temples on the beach
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't skip travel insurance — diving in remote areas needs cover for chamber transfers
- Don't rent a scooter without practising on quieter roads first
- Don't try to drive from south Bali in the dark — narrow mountain roads
Day Trips from Amed
- USAT Liberty wreck dive at Tulamben (20 min) — World-class shore-entry wreck dive — Bali's most famous dive site.
- Pura Lempuyang 'Gates of Heaven' (45 min) — Iconic Bali Instagram spot with Mount Agung framed between split temple gates.
- Tirta Gangga Royal Water Palace (45 min) — Stepping-stone fish ponds and royal gardens — perfect half-day trip.
- Mount Batur Sunrise Hike (60 min (pre-dawn)) — Bali's tallest, holiest volcano — a serious sunrise trek for fit hikers.
- Sidemen rice terraces (90 min) — Bali's most authentic rice-terrace valley — quieter than Tegallalang.
- Lovina dolphin trip (2.5 hrs) — Pair with an overnight in Lovina for the famous sunrise dolphin trip.
Amed FAQs
Is Amed worth visiting?
Yes — Amed is one of the best places in Bali for snorkellers, divers and travellers wanting an authentic, quiet Bali experience away from the south.
What is Amed famous for?
Amed is famous for the USAT Liberty wreck dive at Tulamben, beach-entry snorkelling at Jemeluk Bay, traditional jukung outrigger boats, dramatic Mount Agung views and Pura Lempuyang's 'Gates of Heaven' photo spot nearby.
How far is Amed from Bali airport?
Amed is about 100 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The drive takes 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic — Amed is the most remote of Bali's main beach areas.
Is Amed expensive?
No — Amed is one of the most affordable areas in Bali. Mid-range travellers spend US$70–130 per day including diving.
Is Amed safe?
Yes — Amed is very safe. The main risks are scooter accidents on the coastal road and diving safety, both manageable with common sense.
Who should stay in Amed?
Divers, snorkellers, couples and travellers seeking authentic Bali — not party-goers or families wanting big resort amenities.
Is Amed good for families?
Amed is great for families with older children (8+) who can swim and snorkel — calm reef-protected bays, kid-friendly snorkel sites and quiet roads. It is less suited to toddlers due to pebbly black-sand beaches and limited resort amenities.
Is Amed good for snorkelling?
Yes — Amed has Bali's best beach-entry snorkelling, with the Jemeluk Bay coral garden and Japanese shipwreck reachable on foot.
Amed vs Lovina — which is better?
Amed has the best snorkelling and diving in Bali; Lovina has dolphin trips, waterfalls and a bigger beach town. Choose Amed for underwater experiences, Lovina for waterfalls and a calmer family base.
Where should first-timers stay in Amed?
First-timers should stay in central Jemeluk or Lipah Bay — closest to the best snorkelling, diving operators and the largest cluster of restaurants. Avoid the far west (Bunutan) without a scooter.
How many days should I spend in Amed?
Three nights is ideal; divers often stay a week.
Related Bali Travel Guides
- Best Diving Spots in Bali — USAT Liberty, Menjangan and Nusa Penida — Bali's top dive sites ranked.
- Best Snorkelling in Bali — Jemeluk Bay, Blue Lagoon and the Japanese Wreck — beach-entry snorkel spots.
- East Bali Travel Guide — Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Sidemen and the best of Bali's quiet east coast.
- Bali Airport Transfer Guide — Long-distance fixed-price transfers from DPS — 3 hours to Amed.
- Best Time to Visit Bali — Diving seasons and the best months for Amed's water visibility.
- Top Bali Attractions — Day trips and must-see attractions from Amed — Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga and beyond.