Escape to Amed, a peaceful paradise on Bali’s east coast. From breathtaking snorkelling spots and stunning ocean sunrises to delicious fresh seafood, this guide has everything you need for the perfect Amed getaway. Our guide to Amed will share everything you need to know, from getting to Bali’s east coast to where to eat and the best places to stay.
Amed offers a wonderful alternative escape to Bali’s hotspots such as Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud, and the up-and-coming Uluwatu.
After our first visit to Bali in 2017, the island’s magic captivated us. Eager to return in 2024, we hoped to experience the same charm and authentic Bali we fell in love with the first time.
Our return to Canggu opened our eyes to how quickly Bali has changed over the last few years. Bali has been a thriving hub for digital nomads and gained attention from pop culture, such as the book and movie, Eat, Pray, Love, making it one of the go-to places for many travellers.
While Bali still holds beauty and charm, you just need to know where to find it!
On the remote eastern coast of Bali, Amed has a wonderful laid-back atmosphere with black sand beaches and vibrant snorkelling and diving spots. Start your day watching the fishing boats set sail at dawn with a refreshing juice made of exotic fruits.
Our guide to Amed will share everything you need to know, from getting to Bali’s east coast to where to eat and the best places to stay. Read our Bali guide for more travelling inspiration including the best waterfalls in Bali and where we stayed on the island.
Where is Amed?
Amed is located on the Seraya peninsula in East Bali, Indonesia. While Amed is a town on the coast, this guide will share all about the coast along the Seraya peninsula from Amed to Gili Selang, the most eastern part of Bali.
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Seraya, the coastline from Amed looks out across to Mount Agung, the tallest volcano in Bali.
Bali is within the southern part of the Coral Triangle. Amed has a rich diversity of marine life and is located next to the Lombok Strait, which separates Bali from Lombok.
What is Amed known for?
Amed is a laid-back fishing village located on the eastern coast of Bali. It’s known for its diversity of marine life and amazing choice of snorkelling and world-class diving spots around shipwrecks. Escape to Amed for a relaxing break away from the crowds in Canggu.
The coastline is dotted with sheltered bays and black sand beaches and is set in the foothills of towering volcanoes. Amed is the place to go to feel the tension in your body immediately ease to the sound of the waves and appreciate the slower pace of life.
Traditional Indonesian fishing boats known as jukungs flood the ocean, creating a sea of colour from the sails that usually represent the area they live. Visitors to Amed are steadily growing, with many visitors to Bali searching for a more authentic experience.
How to get to Amed?
By Plane
There are no direct flights from the UK to Bali. The best option is to stop over in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and then connect to Denpasar Bali. The flight takes on average 12+ hours in total.
By taxi
Once you arrive in Bali, landing in Denpasar Airport, you will be given lots of taxi offers as you step outside of arrivals. From the airport, we didn’t go straight to Ame,d but we pre-booked a Grab. They have a Grab terminal, we the service was easy to use, no hassle, a set price and reliable.
It takes around 4 hours to drive from Depensar to Amed. The route is quite far, taking you through winding mountain passes, and traffic can build up along sections of the route. Expect to pay around 600,000 IDR (£28) for a taxi from Dependar to Amed.
If travelling from Uluwatu, expect to pay around 800,000 IDR (~£38) for a Grab ride to Amed. The trip includes toll roads (14,000 IDR for a car), so it’s best to leave early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic.
By minibus
On the way back from Amed to Depensar, we took a shared mini bus. This is a much cheaper option than taking a taxi as you’ll be driving with a small group of people, dividing the cost of travel. It costs 250,000 IDR per person from Amed to Denpasar.
The only frustrating thing about taking the minibus is that we found at the beginning of the journey that we stopped just before leaving Amed. We sat there for over 30 minutes with everyone in the car with no idea what was going on.
It seemed like they were in no rush, so if you have a particular time to be back, don’t rely on the minibus being strict with time schedules! You are dropped off at a random place in Denpasar; make sure you have arranged transport from there or order a grab.
Bali Visa Requirements and Process
Before arriving in Bali, book the online Bali e-Visa to skip the long queues. When we arrived, we had to wait a long time to get a visa, it took around 45 minutes. The queues moved slowly, and after a long set of flights, this can be frustrating.
The Bali e-Visa allows visitors to skip long queues at the airport and head directly to the e-gates or passport control (note that children under six cannot use e-gates).
After immigration, travellers must complete a quick customs declaration, including details about their stay and baggage, before showing a QR code for scanning. Then, all that is left to do is pick up your luggage.
How to get around Amed?
Amed is best explored by scooter, which can be rented for around 70,000 IDR per day. The roads can be bumpy and steep in some areas, so drive carefully, and previous experience driving a scooter is necessary.
Alternatively, you can hire a driver for longer trips or use local transport services. Many accommodations and restaurants are within walking distance, but a rental scooter will give you more freedom to explore the surrounding villages and hidden beaches.
Please note there is no Grab or Uber available to get from Amed to other areas; it’s only possible to get a Grab or taxi to Amed.
When is the best time to visit Amed?
The best time to visit Amed is during the dry season, from April to October, when the weather is warm, and the sea conditions are excellent for snorkelling and diving.
For diving, the best conditions are typically from September to November, with calmer water and better visibility.
The wet season is typically from November to March, which brings heavier rainfall, but Amed remains a year-round destination with its calm and relaxing vibe. Enjoy fewer visitors in the wet season with cheaper deals on accommodation and flights to Bali.
Best things to do in Amed
Go Diving
Alongside the spectacular snorkelling spots, there are incredible dives available along the coast of Amed. Several dive schools offer PADI courses and the opportunity to learn how to dive. Many visitors come to dive into the famous USAT Liberty Shipwreck, a US World War II freighter home to over 400 species of reef fish.
Relax on a black sand beach
The Amed coastline has a lovely laid-back feel. Grab a scooter along the road that hugs the coast and spend the day beach hopping until you find your favourite; ours was Ibus Beach, a calm oasis with clear water, found next to the Stairway to Heaven restaurant.
Explore the shops in Amed village
The main village in Amed has plenty to discover, from beautiful cafés to curated shops such as Pure Bali and FIZZY Nana’s. We bought a few souvenirs to remind us of our wonderful time in Amed. There are several local shops selling clothes and Bali homewares in the smaller villages along the coast between Jemeluk and Selang.
Take a boat tour in Amed
A boat tour in a traditional jukung boat is a wonderful way to explore the untouched coast of Bali and see Amed from a different angle.
Many boat tours in Amed offer fishing, snorkelling or a chance to spot dolphins in the bay, with the best chances to spot them going early in the morning. Most of the boat tours will stop at the best snorkelling spots, such as Jemeluk Bay, Japanese Shipwreck and Lipah Beach.
Go on a fishing boat tour for your chance to catch Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna and Sailfish, where you can enjoy what you caught over a delicious BBQ.
Watch the sunset over Jemeluk bay
Spending the evening watching the sunset over Jemeluk Bay is an unforgettable experience and an iconic view in Amed. Some of the best spots to take in the view are Blue Earth Village, See You Again Café and Joli Best View Café.
One of my favourite places to eat and get a drink was Blue Earth Village, a relaxing, open-air setting with unobstructed views of Jemeluk Bay. We enjoyed the pizza, fresh juices and smoothies; they also have an incredible yoga shala, movie nights and spa treatments.
Another favourite was See You Again Café, a local warung serving traditional dishes at a good price. It’s a little closer to the main road, and there is noise from the nearby beach club opposite, but it’s a beautiful spot, serving delicious food.
Snorkelling
The underwater world in Amed is one of the most vibrant and abundant we have seen in Bali. The different colours and variety of species were incredible. We spent hours underwater spotting turtles, puffer fish, titan triggerfish, blue sea stars and many colourful coral fish.
INSIDER TIP | When entering the water, make sure to shuffle your feet to avoid and scare away stonefish. The spines on a stone fish are highly toxic and extremely painful.
What to do if you tread on a stone fish? In the very unfortunate and unlucky event of treading on one, remove the spines and put your feet in the hottest water you can tolerate. If possible, choose a soft sandy entry to the reef. Or plan your swim when the tide has come in.
Best snorkelling spots in Amed
Selang Beach
We spent our days relaxing by the pool, enjoying delicious fresh fish and snorkelling in the nearby Selang Beach. The snorkelling and diving opportunities at Selang Beach are amazing, with numerous different types of fish and corals to see.
Compared to some of the more popular beaches closer to Amed, Selang Beach is very quiet, with fewer visitors on the beach. Selang Beach is within walking distance from Blue Moon Villas.
Jemeluk Bay
Amed has some of the most interesting snorkelling spots. At Jemeluk Bay, you will discover an underwater temple with an underwater post box, the first of its kind in Indonesia.
The small temple at Jemeluk Bay was sunk in the bay to increase understanding of the importance of protecting the marine environment.
The underwater temple is within a large sheltered bay. This was one of the busiest places we snorkelled, and you need to be aware of boats coming in and out of the bay.
Turtle Point, Amed Beach
After we’d spent a few days snorkelling in Amed, there hadn’t been any sightings of turtles, and then we found out about Turtle Point! It’s located opposite the Baracuda Hotel. The beach has mostly pebbles, which can make it a little difficult to get in and out of the water with fins.
Be patient when looking for turtles at this location. The visibility wasn’t great for us when we visited, as it was a cloudy day, and the turtles were well-camouflaged with the ocean floor. Please do not touch the turtles and be patient, as they will come up for air every once in a while, which makes them easier to spot.
We saw several other snorkellers kicking starfish and corals with their fins, which has resulted in a lot of damaged coral – please do not tread on them or destroy them. If you are feeling nervous or unsure, please keep your feet up and float over the coral! There is also a strong current around this stretch, so make sure you swim with someone else or let someone know you’ve gone for a swim.
Japanese shipwreck
The Japanese shipwreck is one of the most impressive snorkelling spots, and usually, you will also find divers at this location. This snorkelling spot is on the beach in the fishing village of Banyuning, a much quieter area away from the main centre of Amed.
Similar to most beaches in Amed, it consists mostly of pebbles, which can be a little challenging to walk on to get into the ocean, but it is well worth the effort! We’d read online that it wasn’t free entry; however, we didn’t have to pay.
Where are the best places to eat in Amed?
Amed is not only known for its world-class snorkelling but also for its fantastic food options. Blue Moon Villas Restaurant was our go-to with fresh seafood, including catch of the day, refreshing juices and an indulgent chocolate milkshake that Jonny couldn’t get enough of!
For an authentic taste of Balinese cuisine, try one of the many local warungs, such as Food and Friends and Galung, serving delicious curries and Indonesian food for budget-friendly prices.
Other great choices include La Cocina Mexicana for tasty Mexican dishes, located in the main centre of Amed. A relaxed daytime option for breakfast and lunch would be the beautiful Rimba Café, perfect for a healthy brunch, coffee or smoothie bowl in a beautiful setting.
We stumbled across Kopi di Tymor while exploring the coast, serving amazing coffee with fresh pastries, ice-cold drinks and sandwiches.
Where to stay in Amed?
This easy-to-use map below will help you find your dream stay in Amed. Select your dates in the search bar below and compare the best prices across the main booking sites to show you the best deals.
Blue Moon Villas
Blue Moon Villas is a beautiful, peaceful retreat in Amed. It is within walking distance of Selang Beach, a fantastic snorkelling spot. Set around 4 miles away from the main street in Amed Beach, its more remote setting makes it the perfect place for a relaxing escape.
Spend the day relaxing on a sunbed by the ocean-view infinity pool, with frangipani flowers occasionally drifting into the water, and indulge in a traditional Balinese massage by the ocean for just 120K IDR – one of the best massage experiences we’ve ever had!
Make sure to get up before sunrise and watch the colourful sails of the traditional jukung fishing boats sail back to the coast in their vast numbers, a beautiful scene to start the day. The villas are exceptional, and we stayed in a deluxe villa with a private terrace and ocean view. The semi-outdoor shower lets you rinse off under the sky, bringing you closer to nature.
Blue Moon Villas has an on-site restaurant serving delicious fresh seafood and traditional Balinese cuisine alongside refreshing juices and smoothies, with Jonny’s favourite being their indulgent chocolate milkshake.
