Amed is one of East Bali’s best destinations for snorkeling, diving, black-sand beaches, sunrise views, temples, and quiet coastal villages. The 25 best things to do in Amed Bali include exploring the famous USAT Liberty Wreck, snorkeling in Jemeluk Bay, watching sunrise over Mount Agung, visiting nearby temples, and discovering the relaxed charm of Bali’s northeast coast. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a beach lover, or simply looking to escape the crowds, this guide covers the best things to do in Amed, Bali for every type of traveler.
Why Visit Amed?
Amed sits in East Bali’s rain shadow, drier than the south year-round, with calmer seas and better dive visibility. It moves at a slower pace than or Seminyak, trading beach clubs for jukung boats, black volcanic sand, and a genuinely local feel.
Best Things to Do in Amed, Bali
Here are 25 of the best things to do in Amed, covering the water, the coast, and the hills just behind it.
Snorkel at Jemeluk Bay
Amed’s most sheltered bay: calm water, coral gardens, and small underwater sculptures around 16–20 feet down.
Dive the Japanese Shipwreck Bali.
A quieter WWII wreck near Amed village, smaller than the Liberty but rich in soft coral and reef fish.
Explore the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben
Thirty minutes away, this 120-meter wreck sits just 30 meters offshore, one of the world’s most accessible wreck dives.
Relax on Amed Beach
Black volcanic sand and pebbles, lined with warungs, dive shops, and fishing boats.
Spend a Day at Lipah Beach
A calmer bay with easy snorkeling and fewer crowds.
Watch Sunrise with Mount Agung Views
Amed faces the volcano directly, and clear mornings bring dramatic color.
Take a Traditional Jukung Boat Trip
Fishermen still launch colorful outrigger boats, many offering short sunrise trips.
Try a Discover Bali Scuba Diving Course.
Beginners can join a supervised trial dive at the Liberty wreck, no certification needed.
Go Freediving in Amed
Local dive centers run freediving courses, using calm water and easy shore access.
Visit Sunset Point Amed
A hillside viewpoint over the bay, best in late afternoon.
Enjoy Fresh Seafood at a Beachside Warung
Grilled fish, prawns, and squid caught that day, cheaper than resorts further south.
Join a Balinese Cooking Class
Guesthouses run half-day classes covering sambal, satay, and curry.
Visit Lempuyang Temple, Bali (Gates of Heaven)
Two hours from Amed, the famous “Gates of Heaven” frames Mount Agung; 2026 entry is around 100,000 IDR ($7).
Explore Tirta Gangga Water Palace
This royal water garden, 30 minutes away, has koi ponds and stepping stones; 2026 entry is about 90,000 IDR ($5.70).
Visit Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint
A rice-terrace lookout best reached around 5 AM for sunrise photos.
Discover Local Salt Farming in Bali
Amed’s coast is one of Bali’s last strongholds of coconut-tree salt farming.
Ride a Scooter Along East Bali’s Coastal Road
The coastal road links Amed’s villages over about 14 kilometers, with plenty of photo pull-offs.
Book a Fishing Trip with Local Fishermen
Early-morning trips using traditional methods, a low-key way to see the coast.
Treat Yourself to a Beachside Spa
Simple spas around Amed and Jemeluk offer massages at a fraction of southern Bali prices.
Enjoy Live Music and Local Cafes
A few beach cafés host acoustic sets, though the scene stays low-key.
Take a Day Trip to Virgin Beach Bali
Forty-five minutes south, with white sand and less development.
Visit Besakih Temple, Bali
Bali’s “Mother Temple,” about two hours away, is the island’s largest temple complex.
Watch the Sunset from the Black Sand Beach, Bali
West-facing stretches give clear, uncrowded sunset views over the water.
Experience Amed’s Quiet Nightlife
A few beach bars, cold Bintang, and occasional live music; most close before midnight.
Capture the Best Photography Spots in Amed
Jemeluk Bay’s viewpoint, the salt farms, and Lahangan Sweet’s rice terraces are the top spots.
Hidden Gems in Amed Beach Most Tourists Miss
Skip the crowds at Ibus Beach and Selang Beach, both quieter than Jemeluk with good coral. The Bunutan stretch has small family-run warungs rarely mentioned online, and the back roads above Lean village lead to viewpoints most day-trippers never find.
Best Beaches in Amed
Each stretch of coast here has its own character, so use this table to match a beach to what you actually want from your day.
| Beach | Vibe | Best For |
| Amed Beach | Central, black sand, busy warungs | First-timers, easy access |
| Jemeluk Bay | Sheltered, coral-rich | Snorkeling, beginners |
| Lipah Beach | Quieter, small cafés | Relaxed swimming |
| Selang Beach | Dramatic coastline, boutique stays | Privacy, photography |
| Virgin Beach | White sand, less crowded | A change from black sand |
Best Snorkeling and Diving Spots in Amed
Jemeluk Bay, the Japanese Shipwreck, and the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben form the core of Amed’s underwater reputation, with the Liberty widely rated one of the world’s best accessible wreck dives. Dry season brings the clearest visibility, roughly 20–30 meters, versus 10–20 meters in wetter months.
Explore the Best Underwater Adventures in Amed. Read more in Why Amed Snorkeling Is the $11 Bali Secret Everyone’s Sleeping On.
Best Day Trips from Amed
Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, Besakih Temple, and Virgin Beach all work as half or full-day trips, and most drivers will combine two or three stops in one itinerary.
Where to Eat in Amed
Beachfront warungs dominate, serving grilled seafood, nasi goreng, and Balinese curries well below southern Bali prices. A simple seafood dinner runs $4–$10 per person, while a few mid-range spots near Jemeluk and Lipah offer sunset dining for $10–$20.
Where to Stay in Amed
Best Luxury Resorts in Bali
Puri Wirata Dive Resort and Spa and The Griya Villas and Spa are among Amed’s top-rated upscale stays, both with pools and easy beach access.
Best Mid-Range Hotels
Life in Amed Boutique Hotel and Hotel Uyah Amed & Spa Resort combine comfort with dive-centre convenience at more moderate prices.
Best Budget Stays
Solaluna Beach Homestay and Black Sand Hostel are popular with backpackers wanting an affordable, sociable base near the water.
Choose the Ideal Amed Stay for Your Budget. Read more in Stop Overpaying on Amed Hotels & Resorts for Every Budget.
How Many Days Do You Need in Amed?
Two to three days is enough to snorkel or dive the main sites, relax on the beach, and fit in one East Bali day trip. Divers chasing multiple sites, or anyone wanting an unhurried pace, may prefer four or five days.
Best Time to Visit Amed
The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the best diving visibility, calmer seas, and easier roads. Peak crowds hit July, August, and Christmas/New Year, so April, May, September, and October offer good weather with fewer people. The wet season (November–March) is quieter, with occasional afternoon rain rather than all-day downpours.
Find Out When Amed Is at Its Most Beautiful. Read more in Best Time to Visit Amed and Why May Beats July.
How to Get to Amed Bali
Most travelers arrive by private car or taxi from Ngurah Rai Airport, about 90 kilometers and 2.5 to 3 hours away. From Ubud it’s closer, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, while Seminyak and Canggu run 2.5 to 3.5 hours. There’s no ride-hailing within Amed itself, so rent a scooter or hire a driver once you arrive.
Suggested 1-Day, 2-Day & 3-Day Amed Itinerary
1 Day: Snorkel Jemeluk Bay, eat at a beachside warung, catch sunset from Amed Beach.
2 Days: Add a dive or snorkel trip to the Japanese Shipwreck or USAT Liberty Wreck, plus an afternoon at Sunset Point.
3 Days: Use day three for an East Bali loop covering Tirta Gangga and Lempuyang Temple, or a quiet beach day at Selang or Virgin Beach.
Travel Tips for Visiting Amed
- Bring cash: warungs, temple ticket offices, and small shops rarely take cards.
- Rent a scooter or hire a driver; Amed’s villages stretch along 14 kilometers of coast.
- Carry a sarong for temple visits like Lempuyang and Besakih.
- Book dive or snorkeling trips a day ahead in peak season (July, August, December).
- Carry water; the coast stays hot and dry even outside the wet season.
The Case for Choosing Amed
Amed won’t give you Bali’s biggest nightlife or flashiest beach clubs, but it delivers something harder to find: a quiet coastline with world-class diving right off the shore. Between the Liberty Wreck, Jemeluk Bay, salt farms, and East Bali’s temples, there are enough things to do in Amed to fill a long weekend or a full week. Start with a morning snorkel, and let the rest of the trip move at Amed’s pace.
ee Why Amed Is One of Bali’s Best-Kept Secrets. Read more in Amed Beach Bali Isn’t Trying to Impress Anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amed worth visiting?
Yes, for accessible diving and a slower pace than Bali’s southern hubs.
What is Amed famous for?
The USAT Liberty Wreck nearby, Jemeluk Bay snorkeling, black beaches, and salt farming.
Can you snorkel straight from Amed Beach?
Yes, though Jemeluk Bay has calmer water and better coral.
Is Amed better than Ubud or Canggu?
Depends on the trip: those suit culture and nightlife; Amed suits divers and quiet seekers.
Is Amed better than Tulamben for diving?
Tulamben suits Liberty-only divers; Amed offers more variety plus its own sites.
Is Amed good for non-divers?
Yes, beaches, temples, and East Bali day trips fill a trip without diving.
How do you get from Ubud to Amed?
By car, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours over 70 to 75 kilometers.
Can you take a fast boat from Amed to the Gili Islands?
Yes, though operators change, so check current departures locally.
Is Amed suitable for families?
It works for confident swimmers at calmer bays like Jemeluk, but lacks resort kids’ clubs.
Is Amed expensive compared to other parts of Bali?
No, generally cheaper than Seminyak, Canggu, or Ubud.
