{"id":16128,"date":"2021-12-29T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-29T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/?p=16128"},"modified":"2023-06-15T16:10:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T15:10:51","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-amed-bali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/best-things-to-do-in-amed-bali\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide: 7 Things to Do in Amed, Bali and Why You Should Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Amed is a wonderful destination in Indonesia<\/a>, found on the far east coast of Bali! It\u2019s a quiet little patch of paradise and an amazing place to visit if you appreciate the beauty of Bali but feel like getting a little peace from the crowds of tourists. If you\u2019re planning a vacation there soon, you\u2019re in luck! This complete guide contains all the best things to do in Amed, as well as where to stay, where to eat, how to get there and more. Scroll down to find out more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bali remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, the fishing village of Amed isn\u2019t really known for bustling crowds of tourists<\/strong>. Instead, it\u2019s an oasis of relaxation and a great scuba diving<\/b> spot! In fact, most people come here only for diving, but what they don\u2019t know is that there\u2019s so much more to Amed than that. If you\u2019re like me, then you won\u2019t mind avoiding the large crowds and Instagrammable beaches for a couple of days off the beaten track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, Bali is absolutely beautiful, but Amed offers a bit more adventure and exploration than the busy beaches on the western coast! That\u2019s why I recommend staying overnight and spending a couple of days<\/strong> in Amed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, let\u2019s dive right into it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>First of all, is Amed worth visiting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The short answer, if you ask me, is yes.<\/strong> And not just for a couple of hours! If you want me to expand on the subject, I will gladly do so, as this place is totally worth it. Amed is a place for relaxation<\/strong> away from the hustle and bustle of the super popular tourist destinations in Bali. It\u2019s also an excellent spot for divers, as well as people that want to chill on black sand beaches. In fact, Amed is for everyone from romantic getaways to families with children and solo travellers as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amed is actually larger than you think, a 14 km-long area that encompasses several charming fishing villages; Amed, Banyuning, Jemeluk, Selang, Bunutan, Lipah and more. You\u2019ll find recommendations scattered all along the Amed coastal area in this article, as they all have one or more special attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>7 Best Things to do in Amed, Bali<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Amed, you might ask? Although you might not expect it, there are quite some exciting things to do in Amed and in East Bali in general! From scuba diving among shipwrecks to watching the sunset from the cliffside, below is my complete list of recommended things to do in Amed:<\/p>\n\n\n

1 – Dive Sites<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Surely one of the best things to do in Amed, so I just had to start with it. Diving is SUCH a popular activity around here, that some people even call Amed the \u201cdiving capital\u201d of Bali. The cool thing is that you won\u2019t have any problems trying it even if you\u2019re not a diving expert (yet!). Amed is actually world-famous for scuba diving and there\u2019s also the possibility to do night diving and freediving here, which I think is SO cool! Many divers love the fact that there are calm currents here and lots of marine life to explore, including bioluminescent plankton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s another cool perk: Amed has some incredible (and affordable!) freediving schools that can help you figure out how to move through the water and check out the incredible scenery and marine life this paradise has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re eager to try it, here are some exciting, unmissable spots for diving in Amed:<\/p>\n\n\n

USAT LIBERTY WRECK<\/h3>\n\n\n

This is a super popular sunken ship and dive site to check out while you have your head underwater! The ship is close to the beach in Tulamben (30 km away from Amed). This is also a great place to go snorkelling for a couple of hours. Oh, and might I say that the USAT Liberty Wreck is considered the best diving site in the country (and sometimes the world as well)? Yep, it\u2019s no joke! Don\u2019t forget to bring your underwater camera too!<\/p>\n\n\n

JAPANESE SHIPWRECK<\/h3>\n\n\n

This one often gets overlooked for the more popular USAT Liberty Shipwreck \u2013 but if you\u2019re in Amed for diving, this site is another cool spot well-worth visiting! You\u2019ll find it in Banyuning Bay, along with a couple of places where you can buy snacks and rent snorkelling gear. And what makes everything even more mysterious is that there isn\u2019t much info on this shipwreck, unfortunately. It\u2019s unclear how it got to Bali and how it sank. In fact, there isn\u2019t even that much evidence to support the claim that it\u2019s Japanese, haha! If you need a guide, here\u2019s a cool guided snorkelling trip<\/a> to this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JEMELUK UNDERWATER GALLERY<\/h3>\n\n\n

An underwater gallery? Where do I sign up?! No, really, this is a very cool local project: several popular diving spots in Indonesia, like Amed and Lombok, were \u201cupdated\u201d with underwater statues such as mailboxes, pyramids, statues of people, mermaids, bicycles, and\u2026 a baby head! Yes, you can see these under the waters of Amed. This project is not a pretty tourist scam at all – it actually aims to stimulate coral growth and spread awareness. From the corals and sea life I saw on my trip, it seems to be working great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you\u2019re not ready to try diving and want to stick to snorkelling instead, I have found this amazing full-day snorkelling tour in Amed<\/a> with lunch included that will take you to all the cool spots!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you\u2019re looking for some great diving schools<\/strong> in Amed, I can help with that as well. Personally, we went with Adventure Divers Bali<\/a>. We had a blast! They gave us a super fun experience, along with being very patient and professional, so I can definitely recommend them as my top pick. Some other good alternatives are  Amed Scuba Tauchzentrum<\/a> and No Fear Diving<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ: <\/strong>East Bali Adventure \u2013 My Recommended 10-Day Itinerary<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2 – Jemeluk Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n
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There are many tourists that are excited about diving in Bali, but Jemeluk Bay<\/a> is also a good place for those who prefer to remain on the surface! Great for snorkellers, Jemeluk Bay is a family-friendly area too with lots of shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling active, there are places to rent stand-up paddleboards for a couple of hours or the day – or you can arrange the rental with your accommodation. By the way, you should consider taking a sunset SUP, it\u2019s such an awesome thing to do here as the sunsets over the bay are fantastic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re travelling with children that are eager to see some marine life, Jemeluk Bay is a great, well-known spot to start. Jemeluk Beach is actually made of volcanic black sand, but the area is considered to be one of the most serene places in Amed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP:<\/strong> <\/b>Another good place for snorkelling and admiring the local coral reefs is Lipah Beach<\/a>. For something a bit more adventurous, the Japanese shipwreck in Banyuning Bay is another great snorkeling option as the wreck is so close to the water\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ: <\/strong>A Guide to Paragliding in Bali – Uluwatu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3 – Jemeluk Viewpoint \/ Sunset Point<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Sunset Point<\/a> used to be the best sunset spot in Amed, with incredible panoramic views over Amed Beach. However – recently the land directly in front of the viewpoint was bought and the start of a hotel build popped up. Rumour has it that the owners didn\u2019t have the correct building permits to complete it, so building has stopped and a large, half built construction site now sits in the middle of this view. Nope – not ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, it\u2019s easy for you to check the spot out for yourself. Amed consists of one coastal road, which is where you will find all the restaurants, shops and this viewpoint Sunset point (at the highest point of road). You can\u2019t miss it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MY ADVICE:<\/strong> Personally, I would skip Sunset Point altogether and go grab a cheeky bintang or sunset coconut at one of the cliffside warungs across the road from the viewpoint. My top pick would be See You Again<\/a> for sunset drinks. With no view obstructions, this locally owned warung is the perfect spot to end your day – watching the sunset beside Mount Agung and over Amed Beach. They serve great food and drinks here too, the family who own the place are lovely and they offer the best view over the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4 – Amed Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n
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You may already know about the black sand beaches in Bali, but Amed Beach<\/a> is probably the most special of them all! No, really, the sand here is really, really black – which makes for incredible photo opportunities. And to top everything off, you can also get a gorgeous view of Mount Agung while you\u2019re here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP:<\/strong> <\/b>The black sand can get super hot during the day, so make sure you bring some flip flops or sandals. And don\u2019t forget the sunscreen too – highly recommended! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 – Take a scooter and explore the rice terraces<\/h3>\n\n\n
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I told you Amed is more than just diving and snorkelling! If you want to get away from the beach for a bit and explore the countryside, one of the best ideas is to rent a scooter (they\u2019re cheap, I\u2019m talking more about them below in the \u201cHow to get around<\/a>\u201d section) and drive for 10-20 minutes until you reach the hillside rice terraces. There are multiple tracks that you can take and all of them will lead to beautiful sceneries around Mount Agung, you just need to be a bit adventurous!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you ask me, travelling is all about discovering the hidden gems of each place and not just sticking to the world-famous attractions. And, luckily for us, Amed is here to cater. Getting lost (not literally, ofc!) in the rice fields might just be the highlight of your Amed vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ: <\/strong>10 Best Things To Do in Uluwatu, Bali – A Complete Guide <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6 – Visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace<\/h3>\n\n\n
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A former palace and a very special place for a day trip. What you\u2019ll find if you travel to Tirta Gangga<\/a> (\u201cWater from the Ganges\u201d in English) are fountains, statues, ancient carvings and more. It\u2019s an amazing place to experience old Bali and to take some beautiful pictures with the pools and the stepping stones. And the best part? Tirta Gangga is only a 30-minute drive away from Amed, so it can easily be done in half a day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP:<\/strong> <\/b>You can also visit Tirta Gangga on your way to Amed from Canggu if you want to save some time and break up your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7 – Visit Lempuyang Luhur \/ Pura Lempuyang<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Here\u2019s another incredible trip suggestion for you near Amed, this time to one of the most famous photo spots in all of Bali: Lempuyang Luhur<\/a>! Many, many people come here to take a photo of Mount Agung framed by the temple gates. It\u2019s pretty impressive, although I\u2019ve heard it can get overcrowded very quickly. In order to avoid this, I recommend visiting very early in the morning, preferably at sunrise!
And, in all honesty, the views of Mount Agung are simply gorgeous, I must admit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE:<\/strong> <\/b>You might have seen hundreds of pictures of this place online and in most of them there\u2019s something resembling a reflection pool or a lake at its base. Well, sorry to disappoint, but there is NO actual reflection pool<\/strong> at the gates – just some locals with a mirror looking to make some extra rupiah by helping you get \u2018that spot\u2019. Eh, it is what it is! And let\u2019s be honest, it does look cool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested, you can read more about this popular \u201cscam\u201d here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Where to stay in Amed, Bali<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We stayed at Blue Moon Villas Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to picking a place to stay in Amed, you will be spoiled with plenty of options: you can choose from resorts, villas, mid-range hotels and even homestays – something for every pocket! Depending on your budget, you\u2019ll find cute accommodations on the beach or further inland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP: <\/strong>Oftentimes, dive schools will provide accommodation if you sign up for a course or package, so make sure to double-check when you book if you\u2019re interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my hand-picked recommendations for an excellent stay in Amed, Bali:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPLURGE:<\/strong> <\/b>Mathis Lodge Amed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MID-RANGE HOTEL:<\/strong> <\/b>Blue Moon Villas Resort<\/a> – this is where we stayed!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUDGET HOMESTAY:<\/strong> <\/b>Aquaterrace Amed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOSTEL:<\/strong> <\/b>Pondok Aldi Hostel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ENTIRE VILLAS: <\/strong>The Kampung<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More places to stay in Amed<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Where to eat in Amed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Do I need to say that NO trip to Bali or Indonesia, in general, is complete without some incredible food tasting? Yes, sir, Amed is no exception when it comes to healthy, flavourful traditional dishes and colourful Buddha bowls. Here are the best places and restaurants in Amed, in my opinion. Beware, the list is long and full of flavours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n