Saraswati Temple
Bali, Indonesia
Amed, Bali
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Photo: Lalalalabpi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Beaches are free
- Hours
- Beaches open 24 hours; snorkel in the morning
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 4 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Beach
- Black volcanic sand and pebbles
- Things to do
- Snorkeling, diving, freediving, sunrises
- Getting there
- ≈ 100 km from the airport, 2.5–3 hours
- Nearby
- Tulamben ≈ 13 km, Tirta Gangga ≈ 15 km
Key facts
VillagesAmed is the umbrella name for a string of fishing villages
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travel guidesBlack sandbeaches of volcanic sand and pebbles
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travel guidesJapanese wrecka small sunken vessel close to shore, visible when snorkeling
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Amed dive centresSaltvillagers still make sea salt the traditional way
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travel guides≈ 97 kmby road from Ngurah Rai Airport
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OSRM route≈ 13 kmto Tulamben and the Liberty wreck
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OSRM routeAmed snorkeling and diving
Amed is one of Bali's best places for shore snorkeling: in Jemeluk Bay the reef, with coral and fish, starts almost immediately, and turtles are a common sight. Cafés and dive centres rent out masks.
Off Lipah village lies a small Japanese shipwreck in shallow water — you can see it with just a mask. Amed is also popular with freedivers: there are plenty of schools, and the water deepens quickly off the beach. Tulamben and the Liberty wreck are 13 km away.
About Amed
Amed is a stretch of coast in northeast Bali, in Karangasem regency. The name covers not one village but a string of fishing settlements: Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang and more, linked by a road that winds over the hills past small bays and guesthouses.
There are no loud clubs or big resorts: people come for peace, the sea and the reef. In the morning colourful jukung boats come back to the beach, the sun rises over the bays, and Mount Agung looms behind.
Amed beach
Amed's beaches are black volcanic sand and pebbles, with calm, clear water, especially in the morning. They're not the white beaches of the south, but for snorkeling they're far more interesting: the reef begins a few metres out.
The best-known bay is Jemeluk, with a hilltop viewpoint over the coast and Agung, plus cafés and mask hire by the water. Beaches in the other villages are quieter.
Things to do in Amed
Sunrise is Amed's big show: the sun comes up out of the sea as the jukungs head out. The best spots are the hilltop viewpoints between villages.
Villagers still make sea salt the old way, drying seawater in troughs made from palm trunks, and sell it on the spot. Tirta Gangga water palace is 15 km away, with Taman Ujung a little further.
How to get to Amed
Amed is at the opposite end of the island from the airport: about 100 km by road, 2.5–3 hours by car with traffic and mountain stretches. From Ubud it's about 2 hours.
The easiest option is a transfer or a car with driver. There's practically no public transport to Amed; along the coast people get around by scooter.
How to get to Amed from the airport
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From the airport — a transfer, about 100 km and 2.5–3 hours.
- From Ubud — a car with driver, about 2 hours.
- Along the coast — hire a scooter from your guesthouse.
- Stop at Tirta Gangga on the way (≈ 15 km from Amed).
Is Amed worth it?
Yes: it's Bali's best spot for snorkeling from the beach and a calm escape from the busy south, with sunrises over the sea and views of Agung.
YesGo's take: the drive is long, the beaches are black and pebbly, and evenings are quiet. Don't do it as a day trip — stay two or three nights to really enjoy it.
Bali beaches and snorkeling compared
Beaches, bays and snorkeling spots on Bali rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Saraswati Temple | 45 | 30 min | free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000 | 45.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayung River Rafting | 29 | 3 h | ≈ IDR 400,000–500,000 | 46.8 km |
| Tegenungan Waterfall | 29 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 20,000–30,000 | 46.9 km |
| Kanto Lampo Waterfall | 29 | 45 min | ≈ IDR 25,000 | 40.4 km |
| Devil's Tear | 29 | 45 min | Free | 45.9 km |
| Jimbaran Fish Market | 29 | 45 min | Free | 70.1 km |
| Tanah Lot Temple | 26 | 1 h 30 min | IDR 75,000 | 68.8 km |
| Taman Ayun Temple | 26 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 56.4 km |
| Legian Beach | 26 | 2 h | Free | 66.6 km |
| Nusa Dua Beach | 26 | 3 h | Free | 67.7 km |
| Kuta Beach | 25 | 2 h 30 min | Free | 67.3 km |
| Jimbaran Beach | 25 | 2 h 30 min | Free | 72.2 km |
| Seminyak Beach | 25 | 2 h 30 min | Free | 66.3 km |
| Tirta Empul Temple | 24 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000 | 37.0 km |
| Tukad Cepung Waterfall | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 25,000 | 30.3 km |
| Tanjung Benoa | 24 | 3 h | beach free; banana ≈ IDR 80,000 | 66.1 km |
| Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong | 24 | 1 h | Small fee | 49.0 km |
| Nusa Ceningan | 24 | 3 h | Free | 45.7 km |
| Tirta Gangga Water Palace | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 10.5 km |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | 23 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 100,000 | 52.7 km |
| Taman Ujung Water Palace | 23 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 14.3 km |
| Lake Batur | 22 | 1 h 30 min | free; hot springs ≈ IDR 200,000 | 27.0 km |
| Kelingking Beach | 22 | 1 h 30 min | Small fee | 49.9 km |
| Diamond Beach | 22 | 1 h 30 min | Small fee | 49.2 km |
| Atuh Beach | 22 | 1 h 30 min | Small fee | 48.8 km |
| Amedyou are here | 21 | 4 h | Free | — |
| Padang Padang Beach | 21 | 2 h | ≈ IDR 15,000 | 79.6 km |
| Crystal Bay | 21 | 2 h | Small fee | 46.9 km |
| Pemuteran | 21 | 4 h | Free | 110.5 km |
| Sekumpul Waterfall | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 20,000–250,000 | 53.4 km |
| Melasti Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 10,000 | 78.0 km |
| Pandawa Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 25,000 | 75.6 km |
| Dreamland Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | Free | 77.3 km |
| Geger Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000 | 70.8 km |
| Manta Point | 19 | 3 h | Tour only | 53.0 km |
| Tulamben | 19 | 3 h | Small fee | 8.3 km |
| West Bali National Park | 16 | 4 h | ≈ IDR 200,000 + guide | 127.2 km |
| Menjangan Island | 15 | 5 h | trip ≈ IDR 500,000 | 126.7 km |
East Bali in a day
Snorkel in Amed in the morning, dive or snorkel at Tulamben, and stop at Tirta Gangga water palace on the way back. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.
- Amedyou are here4 h · Free
- 144 min walk from the previous stopTulamben3 h · Small fee
- 259 min walk from the previous stopTirta Gangga Water Palace1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
3 places · about 14 h 43 min with walks · 403 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Snorkel in the morning, while the sea is calm.
- Get up for sunrise — it's the main event.
- Bring water shoes: the beaches are pebbly.
- Stay at least two nights.
- Nearby: Tulamben and the Liberty wreck.
Questions
Where is Amed in Bali?
On the northeast coast, in Karangasem regency, about 100 km from the airport.
What are the beaches like in Amed?
Black volcanic sand and pebbles, with calm clear water and reef close to shore.
Is Amed good for snorkeling?
Yes, one of the best on Bali: a reef and a Japanese shipwreck right off the beach.
How do I get to Amed from the airport?
By transfer or car with driver — about 100 km and 2.5–3 hours.
What's the weather like in Amed?
Drier and sunnier than southern Bali; best April to October.
What is there to do in Amed?
Sunrise over the sea, Jemeluk Bay, the Japanese wreck, salt farms and views of Mount Agung.
Do you pay to use the beaches?
No, the beaches are free; you only pay for mask and lounger hire.
How many days in Amed?
Two or three days for snorkeling, diving and sunrises.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Bali travel guides — Amed villages, beaches, sunrises, salt making, northeast climate
- Amed dive centres — Jemeluk reef, the Japanese wreck, freediving
- OpenStreetMap — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances to the airport, Ubud, Tulamben and Tirta Gangga
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