Diving in Amed, Bali

Amed is the name given to a group of small villages along the north-east coast of Bali, in the Karangasem regency. Bali's provincial tourism site describes Amed as a place known for freediving, snorkelling and scuba diving, with reefs that remain in good condition. The sea sits below Mount Agung, and the shoreline is mostly dark volcanic sand and pebble.

Shore and short boat dives

Reefs here start close to the beach, so many dives begin with a walk or a short boat ride rather than a long crossing. Indonesia's tourism board lists named spots including Bunutan Point (about 10 minutes by boat from Amed Beach), Amed Wall (about 5 minutes by boat) and a Japanese shipwreck that now acts as an artificial reef.

Pace

The area is quieter than much of southern Bali. Visitors typically base themselves in one of the bay villages and dive daily from there.

Amed offers dependable, gentle diving close to a bay-side base, with enough variety to fill several days.

• Shore access: Reefs begin near the beach, which reduces boat time and suits relaxed schedules.
• Wreck and wall in one area: A Japanese wartime wreck and a coral wall are both listed by Indonesia's tourism board as nearby dive spots.
• Snorkelling too: Shallow reefs let non-divers share the water.
• Conditions: Water temperature typically sits in the high 20s Celsius, with visibility often ranging from roughly 10 to 30 metres depending on season and swell.
• Easy pairing: Tulamben, with the USAT Liberty wreck, is a short drive up the coast.

Sites are along a stretch of coast, from Jemeluk in the west to the eastern bays. The sites below are named in official tourism material or are widely used local names; confirm access and conditions with your guide.

• Bunutan Point: A reef reached by short boat ride from Amed Beach, listed by Indonesia's tourism board.
• Amed Wall: A coral wall about five minutes by boat from Amed Beach.
• Japanese shipwreck: A wartime wreck now sitting as an artificial reef, listed on both the diving and snorkelling pages of Indonesia's tourism board.
• Jemeluk Bay: A sheltered bay with shallow reef that is also popular for snorkelling.
• Lipah and Selang bays: Reefs with sand slopes that are often used for macro dives.

Reefs here mix hard and soft corals with sand and rubble slopes, so both reef fish and small critters are found.

• Reef fish including fusiliers, butterflyfish, anthias, groupers and parrotfish.
• Turtles are reported on some dives.
• Macro life on sandy slopes can include nudibranchs, shrimps, seahorses and frogfish.
• Schooling fish may gather around the wreck and wall areas, especially in the morning.

No site can promise a given species; sightings change with season and time of day.

Airport and transfers

• Denpasar (DPS): The main gateway. The drive to Amed typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and route.
• Nearby bases: Tulamben is a short drive to the north-west; Candidasa and Padangbai lie to the south-west.

Getting around

Scooters and private cars with drivers are common choices for the coastal road. Dive centres commonly offer transfers within the area.

Bali tourist levy

Bali's provincial government charges foreign visitors a levy of IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip. See Love Bali for current rules.

• Check shore entries: Black volcanic sand and pebbles can be slippery; reef shoes help.
• Dive early: Mornings usually bring calmer water and fewer crowds.
• Respect the reef: Do not touch or stand on coral or wreck structures.
• Plan weather buffers: Swell and rain can change quickly in the wetter months, roughly December to March.
• Bring cash: Cards are not accepted everywhere in small villages.