Amed & the Northeast Coast
Amed is not a single place but a chain of seven small fishing villages along a 14 km coastal road in the far northeast of Bali. The area is what Bali was everywhere 30 years ago: quiet, simple, breathtakingly beautiful. Behind black volcanic beaches, the land rises steeply to the majestic Gunung Agung (3,142 m), while some of Bali's best diving and snorkeling spots lie offshore.
The villages—Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Lean, Selang, and Banyuning—traditionally live from fishing and salt production. The centuries-old tradition of sea salt production, where saltwater evaporates in hollowed-out palm trunks, is fascinating to watch and results in an aromatic flake salt now appreciated in gourmet restaurants worldwide.
Amed is the ideal place to slow down: snorkel in the morning, lie in a hammock in the afternoon, eat freshly grilled fish on the beach in the evening, and watch the sunset over Gunung Agung. The tourist infrastructure is deliberately kept small—no chains, no clubs, no hustle.
Plan at least 3-4 nights to truly enjoy the tranquility.
💡 Tipp
The journey from South Bali takes 3-3.5 hours. Book a private driver (approx. 500,000-600,000 IDR) instead of a taxi—he can stop at Tirta Gangga or the Sidemen Gorge along the way. Alternatively, the Perama shuttle runs from Kuta/Ubud to Amed.
Snorkeling & Diving★★★
USAT Liberty Wreck (Tulamben)
Bali's most famous diving and snorkeling destination is just 25 minutes west of Amed: the USAT Liberty wreck, an American cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942. The 120 m long ship was towed to the beach of Tulamben, where it slid into the sea during the 1963 eruption of Gunung Agung—and has since lain at a depth of 5-30 m.
The wreck is accessible directly from the beach—no boat needed! When snorkeling, you can already see the upper decks at a depth of 3-5 m, overgrown with soft and hard corals. About 400 fish species live here: Napoleon wrasse, barracudas, batfish, moray eels, and with luck even the rare sunfish (Mola Mola) from July to October.
For divers, the Liberty wreck is a paradise: Visibility is often 20-30 m, the current is minimal, and you can dive the entire ship—through cargo holds, over the bridge, and along the bow and stern guns. Even open-water divers with little experience can dive safely here.
Dive from 350,000 IDR (approx. 20€) with a local dive school. Snorkel equipment on the beach: 50,000 IDR/day. Best time: April-November (calm sea, 25-30 m visibility). Mornings before 8 am or afternoons after 3 pm when day-trippers are gone.
💡 Tipp
The absolute insider tip: Go to the wreck at 5:30 am—before sunrise. Many nocturnal marine creatures are still active then, and you have the wreck all to yourself. Several dive schools in Tulamben offer "Dawn Dives."
Jemeluk Bay & Coral Garden★★
The horseshoe-shaped Jemeluk Bay, just 2 km east of Amed, is the best snorkeling spot right on the doorstep. The reef begins a few meters from the beach and drops steeply—a submarine garden of table corals, fan corals, and staghorn corals in vibrant colors.
Here you can find clownfish in anemones, triggerfish, parrotfish, pufferfish, and regularly turtles. At the northern end of the bay lies a Japanese wreck from World War II at a depth of 6-12 m—perfect for snorkelers with a bit of courage to dive deeper.
In the afternoon, when the sun is low, the light underwater is particularly magical. In the evening, the traditional Jukung outrigger boats of the fishermen return—a beautiful photo motif against the backdrop of Gunung Agung.
Accommodation & Dining in Amed€
Budget: Simple bungalows right by the sea are available from 150,000-300,000 IDR (8-17€) per night—often with breakfast and sea view. Recommended: Amed Café & Bungalows in Jemeluk and Galang Kangin in Bunutan.
Mid-range: Stylish boutique accommodations with pool for 500,000-1,000,000 IDR (28-56€). Blue Moon Villas offer spectacular infinity pool views over the bay. Griya Villas in Bunutan combine Balinese architecture with modern comfort.
Dining: The warungs on the beach serve the freshest fish in Bali—the morning's catch is on ice, you choose your fish, it is grilled and served with sambal, rice, and vegetables. Warung Enak in Amed and Sails Restaurant in Jemeluk are favorites. Expect to pay 40,000-80,000 IDR (2-4€) for a complete fish meal.