Jemeluk
First-timersThe main bay.
Amed village guide
Things To Do In Amed
A string of fishing villages on Bali's quiet east coast, with black-sand beaches, coral and wrecks just offshore, freediving schools, and Mount Agung rising behind.
4
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 496 reviews
1942
The Liberty wrecked
3,031 m
Mount Agung
Metres
From beach to reef
Quiet east Bali
Amed is not a single village but a stretch of fishing villages along Bali's north-east coast, beneath the sacred volcano Mount Agung. Colourful jukung outrigger boats line the black-sand beaches, and the reefs start a few metres from shore.
It is one of the best places in Bali for snorkelling, diving and freediving, and nearby Tulamben has the wreck of the USAT Liberty, a Second World War cargo ship.
Amed is much quieter than the south. Three days is right.
Where to stay
Amed is a string of fishing villages along about 14 kilometres of coast. Jemeluk, with its bay and coral, is the most popular. Lipah and Bunutan, further east, are quieter, with guesthouses above small black-sand beaches.
Lipah
QuietA smaller village.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Amed
Amed, in Bali's quiet north-east beneath Mount Agung, is a coast of fishing villages, black-sand beaches and some of Bali's best snorkelling and diving straight from the shore.
Jemeluk Bay has coral, fish and an underwater shrine a few metres out; snorkel straight from the beach. Further along, Japanese Wreck, a small shipwreck in shallow water, is easy to snorkel.
Tulamben, half an hour north, has the USAT Liberty, an American cargo ship torpedoed in 1942 and beached, then pushed into the sea by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung. It is one of the world's most accessible wreck dives, starting from the beach in only a few metres of water, and good for snorkellers too.
At dawn, watch the jukung, traditional outrigger boats, return with the catch. Amed also has salt farms, where salt is made by drying seawater in palm-trunk troughs.
Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace with fountains and stepping stones, and Lempuyang Temple, with its 'Gates of Heaven' framing Mount Agung, are nearby. Climbing Agung, Bali's highest volcano, is a hard overnight trek with a guide.
Free things
Free things to do in Amed
Snorkelling from the beaches at Jemeluk and Japanese Wreck is free with your own mask, and so are the sunrise views of the jukung returning and Mount Agung.
The salt farms and fishing villages are free to see.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Amed
Amed's warungs serve fresh grilled fish, mahi-mahi and tuna, with rice and sambal, and Balinese dishes. Many guesthouses cook. Cafés along the coast serve breakfast with views of Agung.
A meal is €2 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Amed
Amed is very quiet at night; a few restaurants and bars along the coast have live music occasionally.
A beer is €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Amed
Amed is about two and a half to three hours from the airport by car. There is no public transport; use drivers or scooters. Fast boats run to the Gili islands and Lombok from Amed in the high season.
Foreign visitors to Bali pay a tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah, paid online before arrival through the Love Bali system or at the airport.
Costs
What Amed costs
Amed is cheaper than the south. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €20 to €30.
A fun dive on the Liberty is €30 to €45, snorkel gear a few euros a day, and Lempuyang's entry a few euros.
The currency is the rupiah (IDR), at roughly 17,000 to 18,000 rupiah to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Cards work in tourist areas; carry cash for warungs, boats and small islands, where ATMs are few.
Safety
Staying safe in Amed
Amed is safe. Mount Agung is an active volcano; check alerts before climbing it, and only go with a licensed guide. Scooter accidents are the biggest risk to travellers in Indonesia. Only ride with a valid licence for motorbikes, insurance that covers it, and a helmet; police checks are common.
Wear shoes on the rocky beaches, and watch for currents.
At temples, wear a sarong and sash, usually available to borrow, and do not climb on shrines. Balinese temples also ask women not to enter during menstruation.
Most visitors need a visa on arrival, best bought online as an e-VOA before you fly, and must complete Indonesia's online arrival declaration, All Indonesia, before landing; check the current rules for your passport.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Amed
A wartime wreck, a water palace and the Gates of Heaven.
Tirta Gangga
A royal water palace.
Lempuyang
The Gates of Heaven.
Mount Agung
Bali's highest volcano.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Nyepi silences the island in March.
April to October
Dive season
Amed
Best visibility.
March
Nyepi
All Bali
The day of silence.
Hostels
Where to stay in Amed
The top-rated places to stay in Amed right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
April to October is dry, with the best visibility.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Wet
Mar
Nyepi
Apr
Drying
May
Dry season
Jun
Dry
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good
Nov
Wet
Dec
Christmas crowds
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupiah locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes diving.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Amed travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can I snorkel the Liberty?
Yes, parts are in shallow water, though diving shows more.
Is Amed good for beginners?
Yes, the shore diving and snorkelling are easy.
How do I get there?
By car from the airport, two and a half to three hours.
Can I climb Mount Agung?
With a licensed guide, if the volcano alert allows.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
April to October.
Can I get to the Gilis from Amed?
Yes, by fast boat in the high season.
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