Discover The 6 Best Beaches In Amed, Bali
Amed, a beautiful fishing town on Bali’s northern coast, is the kind of place where you can completely slow down and relax. Known for its calm waters, impeccable visibility, and colorful underwater world, it is a hotspot for freediving and scuba diving. But beyond that, Amed has some beaches perfect for snorkel lovers, swimmers, and those who are looking to relax and unwind by the ocean.
If you are heading to Amed and looking to discover the best beaches, here is a list of 6 that are worth checking out!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
The 6 Best Beaches in Amed
Pin it for later!
Note: There is quite a bit of trash on the beaches and unfortunately, this is not uncommon in Indonesia. I’ll be honest the beaches in Amed are not the best compared to other areas of Bali like Uluwatu. Most people head here for diving, yoga, and snorkeling tours via boat. However, the beaches are still nice enough to get your fill of sunbathing and swimming while you’re here.
#1: Amed Beach - The Best Sunrise & Sunset
A view of Amed Beach in Bali, looking to the right of the coastline.
A view to left of Amed Beach in Bali. This beach is one of the best in Amed.
Amed Beach is the closest beach to the main town area and a busy one. It is covered in light black sand mixed with rocks that continue into the water. It is a popular snorkeling spot with nearby gear rentals for around 25,000 IDR. I recommend bringing some water shoes for this one.
Fishing boats line much of the beach, which can sometimes leave less space for relaxing. Beach vendors also offer chairs for rent.
As for sunrise and sunset, this beach is the perfect spot to take in the colors, the coastline, and a view of Agung to your left.
#2: Jemeluk Beach - The Snorkel & Diver Haven
This rocky black sand beach is best for those looking to snorkel or scuba dive in Amed’s tropical waters. Jemeluk Beach is covered with snorkelers and scuba divers completing their open water and advanced certifications. The right side of the coast is best for snorkeling, and the black booey marks the underwater temple location. Mornings usually offer the best time for snorkelers with higher tides and less busy waters. You can find lots of colorful fish, eels, and corals here. There is an underwater temple that I have not snorkeled myself, but could be a fun addition to those looking for underwater treasures to explore.
I would not recommend this beach for sunbathing or swimming. The shoreline is crowded with boats, making it challenging to swim safely, especially for kids, with all the divers around. The beach itself is quite rocky, and the sand is hard, making it difficult to find a comfortable spot for your towel or chair. However, there are a few vendors with chairs further down on the left side of the beach if you're facing the water. Loungers typically cost less than 50,000 IDR per day.
This beach is one of the closest to the center of Amed and the most convenient to park at, with a full parking lot for motorbikes, diver vans, and more. When I visited, parking was free. There is a small warung (food and beverages) and a store with snorkel rental gear in the parking lot.
Pro Tip: Coral takes a very long time to grow, so please be careful as it is very fragile. I always recommend picking up any trash you can safely grab without disrupting the ecosystem to help the ocean stay clean and flourishing.
#3: Selang Beach - The Best Snorkeling Beach
Selang is a small beach with the best spot for snorkelers! Make sure to visit during high tide to avoid stepping on corals. The current can be strong here, so it is best to stay near the corals. You can spot triggerfish, parrotfish, and many other colorful species swimming around. If you are really lucky, you might even see reef sharks!
The ground here is coarser, with a mix of rocks and sand, similar to most of the beaches in Amed. It is usually less crowded at Selang Beach, so you will often have the beach and ocean mostly to yourself.
The beach is divided in two, with Aquaterrace, a popular hotel’s infinity pool, overlooking the right side.
You can access this beach from Good Karma Bungalows for the best snorkeling area.
#4: Lipah Beach - The Most Beautiful Beach
View of Lipah Beach from above, Amed, Balis best beach.
Just to the right of Jemeluk Beach lies Lipah Beach, a longer stretch of soft, grey, sandy shoreline. It is an ideal spot for snorkeling, with crystal-clear, light blue waters and a mix of classic white and yellow sands. While there are reefs to explore, it is important to visit during high tide to avoid damaging the coral.
Although this is easily the most beautiful beach, it can get crowded and feel a bit too touristy. I recommend heading here in the morning with your own snorkel gear and towel to avoid the crowds and rental costs. Sunbeds and snorkel gear here are more expensive than other beaches.
There are plenty of restaurants around as well.
Pro Tip: People claim to have seen turtles and Mola Mola here, but I was not lucky enough ):
#5: Bintang (Bhima) Beach - The Most Underrated
The entire coastline of Bintang beach in Amed, Bali.
A view of the beautiful waters at Bintang beach in Amed.
Bintang or Bhima Beach is a pretty underrated beach in my opinion. The water was sparkling blue, there was plenty of sand for relaxing, and there were rocks you could climb over to the right of the beach.
Although boats are lining the sand at the top of the beach, (like most beaches here) there is still some room for laying out. There was not a single person there when I visited. The sand is softer than the other beaches but there are rocks and coral fragments sprinkled about the beach.
If you choose to head here, I suggest bringing a thicker towel or collapsable chair, and some water shoes. There are no services I saw at this beach, but that is one of the reasons I enjoyed it– I had peace, quiet, and miles of blue waters to myself.
#6: Ibus Beach - The Best Beach In Amed
A stunning view over Ibus Beach's coastline and sand in Amed, Bali.
Ibus Beach is a bit further out from the central area of Amed, but it is by far the best one. It has soft mixed black and yellow sand, fewer fishing boats docked up in the water and along the sand, and beautiful clear blue water (with few rocky areas) for swimming. There is much more sand space here for laying out your towel and relaxing.
I recommend heading here if you prefer your own little slice of paradise, away from the crowds. You should pack your beach gear for the day, as there are not many services on the beach, but you can find some places to eat and shops at the top along the road.
There are corals 80 meters or so out in the water for snorkeling, and nearby is the Japanese shipwreck open for snorkeling and diving.
To access the beach, I used the Stairway To Heaven Bungalows white stair entrance down to the water. From the end of the stairs, turn right and you should see the black steps down to the beach.
General Information: Amed
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Rainy Season: November - March | Dry Season: April - October
The best time to visit Amed is during the dry season from April to October. The weather will be more sunny with clear skies and less chance of rain. Temperature averages around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Waters may also be calmer during this time with greater visibility for diving and snorkeling.
During the rainy season, Amed has more humidity and potential torrential downpours.
HOW TO GET TO AMED:
Flying: The only airport in Bali is located 97 KM (60 Miles) from Amed, in the city of Denpasar: Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). You will then need to order a taxi or rent a motorbike to reach Amed. The drive can be as short as 2.5 hours if you leave before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM and as long as 4 hours. Motorbike tends to be faster than cars because they can weave around traffic.
Taxi: You can order a local taxi, Grab (rideshare app), or GoJek (rideshare app) from nearly anywhere else in Bali to Amed.
Local taxis can be ordered right from the airport or through an accommodation. I will say taxis to Amed can be expensive. I remember I was quoted nearly 700,000 IDR (46 USD) to go from the airport to Amed and that was over 1 year ago. A bit too expensive for my taste, especially when traveling alone.
Grab is better than GoJek for longer distances (from my experience). I have had GoJek drivers in the past arrive to pick me up, and ask for more money, and when I said no, they have turned around and driven away.
You can either choose to ride in a car or the back of a motorbike. The motorbike is the cheaper option by far. If you have more bags or are not comfortable being on the back of a bike weaving through cars for longer hot hours, I do not recommend taking the back seat of a motorbike. You will have to hold your bags as well unless they are small enough to fit in the front of the bike.
A car is a more comfortable option, but it will take longer with traffic. I have gone by car and bike and I do prefer the car for comfort. Car prices vary a lot but are upwards of 900,000 IDR (almost 60 USD) in 2024.
Motorbike: There are motorbike rental places everywhere in Bali for you to choose from. I will say some are extremely overpriced and untrustworthy so be sure to read reviews. For my last rental, I used Bali Best Motorcycle. They also do bike delivery and pick-up! You can arrange a rental through WhatsApp before you arrive.
Also, beware that the roads to Amed get curvy and bumpy (the infrastructure in Bali is not great overall). So you need to be a confident driver, especially during high traffic times while you navigate around cars, etc. If you have bags you will either have to wear them or place them on the ground near your feet while you ride.
Always wear your helmet and have your international driver’s license with you in case you are pulled over or stopped by local police.
MODE OF TRANSPORT IN Amed:
The best form of transport in Amed is either walking or renting a motorbike. Daily motorbike rentals are usually around 80,000 IDR per day for a small motorbike or scoopy.
There are local taxis around which you can usually hire from your accommodation. Most dive shops can assist with ordering a local taxi as well.
WHERE TO STAY:
Amed is quite small and walkable. There is one hilly area heading towards Blue Earth Village that could be tough to walk up during peak daytime heat hours. Anywhere along the main road is ideal for accommodation. If you prefer a more mountainous and green stay versus a coastal stay, you can opt for a place near where I chose to stay, d'Sawah Amed Homestay & Warung.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Amed
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Mesari Homestay & Warung (private room) or Dharma Yoga Homestay/Hostel (dorm)
Best Low-Budget: Tudes Homestay or Coconut Beach Bungalows & Warung
Best Mid-Budget: d'Sawah Amed Homestay & Warung (I stayed here), Narayana Homestay, or Kura Kura Divers Lodge
Best High-End Budget - High-End: Villa Adi (Villas with private pools), Puri Wirata Dive Resort and Spa Amed (Balcony room)
Best Luxury Budget: The Angsa Villas or Villa Aska
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World!
ARE THERE VEGAN or Gluten-Free OPTIONS?
Yes, there are! You can find a complete list of the best restaurants here, but here are a few of my favorites:
Blue Earth Village (gluten-free specified)
The Good Stuff (gluten-free specified)
Rimba (gluten-free specified)
For gluten-free, you can also order most dishes without soy sauce.
“Wheat” in Indonesian is “gandum.”
“Saya allergie kecap” means you are allergic to soy.
IS IT SAFE?
I have always felt safe in Bali as a whole and even more so in Amed. I recommend staying up to date with your country’s travel advisories. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling including:
Keep an eye on personal belongings and valuable items.
Never forget your keys in your motorbike and never leave anything valuable sitting out. Someone may steal it, especially monkeys.
Always triple-check vaccination requirements and recommendations for countries. Some potential illnesses include Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
Pack mosquito spray to protect yourself from Dengue and Malaria.
DO NOT drink the tap water. Keep your mouth closed in the shower and even use bottled water for toothbrushing, especially if you have a sensitive belly like me!
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: +62 110 | Fire: +62 113 | Ambulance: +62 118 or +62 119
You can find a complete list of Bali Emergency #’s here.
Is Amed Worth Visiting?
Amed is easily one of my favorite places in Bali, with its stunning landscape framed by Mount Agung and sparkling ocean waters. You can find a list of some of my favorite things to do while in this beautiful place, here.
The beaches, although not as amazing as Uluwatu’s beaches, are still perfectly safe for swimming and great for snorkeling from the shore.
