The 9 Best Things to Do in Amed for Every Traveler
Welcome to Amed — a hidden gem in the North of Bali that features incredible views of Mount Agung rising above the coastline. Known for its calm waters, impeccable visibility, and colorful underwater world, it is a hotspot for freediving, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Beyond diving into Amed’s marine depths, there is still much more to discover and explore! If you are heading here soon and trying to plan your itinerary, here is a list of the 9 best things to include.
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9 Best Things to do in Amed, Bali
A view from my accommodation in Amed! Details on where I stayed at the bottom of this article.
If you are looking for where to stay in Amed, the best food options, etc., scroll to the bottom of this article for a short guide to Amed.
#1: try FreeDiving
Amed is well known for its calm waters, impeccable visibility, and colorful underwater world making it a hotspot for freedivers. With the water being so calm and clear, it is ideal for those looking to dip their toes in the freediving world and work towards getting their Level 1 certification!
Not sure if it is something of interest? Try seeing how long you can hold your breath or practice some above-water breath holds with the “Apnea FreeDive Breath Hold” app on your iPhone.
Depending on the freediving program (Padi, Molchanovs, AIDA), you will focus on a 1.5-minute breath hold and a 10-meter dive along a rope.
You will be surprised at how long you can hold your breath and how quickly you will progress!
My boyfriend completed his certificate at Apnea Bali and highly recommends this freediving school.
#2: Watch a dreamy sunrise at Lahangan Sweet
Getting a glimpse of the highest volcano peak in Bali is an absolute must during your trip to Amed. Whether it be sunrise, sunset, or during a clear summer day, Mount Agung is mesmerizing and will leave you in awe.
Although you can see Mount Agung on a clear day from some of the viewpoints in Amed, there is an even more dreamy spot only a 30-minute drive away! This still somewhat under-the-radar location is Lahangan Sweet–a beautiful overlook with views of Mount Agung, the rice fields, the coastline, and the local towns below.
For more information on how to reach Lahangan Sweet (without getting lost) and some tips for visiting, head here! I have visited during sunrise and sunset, so I have all the information you need no matter when you go!
#3: Have a beach day!
Although Amed is more known for its diving, it still has some beaches perfect for snorkel lovers, swimmers, and those looking to relax and unwind by the ocean. Some of the must-visit beaches include:
Amed Beach: The Best Sunrise & Sunset
Jemeluk Beach: The Snorkel & Diver Haven
Lipah Beach - The Most Beautiful Beach
Ibus Beach - The Best Beach In Amed
You can find more on Amed’s beaches here!
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.
#4: Enjoy the best fried bananas at Berina Rice terraces
Bali is quite literally covered in rice terraces, more so in the north where the weather is most ideal for them to flourish. Located only 10 minutes from the center of Amed, is some of my favorite rice terraces, Berina Rice Terraces.
Envision lush green rice fields situated between a hilly, sunny landscape. The owners have a lovely little sitting area that rests over the terraces, giving you the perfect view while you enjoy some of the best, fried bananas or some delicious tea. I always get red ginger tea!
I recommend heading here for the golden hour when the sun is hitting the terraces giving them a golden glow.
#5: Go Snorkeling
You can find some fun areas for snorkeling around Amed! Find turtles, reef sharks, triggerfish, eels, and many other colorful fish all around Amed. Some of the best spots are reachable from the shores including:
Japanese Shipwreck (near Ibus Beach)
If you prefer a boat day out on the water, you can enjoy some snorkeling with this tour!
#6: Explore a water palace
To get a little more in touch with the Balinese culture during your visit to Amed you can explore a water palace! Two amazing options are Tirta Gangga, which is larger and more popular with tourists, and Teman Ujung, a less visited temple on the eastern coast of Bali.
I have visited both and they are beautiful temples to explore. They are each located around 45 minutes from Amed and are best visited earlier in the morning to avoid tourists and heat.
If you are hoping for somewhere less mainstream and more peaceful, I recommend Teman Ujung!
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: 50,000 IDR (3.20 USD)
Tirta Gangga gets busy fast, so if this is your choice, head there right at 6-7 AM. It could be a perfect spot to head to after sunrise at Lahangan Sweet!
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: 70,000 IDR Foreign Adult (4.48 USD) | 35,0000 IDR Foreign Child (2.25 USD)
Indonesia Citizen: 25,000 IDR Child | 35,000 IDR Adult
Don’t miss Maha Gangga Valley’s rice terraces on your drive to Tirta Gangga!
#7: Get Wreck certified
There is a recurring theme here: Amed is ideal for divers. For someone new to scuba diving, Amed is the perfect place to learn with its clear visibility and calm water, making it inviting for newcomers to learn the ways of the underwater world. I cannot imagine how much easier my open water would have been if I could have done it in a place like this one.
Aside from chill waters, Amed has some incredible wreck sites to explore. Two of my favorites are Japanese Shipwreck and USAT Liberty. You can get your wreck certification, which allows you to “penetrate” or swim through and teaches you how to explore wrecks safely, how to map them, use reels, identify hazards, etc.
USAT Liberty: A 120m long wreck that sunk off the coast of Tulamben back in 1963. It can be seen from shallow waters, but has sections as deep as 30 meters (100 feet)! There are many swim-through passages, openings in the wreck to go in and under, and a large surface area to explore. Corals are growing on the wreck, trevally, parrotfish, eels, reef fish, lionfish, stonefish, and so much more. This wreck is flourishing with life.
Japanese Shipwreck: This wreck is a bit of a mystery, with nobody really knowing what occurred for it to sink. The story goes that a Japanese patrol ship may have been sunk during WWII. This spot is extremely popular with snorkelers, which is one reason I prefer the USAT Liberty over this one. However, it is still a unique dive. The wreck sits from 6M - 12M, flourishing with gobies, nudies, huge Gorgonian fans, sponges, and many other colorful marine life. The front of the boat has the most life—it is like its own little fish tank booming with fish and coral!
#8: watch the sunset at viewpoint resto
If you do not make it up to Lahangan Sweet but still want to experience a sunset surrounding Mount Agung, you can head to View Point Resto! This local warung has open-air seating, with the back of the restaurant opening up to a picture-perfect view of Agung. On a clear evening, you have the most epic view of Agung! The food is tasty here and they have coconuts too!
#9: decompress in a yoga class with a view
One of the best things to do in Amed is to decompress while enjoying a relaxing yoga class at my favorite spot: Blue Earth Village. Their shala opens up to Mount Agung, giving you an incredible backdrop during your class. I recommend opting for the afternoon class, so you can enjoy watching the colors in the sky change around Agung as the sun sets. The instructors are amazing here, and welcome all yoga levels.
Looking for some more information on Amed? You can find a guide to the best beaches here and a detailed guide to visiting Lahangan sweet here!
Popular things I chose to skip in Amed
Gate of Heaven/Lempuyang Temple - I skipped heading here because of how overrated this place has become. It is more of a tourist trap now, charging higher fees to stand in line and wait for a photo with the gate (candi bentar) and a mirror that reflects your image in the photo. Although the photos look epic, I do not think it is worth your time. If you really want to capture a photo like this, you can head to Lahangan Sweet! They have a similar setup with Mount Agung as the backdrop and a photographer to capture the moment.
Bukit Cinta - This did look like a beautiful spot for sunrise or sunset, however, I did not like the idea of roaming into people’s backyards, farmland, gardens, etc. to watch it. Lahangan Sweet and View Point Resto offer such wonderful views that I do not think heading to Bukit Cinta was worth the time.
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 beaches to visit 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.
