A Comprehensive Guide To Snorkeling In Amed Bali – Best Spots And Tips

Amed snorkeling spots are a must-visit if you are in Bali and love the underwater world. The northeast coastline of Bali is fringed by an abundant reef system that creates easily accessible shore snorkeling sites. You will find here vibrant coral gardens and a rich galore of sea creatures, including colorful reef fish, sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, shipwrecks, and artificial reefs.

What we love the most about snorkeling in Amed is that the area is not as touristy yet as the southern side of Bali; therefore, the beaches are not overdeveloped, and the coral reefs are still in relatively good condition. If you also want to avoid the crowd and explore the island’s underwater wonders, this guide will give you all the information you need when snorkeling in Amed.

Amed Snorkeling Overview

Best Spots To Visit:

• Kembali Beach Bungalows Reef
• Amed Pyramids
• Jemeluk Bay
• Lipah Beach
• Bunutan Reef – Selang Beach
• Japanese Shipwreck

Things To Know:

• The best time to come for snorkeling is the dry season (April-September)
• Most snorkeling sites are easily accessible from the shore
• Group and private snorkeling tours are widely available; you can book them from local vendors or online through big activity marketplaces
• It is easy and cheap to rent snorkel gear; you can do it at most warungs (small local restaurants)
• If you are looking for hotels with a good house reef, check out Kembali Beach Bungalows and Vienna Beach Resort

Amed Snorkeling Spots We Recommend Visiting

If you decide to spend a few days in the Northeast side of Bali (which we highly recommend) and are looking to see healthy reefs with vibrant aquatic life, here is where to go snorkeling in Amed:

Kembali Beach Bungalows Reef

In our opinion, the best of Amed snorkeling sites is the reef in front of Kembali Bungalows directly at Amed Beach. It is not as famous as the nearby Jemeluk Bay, but believe me, the snorkeling here is as good or even better!

To access this snorkeling site, enter the water in front of Kembali Beach Bungalows and swim towards Jemeluk Bay. The best time to snorkel here is at low tide. We found the sea the calmest in the morning and afternoon before sunset.

This shallow, healthy reef has many types of tropical fish. Moreover, it is also a perfect place to swim with sea turtles! The sea is usually calm and free of currents in this area, so snorkeling is easy and safe here. This is a suitable spot for weaker swimmers and kids, too.

Tip: If you love turtles and have some free time around Denpasar after arriving in Bali or before your departure, visit the Serangan Turtle Conservation Center where you learn about sea turtles and also adopt baby ones!

Pyramids Artificial Reef

Not so far from the Kembali Reef, a little left (in front of Alam Bali Beach Resort), you will find one of the most interesting Amed snorkeling spots, the Pyramids artificial reef.

The Pyramids are primarily a diving site, but since several structures are in relatively shallow water (13-16 ft/4-5 m), they are visible to snorkelers at low tide.

Over the years, corals settled on the concrete blocks, turning them into a blooming reef attracting marine life. The black sandy bottom gives the pyramid-like structures a strong contrast, resulting in a somehow otherworld experience. We loved snorkeling at Amed Pyramids, and it became one of our favorite spots, and we returned several times.

Jemeluk Bay

Jemeluk Bay is the most popular spot to go snorkeling in Amed, thanks to its central, easily accessible location and decent marine life. This site is recommended for snorkelers at all levels because the sea is usually calm here due to the bay’s half-moon shape. However, note that sometimes there is boat traffic in the bay, so for your safety, carry a floating swim buoy when snorkeling in Jemeluk Bay.

After entering the water, you can swim along the reef on the right side of the bay. The corals are not exceptional here, but you can see many fish species in shallow water.

In the middle of the bay, you will find the famous Underwater Temple (also known as the Underwater Post Office). This underwater structure’s location is marked with a buoy.

Although snorkeling is better on the right side of the bay, we recommend checking out the left side, too, if you have time. The water is deeper than on the right side, but there is a smaller reef and some underwater statues.

The statues are 16-20 ft (5-6 m) deep, but if the water is clear enough, you can see them from the surface, too. They were placed underwater a few years ago to support coral growth as an artificial reef.

The best time to snorkel in Jemeluk is at low tide when you can enjoy a calm, clear sea and good visibility.

Tip: Snorkel equipment rental is available at onsite warungs. There is free parking. Water access is easy, you can walk in directly from the shore.

Lipah Beach

The second most popular Amed snorkeling spot is Lipah Beach. It is relatively quiet and also one of the nicest sandy beaches in the area. The sand is not as dark here as at other black-sand beaches.

Walking into the sea is very easy and safe at high tide. At low tide, you need to pay attention not to hurt yourself on the corals in the shallow water. If you don’t find any path to go in, you’d better wait for higher water! You should never walk on the corals as you can break them and cut yourself.

While snorkeling at Lipah Beach, you find big hard coral formations and many red sea fans. The best snorkeling area is in front of Vienna Beach Resort (former Pondok Vienna).

Tip: The beach has free parking. Sunbed and snorkel gear rentals are available. A restaurant and café are on site. The beach is long and wide, with many free spaces.

Bunutan – Selang Beach

Selang Beach is a less touristy half-moon-shaped sandy bay where the coral reef starts very close to the shore in shallow water. It is recommended to enter the water in front of Good Karma Bungalows and follow the gentle slope to a rich coral garden with abundant sea life. Blacktip sharks are often spotted here!

What to see:

• Triggerfish, Boxfish, Barracudas, as well as common tropical fish species
• Black Tip sharks

Tip: Snorkel here only when the sea is calm, and watch out for currents! Read our snorkeling safety tips to learn more about how to stay safe in the sea!

Japanese Shipwreck

The Japanese Wreck of Amed is a small but exciting shipwreck in the small village of Banyuning. A white-red sign next to the main road indicates the location. If you go alone, just check it on the map, or tell your driver you want to go snorkeling at the Japanese shipwreck, and they will take you there.

This bay often gets strong waves, so be careful when entering the water. The best time to go is early morning since visibility drops during the day. After observing the wreck, it is worth checking out the huge Staghorn Coral table on the left side of the bay, too.

Tip: entering the water is not easy because there are big stones, use water shoes or neoprene socks to avoid getting hurt. Sometimes, there is no path between the fishing boats to go in, so you might need to wait a bit until a boat leaves. Snorkel gear can be rented on the spot. To see a more dramatic shipwreck, visit Tulamben USS Liberty which is just a short drive from Amed!

Snorkeling Tours

Most snorkeling sites around Amed are accessible from the shore, and you can freely visit them alone. However, many options are available if you need guidance or prefer to participate in an organized tour.

You can book them locally at street vendors, diving shops, and online activity marketplaces. This is a good option as you can plan. Snorkeling tours are available from other regions, too, so you can go snorkeling in Amed even if you are not staying in the area.

Here are some tours we recommend:

Best Time To Go Snorkeling In Amed

Bali has a tropical climate with two seasons: a longer dry season from April to late September and a shorter, rainy one from October through March.

If water activities are a priority for you and you wish to discover Amed snorkeling spots, we recommend scheduling your Bali holiday between April and September. Since the island has a tropical climate, there are rainy days throughout the year, but during these months, you have the best chance for long sunny periods, a calm sea, and good visibility.

The high season is July and August when prices are higher, and the area is busiest. In the rainy season, the sea is often rough, with huge waves and strong currents, so wintertime is not ideal for snorkeling or diving.

Tip: read our complete Bali snorkeling guide too and learn what other places we recommend visiting on the Island of Gods!

How To Get To Amed?

Amed lies on the northeastern shoreline of Bali. It takes about 3 hours to get to Amed from Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport. Calculate with the same time, approx. 3-3.5 hours from Kuta, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, and other South Bali destinations. The best is to arrange your transfer through your hotel or taxi service, so you don’t need to waste your time finding a taxi and negotiating the price.

Alternatively, daily shuttle buses operate from bigger tourist locations like Sanur, Ubud, and the southern regions.

You can book several speedboat companies if you arrive from Lombok or the Gili Islands. We chose FreeBird Express and were satisfied with them. The closest port you can arrive at is the Padang Bai port. You must take a taxi to Amed (approx. 1 hour) from there. There is no direct speedboat service to Amed at the moment.

If you want a cheaper option, a public ferry operates between Lombok Lembar and Padang Bai. It is a big car ferry; very slow but cheap.

Where To Stay In Amed For Snorkeling?

No matter what type of accommodation you look for, Amed offers a wide selection of accommodations, from lovely homestays to affordable hotels and modern villas. Here are some Amed snorkeling hotels places we recommend staying at:

Kembali Beach Bungalows

If you ask what hotel has the best snorkeling in Amed, it is the Kembali Beach Bungalows. The reef stretches right in front of the property, so you can go snorkeling anytime.

The location offers a great view of Mt Agung and is the perfect place to watch the sunrise and sunset. If you want to explore the town center, you can do it simply by walking, as this property is very close to the center.

Alam Bali Beach Resort

The Alam Bali Beach Resort (former Camessa Resort) is a lovely, small, family-friendly hotel with a perfect location directly at Amed Beach. The property has a swimming pool and a huge terrace to enjoy a stunning view of the Agung volcano.

Although it is not a massive complex, the staff’s treatment makes you feel like a VIP guest. You get the personal care of a homestay but with the extras of a hotel, such as a well-maintained garden and pool.

The best feature of the hotel is the excellent snorkeling! Right from the shore, you can reach beautiful corals and the Pyramids artificial reef project, which is just in front of the hotel. The hotel has an on-site restaurant that is open for walk-in guests, too; visit it for dinner or lunch, even if you are not staying in the hotel.

Vienna Beach Resort

If you don’t mind being a bit remote, stay at Vienna Beach Resort at Lipah Beach where the reef is also superb for snorkeling! The area is more relaxed than Amed Beach with less traffic around, it is ideal for honeymooners or remote workers. There are fewer options for eating or shopping here, but you can easily rent a scooter or book a taxi when you want to go out.

Things To Do Besides Snorkeling

Are you wondering what else to do in Amed? Don’t worry; the area offers many different programs you can organize for the days you spend out of the water. Pick up a program from the list below, or rent a scooter, explore the stunning Amed coastline, or get closer to locals while driving through the cozy villages.

Hike the Agung Volcano

Mount Agung is Bali’s highest point (3142 m) and is considered a very sacred place. It is home to Bali’s Mother Temple, Pura Besakih. Volcano hikes are typically scheduled for sunrise. This means that you need to leave around or even before midnight, but it is worth the effort since you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Bali, Gili Islands, and Lombok!

Visit Pura Lempuyang Temple

Bali has one of the oldest and most sacred temples. The Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple complex is on Mount Lempuyang Mountain, one of Bali’s most sacred natural points.

To visit the lowest but most famous temple with the “gateway to heaven” Pura Lempuyang door you don’t need to work so much: it is just a short walk from the temple entrance. Those who wish to see all the seven temples need to hike up to the top which is a 4-hour long trip in total. Don’t forget to take a sarong with you as you need to cover yourself to enter!

Walk around the Tirta Gangga Water Palace

The water place was built in 1946 by the Raja of Karangasem but Agung’s eruption in 1963 destroyed it. The raja’s grandson rebuilt it which was a long restoration process. Tirta Gangga Water Palace is an arranged garden surrounded by holy natural springs and lush vegetation around.

Since Tirta Gangga and Pura Lempuyang Temple are located next to each other, visiting them can be part of a day trip.

Go snorkeling at Tulamben Shipwreck

Although Amed has its own Japanese shipwreck, for the real wreck snorkeling experience, we recommend visiting the Tulamben shipwreck! The USS Liberty is one of the most famous Bali dive sites.

The shipwreck is also accessible and visible for snorkelers, with its highest point just 16 ft (5 m) deep. Tulamben is an approximate 20-minute drive from the Amed Beach area, so exploring the shipwreck is a comfortable day trip. Go early to enjoy the best visibility!

Explore the Gili Islands

I am sure you will fall in love with Amed’s black sand beaches, but just in case you have a strong desire to lie in the white sand, here is a tip: visit the Gili Islands! The Gilis are three small islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—off northwest Lombok. They are popular for beautiful beaches and magical sunsets. In addition, these islands feature superb reefs with excellent conditions for underwater activities.

Many speedboat companies are offering daily departures. An Amed-Gili Trawangan trip with a good speedboat takes about 45-60 mins, depending on sea conditions. Choose a reliable fast boat service like Freebird Express, which has maintained big boats! The sea can be very choppy on the way to the Gili Islands, resulting in a very uncomfortable ride. In the case of seasickness, ask for pills from the staff!

Tip: If we convinced you to visit the Gilis, read our Gili Islands snorkeling guide for more information.

We are happy that you found our article and that it will help you plan your perfect vacation in Bali! We would appreciate it if you shared it with your friends who are visiting the Island of Gods!

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