Amed & Tulamben

At a Glance

• Where: north-east coast of Bali, Karangasem regency
• What it is: a string of quiet fishing villages — Bali's premier dive zone
• Famous for: the USAT Liberty wreck, shore-entry coral reefs, Jemeluk Bay snorkelling
• Distance: ~2.5–3 hours from the airport, ~2 hours from Ubud
• Best time: April–November (dry season, best visibility)
• The vibe: diving, snorkelling, black-sand beaches, sunrises with Mount Agung

Amed and neighbouring Tulamben are Bali's most celebrated coast for marine life. The villages stretch along the north-easte shore at the foot of Mount Agung: volcanic black sand, calm mo ing water and living coral reefs begi

ing right at the waterline. There are no nightclubs, shopping malls or crowds — this is Bali for those who seek silence and the sea.

Why Visit

Amed suits divers and snorkellers of every level, couples looking for quiet romance with Agung sunrises, and travellers who value the unhurried pace of a real fishing village. It is the only place on Bali where a world-class wreck site is accessible by a shore walk, and coral gardens start at just 3–5 metres depth.

Dive Sites & Snorkelling

USAT Liberty Wreck (Tulamben) is the coast's headline attraction. The American cargo ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and towed to Tulamben beach. When Mount Agung erupted in 1963, the lava flow pushed the hull into the sea, where it now rests at 5–30 metres depth. Today the 120-metre wreck is encrusted with coral and home to hundreds of fish species — one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world, reachable by a short swim from shore.

Jemeluk Bay is the coast's top snorkelling spot. A crescent-shaped bay with black sand, where coral walls and gardens drop away right from the beach. An underwater temple on the seabed makes an unusual photo stop. Turtles, reef sharks and colourful tropicals are regular visitors.

Amed Wall — a vertical coral wall for intermediate divers: the current carries you along the drop-off past sea turtles and schools of barracuda.

Japanese Wreck — a small shipwreck near Amed in shallow water (3–12 m), ideal for snorkelling and macro photography.

Things to Do on Land

• Salt farming. Amed is one of the last places on Bali where sea salt is still harvested by hand, evaporating seawater on black sand in hollowed-out palm trunks — a craft that dates back centuries.
• Sunrises. The sun rises over the ocean directly opposite the coast, painting Agung and the bays in pink and gold. One of the finest sunrises on the island.
• Jukung boats. Traditional Balinese outrigger canoes line the shore. In the mo ing you can arrange a fishing trip or a snorkel excursion to remote bays with a local fisherman.
• Yoga & quiet. A handful of studios and retreats sit near the shore; Amed is an alte ative to Ubud for those who want peace without leaving the sea.

When to Visit

The best season is April–November: dry weather, calm seas, underwater visibility up to 25–30 metres. December–March can bring murkier water, but diving is still possible. Arrive at sunrise (6:00–7:00 AM) — the water is at its clearest and calmest.

Plan Your Visit

• From the airport — roughly 2.5–3 hours by car via east Bali.
• From Ubud — about 2 hours.
• The coastal road through Amed is narrow and winding; a scooter works well if you ride confidently.
• The beach entry at Tulamben is over large volcanic stones — bring reef booties, going barefoot is painful.
• Infrastructure is modest: small warungs, guesthouses, dive centres. ATMs are scarce — carry cash.
• Mobile signal is patchy outside the village centre.

Combine Your Trip

• Tirta Gangga — a water palace with fountains and pools, ~30 minutes.
• Lempuyang Temple — the "Gates of Heaven" framing Mount Agung, ~45 minutes.
• Candidasa & Padangbai — further south along the coast, ~1.5 hours.
• Mount Agung — visible from every point in Amed; trekking starts from nearby villages.