Is Amed Worth Visiting? Our View on East Bali
Amed does not have Uluwatu’s white-sand beaches, Ubud’s rice terraces or Canggu’s buzz.
And that is exactly why we like it.
On Bali’s east coast, Amed reveals a much quieter side of the island: coastal villages, volcanic beaches, small warungs, traditional boats and underwater life accessible directly from the shore.
In our itinerary, we spend three days here, using Amed as a base to explore Jemeluk, Lipah, Tulamben and the viewpoints overlooking Mount Agung.
So, is it really worth the detour?
To go further, also read our articles Bali 10-Day Itinerary: What to See Without Rushing?, Where to Go in Bali? The Best Regions and Islands for Your Travel Style and How Much Should You Budget for 10 Days in Bali? Our Prices and Expenses.
Is Amed Mainly About Snorkeling?
It is definitely one of its biggest draws.
At Jemeluk Bay, the reef is accessible directly from the beach, with submerged statues and mask-and-snorkel rentals available for just a few euros.
At Lipah Beach, coral reefs also begin very close to shore. We found tropical fish and colorful coral here without needing to book a boat trip.
That is one of the main differences compared with many other seaside destinations: here, part of the appeal is literally just a few meters from the beach.
What If You Do Not Dive?
Amed is still worth visiting.
The coastline itself is worth exploring by scooter, with small coves, cliffs and villages along the way.
Amed Beach is a dark volcanic beach that is pleasant for swimming and especially good at the end of the day.
A trip on a jukung, the traditional local boat, is another way to see the coastline from the water. We would choose sunrise, when the coast is still quiet.
So Amed works very well even if you never put on a scuba tank.
Is Tulamben Worth the Trip?
Yes, especially if you dive.
The wreck of the USAT Liberty lies in Tulamben, around 30 minutes from Amed. It starts in shallow water, so part of it can already be seen while snorkeling, but the experience really comes into its own when scuba diving.
The metal structure has now become fully integrated into the reef, with fish, coral and sometimes turtles around the wreck.
For us, it is one of the experiences that genuinely justifies spending several days in East Bali.
Amed Is Also a Good Base for Exploring Inland East Bali
This is another advantage that is often underestimated.
On the way to Amed, we included Tirta Gangga and Lempuyang Temple. Tirta Gangga is particularly pleasant early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. At Lempuyang, however, the famous photo facing Mount Agung can involve waiting several hours.
Farther on, Lahangan Sweet offers one of the best views of Mount Agung. The viewpoint is spectacular at sunset, but the main platform can get very crowded. In our guide, we prefer continuing slightly lower down to a less-used lookout.
Amed therefore becomes a genuine base for exploring this part of Bali, rather than simply a beach destination.
Where Should You Stay in Amed?
We would choose Jemeluk Bay.
It is the most convenient area for a first stay, with restaurants, accommodation and snorkeling directly accessible from the beach.
Our tip: do not stay only at beach level. Several terraces overlook the bay and give you the sea and Mount Agung in the same view.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Amed?
For us, two nights is the minimum, while three days gives you enough time to properly enjoy the area.
With only one night, you are likely to spend most of your time in transit.
With three days, you can easily spread things out between:
Jemeluk and Amed Beach, Lipah and a jukung trip, then Tulamben and Lahangan Sweet.
That is also why Amed still appears in our condensed Bali itinerary: the snorkeling here offers something the other stops do not really replace.
To complete your planning, you can also consult the official Indonesia Travel page dedicated to Bali and Nusa Tenggara, with information about destinations, beaches and the region.
Our view: Yes, Amed is definitely worth the detour. Not because it has Bali’s most beautiful beach, but because the whole experience works particularly well: sea, snorkeling, volcanic landscapes, Mount Agung and a much calmer atmosphere than in the south.
If your trip lasts only one week, fitting it in can be difficult.
But as soon as you have 10 days or more, we would keep Amed in the itinerary.
It is one of the stops that most strongly feels like stepping into a completely different Bali without ever leaving the island.
Planning your trip?
The TAMAP Bali Guide covers these stops in much more detail, with modular itineraries of up to 30 days, transport, travel times, the best areas to stay, prices we observed, access and alternatives. Each day can be followed exactly as written or used to build your own route. Then it is yours to turn into your own trip.