Best Things to Do in Amed, Bali
Amed is best known as one of Bali's top diving destinations, but you don't need to be a diver to enjoy it. This peaceful fishing village offers much more: black sand beaches, fresh seafood, excellent snorkeling reefs, traditional fishing boats, yoga overlooking the ocean, and great cafés and sea-view bars.
I lived in Bali for over a year, and I've visited Amed several times now, even though I am not a diver. I’m drawn there for the laid-back coastal vibe, away from the bustle of South Bali, along with the affordable and lovely homestays and hotels.
Many people have the misconception that Amed is only for diving, so I wanted to share more info about this peaceful destination, ideal for anyone who likes a laid-back pace in a place where they can feel coastal village life.
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IN THIS ARTICLE:
⬇️ Let’s explore the best activities to try while you’re in beautiful Amed! ⬇️
🤿 Try Diving or Freediving
Of course, I can't write a guide about things to do in Amed without mentioning the possibilities for diving and freediving. This is one of Bali's best-known diving destinations, after all, and people come here specifically for access to the area's reefs, wrecks, and scenery.
If you're a diver, Amed is likely to be a highlight of your trip.
If you are diving-curious, you are in one of the best places to try it with a Discover Scuba Diving package or a PADI Open Water Diver course.
But if you're neither? Don't worry. As I’ll show you below, there's plenty to do in Amed without putting a tank on your back.
Practical details
My guests book their dives with Dive Culture Bali and have great experiences with them. There are tons of options, though, so feel free to explore — but you’ll see that they have great reviews, fair prices, and good instructors. They can work with various levels of experience and take you to interesting dive sites around Amed and Kubu.
P.S. You can contact me, and I’ll put you in touch with the team to check availability for your dates and program (no extra cost)!
🏖️ Go Snorkeling & Relax on the Beach in Amed
Not every day in Amed needs much of a plan. Some of my favourite days here have been a mix of snorkeling, lunch with my feet in the sand, a coconut or Bintang, another swim, and absolutely nothing else.
You don't need to dive or even get a boat to see Amed's underwater world. You can simply walk down to the coast, rent some snorkeling gear, and see plenty of marine life without booking an excursion.
Where to go
Amed's beaches are different: mostly dark volcanic sand and pebbles, not the powdery white sand you might picture on a tropical island. It’s unique and cool to see, but it’s also good to manage your expectations.
There are several spots along the coast where you can swim and snorkel directly from shore, including Lipah Beach, Jemeluk Bay, and the Japanese Shipwreck.
Personally, I like the vibe at Lipah Beach. There are two beach bars/restaurants where you can grab lunch or a drink between snorkel sessions, or rent a beach chair and dig your feet into the sand between swims. There is a lot of healthy reef here, so you have great chances to spot colourful fish and even turtles.
If you don't dive but still want to see a shipwreck, the Japanese Shipwreck is worth a stop. In clear conditions, you can see it from the surface! You'll pay a nominal fee (Rp 25,000) to enter the beach here, which includes a soda or drinking water.
And if you're staying at a hotel on the beach (like my personal fave, Solaluna Beach Homestay), you can swim and snorkel right out front.
Make a day of it
Amed is one of those places where doing less is part of the experience.
Snorkel in the morning while the water is calm, then settle in. Read, nap, watch the fishing boats come and go, or find a little beachside warung for coconuts or Bintangs and stay put for sunset — or find higher ground for a bird’s-eye view.
Practical details
It's normal to pay a small entry fee to a local restaurant or beach business to access some stretches of the coast, and they usually include a beverage.
For example, you can enter the beach to the Japanese Shipwreck at Kawi Karma and pay a 25,000 Rp access fee, which includes a juice, soft drink, coffee, or tea.
At Lipah Beach, you only need to pay if you’re using a beach chair, which I would recommend to give you a shaded place to relax with your toes in the sand. In any case, I do recommend supporting the local businesses there by buying a drink or lunch.
You can rent snorkels, masks, and fins at most beaches, but I always check if my hotel rents them first, as the quality is sometimes better. I normally rent mine from my hotel for Rp 40,000/day.
It’s not necessary to book a tour; you can snorkel directly from the beach.
How to Book a Snorkeling Tour in Amed
If you prefer to go snorkeling with a tour that will bring you to multiple spots and provide you with company for the day, you can check out these tours, which include snorkeling gear rental, water, entry fees, and options for hotel transfers:
GUIDED SNORKELING TOURS IN AMED, BALI
Bali: Amed, Jemeluk & Lipah Beach Snorkeling Adventure (4.6⭐) — from $26 USD per person
Bali/Amed: Underwater Temple Snorkeling Experience (4.7⭐) — from $38 USD per person
Amed: Exclusive Private Snorkeling at 4 Best Spots (4.8⭐) — from $46 USD per person
🌴 TRAVELYNNE TIP: Waking up is hard, but morning snorkeling departures offer the best chance for both clear and calm conditions in the sea.
Who I'd recommend it for
Pretty much everyone who enjoys being in the water, especially if you want to experience Amed's famous underwater scenery without committing to scuba diving. It's also great for beginner snorkelers and anyone who isn't very comfortable in open water, because there's plenty of shallow reef to explore.
If you aren’t a very comfortable swimmer, please always go with someone and stay in the shallow areas near shore.
Sustainability Tip
We want to keep the ocean healthy for years to come, so please never touch sea creatures or take them out of the water (yes, including starfish), and never step on the reef.
If you aren’t good at remaining buoyant, rent fins to help you paddle and a life jacket to help you stay afloat and avoid touching the reefs.
🎣 Sunrise on a Traditional Fishing Boat
Even if you’re not particularly interested in fishing, I highly recommend joining a fisherman on his boat for a morning. Head out in the dark, just as the sun starts peeking up from behind mainland Bali, and enjoy the serene sea vibes with excellent coastal views, including the stoic Mount Agung volcano.
The fisherman will invite you to try throwing or bobbing a line, which can be a fun little experience, but… I can't promise you'll catch anything. In fact, I've never heard of anyone actually catching a fish on one of these trips 😂.
But that's not really the point. The traditional jukung boats are a pivotal part of the Indonesian coastal scenery, and seeing Bali from this view and this time of day is a completely different experience than sitting on the beach. You'll also get a glimpse of Amed's fishing culture, which is still an important part of the East Coast economy in Bali.
Practical Details
You can book a fishing trip through most accommodations in Amed, like my go-to Solaluna Beach Homestay.
You can book during your stay or WhatsApp your accommodation beforehand to find out what your options are. If you strongly prefer to book in advance, you can book this private Traditional Fishing Experience — but I assure you, it’s much more affordable to book it via your accommodation.
In any case, expect a very early wake-up call so you don’t miss the sunrise — it’s worth it, I promise!
Who I'd recommend it for
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys slower, more local experiences and doesn't mind waking up ridiculously early. If you're expecting a serious fishing expedition with guaranteed dinner, though... perhaps manage those expectations. 😅
🧘♀️ Take a Yoga or Pilates Class
If you like yoga, I'd highly recommend taking a class at Blue Earth Village.
The space itself is beautiful, with views overlooking the ocean, so even before you've attempted whatever impossible-looking pose the instructor has planned, you've already won.
I’ve been here a few times solo and once with a group tour, and everyone loved it. They have two yoga spaces, both with an ocean view. The upper level also has a deck with a remarkable view.
Their schedule offers a variety of yoga styles — including yin, hatha & vinyasa flow — as well as Qi Gong and Pilates classes. The instructors I’ve had here were all very professional and good at providing instruction for various ability levels.
They also offer workshops and work with different practitioners offering services such as acupuncture, massage, and other wellness experiences, if that’s something you’re interested in. Just message them to ask what’s available and for what cost.
Their schedule changes regularly, so you can see the weekly schedule pinned to their Instagram profile here.
Who I'd recommend it for
Yoga and Pilates lovers, obviously — but also anyone looking for a slower morning or a little wellness break during their Amed stay. It’s a great complement for divers, swimmers, surfers and snorkelers looking to reset the body, or for those who have been adventuring hard and need a rest.
🌴 TRAVELYNNE TIP: The Somatic Yoga or breathwork sessions are especially wonderful for those looking for a reset.
⛲ Visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace
If you have time for another outing, Tirta Gangga Water Palace is only 30 minutes from Amed and makes for an easy half-day trip. The former royal water palace is known for its gardens, ponds, fountains, and stepping stones that let you wander across the water. You can also buy fish food to feed the koi, and there's a tiny museum with old photographs that gives you a little more context about the site.
Yes, it has become very popular with Instagrammers. But honestly? It's still a pretty place to spend an hour, and I must admit that some of my favourite Bali photos come from this very place 😉.
Plus, it wasn’t built for tourists — it actually has history: Tirta Gangga was built in 1946 by Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, the last king of Karangasem (this region of Bali).
Its name combines tirta (holy water) and Gangga, after India's sacred Ganges River. Mount Agung's 1963 eruption nearly destroyed it, but the royal family began restoring it in 1979, and it still belongs to the family today.
Practical details
Getting There
Tirta Gangga is about a 30-minute drive from Amed, so you’ll need to arrange for a driver through your accommodation. If you want a guide, you can find someone for hire outside the palace — but I have no guarantees on quality. The palace can be visited and appreciated without a guide, but context can also be nice.
When to Go
While the water palace is open daily from 6 AM until 7 PM, I recommend going as early as you can because it gets very crowded (especially at the best photo spots, of course). Plus, the afternoons can get especially hot, and there is very little shade while you walk around.
Cost & What to Buy
Entry fees are 90,000 Rp for foreign adults (45,000 Rp for Indonesian adults) and 45,000 Rp for foreign children (25,000 Rp for Indonesian children). There are discounts for adults over 65 years.
The entry fee includes access to the public grounds and a mini museum. It also includes access to the swimming pool; however, it is not always open. You can bring your bathing suit and towel in case it is.
An extra 20,000 Rp will get you a boat ride on the fish pond; however, it’s quite small. I would rather spend that on fish food — sold at multiple kiosks on your way into the water palace — and feed the koi fish from the stepping stones.
💅🏼 Get a Massage or Beauty Treatment
What holiday is really complete without treating yourself to a little spa time?
Amed has a few lovely little spas — some of my favorites being Swasty Dewi Salon & Spa (the outdoor massage rooms are cool, but they have both) and Alala Amed Spa (indoor) for massage treatments, and Island Girls Bali for manicures, pedicures, or other beauty treatments.
Alternatively, you can ask your hotel or homestay about having a massage in your room. Just know that they don’t normally bring a massage table, so the massage would be on your bed. Personally, I tend to prefer going to a spa and making a little event of it.
🛵 Take a Scooter Down the Coast
One of the things I like most about Amed is that it isn’t a destination that exists entirely for tourists.
Despite a growing number of European expats and visitors who stay for the diving, it is still very much a region where people live and participate in daily village life. If you get just outside of the town of Amed, you’ll feel this even more.
If you are capable of riding a scooter, then riding south down the coast along the main road here is a beautiful mini adventure. You’ll catch glimpses of cliff lines, beaches dotted with colourful fishing boats, a beautiful little lighthouse, local houses and shops, and farmland. Please note: the main road is in excellent condition, but any side roads will be dirt, gravel, and sometimes very rough. But you can even enjoy this by sticking to main roads.
🌴 TRAVELYNNE TIP: This isn’t the place to ride a scooter for the first time ever. If you aren’t experienced, opt for a driver, or get some practice in before getting to Bali (or with a lesson in Ubud or Canggu, where you’ll find driving schools).
If you don’t ride a scooter, you can also:
Take a long walk down the coast — but please be careful and make sure you can clearly see oncoming traffic, as there aren’t sidewalks here and the roads are windy.
Book a driver: Ask your accommodation to help you book a driver for an hour or two. If you opt for a car, be sure to open the windows to take in the pretty coastline, and opt for a few stops to take in the view along the way.
I have to be clear: I don’t have a specific destination for you. This is all about wandering, maybe finding a local spot for nasi goreng (fried rice) or a coconut, and taking in the coast. Start by making your way towards Ibus Sea View Warung, and keep going from there. You’ll come across a lighthouse (not open to visitors), villages, and pretty views.
Who I'd recommend it for
Travellers who are adventurous, curious, and not looking for a particular plan besides wandering.
☕ Enjoy Great Meals & Cafes
Okay, technically eating isn't an "activity," but Amed has some genuinely good food, and I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you where I'd actually eat. A few favourites:
Rimba Cafe: My go-to. Fusion food with lots of fresh, healthy options, a lovely setting, and desserts worth saving room for (seriously!).
Warung Bobo: Bean bags on the beach, local food, and live music on many evenings from 6 PM.
Joli Best View Cafe: My pick for sunset — especially on Friday evenings, when they have live acoustic music.
Want more food & bev recommendations? I've rounded up my favourite spots, with map pins, in my full guide “Where to Eat & Drink in Amed, Bali”:
🌴 TRAVELYNNE TIP: Want to pick up some snacks, refreshments, or alcoholic beverages to enjoy at your hotel? Check out Solaluna Mart for a great selection — and try their homemade brownies + some of the snacks in bright orange packaging; they are made in Bali and super delicious!
🐢 Spot Turtles from See-Thru Kayaks
If you love turtles (who doesn’t? 🥹), then this could be a dreamy way to spend an hour of your morning. Crystal Kayak offers this unique activity in Amed, and when possible, they’ll help you find spots with turtles and fish you can see right from your kayak. So you get a little workout in, enjoy life above the sea, take in beautiful surroundings and sunshine, and have the possibility to see turtles. How lovely!
Practical Details
Book your kayaking slot here. They are open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, but the morning is usually the calmest and clearest, so I would suggest doing this as a pre-lunch activity.
After kayaking, hit up one of these local restaurants for a delicious meal.
Planning Your Trip to Amed?
Need a hand planning your trip? Check out my travel planning services or contact me to set up a free consultation. I can assist with a custom itinerary that matches your interests and with making bookings for your activities, accommodations, and drivers.
Final Thoughts
Amed might be famous for what's underneath the water, but I think there's plenty to love above the surface, too. It's a place for slow mornings, fishing boats, black-sand beaches, good food, yoga with an ocean view, and a bit of doing-nothing-ness.
And yes, if you're a diver, you've got an even bigger reason to come.
But if you're not? Don't write Amed off.
Travel well,
Lynne
Was this helpful? Have more questions? You can reach me by leaving a comment below, sending me a DM on Insta, or getting in touch by email.
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