Amed Bali Snorkeling (2026) Real Tour Prices And Best Spots
What Snorkeling In Amed Is Really Like
Snorkelling in Amed was some of the best snorkelling I did in Bali.
The Gilis are great and I’m not knocking them. But if you’re already in Bali, you might be about to spend a day and a boat ticket chasing something that’s sitting quietly on the east coast.
I’ll be honest. Before I got to Amed, I fell down a Google rabbit hole. Every second blog told me the “real” snorkelling was over on the Gili Islands or down in southern Bali. Basically anywhere but here. It hurts me to say it, but I think a lot of those blogs got it wrong.
The water in Amed was so clear it felt like looking through glass. Over the morning I was floating over turtles, then sea snakes, then so many fish I stopped trying to count them. Triggerfish, trumpetfish and angelfish drifted through the coral like they owned the place. Which, to be fair, they do.
I swam my way along a good chunk of Amed’s beaches, and here’s the thing nobody tells you. They’re not pretty in the postcard sense. Black sand, pebbles, and no palm-fringed white beach for your Instagram. But the water was the clearest I saw anywhere in Bali, and I’d swap the postcard beach for that every single time.
Then there was the underwater temple at Jemeluk Bay. I took a deep breath. Fish everywhere. Total silence. I genuinely had to remind myself I was still in Bali.
If you’re worried it’ll cost a fortune, it won’t.
So whether you’re a solo traveller trying to stretch your budget or a couple looking for something better than another beach club, keep reading. I’ll show you exactly which Amed beaches are worth your time, which ones aren’t, and whether you should bother with the Gilis at all.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission. See my Privacy Policy.
Amed Snorkeling Map
The Best Snorkeling Locations In Amed Bali
Jemeluk Beach (Underwater Temple)
Jemeluk was easily my favourite place to snorkel in Amed, and the underwater temple is the reason why.
I wouldn’t have found the temple without my guide, but I could have guessed where it was from everyone scrambling over to the same area.
Compared to Koh Lipe and Koh Phi Phi, I think there was more marine life here, which surprised me.
My snorkel tour brought us here and told us to hop off the boat and swim over to the large crowd. The water is very clear and fish were abundant as we spent about an hour splashing around.
Later I saw the floating bottle tied to the temple on the water, so don’t worry about finding it.
We could see it from the surface or dive down to see it up close. It’s about 4 metres deep and about 50 metres from the shore. The water was full of different species such as parrotfish, triggerfish, trumpetfish and angelfish and common reef fish.
If you go alone and need to park your bike, parking costs 10,000 IDR ($0.56).
You can expect to see many scuba divers here too. Jemeluk Bay felt like the busiest of all the snorkelling spots we visited in Amed, but I do think it was worth it in the end.
Our guide gave us a small piece of bread to feed the fish. Once we crumbled it in our hands underwater, the fish surrounded us in a wonderful close-up experience.
If you only have one place to snorkel, I suggest making it here.
‼️ Looking to book a hotel in Amed? Check out my post about the 12 BEST Hotels in Amed Bali: Where To Stay 🏨
Lipah Beach
The water at Lipah was fairly clear, but if you’ve been to the Gili Islands, you’ll notice the difference.
Our boatman took us here and I felt like we were out in the open ocean, even though we weren’t so far from shore.
The coral garden is exactly how it sounds. Loads of coral, and I remember the blue starfish here the most.
If you come from the beach, it’s easier to get there than from the Japanese Shipwreck, with soft sand instead of the hard, invisible rocks that hurt my feet. You can rent snorkelling equipment on most beaches in Amed, which makes life easier.
Some large turtles swam past, and I stayed about 4 or 5 metres away, which felt close enough without bothering them.
I have to be honest and say we swam with a ton of jellyfish that would only occasionally sting a little. You can ignore them for the most part, but if you are sensitive, it may be best to rent or buy a wetsuit. I simply wore a training t-shirt and it was a game-changer.
Lipah was a solid stop, but Jemeluk and the Japanese Shipwreck were better.
🇮🇩 Read My Guide About Lahangan Sweet: Bali’s Best Viewpoint 🇮🇩
Japanese Ship Wreck
My tour skipped the Japanese Shipwreck because visibility was poor, so I came back on my own.
If you are coming from Amed, I suggest taking private taxi, but I had nothing but problems with Grab. I booked a trusted driver to take me instead.
This is one of the more popular snorkelling spots in Amed because the wreckage sits only a dozen or so metres from the shoreline.
We rented snorkel gear, fins and snorkel, for 75,000 IDR ($4.17) per person and spent about an hour in the water. Entry costs 25,000 IDR ($1.39), which you can put toward a drink at the shop.
I saw so many fish here, as well as plenty of people. The water gets deep very suddenly, and a marker in the water shows where the wreckage sits directly underneath. The beach is very rocky, but it is only a short swim to the ship.
I preferred going solo because I had the time to stay as long as I wanted, unlike on a tour. It was not as good as the clear waters of the Gili Islands, but it had extra character the islands did not have.
If I went back, I’d bring reef shoes for that rocky beach.
🇮🇩 Explore The Top Things To Do In Amed, Bali 🇮🇩
Amed Beach (Pyramids)
Turtles, turtles and more turtles.
I stayed on Amed Beach and we set off on the jukungs, hopping off somewhere around 100 metres out from the coast.
What an experience it was to see my first turtle underwater in Amed.
There is an artificial reef here, created over 20 years ago, and it’s really beautiful to see when snorkelling. I did notice a strong current here, so be aware of which direction it’s going.
I also noticed the entire length of the beach was covered in blue starfish that were big and you could find them every few metres.
Occasionally, we spotted a turtle and would swim within a few metres so we didn’t scare it. Hawksbill turtles, which can weigh between 45kg and 90kg, are critically endangered. The hawksbill has a beak like a hawk, and the green turtle’s name comes from the greenish colour of its cartilage and fat.
Both turtles are commonly visible at the pyramids.
Don’t forget to look up once in a while and see Mount Agung looking down on you. When you are snorkelling on Amed Beach, it can be great to take a moment and see the inspiring nature found all around you.
It doesn’t have a temple or a wreck, but it gave me my first turtle, and that’s enough.
🇮🇩 I recommend Visiting Tirta Gangga Water Palace In Amed 🇮🇩
Selang Beach
I’ll be honest, I didn’t make it to Selang but it’s the one spot I’d add if I went back.
I didn’t have time to make it here after seeing lots of the best beaches in Amed.
It sits at the far eastern end of the Amed coastline. This place is said to be perfect for swimming, leaving the bigger crowds behind.
Most people come here for the lack of crowds. There is a quick drop into the reef to be aware of, so only swim here when conditions are calm, because of the currents coming from the Lombok Strait.
Don’t swim out alone because of the current close to Pulau Selang.
Be prepared to see plenty of marine life like hawksbill turtles, white-tip reef sharks, blue-spotted rays, trevally, sweetlips, butterflyfish and giant barrel sponges.
You can pick up equipment from Budi Snorkelling Tour and rental or book in with them for a great day out, too.
Next time I’m in Amed, Selang is first on my list.
‼️ Read My Guide Getting From Ubud To Amed 🤲
Amed Bali Snorkelling Tour Cost
My three-hour snorkelling tour cost 350,000 IDR ($19.44) per person, and I booked it the wrong way.
I booked with Amed Bagus Snorkelling and Fishing.
It is important to note that I approached a guy on the street selling tours. There are many of these small stalls in Amed. I had to give him a deposit of 200,000 IDR ($11.11) the night before the tour.
At least I got a receipt. I later thought I got charged a much higher price by going further away from the beach.
A snorkel, fins and a wet bag for my phone were all included.
However, if you are on a budget, you can go directly to the many companies located on the beach and might get a better price. When I walked along the beach they were calling me, asking if I needed a tour the next day.
You can find tours from 350,000 IDR ($19.44) to 450,000 IDR ($25.00) per person, so in the end it wasn’t that far off a fair price. Booking online can be more expensive, but you know exactly what you’re getting, with verified reviews.
If I did it again, I’d book directly on the beach and skip the deposit.
‼️ Check Out My Article About The 8 Best Beaches in Amed 🏖️
My Amed Snorkelling Tour Itinerary
My tour didn’t go to plan, and honestly, that turned out to be the best thing about it.
We had agreed to explore the following locations:
- Amed Beach Pyramids
- Jemeluk Beach and Underwater Temple
- Lipah Beach
- Japanese Shipwreck
However, on the morning of our tour, the guide informed us that due to current and sea conditions, visibility at the Japanese Shipwreck would be poor.
As a result, he altered our plan. I was pretty pissed off, to be fair. But it worked out really well, because it sent me back to the shipwreck on my own.
This experience taught me that it’s best to confirm beforehand whether conditions are suitable if you’re set on following a specific itinerary.
It was 09.00 AM, and I was excited to get out on the water.
The boat glided onto Amed Beach right in front of our hotel and right on time. I must say, it is very interesting to watch this. It seems like the boats are going to crash because they look way too fast. But every time, they simply slow and come to a rapid stop on the black, rocky sand.
These guys are experts.
We ended up doing this order:
- Jemeluk Beach
- Lipah Beach
- Amed Beach Pyramids
Each stop lasted about an hour. When I saw the banded sea krait and Lipah Beach, my heart sank. But it didn’t come near me.
Our boat driver instructed us to swim against the current at first, ensuring we’d naturally drift back towards him when we were done enjoying the snorkelling spot.
If conditions change, trust your boatman because mine knew the water better than any forecast.
What Equipment Do You Need to Rent Or Buy?
I learnt what to pack for Amed the hard way, with sore feet and a few jellyfish stings.
My tour included all the equipment. Having fins is essential. They help you swim longer distances with less effort and conserve energy.
Here’s what I’d pack next time:
- Waterproof phone case for underwater photos
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Water
- Rash guard/training t-shirt
- Cash for rental gear and food
- Reef shoes
Rent at the beach:
- Mask, snorkel and fins, 75,000 IDR ($4.17) at the Japanese Shipwreck
- Wetsuit if needed
- Included on most tours (snorkel, fins, wet bag)
If you only pack one thing, make it reef shoes.
Amed Bali Snorkeling Tour Options
🤿 East Bali: Snorkelling Day Trip To Amed
🏊Amed Snorkelling Trip Only With Private Boat plus Guide
𝌐 Amed: Snorkelling Tour With Japanese Shipwreck and Coral
Think About Safety When Snorkelling
Amed’s water looks calm, but it caught me out more than once.
At the pyramids, the current felt faster than it looked.
The small jellyfish stings were fine in the moment, but they hurt later. Seeing a venomous banded sea krait at Lipah was a quick reminder that this is not like swimming at home, where marine life poses little risk to my safety.
Feeling the big-drop off at the Japanese shipwreck was a reminder to stay vigilant and not try to impress others.
If you are inexperienced in the ocean it can be dangerous. Listen to your guide and locals. Ask them what you should and shouldn’t do.
Find out where you should and shouldn’t go. For example, I was told not to go left past the Japanese Shipwreck because it can get dangerous due to the currents.
Ask questions, and it will help ensure a safe and relaxed experience.
Most of Amed is calm, but respect the current and the wildlife and you’ll be fine.
🛕 Visit Tanah Lot One Of Bali’s Best Temples
What My Guide Didn’t Tell Me About the Coral
My guide called the coral beautiful, and that was all he said about it.
It is a good idea to keep your distance and move slowly.
Keep your arms close to your body when you can and do your best not to stir up any of the sediment. Float and do not stand. I saw people standing on the coral and your feet can easily hit it. My foot got cut badly close to Koh Lipe in Thailand and I saw lots of blood.
I read later that feeding the fish is not good for the coral but our guide and others encouraged it. In hindsight, I would choose not to feed the fish.
If a guide hands you bread, it’s okay to say no.
🚐 Find Out How To Get To Amed, Bali 🚐
Final Thoughts on Amed’s Best Snorkelling Spots
Snorkelling in Amed is fantastic.
Some people love it or hate it. But I love it. The water is as good as, if not better than, places I experienced in Thailand, like Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.
Zipping along the water in the small jukung and diving was scary. There was nobody else around for hundreds of metres.
But once I was underwater, life slowed down. I was surrounded by fish and turtles. I could see far ahead. I even spotted blue starfish.
I thought the black sand beach would be nothing like Thailand, and it wasn’t. That wasn’t a bad thing. The vibe, the snorkelling and the seafood changed my mind.
Sitting on the boat, looking at Mount Agung before we headed back to land, one thought crossed my mind: wow, it was worth the time, energy and money.
I had heard Amed was a dead town. Compared to Ubud or Jimbaran, it was. I came from Ubud, but I also saw Uluwatu, Jimbaran and other beaches on the east coast. It covered a few places to visit, which made me enjoy it even more. The underwater temple was great.
Any questions, just ask.
Thanks for reading,
James
How Much Does Snorkelling In Amed Cost?
A snorkelling set cost ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 IDR ($5.56 to $8.33) per day. A snorkelling tour costs 350,000 IDR ($19.44) per person for three hours. I rented gear at the Japanese shipwreck for 75,000 IDR ($4.17). The entry fee here was 25,000 IDR ($1.39), redeemable on a drink. Beach companies are cheaper to book directly than street stalls, as I learned the hard way.
Can You Swim In Amed?
Yes, you can swim in Amed. I swam at many beaches, but expect hard, rocky black-sand beaches. The water can get deep fast, as it does at the Japanese shipwreck. I recommend swimming against the current first so it can carry you back naturally to the boat. Don’t go beyond the Japanese shipwreck, or the current can take you away.
Is It Worth Going To Amed?
Yes, easily. The snorkelling at Amed was just as good as Thailand, like Koh Lipe and Koh Phi Phi. Sure, it’s much quieter than Ubud, but I liked it for that. Amed is on the east coast of Bali and it’s close to other interesting places like Tirta Gangga and Lahangan Sweet.
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