15 Things To Do In Amed, Bali (2026 Guide)
What Amed Is Really Like After Two Weeks
Most guides to things to do in Amed, Bali stop at “go snorkelling” and call it a day.
I’ll be honest, that drove me mad before I went.
I fell down a Google rabbit hole trying to work out whether Amed was worth the long trip east. Or whether I’d be better off sticking to another part of Bali.
Half the blogs I found were thin. The other half read like the writer stayed one night and left.
So here’s the short answer.
Yes, Amed is worth it. But only if you want slow days, clear water and a version of Bali that hasn’t been swallowed by beach clubs.
I spent two weeks there. That’s longer than most people will need, and I still wasn’t ready to leave. For most solo travellers and couples, three or four days is enough to see the best of it without rushing.
It hurts me to say this, but if your dream Bali trip is cocktails and big nights out, Amed will probably bore you. That’s exactly why I loved it.
The best things to do here are refreshingly simple. Snorkelling with turtles. Taking in the views from Lahangan Sweet. And visiting the salt centre, which almost nobody seems to write about.
Then there’s the moment that properly sold me on the place.
I swam out from the beach, looked down, and found temples sitting on the sea floor. I actually stopped and stared through my mask. It was surreal, like someone had lowered a village into the water and forgot to mention it.
If you’re travelling solo or as a couple on a mid-range budget, this guide is built for you.
You’ll find out what’s genuinely worth your time, what you can skip, how long to stay and where to base yourself so your money goes further.
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, Bali Map
1. Enjoy A Snorkelling Tour
Nothing prepared me for looking down through my mask and seeing a temple sitting on the sea floor.
It’s the moment Amed really won me over.
So much so that I had to write a detailed post about my Amed Snorkelling experience. I loved swimming with some turtles and fish all around me. The temple (found at Jemeluk Bay), convenience and a private boat are the reasons you need to book the tour.
I did see a venomous snake in the water, but it didn’t deter me from going snorkelling again.
You will see all the narrow boats dotted along Amed Beach and as you walk by each day guides will undoubtedly try and book you in for the next day.
I paid IDR 700,000 ($39.12/€34.34/£29.64) for 2 people for the tour which lasted 2 hours and included three stops. If you want to save money know this.
I booked through Amed Bagus Snorkeling and Fishing via a street stall, paid an IDR 200,000 ($11.18/€9.81/£8.47) deposit the night before, then realised I paid more than booking directly on the beach. I would say to agree your stops before you hand over any cash.
I left in the morning around 10.00 AM and returned around two hours later.
At least a snorkel, fins and a wet bag for your phone were included. Technically you do not need a tour to visit the temple. You can swim out from Jemeluk Bay.
It is about 70 metres from the shore. If you are on a budget this could be an option for you.
The water in Amed was usually crystal clear, which was perfect for snorkelling.
It was especially thrilling when I spotted a couple of turtles. I could glide along beside them and watch them feed, which I found fascinating.
The underwater temple area was my favourite spot. It had an abundance of fish and plenty of other tourists swimming around, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Our guide for the day just warned me not to get close to the red jellyfish as they can hurt the most, so watch out for those little guys.
Our guide skipped the Japanese Shipwreck, so I went back on our own later (more on that below).
🏨 Find Out Where To Stay In Amed 🇮🇩
2. Climb Mount Agung At Sunrise
I’ll be honest, I didn’t climb Mount Agung at sunrise but I spent two weeks looking at it from the beach, from Lahangan Sweet and from every sunset spot in Amed.
Because my preference was beach, gym, and temples it felt like too big a chunk of the trip.
This is best suited for solo travellers, couples or adventurers who love seeing great sunrises and this one is said to be one of the best views in Bali. If I did it again, I’d book it early in the trip so I could relax on the beach later in the day and the next day to recover.
But if you’ve got the legs for it, here’s what you need to know.
Depending on where you start from it can take 9 to 12 hours to reach the top and get back to the starting point.
Don’t be fooled, this is not easy.
You do need a licensed guide to trek up. You can choose to start from Pura Besakih Temple (the Mother Temple) on the western slope or Pura Pasar Agung on the southern slope. It is 3,031 metres (9,944 feet) above sea level.
Many people start hiking at 11.00 PM from the Besakih Temple Route or around 02.00 AM via the Pasar Agung Route. Do know that Mount Agung may be closed depending on when you go. In 2026, all activities on Mount Agung were prohibited from 28 March to 24 April for ceremonies at Besakih Temple, and the mountain closes every year according to the timing of ceremonies and rituals.
Agung isn’t going anywhere, and next time I’m in Amed, I’m booking the trek before I talk myself out of it.
🚐 Find Out How To Get To Amed 🛳️
3. Experience A Scuba Diving Day
A Second World War cargo ship lies about 30 metres from a beach in Tulamben, and you don’t need a boat to reach it.
The Japanese Shipwreck, USAT Liberty Wreck and underwater temple are some of the most popular sites.
Guada is passionate about diving. She said the water was clear with excellent visibility, though the dark volcanic sand made the underwater environment less bright than other diving spots. She saw octopus, turtles, and fish as well as beautiful coral reefs.
Guada used Oxygen Dive Centre and they were excellent in her opinion, but has since closed. They were friendly, helpful and informative. You can try Dream Divers who are based in Amed or Abyss Dive Center Bali who both have great reviews online.
During World War II, the USAT Liberty was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-166 near the Lombok Strait. The damaged vessel was intentionally beached at Tulamben to save her cargo.
The ship remained on the beach until 1963, when Mount Agung’s violent eruption resulted in the vessel to submerge.
It now rests at depths ranging from 5 to 30 metres.
Today, the Liberty Wreck has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, completely covered in soft and hard corals, sea fans, and sponges. The wreck attracts a wide variety of marine life, including butterfly fish, angelfish, parrotfish, and even occasional visits from larger species like barracudas and reef sharks.
Its relatively shallow depth makes it an excellent site for both beginner and experienced divers.
But be aware, to see or swim through the whole wreck you need to have the advanced certificate. This allows diving to a depth of 30 metres. The Open Water divers still see most of the wreck, so beginners can experience it too.
You can try diving the Liberty Wreck without a certificate.
If Mount Agung or Batur is on your list, leave at least 24 hours between your last dive and the climb.
🛳️ Find Out How To Get From Amed To Gili Trawangan 🛳️
4. Watch Mount Agung From Lahangan Sweet
Of everything I did near Amed, this is the one I’d send a friend to first.
Lahangan Sweet offers a great 360-degree panoramic view of Amed.
You can see a great view of Mount Agung from here. I visited at around 10.30 AM and there were few people around which made it enjoyable. More did come as the morning went on.
The good news is that you don’t have to walk up the entire mountain. My guide drove me up the winding and dizzying road and then I only had a short trek of about twenty minutes once I paid my ticket at the entrance.
The entry fee is IDR 100,000 ($5.59/€4.91/£4.23) per person here and you can get one of those Instagram photos if that’s what you are after.
I have to admit the views are colossal.
Cloud was underneath Mount Agung and you will feel small compared to the mountain in the distance almost 15 kilometres away.
You can climb into a wooden ship perched above the ground, sit at one of the many viewing points, and gaze down at Amed Beach while enjoying the natural landscape that surrounds you.
There are plenty of viewpoints and seating areas available. Sip a coffee or eat a meal at the restaurant on top if you’re feeling hungry.
You can eat Nasi Goreng, salad, seafood and more.
If you want to have a go in one of those big swings you can do it here for another IDR 100,000 ($5.59/€4.91/£4.23).
When I was there (August) there were only about 20 people inside at any one time which was surprising.
Is it worth the photo? For the memory yes, but I think the wait and line of people eats into your time too much. It would not be the end of the world if you missed the photo.
Keep in mind that there may be queues for photos at the popular swing and wooden platform viewpoints at Lahangan Sweet.
If you’re not climbing Mount Agung, this is the next best way to feel its size.
🇮🇩 Explore Lahangan Sweet Tours Here 🇮🇩
5. Explore Tirta Gangga Water Palace
A king built Tirta Gangga Water Palace in 1946 as a royal retreat, but these days, you’re sharing it with a lot of other visitors.
The palace is named after the Ganges River in India.
My driver for the day dropped me off at the entrance. I arrived around 02.00 PM and I wish I went earlier in the morning to avoid huge crowds. I paid IDR 70,000 ($3.91/€3.43/£2.96) to enter and IDR 5,000 ($0.28/€0.25/£0.21) for fish food on the way into the palace.
It was commissioned by I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, the last king of Karangasem.
As a passionate architect and visionary ruler, he also oversaw the construction of the equally impressive Ujung Water Palace.
Tirta Gangga has plenty of beautiful fountains, lush gardens, and traditional Balinese water features that made me think, wow, these people were rich. It was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963 but was rebuilt later.
The green areas are maintained very well. You can walk across the ponds via stepping stones to capture some beautiful photos. I stayed for about one hours but you could stay another 30 minutes if you wanted.
That should be enough.
There are a couple of other sections in the corners of the palace with statues that I found interesting.
The ponds have plenty of large fish that you can feed and there are beautiful bridges to walk across. When I visited I noticed how relaxing it was but would have preferred less people.
During my visit, the palace was quite crowded. Navigating across the stepping stones was tricky, as I had to be mindful of visitors both ahead and behind me. Many times I had to stand waiting for people to move and get the right photo. This was annoying but it was the reality.
Compared to Ubud, Tirta Gangga felt different. Busy, but calmer. You cannot visit Amed and skip Tirta Gangga.
It’s the kind of place that rewards patience but you need to wait for a gap on the stones and you’ll get the photo without the crowd.
6. Visit Amed Sea Salt Farm
I walked past the office out of curiosity and walked out fifteen minutes later knowing how Amed’s salt is made.
A staff member noticed me and kindly offered a free tour of the salt farm, an offer I happily accepted.
The steps of gathering the water and drying it were fascinating to see. I was shown all the steps of salt production and I even saw farmers working the soil. They all greeted me with smiles and there were children around their farm too laughing and playing outside.
The tour lasted about 15 minutes and, although it was free, I happily left a small donation in the box by the farm gate. I believe the tour is always free but I am not sure. There were a couple of farmers working the land around 02.30 PM.
Inside the office, there are photos on the wall and a small shop. You can purchase some salt and other items.
You can see how Amed progressed over time and how salt farming played such an important role for Amed.
If there were no tourism in Amed, most locals would likely be farming salt or seafood. Or so a taxi driver told me.
I bought a packet of salt for IDR 20,000 ($1.12/€0.98/£0.85) but there were larger and smaller sachets of salt.
If you want to see how Amed lived before tourism, this is the place to start.
7. Do A Day Trip To Mount Batur
I skipped Mount Batur on this trip, and I’ll admit it is the place I am most tempted to return for.
Mount Batur is easier to climb than Mount Agung.
It is shorter and less demanding, making it a better option for first time hikers. Experienced trekkers looking for a tougher challenge may prefer Mount Agung.
The summit sits 1,717 metres above sea level. The route is around three to four kilometres long and includes a steep ascent of roughly 500 metres. The starting point is about two hours from Amed, so prepare for an early start and a long day.
Most tours include hotel collection, a guided sunrise hike, a torch, a trekking pole, insurance and access to shower facilities afterwards. Prices start from around IDR 489,246 ($27.34/€24.00/£20.71) per person.
Sunrise tours usually collect hikers at around 2.00 am. It is an early start, but watching the light change above the clouds should make it worthwhile. Temperatures can drop near the summit, so bring sturdy hiking shoes, warm clothes and plenty of water. During the rainy season, expect slippery and muddy conditions.
If you enjoy a physical challenge, dramatic sunrises and sweeping views of Bali, Mount Batur is worth adding to your itinerary.
Lastly, if you are not ready for Agung, then start here, as it’s the easier way to see what a Bali volcano sunrise is all about.
8. Watch The Sun Go Down At Sunset Point
One of my favourite moments in Amed was watching the sunset with a cocktail at Sunset Point Amed Bali.
You do have to book in to ensure you get a seat for the sunset.
Thankfully, I did because it was honestly a beautiful evening watching the sun disappear behind Mount Agung. I arrived at about 04.00 PM to ensure I got a good seat. I got a great place above the pool with brilliant views all around.
The best part was alternating between floating in the pool and returning to my seat. I could order cocktails from the pool bar and sip them in the water while watching the sunset behind me.
Like, who wouldn’t love this? I paid IDR 125,000 ($6.99/€6.13/£5.29) and got two drinks included in the entry ticket. The food was good here too. I got simple French Fries as a snack and it cost IDR 60,000 ($3.35/€2.94/£2.54).
Many people ended up standing around.
So if you want a relaxing time then get on the phone and make a reservation.
But for me, the highlight was the infinity pool. It was packed with couples, families and children. Anybody could experience one of the best things to do in Amed.
You can book tickets online or call them directly as I did IDR 60,000 ($3.35/€2.94/£2.54).
9. Grab a Coffee With a View at MD Amed
I spent more hours at MD Amed than anywhere else in Amed, and most of them had a laptop open and Mount Agung in the window.
The wifi was fast enough to upload YouTube videos and download large videos and images. There were a number of sockets for tables but not every table had one.
It was also a really nice place to have a coffee and watch the sunset over the mountain.
The staff were extremely nice.
They smiled, offered me many options and told me about the upstairs area. Because it’s all glass, it feels like you’re outdoors but with aircon. Perfect for those hot afternoons in Amed.
It was strange for me to see that so few people came in during the day especially because it has a cool rooftop with beanbags just waiting to be sat on.
I am aware there are plenty of other great coffee shops in Amed like St. Bernard Coffee, Meeting Point and Oneway Espresso but I have to say MD Amed was the best for its setting and quality coffee.
I came back to MD Amed to watch the sunset and it was just me and two other girls having a juice.
It is open from 08.00 AM to 10.00 PM every day and is only 600 metres from the Amed Sports Bar on the beach.
It won’t stay this quiet forever, so go while it still is.
10. Enjoy Amed’s Tasty Seafood
The hotel owner went out on his boat most mornings and by the evening, whatever he caught was on the menu.
Anything left over will be used the next day.
I stayed at Homestay & Restaurant Segara Amed.
If you’re like me and love fish, you’ll see buckets of fresh catch lined up on the streets next to barbecues, waiting to be cooked for hungry tourists. A fish cost between IDR 80,000 to 125,000 ($4.47 to $6.99/€3.92 to €6.13/£3.39 to £5.29) depending on the fish.
Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and Tuna were the best I have ever eaten and they were big portions too so going to bed feeling hungry. Pick your fish from the bucket and away he goes to cook it. I would reorder the tuna every day if I could.
The barbecue is on from around 06.00 PM.
There is nothing better than knowing and seeing, that locals catch fish which will be eaten that same day. While it takes longer to cook (25-40 minutes) I believe the time is well spent.
Wherever you stay, ask the owner where the fish comes from and there’s a good chance they caught it.
11. Relax With A Beach Day
I went in August, the peak of high season, and still found space to lay out my towel without bumping into anyone.
You can read my article about Amed’s Best 8 Beaches.
I spent most of my beach days on Amed Beach. Just grab a spot on the beach and jump in the water to cool off. The black rocky sand looks great next to the bright blue ocean.
Compared to the golden sands in the south of Bali, it’s fascinating to walk along the black sand and pebbly coast. The water was extremely calm when I visited, with barely any waves crashing on the coast.
I forgot my snorkel and had to rent one for IDR 75,000 ($4.19/€3.68/£3.18). I then splashed my way out 20 metres or so in search of some colourful marine life. I brought my own water shoes which I found to be particularly useful on Amed’s rocky beaches.
You can rent these up along many places on the coast.
Fish, turtles and blue starfish are what I remember seeing in Amed.
There were rarely sunbeds or parasols.
The only thing I remember about the beaches were the jukung boats. And even though I visited Amed in August during the high season, it felt far less crowded compared to Ubud or Jimbaran.
I went loads of times. In the morning, almost completely empty until 10.00 AM. Some walkers appear and after lunch it gets busier. Many people swim around the sunset too.
Amed felt relaxing after coming from the cramped and packed streets of Ubud. There it was hard to find space on the street to pass other people. While Amed may not have as many things to do as Ubud, it’s a place for relaxing more than exploring.
It’s not the golden sand you see in Bali’s brochures, but I’d take it over the crowded beaches in the south.
🇮🇩 Find Out How To Get From Ubud To Amed 🇮🇩
12. Experience A Localised Village Ritual
Traffic in Amed came to a complete stop, and for once, nobody was annoyed about it.
You may notice the Canang sari in the streets in Bali.
These are the little offerings that Balinese Hindus leave in the streets. They want to thank Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.
While in Amed, I was fortunate to witness a traditional ceremony where locals dressed in ceremonial attire, sarongs, colourful dress, and holding gifts on their heads as they walked proudly in line right down the middle of the street.
I had to run over and get my camera out because it felt real.
This happened around lunch time as I was working in St. Bernard Coffee. My hotel owner later told me it was a localised village ritual.
Seeing what local people do in what felt like an unrehearsed, natural moment was finally the side of Bali I knew existed but was struggling to find.
I recommend keeping a respectful distance and letting it pass because it’s their ceremony, not a show.
13. Watch Live Music On The Beach
The sun goes down behind Mount Agung, and one by one, the bars along Amed Beach start playing.
This is something I took advantage of in my two-week stay.
My favourite was Amed Beach Resort & Teatro Bar. I sat back on the beach watching the sun set over Mount Batur to my left. I enjoyed live music from the many restaurants and bars dotting the coast of Pantai Amed.
I recommend having dinner with some fresh mahi-mahi while you’re there. The mojito was fantastic too and cost me IDR 80,000 ($4.47/€3.92/£3.39). The music was ranging from local to pop from the UK and USA. The music started around 06.00 PM.
There were no cover charges when I visited.
Be aware that local children may approach you to practise English and ask for money.
Do not give them money.
While this might seem harmless, I read that giving money can actually discourage them from attending school, as they find it more profitable to seek donations from tourists. It is not helpful in the long run.
Amed goes quiet early, so catch the music around sunset while the bars are still busy.
14. Visit Japanese Shipwreck
My snorkelling guide skipped the Japanese Shipwreck, so I went back on my own and I’m glad I did.
From Amed Beach, I paid IDR 300,000 ($16.77/€14.72/£12.70) to a driver to bring me to the site. He waited for me too which was handy.
Although it’s 20 minutes’ drive drive from Amed Beach to the shipwreck it is something that people often do when in Amed. It is found in Banyuning. I arrived around 04.00 PM and it was not so busy with only a handful of people swimming.
The site is just shy of 50 metres from the shore. To touch some parts of the ship you only need to dive a few metres. I saw some people diving down maybe 10 metres which was impressive. I saw plenty of fish but beyond the shipwreck the water got dark quickly so visibility was not as good as I expected.
My driver told me there were not many taxis there so he would wait three hours for me and bring me back so I took his word for it.
Though I did see a couple of taxis afterwards.
I rented a snorkel and fins for IDR 75,000 ($4.19/€3.68/£3.18) at the counter once inside the carpark.
There is a small bar and office set up with toilets and showers. There is also an IDR 25,000 ($1.40/€1.23/£1.06) entry fee which includes a drink at the bar.
I spent about an hour in the water. The beach is quite rocky and challenging to walk on, but the snorkelling experience makes it well worth the effort. Once you swim out a few metres you can see a plastic bottle floating which marks the Japanese Shipwreck. You can see it from the shore.
My GoPro was broken at the time so while I have no images myself all I can say is it was brilliant to dive down as far as you can go and see the wreck covered in coral and plenty of fish swimming around too.
My driver said I’d struggle to find a taxi back but I saw a couple afterwards, so don’t feel you have to pay for waiting time.
15. Lempuyang Temple
The Gates Of Heaven are real but the lake reflection in everyone’s photo isn’t.
What really got me was the fact that you will have to wait three hours, yes three hours, to get a photo which almost everyone wants. And it is staged. So for me, it’s like, what’s the point?
The fee to enter cost IDR 70,000 ($3.91/€3.43/£2.96) plus an additional IDR 45,000 ($2.51/€2.21/£1.91) for the bus up the hill to the entrance.
There are two guys sitting on chairs. One has a microphone and the other takes the picture. There are two waiting areas. One on each side, both filled with people sitting and waiting to take a photo. Once a group had their photo taken, he would call another person or group and they would stand in between the Gates of Heaven.
He held a mirror up to the camera and voila, you have a fake image to show your family, friends and Instagram followers. If this makes you happy then fire away, but for me, it felt like a waste of time.
I arrived around 12.00 PM and there were so many people. Hundreds. I felt nauseous right away. People got a number and waited to be called.
I was number 337 and they only called 197. So I left. Not worth it.
Momen on their period are asked not to enter, as is the case at most Balinese temples.
Apart from that, the stairs behind are very nice with detailed design and its history dates back to 1072.
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is the main temple in the Lempuyang area and is considered one of Bali’s six most important temples. These six temples are believed to help keep the island spiritually balanced and are very sacred to the Balinese people.
Once you’re done exploring, I recommend getting a milkshake at Warung Makan for IDR 50,000 ($2.79/€2.45/£2.12), which offers great views and is just a few metres from the temple entrance.
If the photo makes you happy, fire away but I’d spend those three hours somewhere else.
🇮🇩 Read My Full Lempuyang Temple Guide 🇮🇩
Is Amed Worth It? My Honest Verdict After Two Weeks
Yes, Amed is worth visiting, but I stayed for too long.
One week would have been perfect.
I’m sure you will love Amed if you enjoy snorkelling or scuba diving, and if you want a slower, much less busy experience than Ubud or Jimbaran.
After two weeks, swimming with turtles, exploring Lahangan Sweet and visiting Tirta Gangga Water Palace were easily my highlights. I also have to mention the sunset at Sunset Point, which was special.
I wasn’t impressed by Lempuyang Temple. The staged photo opportunities made it feel like you do not see it as much in Thailand, though it does exist. Bali felt more focused on getting Instagram likes than on the experience itself.
But I did love walking the empty beaches, rather than bumping elbows with people in Ubud’s streets.
I always think back to the underwater temple and snorkelling down to get as close as possible. It was special, and I recommend trying it.
See all of my Indonesian posts to plan your trip.
Any questions, just ask.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is Amed in Bali Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, temples, black sand beaches and volcano hikes. Swimming with turtles and colourful fish was one of my favourite memories from Amed. I even spotted a sea snake. The Japanese shipwreck was another highlight. There are more things to do in Ubud, but Amed is ideal if you want to slow down and enjoy a quieter side of Bali.
How Many Days Do You Need in Amed, Bali?
I suggest spending one week in Amed. This gives you enough time to slow down, visit the temples, explore the snorkelling sites and eat fresh seafood by the beach each evening. You can also take day trips to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a traditional sea salt farm and Mount Batur. Divers could easily stay longer. Amed is also a great choice for digital nomads looking for peace and quiet.
What Is Amed Famous For?
Amed is famous for snorkelling and diving, including the Japanese shipwreck and the nearby USAT Liberty shipwreck. Its black sand beaches and views of Mount Agung attract plenty of visitors too. The coastline stretches for around 14 kilometres, while the area’s salt farming heritage gives it a character you will not find everywhere in Bali. The fresh seafood was another highlight. I watched my hotel owner bring in the morning’s catch each day.
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