Tucked into a string of small bays on the far eastern edge of Bali, Amed is a long coastal village nestled between the mountains and the sea. “There are two things to do here,” said my resort host, “snorkel and dive.” Here are twelve of the very best things to do in Amed, Bali — including those must-dos, plus enjoying local food, taking in the sights, and more.

Go Diving: Shipwrecks and Coral Gardens

Amed is chock-a-block full of dive centers, and for good reason: the waters are calm, the currents are minimal, and there are two shipwrecks just offshore. The fish are plentiful, and many of the dive sites are shore entries.

I chose Amed specifically as a place to get dive certified, and it was an easy place to learn. If you’re a beginner, I would highly recommend going out with Wayan from Amed Zen Divers. He and his colleague, Tubuh, took me out to see all sorts of amazing things — turtles, sharks, nudibranchs, eels, orangutan crabs, and more.

The USS Liberty shipwreck was the highlight of my dive experience, but I don’t have photographs because my underwater camera has a twelve-foot depth limit. Here’s my second-favorite spot: an anemone forest just down the way:

I’ve also gone out with Adventure Divers Bali, and they’re a first-class operation. I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

A quick note on diving: if you want to see small stuff like nudibranchs, the best months to go are September through November, when the seas are calmest.

Head Out Snorkeling: Jemeluk Bay and More

I loved diving in Amed, but there’s good snorkeling there as well. My favorite spot was Jemeluk Bay, where I found the best corals and most interesting creatures.

I also had some luck at Pyramids, though the corals aren’t great. You can snorkel at the USS Liberty, but it’s best to go at low tide — at high tide, you’ll get a glimpse of the ship, but your views will be limited.

Skip the Japanese shipwreck — it’s not great for snorkeling. But if you’re in the area, the stretch of sea just to the north of the shipwreck has some beautiful corals.

Enjoy the Food: Where to Eat in Amed

There’s great food in Amed. I was a big fan of the smoothie bowls at Rimba Cafe (their “white bowl” is above). I would also highly recommend the fish of the day or the fish satay at Warung Mewali.

I spent many fond evenings looking out over the water from this small restaurant.

Walk the Black Sand Beach

Amed boasts fourteen kilometers of black sand beach, all courtesy of the local volcano, Mount Agung:

It’s fun to walk along and see the fishing boats. Just make sure to bring shoes along, because the soft sand turns into uncomfortable small rocks as you get towards Jemeluk.

Wake Up Early to See the Fishermen at Work

As the sun starts to rise, the beaches of Amed come alive with fishing boats coming into shore with their morning’s catch. It’s a special treat to watch them haul in the boats, a slice of local life that you’ll only see early in the day. Later on, you just see lonely — if beautiful — lines of boats along the shore.

Take a Boat Ride Along Bali’s Eastern Coast

Amed is a fishing village, so there are boats everywhere, and it’s easy to find one for hire. You can just stay in the Amed area, as I did, or you can travel all the way to places like the Gili Islands.

Visit Amed’s Sunset Point

Want to watch the sun set over Mount Agung from an infinity pool with an overpriced drink in your hand? If so, the place to go in Amed is Sunset Point. The whole place is kind of a racket, but the views are exceptional.

See Village Life: Walk Toward the Hills

People come to Amed for the beach, but it’s worth exploring the roads that lead back toward the mountains to see traditional village life.

Get a Massage

I’m not sure which spa to recommend, because I only tried one: Swasti Dewi. While I had a truly excellent massage there, the place itself is pretty run down. But I would say that a massage is a must while in Bali — they have some of the best massage techniques in the world.

Go for a Scenic Drive

In a perfect world, you’ll have access to a scooter or a car while you’re in Amed. If you don’t (I did not), you’re going to spend a lot of time walking up and down either the beach or the single long (and highly trafficked) road that winds just inland from the shore. If you can get out on the roads, a car or scooter will allow you to see the stunning rice paddies just behind the town.

Explore Amed’s Markets and Boutiques

I don’t think people choose Amed as a shopping destination, but there are a variety of stores along the road. If you want locally-made silver, go to Wahyu Amed Silver; if you want a boutique with pretty things, look for Pure Bali. Also, if you wake up very early (before 7:00), you can visit a small local market at the main intersection.

Relax by the Pool

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, a hotel pool is a great place to unwind.

Tips for Visiting Amed, Bali

• Getting around is easiest if you have a scooter, though you can certainly manage without one.
• May, June, and September are the sweet spots for dry, warm weather. July and August are nice, too, but more crowded.
• Bring water shoes — the beaches can be rocky.
• Amed is a low-key destination. If you’re looking for upscale shopping or great nightlife options, you might be happier in Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, or Ubud.
• Looking for a great, central place to stay? Amed Beach Villas has spacious rooms with excellent rooftop views, and it’s surprisingly quiet for a small hotel right on the main road.

More Snorkeling Adventures in Indonesia

• Don’t miss the chance to snorkel and dive off the island of Siladen in North Sulawesi — you’ll see incredible marine life there. Check out this post and this one to see the underwater life, plus my guide to night snorkeling and gallery of giant clams.
• The holy grail for diving and snorkeling in Indonesia is Raja Ampat, home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. You can find my snorkeling photos here and detailed Raja Ampat travel guide here.