The Honest Review of Top 12 Places to Visit in Amed, Bali

Amed is a calm, fairly pretty fishing village stretching for miles along Bali's peaceful northeast coast. Since it comes under the careful eye of towering Mount Agung, Amed perhaps is better known for its beautiful underwater landscapes and prospering marine life. Amed is a diver's and snorkeler's paradise, with dive centers and resorts scattered along the shoreline. It offers access to colorful coral reefs and shipwrecks, making it one of Bali's top underwater destinations. This village and its surrounding areas in the Karangasem Regency capture the essence of traditional Balinese life: local customs blended with the laid-back vibes of a coastal retreat.

Amed is not too populated with major attractions but allows for unique experiences and local gems, and when into nature, culture, or unwinding at the coast, it's worth experiencing the area. The information book goes beyond the pages within Amed and has abundant information from several must-see stops nearby in the Karangasem region. The incredible stretches of beach, luring hillsides, and some vibrant, living local hotspots keep up the momentum of exploring for fun.

Another spot is Sunset Point, the perfect place to view the setting sun over Mount Agung from this beachside bar, which is easy and laid-back. Live music makes it the perfect ending to an evening of exploring. Although Amed is not particularly known for its long list of landmarks, it's a place with simple delights, local charm, and breathtaking views, so one must visit it to avoid the hustle and be able to experience a different side of Bali. Discover Amed's top places with this honest guide into a hidden Balinese treasure. This blog will cover 12 famous places in Amed, Bali, and share an honest review of these loved places. Let’s dive in:

Amed's Coast

Warm, crystal-clear waters fill Amed's coast, which is teeming with vivid coral reefs and interesting marine life. Beautiful snorkeling spots dot the coastline, all of which have their charm. The best sites among these are Jemeluk Beach and the Japanese Wreck, both near the shoreline, so they are not too difficult to reach even by a short swim from the beach.

Rent a scooter if you'd like to get to Amed's snorkeling gems with a bit more freedom, zip along the coast, and stop wherever the water calls. Guided snorkeling boat tours are also available if you want them to be more convenient; these will include all your snorkeling gear and have a local guide who knows where the prime snorkeling spots are. Amed's coast is an underwater adventure with vibrant fish and coral formations that are different, and the serenity cannot be compared anywhere else, whether it's an independent tour or by joining a tour.

What did Visitors Like About Amed’s Coast

• Stunning Underwater Beauty: Visitors enjoy snorkeling and diving at Amed’s Coast because of its clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and variety of marine life.
• Calm Atmosphere: Tourists adore Amed Beach's calm and uncrowded atmosphere, which makes it the perfect retreat for rest and rejuvenation.
• Scenic Views: The beach offers visitors breathtaking landscapes of coastal beauty and majestic mountains such as Mount Agung, making it a perfect destination to spend your holiday.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Accessibility: Some visitors find traveling inconvenient and difficult to Amed because of its remote location and tricky roads.
• Beach Quality: A few visitors expressed disappointment with the black volcanic sand and rough coasts, which differ from the other pristine white beaches in Bali. 

Japanese Wreck

Under the calm waters of Banyuning Bay lies one of Amed's most interesting snorkeling sites: the Japanese Wreck. Its origin is not well known, but this small shipwreck, found near the shore, is covered with coral growth and inhabited by numerous marine life. The ship, believed to be from Japan because of some identifiable features, such as a Japanese toilet, now stands as an underwater habitat full of color.

This location has an entrance fee of 25,000 IDR, a personal charge at the Kawi Karma Beach Restaurant, snorkeling gear is free to hire within this small charge, and lots more that you would go along well with the cost, so visit us.

The wreck lies only a few meters below the surface. Snorkelers have an excellent view, exploring the area while accompanied by schools of cardinalfish and damselfish and striking the trumpetfish. This corral-covered, life-bursted Japanese Wreck permits a beautiful, accessible snorkeling experience for people visiting Amed.

What did Visitors Like About Japanese Wreck

• Rich Marine Life: The Japanese Wreck is a popular destination among visitors because of its abundant marine life, which includes lush coral beds and a wide range of vibrant fishes. 
• Photographic Underwater Sceneries: Surrounded by coral and aquatic life, visitors love to capture breathtaking underwater photographs of the wreck.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Crowded Waters: Visitors often complain that the wreck becomes crowded, especially during the peak tourist seasons, which affects their serene experience. 

Jemeluk Beach

Another snorkeling destination worth visiting is Jemeluk Beach, located in a peaceful, crescent-shaped bay full of marine life. Underwater here is a set of submerged statues meant to encourage coral growth while adding a surreal experience to this underwater view. The "underwater temple" is the most famous feature here; it's small but charming and now one must-see for snorkelers exploring this area. Moreover, Green Leaf Café is a great favorite for those visiting Jemeluk Beach. Here, one can easily find the vegan-friendly menu at the cafe. One can get a storage facility to place their belongings here before snorkeling. This helpful staff might even provide information on where to spot the underwater temple, for they are used to providing instructions to locate the area marked by a buoy long ago. Jemeluk Beach is ideal for people looking for a beach destination with natural beauty and easy access to underwater attractions in the area. It thus represents one of the exciting experiences tourists have when visiting Amed.

What did Visitors Like About Jemeluk Beach

• Spectacular Sunsets: Visitors are drawn in by the panoramic views of sunsets from Jemeluk Beach, which makes it the ideal way to end their day. 
• Snorkeling: Visitors love snorkeling at Jemeluk Beach because of its coral reefs and vibrant marine life, making it an excellent spot in Bali.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Limited Facilities: Some visitors were disappointed with the availability of amenities like changing rooms, restrooms, and food stalls, which caused them inconvenience. 
• Litter: Visitors often complain about the presence of trash and pollution on Jemeluk Beach, which detracts from its overall cleanliness and beauty. 

USAT Liberty Shipwreck

A visit to Amed would be incomplete without experiencing the great USAT Liberty Shipwreck, a World War II iconic relic, and an awesome scuba diving site. This site is about 30 minutes from Amed, situated near the Tulamben village, with steep drop-offs some submerged cliffs, and lots of marine life, thus producing an interesting underwater landscape and habitat for snorkeling or diving.

USAT Liberty is a cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during WWII and rests now at 5-30 meters below the sea surface. Being so close to the shore, people from any skill level can walk without requiring a boat. It is an exceptionally popular place. Now, it is an underwater habitat because of the rich coral that houses schools of fish with great vivacity. It, therefore, allows divers to explore this historical site. USAT Liberty stands as one of the treasured underwater attractions in Bali since history is married to marine biodiversity and is worth visiting for those interested in diving or snorkeling.

What did Visitors Like About USAT Liberty Shipwreck 

• Diving & Snorkeling: It is a well-liked location for divers and snorkelers because of the calm, clear waters that provide good visibility, which makes exploring the shipwreck simple.
• Pristine Environment: Visitors praise the surrounding areas of USAT Liberty Shipwreck for their clean environment and well-preserved natural beauty despite being a popular diving location.

What did Visitors Dislike

• High Entrance Fees: Some visitors believe that the costs associated with entering the area, whether for diving or snorkeling, can be excessively high, which detracts from the experience's overall worth.

Amed Salt Centre

Amed is also famous for its centuries-old salt-making tradition, which has even gained a Geographical Indication for its quality. Salt was originally reserved as a gift to regional kings. Amed Salt Centre is now an opportunity for tourists to learn about this craft and contribute to the support of local farmers while experiencing a significant piece of Amed's cultural heritage.

The tour at this center takes around 5-10 minutes, providing an overview of a salt farm and the traditional processes used to produce salt in Amed. The dry season is ideal for visits when it is production, as the wet season stops that process. The tour is concluded with exhibits of black-and-white photos and artifacts narrating the lavish history of salt production in Amed. The salt can also be tasted differently due to traditional methods and regional characteristics. Although tiny, the Amed Salt Centre is an interesting place to visit if you are interested in local culture. This visit is free; however, small donations are encouraged to support the local community, help preserve this traditional industry, and keep the history of Amed's salt-making alive for future generations.

What did Visitors Like About Amed Salt Centre 

• Cultural Insight: Visitors enjoy learning more about Balinese culture, including the traditional way of life and traditions related to salt agriculture.
• Scenic Location: The Amed Salt Centre is located in a charming coastal region with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, the ocean, and the mountains.
• Local Interaction: Many tourists like talking to local salt producers, exchanging tales, and discovering more about their everyday lives, which personalizes and enriches the experience.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Hot and Humid Conditions: Amed's tropical climate can occasionally be extremely hot and humid, making walking around or engaging in salt farming activities during midday hours uncomfortable.

Black Sand Beaches

For most, the black sand beaches around Amed offer a variety of experiences to the general coastal experience. Their beauty is attributed to volcanic matter ejected from the nearby volcano, Mount Agung; these beaches will not go without the usually white colons. Turquoise is an excellent pairing with such dramatic color against the seaside; it indeed presents something that can make a snapshot postcard picture. Their visual beauty makes these shores even more isolated places by which visitors enjoy the wonders of Amed.

One of Amed's most visited black sand beaches is Lipah Beach, conveniently between the village of Amed and the Japanese Shipwreck snorkeling site. Lipah Beach is a perfect stop for those exploring the coast because it offers a blend of calm beauty and practicality. That simply offers retreats to shaded areas to withdraw from the hot tropical sun and a line of free beach recliners along the seashore for lingering along the shore. It is a peaceful and idyllic locale where one can soak in the unique landscape of Amed. It's a place not to miss for beach lovers and photographers alike.

What did Visitors Like About Black Sand Beaches

• Calm and Less Overcrowded: Black sand beaches are generally calmer and less crowded than traditional white sand beaches, which makes them perfect for visitors looking for tranquility.
• Natural Beauty: Visitors like the volcanic terrain surrounding black sand beaches that enhances the natural beauty, creating a picturesque background with lush greenery and rolling hills. 
• Cooler Sand: Visitors enjoy Black Sand Beaches, especially on hot days, as black sand retains less heat than white sand, making it a more comfortable and cool surface for barefoot walking.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Difficult Access: Visitors reported that certain black sand beaches are located in remote areas, and accessing them can be difficult due to rough and uneven terrain, especially for people with mobility issues. 
• Limited Amenities: Visitors find many black sand beaches less convenient because they lack facilities like food stands, seating areas, and restrooms.  

Sunset Point

Sunset Point is the perfect place to end the day in Amed. This pool bar is situated on a cliff, offering the best combination of relaxation and scenic views. It is complete with loungers, bean bags, and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. It only opens in the evening, giving a fantastic view of the setting sun behind the towering Mount Agung. Orange and pink hues color the sky as the band plays live every evening at sunset, adding to the lively yet relaxing ambiance.

Admission to Sunset Point is free, although there is a minimum spend of 125,000 IDR per person, which is easily covered with a few rounds of drinks and snacks. The bar offers both table and poolside service, so guests can enjoy refreshments without leaving their spot by the pool. While full meals are available, many visitors recommend reading recent reviews for the food quality. The place is one of the favorites among locals and tourists alike as it lets them unwind in a very inviting place, soaking up the magical scenery of Amed in its evening views.

What did Visitors Like About Sunset Point

• Peaceful Ambience: Sunset Point in Amed is renowned for its serene setting, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet of the natural world.
• Excellent for Relaxing: During the sunset, guests like to relax, enjoy a drink, and just take in the beauty of the surroundings.
• Scenic Views: The area is perfect for nature lovers and photographers because it provides stunning panoramas of the ocean, mountains, and surrounding landscapes.
• Cultural Experience: Visitors can observe and get a firsthand look at Balinese culture by watching the sunset, which frequently falls during traditional rituals like prayers or offerings.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Crowded During Peak Times: Many visitors have reported that the Sunset spot can get overcrowded in the evening during the peak travel season, making it less serene and more difficult to locate a good spot to watch the sunset.
• Expensive food and beverages: A few visitors have mentioned that the food and beverage stalls near the Sunset Point are quite expensive compared to other locations in Bali. 
• Accessibility Issues: The steep and uneven path to Sunset Point may be challenging for people who are carrying heavy equipment or have limited mobility.

Jemeluk Bay

Jemeluk Bay is a spot for a destination in Amed with calm, bay-sheltered water that is great for snorkeling and swimming. This bay is one in a million because it gives an underwater temple to tourists hoping to look at marine life while attaining spectacular underwater photographs. There must be caution, nonetheless, on going to the right side of the bay since shallow spaces abound, and strong ripples will easily brush with coral. The picturesque aspect and the crystal-clear water are good attractions for snorkeling and photographers alike in this part of Jemeluk Bay.

What did Visitors Like About Jemeluk Bay 

• Pristine Clear Waters: The Jemeluk Bay is known for its pristine waters. Visitors enjoy vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. 
• Accessible and Affordable: Jemeluk Bay is reasonably priced for tourists to rent snorkeling and diving equipment, and it is more accessible than other well-known dive sites.
• Stunning Sunrises: Visitors enjoy watching sunrises from the bay, with beautiful skies reflecting over the water. Jemeluk Bay is surrounded by lush greenery and peaceful hills, which enhance the area's overall charm. 

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Less Variety of Activities: Some visitors feel that Jemeluk Bay lacks other entertainment or activity options besides snorkeling and swimming, which may not appeal to everyone.
• Cleanliness Issue: Some visitors noted the presence of trash and litter on the bay, which affects the beauty and charm of the Jemeluk Bay.  

Lahangan Sweet

If there's a sunrise worth taking to Amed by daylight, it is none other than the Lahangan Sweet, where the best view lies from an excellent vantage point towards the morning of illuminated Mount Agung. It is advisable to be there early for the peaceful view before tourists crowd the place in large numbers. The admission fee to the platform was 50,000 IDR, and it was okay to access the platform all day, but sunrise made the view magical. Watch out as the sunrise faces right over the ocean, which means clear weather is necessary so that the volcano can have a perfect view.

While travelers alone can hire the experienced local photographers at Lahangan Sweet, who will take a small inducement in capturing the perfect shot, one must be careful if going up to the viewpoint as a motorbike visitor on the steep and rocky winding road. When the track does not seem passable anymore, just push forward once again, the good views are worth every twist of the turn.

What did Visitors Like About Lahangan Sweet

• Beautiful Views: Lahangan Sweet is the ideal location for nature lovers and photographers since it provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, which includes rice terraces, mountains, and the ocean.
• Romantic Location: Lahangan Sweet is a well-liked destination for couples looking for a romantic retreat because of its breathtaking landscapes and serene atmosphere.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Weather Dependence: Some visitors mentioned that weather conditions such as clouds or rain can sometimes obstruct the breathtaking views, resulting in less-than-ideal experiences.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace

This peaceful and beautiful temple is just 30 minutes from Amed. Tirta Gangga Water Palace features beautiful gardens, clear ponds, and intricate sculptures in its water temple. It also allows visitors to feed colorful koi fish in pools, adding a serene experience to the peaceful atmosphere. Always bring along cash for the entry ticket, which costs 50,000 IDR, as well as fish food. There are small food stalls and coffee available within the location so that one can simply sit back and relax. The drive to the temple is also beautiful and scenic with luscious landscapes, making one feel that it was worth the ride.

What did Visitors Like About Tirta Gangga Water Palace

• Cultural Experiences: Visitors can enjoy Tirta Gangga's cultural and historical background. The local Balinese ceremonies and traditional dances enhance the palace's cultural richness, particularly during festivals. 

What did Visitors Dislike 

• High Entrance Fee: Some visitors feel that the entrance fee is relatively high for what is offered, particularly when considering the facilities and amenities available.

Village Market in Culik Village

The Culik Village market, if you hang out at the main junction in Amed, should give you quite the authentic feel of staying around locals, and from where you can stock an abundance of fresh fruit produce and even homemade goods for good local eats and sweet stuff. Whether it's in the form of souvenir-hunting or just passing some time in the relaxed vibes, the Culik Village Market gives you an impression of community daily life as practiced by the Amed people.

What did Visitors Like About the Village Market in Culik Village

• Authentic Local Experience: The market gives visitors an authentic look at day-to-day activities in a traditional Balinese village, allowing for a true cultural immersion.
• Culture Interaction: Visitors enjoy the fantastic opportunity to talk to local farmers, craftspeople, and merchants and discover their customs, traditions, and everyday lives.
• Affordable Prices: The market is accessible to tourists on a tight budget because prices are frequently lower than in other tourist destinations.

What did Visitors Dislike

• Inadequate Organization: Some tourists find the market's arrangement a little disorganized, with stalls that are hard to find.
• Overcrowding at Peak Hours: Visitors have mentioned that the market can get very crowded during peak hours, making it difficult to move around freely or take in the entire shopping experience.

Berina Rice Terrace

Step into the quiet sanctuary of nature at the Berina Rice Terrace, with great perspectives on the green and golden rice paddies. Because the place is very far from the crowd, you sit beside the roadside fruit stands or just stay inside the premises to have that peaceful scenario. This could be an excellent place for everyone to visit with a mission of staying close to the land and amidst nature by visiting rural areas in Bali. It also presents its view, giving a place of seclusion and fewer tourists when it presents its island scenery of farms inside the Berina Rice Terrance.

What did Visitors Like About Berina Rice Terrace 

• Breathtaking Views: Berina Rice Terrace offers breathtaking panoramic views of lush, green rice fields carved into the hills. The terraces create a charming and tranquil setting for nature lovers and photographers looking for peace and quiet.
• Traditional Agriculture: Visitors can observe traditional Balinese farming methods, such as the centuries-old Subak irrigation system, which controls water distribution among rice fields. 
• Nature Walks: Visitors can take leisurely nature walks through the terraces' well-kept paths, taking Bali's verdant surroundings and the rural beauty at their own pace.

What did Visitors Dislike 

• Limited Facilities: Some tourists believe that the area is less convenient for longer visits because it lacks enough facilities, like food vendors or restrooms.
• Cleanliness: Some visitors have expressed their concerns regarding the cleanliness of particular areas, such as those by walking trails or near seating areas, which affects the natural beauty of the Berina Rice Terrace. 

Wrapping up your Amed adventure

Amed, Bali, is one of the most beautiful destinations that offers a perfect combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and tranquil experiences for those who seek a peaceful retreat. Vibrant coral reefs and historical shipwrecks are just some of the serene rice terraces and friendly local markets. Whether you are a snorkel enthusiast, history buff, or nature lover, the charm of Amed will surely impress you. Pack your bags, dive right into the local scene, and let Amed's scenic wonders and warm hospitality give you memories of your Bali trip for a lifetime.