7 Incredible Things to Do in Amed, Bali

When I first visited Bali, I was so lukewarm about the island that figured there was no way I’d ever return. Yet, somehow I’ve found myself back in Bali not once but six times in the past five years. So how can a Bali hater be turned into such a Bali enthusiast? Travel to Amed – arguably the prettiest place in Bali – and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with the Indonesian island too. And the quaint fishing village is more than just good looks, because there are so many cool things to do in Amed!

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Before I visited Amed, I’d seen the name mentioned a bunch of times – mainly in guidebooks. But for some reason, I had it in my mind that Amed was yet another tourist trap. That’s not to say that Amed isn’t touristy, but it’s nothing like the island’s main tourist hubs like Kuta, Ubud and Seminyak in Southern Bali.

Honestly, it’s nearly impossible not to be taken with Amed’s beauty. With the enormous Mount Agung (Bali’s largest active volcano and one of the most iconic Amed attractions) serving as the backdrop, the town is lined with coral-filled bays, azure waters and colorful fishing boats. And that’s just the coast. Look inland and you’ll spot picturesque rice paddies and towering green mountains that look like they were shipped straight from Maui.

Amed is just insanely beautiful. But there’s more to Amed than its postcard-perfect views. There are also so many things to do in Amed. There’s a reason I’ve visited Amed so many times!

So if you’re wondering what to do in Amed, here’s my guide to the best Amed attractions and activities.

7 things to do in Amed + the top Amed attractions

1. Rent a scooter

It’s no secret that my favorite way to explore any Southeast Asian city is on a motorbike. And Amed is the perfect place to do that. Amed consists of a handful of fishing villages that dot the northeastern tip of Bali. The area known as Amed is roughly 14 kilometers long, and the most well-known of Amed’s villages are Amed Beach, Jemeluk Bay and Lipah Bay.

The top Amed attractions are fairly spread out, so renting your own scooter is the best way to get from place to place. Amed is pretty sleepy, so driving isn’t all that treacherous and the roads are relatively good. Though you can order a taxi or car if you’re not comfortable on two wheels. Also, most restaurants will actually pick you up and drop you off at your hotel if you don’t want to drive!

Renting a scooter in Amed: Scooters should cost you roughly 50-60,000 rupiah ($4-5US). I arranged mine through my hotel (Mango 5 Hotel near Amed Beach). However, you can rent them at one of the many shops in Amed or just ask at your hotel.

2. Go snorkeling at Lipah and Jemeluk bays

OK, OK, this one’s painfully obvious! I knew that Amed was famous for its snorkeling and coral reefs but I had no idea how great the snorkeling would be. Literally, head to Jemeluk or Lipah, rent a snorkel and mask from a vendor on the beach, and hop in the water. The coral reefs and abundance of sea life are amazing. I’ve never seen so many giant purple starfish in my life. I even had the chance to stalk a sea turtle for a while.

But the best part about snorkeling in Amed is that there’s no need to hop on a boat. The reefs are quite literally right offshore. If you’re feeling adventurous, get on a motorbike and head south and you’ll see that there are numerous bays that are great for both snorkeling and swimming all along the coast! Or, if you’re short on time and want to check out a few different snorkeling spots in one go, you can always join a fun Amed snorkeling tour.

Renting snorkels and chairs at the beach: From my experience, snorkels cost roughly 50,000 rupiah (US$3.50) from a vendor on the beach. You can also rent a beach chair and umbrella for the day for 50,000 rupiah each. During the low season (I was there in January) some vendors will let you have a chair for free if you purchase something to eat or drink.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, it’s also possible to book a full-day snorkeling tour that takes you to all of Amed’s greatest hits, including a Japanese shipwreck.

3. Go to Sunset Point for stunning views of Mount Agung

Watching the sun sink behind Mount Agung at “Sunset Point” while sipping on a Bintang is probably the most touristy thing you can do in Amed, but you should totally do it! 

To get the best view, head over to Sunset Point Amed Bali and snag a table or bean bag chair to watch the show while enjoying drinks and dishes from the restaurant. Seats fill up quickly, especially the front row, so I recommend getting there a bit early or making reservations.

A lot of people do complain about the 100K minimum spend, but the views are killer and there’s a spectacular infinity pool and lounge chairs. 

4. Head inland and check out the rice terraces

Sure, the beaches and underwater Amed attractions are the reason why most tourists visit but trust me when I tell you to go inland. I’m the type of person who loves to get lost, so during my visit I decided to just drive down random roads to see what I could find. Best decision ever! I had no idea that a mere 10-minute drive inland would lead to some seriously beautiful hillside rice terraces and lush mountains that reach so high they’re ringed with clouds.

Sadly, I don’t know which road I actually drove down. But it was relatively new. I drove for about 40 minutes and ended up pretty far up a super steep mountain. When it got to the point that the road got too steep, I decided to turn around since the brakes on my motorbike weren’t so good. After crashing on Nusa Penida, I’ve learned my lesson! I only wish I could have kept driving. The views were absolutely incredible.

5. Eat at Galanga

I don’t often recommend restaurants in my “things to do” posts, but this gem of a restaurant was something special. Galanga is all about serving up fresh fusion food in their lush garden. This place is great if you’ve got a mix of carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans in your group because there really is something for everyone. 

As a vegetarian, I personally loved the Starter Selection Platter with veggie (or meat) gyozas, perkadels, samosas, as well as the Asian Salad, Tempeh Burger, and Banana Blossom Curry. But you’ll find plenty of Indonesian meat and fish dishes on the menu too!

6. Dive at the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben

I’m not a diver but Amed is a famous diving destination for a reason. Based on my experience snorkeling in Amed, I can only imagine how amazing the diving must be. As one of the top Amed attractions, many people visit solely to dive at the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben (roughly 30 kilometers north of Amed). I’ve heard from friends that it’s an absolutely incredible dive site.

7. Check out the Japanese wreck at Banyuning

If you’re not a diver but still want to check out one of Amed’s offshore wrecks you can snorkel at the Japanese wreck in Banyuning. The wreck is super easy to access, it’s located a short swim from the beach. I didn’t personally check it out because it was a bit too choppy during my visit. From what I hear it’s a small wreck site but well worth a visit.

Stop off at Tirta Gangga

The former palace isn’t actually in Amed, but it’s a popular stop along the way to Amed. Aaron and I hired a driver for $30 to take us from Canggu to Amed. We didn’t expect him to make any stops along the way, but he pulled over at Tirta Gangga and encouraged us to get out of the car and take a look around. We actually didn’t know where we were but paid the modest fee to peruse the former palace.

It was a bit rainy that day, which ended up being a good thing because there were very few people at the temple. It was really beautiful and peaceful and I’m so glad our driver encouraged us to make this stop. Plus, I bought some fresh cassava chips from a vendor outside and they were amazing.

Where to stay in Amed

We stayed at Mango 5 Hotel across the street from Amed Beach. It was a great little place with a small pool and it cost less than USD$30. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel. But after spending a couple of days exploring the area I realized how many amazing options there are in Amed.

If you’re looking to splurge for a special occasion, Amed boasts tons of incredible hotels. The Griya Villas and Spa is easily one of the best hotels in the city and is well worth it for its lavish Balinese-style villas with private infinity pools! This would be such a cool place to stay if you’re traveling as a group. Or, if you prefer to stay in one of Amed’s many beachfront resorts, Vienna Beach Resort gets rave reviews and is right on Lipah Beach.

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What are your favorite Amed attractions? Do you have any recommendations for other things to do in Amed?