Tucked away on Bali's quiet northeastern coast, Amed offers something increasingly rare in Bali: authentic village life combined with world-class diving. While southern Bali bustles with tourists, Amed remains a peaceful fishing village where traditional jukung boats still line the black sand beaches and Mount Agung watches over the calm waters.
But don't let the tranquility fool you. Beneath these waters lies some of the most diverse and accessible diving in Indonesia:
Shore diving paradise — Most dive sites are accessible directly from the beach, no boat required
The USAT Liberty Wreck — One of the world's most famous and accessible shipwrecks, just 30 minutes away in Tulamben
Incredible biodiversity — Coral walls, macro critters, manta rays at Nusa Penida, and even mola mola (ocean sunfish) in season
Perfect for all levels — Calm, warm waters ideal for beginners, with advanced sites for experienced divers
Affordable diving — Some of the best value diving in Bali
As a locally-owned dive center, we've spent years exploring every corner of these reefs. This guide shares everything we know to help you plan your Amed diving adventure.
Getting to Amed
Amed is located on Bali's northeast coast, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) or Ubud.
Transport Options
Private driver (recommended) — The most comfortable option. Expect to pay around IDR 500,000-700,000 for a one-way transfer. We can arrange airport pickup for you.
Shared shuttle — Perama and other companies run daily shuttles from tourist areas. Cheaper but slower with multiple stops.
Scooter rental — Possible but not recommended for the first journey with luggage. The roads are winding and can be challenging. Rent locally once you arrive.
The drive itself is beautiful, passing through rice terraces and traditional villages with Mount Agung looming ahead. We recommend arriving in daylight to enjoy the scenery.
Tip: Contact us before your trip and we can arrange your airport transfer at local rates. Get in touch →
Best Time to Dive in Amed
The honest answer? Amed offers great diving year-round. Indonesia's tropical climate means warm water temperatures never drop below comfortable levels. However, conditions do vary by season:
Dry Season (April – November)
This is the peak season for diving in Amed. You can expect:
Best visibility, often 20-30 meters
Calmer seas and less wind
More consistent conditions day-to-day
Mola mola (ocean sunfish) sightings at Nusa Penida from July to November
Wet Season (December – March)
Don't dismiss the rainy season entirely:
Diving is still very much possible — rain usually comes in short afternoon bursts
Fewer tourists means quieter dive sites
Visibility may be slightly reduced (10-20m) but still excellent by global standards
Manta rays are present year-round at Nusa Penida
We dive every day regardless of season. If you're already planning a Bali trip during wet season, don't skip Amed — you'll still have fantastic dives.
Water Conditions & What to Expect
Water Temperature
26-29°C (79-84°F) year-round. Most divers are comfortable in a 3mm shorty or full wetsuit. We provide wetsuits with all our dives.
Visibility
15-30 meters (50-100 feet) on average. Best during dry season mornings. Some sites like Nusa Penida can have even better visibility.
Currents
Most Amed sites have mild to no current, making them perfect for beginners. Some sites (Deep Blue, Nusa Penida) have stronger currents suited for experienced divers.
Depths
Dive sites range from 5-40 meters. Many excellent sites are in the 10-20m range, accessible to Open Water certified divers.
What Makes Amed Special: Shore Diving
Unlike most dive destinations that require boat trips, Amed is famous for shore diving. You gear up on the beach, walk into the water, and descend onto beautiful reefs within minutes. This means:
No seasickness concerns
More flexible schedules
Generally lower prices
Easy exits if you need to end a dive early
Best Dive Sites in Amed & Tulamben
Exploring inside the USAT Liberty Wreck — one of the world's most accessible shipwrecks
Amed and nearby Tulamben offer over a dozen dive sites suitable for all levels. Here's a quick overview of the highlights:
For Beginners
Jemeluk Bay — Calm waters, colorful corals, underwater statues, and an underwater mailbox. Perfect first dive site.
Lipah Bay — Shallow reef with frequent turtle sightings. Excellent for Discover Scuba or new divers.
Coral Garden (Tulamben) — Gentle slope with artificial reef structures and abundant fish life.
The Famous Wrecks
USAT Liberty Wreck — A 120-meter WWII cargo ship lying in 5-30m of water. Shore accessible and covered in marine life. One of the world's top wreck dives.
Japanese Wreck — Smaller, shallower wreck perfect for beginners. Great macro photography opportunities.
For Advanced Divers
Drop Off — Dramatic wall dive created by ancient lava flows. Occasional shark sightings.
Pyramids — Artificial reef with strong currents and big fish action. Turtles and reef sharks.
Deep Blue — Drift dive in open water with pelagic encounters.
Nusa Penida — Day trip destination famous for manta rays and mola mola (seasonal).
Want the full details? See our complete dive sites guide with maps, depths, wildlife, and photos of each location.
Types of Diving Available in Amed
Sea turtles are a common sight on Amed's reefs
Discovery Dive (Try Scuba)
Never dived before? Our Discover Scuba experience lets you try diving in a safe, controlled environment. After a theory briefing and shallow water practice, you'll explore a real reef with an instructor by your side. No certification required.
Already certified? Join us for fun dives at any of Amed's spectacular sites. We offer single dives, two-tank mornings, and multi-day packages. You choose the sites — we handle everything else.
Experience the reef after dark when nocturnal creatures emerge. Spanish dancers, hunting lionfish, sleeping parrotfish, and bioluminescence make night dives unforgettable. Jemeluk Bay and Tulamben are our favorite night dive sites.
Snorkeling
Not ready to dive? Amed's shallow reefs and calm waters make it one of Bali's best snorkeling destinations. We offer guided snorkeling tours to the best spots, including sites where you can snorkel over the Liberty Wreck.
Our instructors teaching students about dive equipment before a training session
Amed is one of the best places in the world to learn to dive. Calm conditions, warm water, and beautiful sites make training enjoyable rather than stressful.
Beginner Courses
PADI Open Water Diver — 3-4 days, 5 dives. Your entry-level certification that allows you to dive worldwide to 18 meters.
PADI Refresher — 1-2 dives. Haven't dived in a while? Rebuild your skills and confidence before fun diving.
Continuing Education
PADI Advanced Open Water — 3-4 days, 5 adventure dives. Expand your skills with deep diving, navigation, and specialty options.
PADI Rescue Diver — 3 days. Learn problem prevention, self-rescue, and emergency management.
PADI Divemaster — 2 months. Your first professional certification. Lead dives and assist instructors.
Specialty Courses
Enriched Air (Nitrox) — Extend your no-decompression limits
After years of diving these waters daily, here's what we recommend:
Timing Your Dives
Early morning dives are best for visibility and calm conditions. The Liberty Wreck at sunrise, before the crowds arrive, is magical.
Avoid midday when the sun is directly overhead — colors wash out and it gets hot on the surface.
Night dives are a must-do at least once. Jemeluk reveals a completely different world after dark.
Where to Stay
Stay in the Jemeluk to Lipah Bay area for the best access to dive sites and dive centers. This stretch has accommodation for all budgets, from simple guesthouses to boutique resorts. We're happy to recommend places based on your budget — just ask.
What to Bring
Certification card — We need to see it before fun dives
Logbook — Helps us understand your experience level
Reef-safe sunscreen — Protect both yourself and the coral
Underwater camera — Amed is incredibly photogenic
Motion sickness medication — If needed for boat trips to Nusa Penida
Respecting the Reef
Amed's reefs are healthy because the local community protects them. Please:
Never touch, stand on, or collect coral
Maintain good buoyancy to avoid accidental contact
Don't chase or harass marine life
Use reef-safe sunscreen only
Take any trash you see back to shore
Beyond Diving: What Else to Do in Amed
Amed's relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for more than just diving:
Watch the sunrise over Mount Agung from the beach
Visit Tirta Gangga — Beautiful water palace with ornamental pools (30 minutes drive)
Lempuyang Temple — The famous "Gates of Heaven" photo spot (45 minutes drive)
Take a cooking class — Learn to prepare Balinese dishes
Yoga and wellness — Several studios offer classes
Simply relax — Amed's black sand beaches and quiet cafes are perfect for doing nothing
Most visitors find that Amed's peaceful vibe is the perfect antidote to Bali's busier tourist areas. Many plan to stay a few days and end up extending their trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Amed is one of the best places in the world to learn to dive. The water is warm (26-29°C), visibility is excellent, currents are mild at most sites, and shore entry means no boat anxiety. Many of our best dive sites are in the 5-18 meter range, perfect for Open Water divers.
Amed's waters host incredible biodiversity. Common sightings include sea turtles, reef sharks, barracuda, octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, nudibranchs, frogfish, and thousands of colorful reef fish. Day trips to Nusa Penida offer manta rays year-round and mola mola (ocean sunfish) from July to November.
For fun dives, advance booking isn't essential but is recommended during peak season (July-August, Christmas/New Year) to secure your preferred times. For PADI courses, please book at least a few days ahead so we can prepare your materials and schedule instructors.
The Liberty Wreck is technically in Tulamben, about 30 minutes drive from Amed. However, all Amed dive centers offer trips there, and most divers staying in Amed visit the wreck. We include transport in our Liberty Wreck dive packages.
All our dive prices include: full equipment rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins), transport to and from dive sites, drinking water, towels, and a certified guide or instructor. PADI courses include all training materials and certification fees.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers scuba diving. While Amed diving is very safe, accidents can happen anywhere. DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance is excellent and affordable. We include DAN insurance with all PADI courses.
