Amed Beach Bali is the Island’s Fastest Growing Holiday Hotspot
- Amed Villa Management
There is a lot of hype surrounding Bali’s northeast coast. In particular Amed Beach in Bali is attracting a increasing number of visitors.
Besides the world-class diving waters and amazing natural scenery, Amed’s food and lifestyle culture is coming alive.
Find out why Amed Beach is becoming Bali’s fastest growing holiday destination. Our 5-day itinerary is full of fun family activities mixed with a taste of traditional culture.
Table of Contents
Exploring Amed Beach in Bali
The northeast coast of Bali is often overlooked as tourists typically flock to the island’s more established resorts in the south. Amed Beach in Bali is fast becoming a busy holiday hotspot as tourists and long-term residents look to escape the busy roads and rising living costs.
Amed is blessed with incredible natural beauty and is home to some of the best diving waters in Southeast Asia.
With a thriving foodie and lifestyle scene, this once-sleepy fishing town attracts the curious traveler in search of an authentic experience of Bali.
When you visit Amed for the first time, you are taken in by the laid-back lifestyle and Balinese charm that has long been lost in places like Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Uluwatu.
With untouched natural beauty, friendly locals, and quiet roads, you are left with a sense of freedom and perhaps experience a connection to the true heritage of Bali.
Areas along Amed Beach
Amed Beach in Bali is a collection of fishing villages that run along the coastline of the Bali Sea.
Seven fishing villages meander from northwest to southeast on a backdrop of towering tropical hills. The natural scenery along the coast is stunning, creating a unique character at each point along the 14km stretch of road.
- Amed Beach
- Jemeluk Bay
- Bunutan
- Lipah Beach
- Selang
- Banyuning
- Aas
The more developed villages around Amed Beach, Jemeluk Bay, and Lipah Beach are home to most of Amed’s beachfront hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and cafes.
At the tip of the stretch, the area of Melasti is a popular spot with a collection of coffee shops and restaurants serving healthy meals throughout the day. An open landscape of rice paddies at the foot of towering tropical hills sets an amazing scene.
Places to stay in Amed
There are accommodation choices to suit all budgets ranging from 5-star hotels to single-room guesthouses. From beachfront bungalows to hilltop hotels, there is something for everyone in Amed.
For families and larger groups, renting a private holiday home in a luxury villa provides a range of benefits over what can be found in a hotel or resort.
Renting a private villa is becoming a popular choice, and whilst options in Amed are limited, click here to see a range of villas available for rent in Amed.
Getting to Amed Beach
The journey to Amed Beach in Bali can take between 3 and 4 hours from the airport in Denpasar. After a long flight from your home country, this may seem like the last thing you want to do.
Fortunately, the journey is quite pleasant once you’ve battled with the traffic. After hour or so from the airport you begin to get a taste of why you came to Bali in the first place.
Transport to Amed
A private taxi is the easiest way to travel to Amed Beach from the airport. For the cost of around US$50, you can book a taxi in advance and a driver will meet you at the airport arrival lounge and guide you direclty to your taxi.
If you are traveling to Amed from any of the southern resorts, the cost of a taxi will be around the same price. The journey time from Canggu will be around 3.5-4 hours.
Things to see along the way
You can break up the journey with several interesting stop-off points along the way. Click this link for a Google Map route from the airport to Amed Beach.
After around 1 hour from the airport (depending on traffic), the road begins to hug the coastline as you approach the Goa Lawah Temple.
- Goa Lawah Temple – ‘Bat Cave’ – Translated into English as ‘Bat Cave Temple’, Goa Lawah Temple is around 50km from the airport. Inside the temple grounds, you will find a bat cave (hence the name) hidden amongst the Hindhu architecture and tropical gardens. The temple is unique, and whilst walking around it is very safe, there is an eerie nature around the grounds.
- Lunch on Virgin Beach – Travel for another hour and arrive at Virgin Beach to feel the warm sandy waters of the Indian Ocean. Enjoy food and drinks from a range of restaurants and take in the views of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
- Tirta Ganagga Water Temple – After only a 30-minute drive from Virgin Beach you will find one of Bali’s finest temples. Tirta Ganagga is a must-see water temple during your trip to Amed Beach in Bali. A former Royal Palace, the palace pays homage to the River Ganges in India and its sacred waters. You will see a stunning array of water fountains as giant carp fish swim through the large garden ponds.
Why is Amed becoming popular?
Bali is consistently voted as one of the world’s best places to visit. Tourist numbers continue to rise as the island delivers a magical holiday experience.
However, as most of the island’s development has been focused in the south, places like Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, and Sanur have become overdeveloped. Heavy congestion on busy roads and expensive daily living costs are forcing many visitors to escape the traffic in search of a more cultured experience in Bali.
Amed delivers exactly that. A traditional fishing village, untouched by commercial greed with an identity that represents what Balinese culture stands for – a freedom to connect with the environment, in perfect harmony with nature.
Case study
Mark and Melanie have been visiting Bali since the 1980's. Staying in Canggu on their last visit during January 2024, they decided that Bali was no longer the same place they had fallen in love with over 40 years ago. Their time in Bali was over......
.....Until they visited Amed Beach!
They have now bought a brand new 3-bed/3-bath villa in Amed and plan to use the villa for their holiday's to Bali and to rent the villa out when the villa is not in use.
A growing holiday destination
Amed has always been renowned as a world-class scuba-diving destination. Some of the very best diving waters in Southeast Asia can be found off the coast of Amed Beach in Bali.
Recently added to Lonely Planet’s list of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, the lifestyle scene in Amed also provides a growing number of restaurants, cafes, and fitness and entertainment venues.
Businesses established in Bali’s southern areas are also beginning to recognize the growing potential of Amed.
Many business owners are looking to relocate their services away from the competitive tourist hotspots as they search for an improved work-life balance.
Amed’s foodie culture
As business owners in the south swap high operating costs and long working hours with Amed’s more relaxed pace of life, restaurants, coffee shops and lifestyle venues are opening up along the stretch of Amed Beach in Bali.
A wide range of food options can be found in nicely decorated surroundings ranging from Mexican, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Sunset cocktails and dinner can be enjoyed at the Blue Earth Village overlooking the Bali Sea with views of Mount in the background.
Fine dining options in the luxurious surroundings of Safka Restaurant and Terrance, Middle Eastern Mezze at the trendy Baby Dragon Social Club, or simple freshly caught BBQ fish at any of the many restaurants on the beach.
There is no shortage of high-quality food at very reasonable prices amongst Amed’s thriving restaurant scene.
Things to do in Amed (Itinerary)
The main attraction of Amed has always been the diving scene and the town’s intimate connection with nature.
As more tourists visit and more businesses begin to serve the increasing tourist trade, activities in and around Amed provide families, couples, and groups with a growing range of choices.
5-day itinerary: Amed Beach Bali
This 5-day itinerary includes things to do on your holiday to Amed Beach in Bali, which is full of fun, culture, and nature. For activities located outside of Amed Beach, we have noted the time it takes to get there by car.
- Day 1: Arrival and Exploration:
- Snorkeling at Pyramids or Jemeluk Bay
- Beach Time
- Exploring Amed
- Sunset at Sunset Point/Blue Earth
- Day 2: Water Adventures:
- Scuba Dive (fun dive or lesson)
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
- Glass-Bottom Kayaking
- Diving or Snorkeling at USAT Liberty Shipwreck
- Day 3: Nature and Culture:
- Hiking, River Walking, Swimming at Maha Giri
- Tirta Gangga Water Palace (30 mins)
- Day 4: Dolphin Experience and Waterfalls:
- Sunrise Dolphin Boat Ride (2hr 20 mins)
- Snorkel with Dolphins
- Visit Gitgit Waterfalls (30 mins from Dolphins)
- White Water Rafting – Telaga Waja River Rafting (1hr 10mins)
- Day 5: Relaxation and Departure:
- Visit Lempuyang Temple (30 mins)
- Freedive (fun dive or lesson)
- Day 1: Arrival and Exploration:
Planning your daily activities
Thankfully, when walking through the town of Amed you will not be harassed by people trying to sell you package tours. This does make planning your activities in Amed a little more difficult.
Most hotels can provide you with services to the nearby attractions, including recommendations and transport. Planning in advance by using one of the many online booking agents is also a good way to organize your time.
Below are a few links that may help you to plan your holiday (we are not affiliated with any of the services vendors and we do not receive a commission for any purchases you make).
Scuba, snorkeling and free-diving
You could spend an entire week exploring the many dive sites and waters in Amed. From casual snorkeling to experienced scuba divers, there is a wonderful world of color and life in the waters around Amed Beach in Bali.
Below is a list of the most popular sites. Any of the dive schools around the town will be happy to arrange a single trip, full or half-day tour.
- Pyramids – Colorful reefs attract an exciting number of marine life
- Tulamben – Open water diving to the site of the USS Liberty Shipwreck
- Ghost Bay – An eerie, arid underwater landscape
- Jemaluk Bay – Wall diving at its very best
Hiking and trekking
The tropical landscape and hills that tower over Amed provide breathtaking views at any time of day. Capturing a sunrise from the top of an active volcano or watching the sunset behind Mount Agung will leave a lasting memory of your holiday to Amed Beach in Bali.
Mount Bature Sunrise Trekking – For the adventurous early riser, a 3am hike to the summit of Mount Batur displays the sun rising in all its splendor.
A local guide will provide a safe passage and refreshments along the route. Finish this magical journey at the natural hot springs for an unforgettable experience.
Lahangan Sweet Sunset – An inspiring view at any time of day, but especially so as the sun sets behind one of Bali’s most famous icons – Mount Agung. The hike to the top is not overly challenging, however, families with small children can take the transport at the button of the incline.
At the top, you are presented with a massive (yes massive) open expanse from an elevated position. From here you get the feeling of how insignificant we are in comparison to Mother Earth.
In summary
Escape the busy roads, concrete jungle and expensive day-to-day living costs of Bali’s south to discover
Amed Beach in Bali’s northeast. Untouched natural beauty. World-class diving waters. A laid-back pace if life. Every thing you could possibly want from a Bali holiday experience.
Amed has grown from a sleepy fishing town into a thriving destination for travellers looking for an authentic taste of Bali. A stretch of seven villages along the stunning coastline look out towards the Bali Sea. The backdrop of towering tropical hills provides a dramatic stage as the sun rises and sets across the landscape.
With a growing scene of high quality restaurants, cafes and lifestyle venues, Amed Beach in Bali is a perfect place for family holidays and romantic getaways. From beachfront bungalows to luxury private villas for rent, the accommodation choices in Amed are available for every type of budget.
With easy access cultural day trips, thrill seeking white water rafting, and sunrise hikes atop the summit of active volcanoes, a holiday to Amed Beach in Bali is both relaxing and exciting at the same time.
Property management & Villa rentals in Amed
Amed’s leading property management company connects property owners with a global network of travelers.
Property management
We help property owners manage the day-to-day operations involved in running a successful rental management business in Amed.
Villas for rent
As Amed’s #1 holiday villa booking platform provides a range of accommodation choices to suite the needs of the modern traveller.
Amed villas for rent
-
Brand New!Ocean Views
-
Family VillaPrivate Pool
-
Family Villa3-Bed / 3-Bath
-
3-Bed / 3-BathPrivate Pool
-
Ocean Views3-Bed / 3-Bath
