Amed hotel guide
Best hotels in Amed, Bali
Amed is a 14 km strip of seven fishing villages on Bali's east coast, a little more than a 2 hour drive from the airport. Its black-sand bays face Mount Agung, and the reefs just offshore hold some of the best shore snorkelling and diving in Bali. It suits travelers who want a quiet, low-key base for diving, snorkelling, and slow mornings, far from the south's crowds.
What Amed is actually like
Amed runs from Culik eastwards through the villages of Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning, and Aas. The beaches are coarse black pebbles and grey-brown sand, lined with traditional jukung outrigger boats, and Mount Agung fills the view from Amed Beach itself. Jemeluk Bay has the best snorkelling, with coral gardens, a steep reef drop-off, and an underwater temple about 20 m offshore. Lipah Beach has the Japanese shipwreck, a World War II patrol boat resting about 20 m offshore, and good snorkelling from the sand. Amed is also the most commonly used base for diving the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, a short drive north. Salt farming still runs along the coast, and Amed is famous for its sunrises over the Lombok Strait.
Getting around and when to visit
The villages are strung along one coastal road, so a scooter is the most practical way to hop between bays. Hire one from your hotel, or hire a private driver for day trips to Tulamben, Tirta Gangga, and Lempuyang Temple. There is no ride-hailing in Amed. Most beaches are free, with a small parking fee of about IDR 2,000 to 5,000.
The dry season runs May to October, with the calmest seas and clearest water for snorkelling and diving. The rainy season runs November to March, and the sea can be rougher. Amed is drier than most of Bali, as it sits in Agung's rain shadow, but the dry-season months are still the best bet for visibility underwater.
Honest downside: Amed's beaches are black pebbles and coarse sand, not the white sand of the south, and the sea can be rough at some bays. Nightlife is limited to a few beachfront restaurants, and dining variety is thin compared with the south. Some reef spots have strong currents, so check conditions with a local dive centre before swimming out.
Where to stay in Amed
The Griya Villas and Spa
A luxury villa resort of 14 private villas above Lipah Beach, laid out like a traditional Balinese residence around courtyards. Villas have one, two, or three bedrooms, each with a private pool, and the resort has two restaurants, a fitness centre, and a spa. Snorkelling and diving run straight off the beach below, and the resort works with Two Fish Divers for PADI courses. It is the most polished stay in Amed, and the hilltop setting gives it wide sea views.
Best for: couples, honeymooners, and divers who want Amed's best resort.
Read reviews on Google →Puri Wirata Dive Resort and Spa
A PADI 5 Star dive resort of 30 rooms, villas, and suites on the coast at Bunutan, within a 10 minute drive of Amed Beach and Lipah Beach. The on-site dive centre runs courses and guided dives for beginners and experienced divers, and the full-service spa is where most guests end up after a day underwater. Rooms range from deluxe doubles with sea views to one-bedroom villas and a master suite, and a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is included.
Best for: divers, snorkellers, and couples who want a dive resort with a spa.
Read reviews on Google →Life in Amed Boutique Hotel
A small boutique hotel of 11 rooms tucked between the black-sand beach of Lean village and the hills inland. Choose from beach cottages with downstairs doubles and upstairs singles, two beachfront villas, or the large three-bedroom Perfumed Garden Beach House, which runs to about $300 to $360 per night. It has a restaurant, a spa, and a yoga shala, and it sits within a 5 minute drive of Lipah Beach and the Japanese shipwreck. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily.
Best for: couples, families, and design-minded travelers who want a small beachfront stay.
Read reviews on Google →Hotel Uyah Amed & Spa Resort
A relaxed 3-star eco resort built on and around working salt fields, right on the black-sand beach with Mount Agung in view. Uyah means salt in Balinese, and the resort is committed to preserving traditional sea-salt production. Sea-view bungalows with air conditioning and poolside bungalows with ceiling fans all include breakfast, and there is a pool, a spa, and a dive school on site. It is a 3 minute walk from Amed Beach and 5 minutes on foot from the village.
Best for: budget travelers, divers, and couples who want a beachfront bungalow at a low price.
Read reviews on Google →Amed pairs well with an inland stay. Compare it with Sidemen for rice terraces and Mount Agung views, or Sanur for a calmer beach base closer to the airport. Check the best time to visit Bali for sea conditions, the hotel prices by area, or take the area quiz if you are still deciding.
Prices are approximate nightly rates found on booking sites and guides, and vary by season, room type, and availability. Many Bali rates add about 21 percent tax and service. The Bali tourist levy (IDR 150,000, about $10 per person, once per trip) applies to all visitors. Always confirm the current rate before you book.