Nestled on the eastern coast of Bali, Amed is a tranquil fishing village that boasts some of the island’s finest snorkeling spots.
Known for its clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Amed is a paradise for both seasoned snorkelers and beginners.
Each site, from the vibrant coral gardens at Lipah Beach to the historic USAT Liberty Shipwreck, offers a unique underwater adventure.
In this guide you’ll find the 6 Best Snorkeling Spots in Amed that you shouldn’t miss on your trip! Let’s dive in!
Prepare for your trip to Amed
🏡 Book your accommodation in advance – find the best hotel deals for Amed here.
🤿 Find the best tours in Amed – book your adventures in Amed for an unforgettable holiday.
☂️ Travel Insurance – make sure you’re covered before your trip! I always use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance which is super affordable and flexible.
💳 Travel cards – Get a Wise or Revolut bank cards to avoid overseas charges and save money on your travels.
Best snorkeling spots in Amed, Bali
1. Lipah Beach
Lipah Beach is hands down my favourite snorkeling spot in Amed for two reasons – beautiful corals and turtles!
Lipah Beach is easy to reach, only a few minutes drive from Amed’s center.
We parked at Vienna Beach Resort and asked them if we can leave our stuff at one of the tables while we swim and order later, to which they didn’t mind.
We first swam towards the middle of the bay where the sand is finer and there isn’t any coral. This is where we spotted three turtles within the first ten minutes of being in the water!
It was so amazing watching these beautiful creatures gracefully swimming in the water and nibbling on grass. It’s an amazing experience being in their presence!
On our way back swimming to Vienna Resort, there’s an incredible coral garden teeming with thousands of colourful fish. We even spotted a baby black tip reef shark among the corals, which was a super cool experience.
The mix of vibrant marine life, easy access and chilled beach atmosphere makes Lipah Beach one of the must-visit snorkelling spots in Amed.
When you’re done swimming, you can take a break sunbathing at the sun loungers or have some food at the beach warungs.
✨ Top tip: This best-seller snorkelling tour in Amed is a fantastic option to explore Lipah Beach & other stunning snorkelling spots in Amed like Jemeluk Bay and the Japanese Shipwreck without any hassle. Your snorkelling gear and water is included!
Locations: Lipah Beach
2. Jemeluk Bay
Jemeluk Bay is another one of my favourite snorkelling spot in Amed. It’s super accessible from the beach with calm, clear waters which makes it suitable for snorkelers of all levels.
As soon as you step in the water, a few meters from the shore, you’re surrounded by vibrant corals and thousands of colourful fish.
Here you can find a small underwater temple and some other sculptures that are part of an art installation made to raise awareness about the preservation of corals and marine life.
The best snorkeling spots at Jemeluk are right in front of Diver’s Cafe and Apneista as well as along the cliffside on the right, where you’ll find stunning coral formations.
The beach is lined with lots of small restaurants and cafes where you can get some food and drinks and leave your stuff while you’re in the water. If you need a break from snorkelling you can also rent sunloungers and enjoy some sunbathing.
It’s also easy to rent snorkelling equipment from cafes along the beach (we got ours from the Diver’s Cafe) which is super convenient. They usually cost around 25,000 Rupiah per day.
✨ Top tip: We stayed at the Diver’s Cafe Hotel which is right in front of Jemeluk Bay. It’s the perfect place to stay for easy access to the water and super convenient for snorkelling! Their restaurant offers delicious and affordable Balinese food and you get free breakfast included!
Location: Jemeluk Bay
3. USAT Liberty
The USAT Liberty shipwreck is an incredible snorkeling and diving site close to Amed.
Located at Tulamben beach, this World War II shipwreck is only a 25-minute drive away from Amed and is absolutely worth visiting.
Resting just a short 80-100m swim from the shore, once you reach the ship you’ll be surrounded by schools of colorful fish and vibrant corals that have made the wreck their home. The ship itself, with its eerie, yet fascinating remains, is a unique site and a must-see in Amed.
This was one of our absolutely favourite snorkeling spots in Amed and we spent a good hour and a half admiring the remains of the ship, the stunning coral and the thousands of fish swimming around.
The site is suitable for both snorkelers and divers, and there’s some great beginner diving tours that you can do here if you want to explore the shipwreck from up close.
When we arrived at the beach, the sea was quite wavy and the current was a little strong so having fins was definitely helpful with swimming and keeping us steady.
If you’re a good swimmer, don’t get put off by the waves as once you reach the ship, the visibility is still pretty great and you can see an incredible array of fish and corals!
✨ Note: Once you’re at the entrance of the car park, there’s a fee of 20,000 Rupiah per person to enter. If you come by bike, you can drive all the way down to the beach on a rocky path, or park up at the top and walk down.
There’s also a small warung where you can buy snacks, souvenirs and drinks at the beach. Not sure if they have snorkelling equipment for rent. So if you’re coming by yourself, rather than an organised tour, I’d recommend renting your equipment from a place in Amed before coming here.
Location: USAT Liberty Shipwreck
4. Japanese Shipwreck
The Japanese shipwreck in Amed is another fascinating snorkeling spot that you shouldn’t miss.
Located just a short few minute drive from Amed, this smaller wreck is easily accessible within a short swim from the shore.
The World War II Japanese wreck is now covered by vibrant corals and surrounded by an array of marine life, including schools of colorful fish and the occasional curious sea turtle.
While not as impressive as the USAT Liberty due to its smaller size, it’s still a beautiful snorkelling spot and worth the visit on your trip to Amed.
We were slightly unlucky on the day we went to snorkel here as there was quite a bit of wind which caused some waves in the sea and the visibility wasn’t so great. I’d definitely check the weather forecast before coming to Amed for snorkeling again and avoid windy days.
At the car park and before you go down the stairs to the wreck, there’s an entrance fee of 25,000 Rupiah per person for the snorkelling. There’s also a small warung offering local food where you can leave your stuff while you swim and a toilet where you can change.
Location: Japanese Shipwreck
5. Ibus Beach
Ibus beach is a hidden gem in Amed, secluded from the main spots and with way less tourists and boats around. Here you won’t find any sunloungers and beach vendors, only a small warung offering fresh seafood.
It’s a mix of white and black sandy bottom, making it easy to walk into the water, in comparison to some of the other stony beaches.
Once in the water, swim about 80m further in and you’ll be surrounded with colourful coral and countless beautiful fish.
It’s a stunning snorkelling spot located on the way to the Japanese shipwreck, so they can easily be combined and visited on the same day.
There’s also a beautiful resort right above the beach, Aquamarine Beach Villas. An amazing place to stay, enjoy the sunrise at your beach front villa and have this gorgeous snorkelling spot right at your doorstep.
Location: Ibus Beach
6. Selang Beach
Selang beach is one of the quieter and lesser-known beaches in Amed. It’s perfect if you’ve already been to the other more popular snorkeling spots in Amed and want to try out something different.
While we haven’t personally been snorkelling at Selang Beach, there’s meant to be some nice coral and fish, easily accessible from the shore. The best coral is meant to be outside Good Karma Bungalows.
We’ve seen some beautiful photos from the colourful coral reef here and we’d definitely come check it out next time we’re in Amed.
One thing that is often mentioned about this beach is that the corals go quite far out and it’s much easier to go swimming during high tide. At low tide you risk stepping on the corals, so it’s best to avoid swimming at this beach at low tide.
Selang Beach is only a couple of minutes drive away from the Japanese shipwreck so can be easily visited together.
Location: Selang Beach
Best snorkeling and diving tours in Amed
The easiest way to visit multiple of Amed’s beautiful snorkelling spots in one day is by booking a boat trip that takes you to all the best spots.
1. Best all-round Amed snorkeling tour
This private snorkelling trip in Amed is a fantastic option that includes your snorkelling gear and water supply. The trip takes you to the Japanese shipwreck, Turtle Point, Lipah bay and Jemeluk beach removing the hassle of sorting your own transport.
2. USAT Liberty Shipwreck snorkeling and diving tours
As I mentioned above, the USAT Liberty Shipwreck is one of the most beautiful snorkelling sites in Amed and definitely a must-do here.
This snorkelling tour of the USAT Liberty Shipwreck is an amazing option especially if you’re not already staying in Amed and are only coming for a day trip.
Alternatively, if you’d like to explore the shipwreck up close, this scuba diving tour gives you unbeatable value as you get to explore the shipwreck with your private guide on two dives, followed by a delicious lunch and refreshments.
Where to stay in Amed?
Whether you’re looking for a simple homestay to lay your head after a long day of snorkelling, or want to enjoy a splash of luxury at your own private beach villa. Amed offers a variety of accommodation options suitable for every taste and budget.
Diver’s Cafe Hotel
We stayed at the Diver’s Cafe right outside Jemeluk beach which made it super convenient for snorkelling whenever we felt like it.
The rooms are clean, spacious and affordable and it was a great option for us as we spent most of our time out exploring the waters of Amed.
Waenis Sunset View Hotel
Some of our friends stayed at Waenis Sunset View Hotel which they absolutely loved. Not only are the rooms spacious and beautiful, but the views from the balcony overlooking the sea are incredible.
The perfect spot to wake up for sunrise and enjoy the views with a cup of coffee or tea.
Blue Moon Villas Resort
Blue Moon Villas Resort is perfect for an upscale, luxury experience that’s going to make your holiday to Amed even more unforgettable.
Away from the main tourist area, here you have beautiful infinity pools and stunning sea views to die for. Make sure to book one of the beach facing villas for the best experience!
Final thoughts
Amed is undoubtedly one of the best places for snorkelling and diving in Bali, with vibrant coral and diverse marine life.
Whether you’re planning on visiting Amed for a day trip or stay here for a few days, you’ll definitely have an amazing time exploring Amed’s vibrant underwater world.
I hope this guide is helpful for your trip to Amed! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram at @voyagewithmel ☀️
Leave a Reply