Scuba Diving in Amed
Bali

AMED – Diving Spots, Dive Map, Dive Sites

Diving in Amed, Bali - Explore the Best Dive Sites

Amed, located on Bali’s northeastern coast, known for its traditional charm and access to some of the island’s most relaxed and rewarding dive sites. The area offers an ideal mix of shore dives and short jukung boat rides, making it easy to explore reefs, walls, macro havens, and even gentle drift sites—all without the crowds.

Amed dive sites are found all along Jemeluk Bay and the nearby coastline. Amed diving is perfect for all diver levels—from beginners to macro photography enthusiasts. The water is usually calm and clear, the black sand slopes offer unique contrast, and the coral is healthy with a wide variety of marine life. Amed is one of the best places in East Bali to enjoy relaxed and beautiful diving.

Why & How to dive in Amed?

Amed is one of Bali’s most relaxing and rewarding dive areas, perfect for all levels of divers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for rare macro species, Amed has something for everyone.

The coastline is made up of black sand slopes, coral reefs, gentle drift areas, and calm bays. Most dive sites are easily reached with a short ride in a traditional jukung boat or a direct shore entry. Conditions are usually calm, with little current and good visibility—ideal for long, easy dives and underwater photography.

Amed is also well known for its strong local dive culture. Dive sites are less crowded than in other parts of Bali, and the peaceful village setting makes it a great place to relax between dives. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy multiple dives a day without stress, then watch the sunset behind Mount Agung from the beach.

From shallow reefs to deeper walls, and from beginner-friendly dives to sites filled with rare critters, Amed offers the variety and atmosphere that many divers fall in love with.

Amed Dive Sites by Area: From Jemeluk bay to Gili Selang

Amed has a wide range of dive sites stretching along its coastline, from the main Jemeluk Bay to more remote areas like Gili Selang. Whether you’re interested in easy shore entries, coral-covered slopes, or searching for macro life in black sand, Amed’s dive sites are known for being accessible, relaxed, and full of marine surprises. Each site offers something different, from shallow coral gardens to deeper drop-offs and muck dives with rare critters.

Map of Amed Dive Sites

This map gives you a clear overview of the main dive sites in Amed, Bali — from Melasti Beach in the north to Gili Selang at the southern tip. It’s a great way to understand how the shore dives, muck sites, and coral slopes are spread along the coast.

Below is a detailed description of each dive site in Amed

MELASTI BEACH DIVE SITE

Melasti Amed - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Shore entry, muck dive
Depth: 3–20 meters
Visibility: Often 10–25 meters
Temperature: 27°C to 30°C
Conditions: Usually calm, mild current possible
Marine Highlights: Frogfish, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs, seahorses, excellent macro
Recommended Level: All levels – Beginner to Advanced
Macro Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐☆☆☆☆☆

Melasti Macro Paradise in Northern Amed

Located on the northern edge of Amed, Melasti Beach is a shore-entry muck diving site that’s especially beloved by underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts. With depths from 3 to 20 meters and little to moderate current, this site offers easy access for all certified divers, from beginners to seasoned macro hunters.

Melasti is named after the sacred beach where it sits, often used for Balinese ceremonies. But below the surface lies another kind of ritual: the careful search for strange and rare marine creatures hiding in the black sand and among the rocks.

The topography here is simple — no coral reef, but instead a mix of dark sand, rubble, and scattered rocky structures. These provide the perfect hiding spots for critters like frogfish, ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs, tiger shrimp, snake eels, and even seahorses. This simplicity also helps divers use less air, making Melasti ideal for long, slow exploration dives — especially for photographers.

Although it’s not the most colorful dive site, the abundance of unique marine life makes Melasti a favorite for both day and night dives. Our local guides are experienced in finding the hidden gems that make this site so memorable — perfect for macro lovers following seasonal appearances and trends.

CAFE GARAM DIVE SITE

Cafe Garam - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Shore entry, muck dive
Depth: 5–20 meters
Visibility: Often 10–20 meters
Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
Conditions: Usually calm, light current possible
Marine Highlights: Ghost pipefish, mimic octopus, large stonefish, artificial reef
Recommended Level: All levels
Macro Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆

Café Garam (Ghost Bay) - A Classic Macro Dive in Amed

Located just in front of Café Garam (Uyah hotel) on north of Jemeluk Bay, this shore entry dive is locally known as Ghost Bay, a name inspired by the frequent presence of ghost pipefish (both harlequin and robust). It’s a long-time favorite among macro photographers and critter hunters.

The dive begins on a short flat section (about 20 meters) before continuing down a gentle black sand slope, ideal for muck diving. Scattered artificial structures from past eco projects have become home to an impressive variety of small marine life.

In addition to ghost pipefish, mimic octopuses are often seen here. Their camouflaged burrows dot the sand, and with patience and a gentle approach, you may watch them perform their famous “shape-shifting” behavior. Large stonefish—some impressively sized—are also well camouflaged and require a trained eye to spot safely.

This site delivers year-round macro action and is ideal for slow, focused dives. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned underwater photographer, Ghost Bay offers plenty of surprises—especially when guided by our local experts who monitor seasonal trends.

PYRAMIDS DIVE SITE

Pyramids - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat or shore entry, drift dive over artificial reef and coral slope
Depth: 6–30 meters
Visibility: Often 10–25 meters
Temperature: 27°C to 30°C
Conditions: Calm, occasional gentle current
Marine Highlights: Concrete pyramid reef, drift path, sweetlips, turtles, macro life like pygmy seahorse.
Recommended Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Macro Level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Pyramids - Amed’s Signature Artificial Reef Dive

Pyramids is one of Amed’s most iconic and regularly visited dive sites, located in the center of Jemeluk Bay. Known for its unique mix of artificial reef structures and natural coral formations, this site offers something for everyone, from beginners to experienced divers.

While many local dive centers access Pyramids as a shore dive, at Bali Aqua we prefer to dive it from a traditional jukung boat. This allows us to do the dive properly as a gentle drift, starting from the westhern sandy area, where the artificial pyramid structures begin, and drifting toward the eastern coral plateau, where the boat will pick us up. This approach ensures you experience the full beauty of the site without needing to swim back against the current.

The dive begins above a sandy slope where the first concrete pyramids sit between 8 and 12 meters. Over time, these have become vibrant mini-reefs, covered in soft corals, sponges, and home to schools of fusilier, anthias, stone and scorpionfish, and the occasional frogfish or nudibranch. As you drift deeper you will encounter many blue spotted stingray, later on the site transitions into coral bommies and natural reef, often visited by turtles, reef fish, and macro critters hiding in the rubble.

With calm conditions, vibrant marine life, and a rewarding layout, Pyramids is ideal for Open Water course dive, macro enthusiasts, and even night dives, especially when explored the Bali Aqua way.

CORAL GARDEN DIVE SPOT

Coral Garden - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Shore entry, coral and rocky plateau
Depth: 3–18 meters
Visibility: 5–15 meters
Temperature: 27°C to 31°C
Conditions: Calm, occasional swell
Marine Highlights: Accessible site, turtles, parrot fish, crabs.
Recommended Level: Beginner or try diving
Macro Level: ⭐☆☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆

Coral Garden - A Calm Spot for Beginners & Casual Snorkelers

Coral Garden is a shallow shore-entry dive site located just next to Jemeluk Bay. Often used by local dive centers for courses and beginner dives, it offers calm conditions and easy access directly from the beach, making it suitable for refresh dives or Discover Scuba Diving sessions.

The site features patches of coral and some new artificial structures like statues, mail box, but overall the reef is quite impacted and visibility can vary, especially during high swell. While it’s not a top dive for seasoned divers, it’s a simple and forgiving environment for those new to diving or looking to build confidence in the water.

While it’s mostly a relaxed, easy dive, experienced divers can explore the slightly deeper sections for nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and sometimes even a passing turtle. It’s also a lovely site for night diving, with plenty of crustaceans and sleeping reef fish.

Snorkelers can enjoy the site from the surface, and lucky snorkeling visitors may spot a turtle cruising through the area or colorful reef fish that appeal to first-time underwater explorers.

SCUBA DIVE DROP OFF AMED

Drop-off - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat or long shore entry!, wall and coral plateau
Depth: 5–40+ meters
Visibility: Often 10–30 meters
Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
Conditions: Calm to moderate current; can become a drift dive
Marine Highlights: Pelagics, sharks, mackerel, pygmy seahorse
Recommended Level: All levels
Macro Level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆

Drop-Off (Wall Satu) - Amed’s Iconic Reef Wall

The Drop-Off, also known locally as Jemeluk Wall, is one of Amed’s most impressive dive sites. This site features a long reef wall rich in marine life, soft and hard corals, and dramatic underwater structure.

Although local dive centers sometimes access this site from the beach, the best way to enjoy the full dive is from a traditional jukung boat, allowing for a proper drift or guided route along the wall. Shore diving involves a long swim across the plateau, while boat entry gives direct access to the wall’s highlights and better flexibility depending on current direction.

The dive starts on a shallow coral plateau around 5–8 meters deep. From there, the reef transitions into a sloping wall, with areas shaped like stairs and overhangs. The wall drops to about 40–50 meters and is covered in hard and soft corals, sea fans, sponges, and colorful feather stars.

Marine life is rich: you can encounter octopuses, nudibranchs, moray eels, triggerfish, and schools of fusiliers. In deeper water or at the current split zone outside the bay, there’s also a chance to see pelagic species, white tip reef sharks, trevallies and tuna. Toward the end of the dive, the current often brings you back into the bay, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful coral plateau, ideal for safety stop, photography, and spotting nemo, sea cucumbers, and even juvenile sharks.

The Pyramids
Amed’s Signature Dive Site
for All Levels

BUNUTAN DIVE SITE

Bunutan - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat entry, drift dive along sloping reef
Depth: 5–30+ meters
Visibility: Often 15–25 meters
Temperature: 26°C to 29°C
Conditions: Calm to moderate current, usually consistent and parallel to shore
Marine Highlights: Garden eels, barrel sponges, Morays, stingrays, reef sharks
Recommended Level: Advanced Open Water
Macro Level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Bunutan - Amed’s Signature Drift Dive

Bunutan is one of Amed’s top drift dives, an exciting and rewarding experience for certified divers who enjoy cruising over vibrant reefs. Located about 10 minutes by jukung boat from Jemeluk Beach, the journey itself offers scenic views of the Amed coastline before the dive begins.

The entry point starts over a sandy slope, where you’ll be welcomed by a large colony of garden eels. This area is also home to Pegasus sea moths, shaun the sheep nudies and grazing green turtles. As you move deeper, the slope steepens slightly and you’ll feel the current begin to carry you eastward, setting the stage for a light or dynamic drift.

The middle section of the dive reveals a healthy coral reef shaped by the current, including massive barrel sponges and gorgonian fans. Keep your eyes on the reef and in the blue—giant trevallies, barracudas, and reef sharks are frequent visitors.

Toward the end of the dive, the reef flattens out into an area of large porites corals and calm surroundings, ideal for a relaxed safety stop. This transition from macro to wide angle and serenity to action makes Bunutan a favorite among both guides and experienced divers.

LIPAH BAY DIVE SITE

Lipah Bay - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat or shore entry, reef and coral restoration site
Depth: 5–30 meters
Visibility: 10–25 meters
Temperature: 27°C to 30°C
Conditions: Calm, mild current
Marine Highlights: Juvenile sharks, reef restoration, turtles, sponge garden
Recommended Level: All levels
Macro Level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆

Lipah Bay - Shark Nursery & Coral Restoration Dive

Lipah Bay is one of Amed’s most peaceful and rewarding dive sites, offering both biodiversity and a strong conservation focus. Located in the southern part of Amed, it’s accessible via a short jukung ride or directly from the beach.

What makes Lipah unique is its reputation as a shark nursery. In the shallow section of the reef, juvenile white-tip reef sharks are often found resting under large table corals. With proper guidance, divers can observe these young sharks without disturbing the coral structure.

The reef restoration project led by Ocean Gardener and local dive centers has turned this site into a living underwater garden. Hundreds of coral fragments have been planted over the years, making Lipah a showcase for marine conservation in action.

From 5 to 18 meters, the reef is full of hard corals, sea fans, and reef fish, while deeper zones from 25 to 30+ meters host a sponge garden. In the deeper areas, you might encounter eagle rays, leopard morays, turtles, and clown triggerfish. It’s also a great site for wide-angle and macro photography alike.

Calm conditions, easy access, and vibrant life make Lipah Bay a perfect dive for both beginners and seasoned divers looking for a gentle yet fascinating underwater experience.

DEEP BLUE DIVE SITE

Deep Blue - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat entry, deep wall and drift dive
Depth: 10–35+ meters
Visibility: 15–25 meters
Temperature: 26°C to 29°C
Conditions: Moderate to strong horizontal current
Marine Highlights: Nudibranchs, pipefish, frogfish, coral restoration frames, juvenile reef fish
Recommended Level: Advanced
Macro Level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Deep Blue Amed – Bali’s Ultimate Drift Dive for Advanced Divers

Deep Blue is one of Amed’s most thrilling dive sites, best suited for experienced divers looking for depth, current, and the possibility of large marine life encounters. Located further south from Jemeluk, this jukung-access dive site takes about 15 minutes to reach by traditional boat.

The dive begins in a shallow bay with coral bommies and sea fans teeming with small reef fish. As you drift deeper—often to 30 meters and beyond—the reef drops away into the deep blue, where the site gets its name. Unlike some other current-prone sites, the drift here is usually horizontal, allowing a relaxed cruise along the reef edge.

This deeper section is where the action begins. Divers often spot giant trevallies, Napoleon wrasse, schools of batfish, barracuda, and even eagle rays or reef sharks in the blue. The site’s depth and exposure also make it a hotspot for seasonal pelagics, and sometimes even bumphead parrotfish in large numbers.

Due to depth and current, Deep Blue is ideal for Advanced Open Water divers and above, especially those with a love for wide-angle video or photography.

JAPANESE SHIPWRECK DIVE SITE

Japanese wreck - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Shore dive (boat access optional), reef slope with small wreck
Depth: 5–30 meters
Visibility: 10–25 meters
Temperature: 23°C to 29°C
Conditions: Calm to mild current, surge possible in shallow part
Marine Highlights: Macro life, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, scenic slope
Recommended Level: Intermediate
Macro Level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆

Japanese Wreck - A Macro Hotspot Beyond the Name

Despite its name, the Japanese Wreck is not a World War II ship or even Japanese. It’s a small wooden fishing boat from Java, resting in shallow water off Banyuning Bay. The name likely comes from a local pronunciation mix-up, when Balinese said “Javanese,” it sounded like “Japanese,” and the name stuck. Though inaccurate, it’s now widely used and recognized.

The wreck itself lies between 6 to 12 meters deep and is only around 20 meters long. It’s broken and burried in sand, so not the main attraction of the dive, but it’s a good spot for a safety stop, and you may find leaf scorpionfish or a few stonefish hiding in the sand nearby.

What makes this site truly worth diving is the left side of the bay (facing the ocean), which is the most commonly explored route. After passing the wreck, the dive continues along a gently sloping reef rich with nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, sea fans, and the occasional ghost pipefish. It’s a top site for macro photography, especially on days with good visibility and no current.

The right side is sandier with coral bommies and sponge-covered rocks, more suited for wide-angle photography and spotting turtles, Napoleon wrasse, or schools of fish above nice bommies.

Shore entry here can be tricky, especially if there’s swell, as the large pebbles make footing unstable. Additionally, currents can be annoying, sometimes pulling divers toward the west, so this dive is best done with an experienced guide familiar with the site.

Dive Amed with a Traditional Jukung Ride
A Local Experience Above & Below

KUSAMBI DIVE SITE

Kusambi - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat entry, deep reef and wall dive
Depth: 8–30 meters
Visibility: 15–25 meters
Temperature: 25°C to 29°C
Conditions: Strong current possible, surge
Marine Highlights: Eagle rays, trevallies, sea fans, pelagic life
Recommended Level: Advanced Open Water or above
Macro Level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Kusambi - A High-Energy Dive for Experienced Adventurers

Kusambi is one of Amed’s most challenging dive sites, but also one of the most rewarding for those with the experience to handle it. Located just before Gili Selang and accessible only by boat, this dive offers healthy, vibrant reefs shaped by powerful ocean currents. The strong water movement draws in pelagic life, making Kusambi a great spot to see eagle rays, large trevallies, reef sharks, and sometimes even bigger surprise cruising along the reef.

The reef itself is a blend of soft coral gardens, sea fans, and sponges, thriving in the nutrient-rich waters influenced by the nearby Lombok Strait. Because of the conditions, this site is recommended only for advanced divers who are comfortable with surge and drift. If you’re up for a challenge, Kusambi delivers with action-packed scenery and big marine encounters.

GILI SELANG DIVE SITE

Gili Selang - Dive site info

Type of Dive: Boat dive, drift dive, deep slope and current channel
Depth: 5–40 meters (best around 20m)
Visibility: 15–30 meters
Temperature: 23°C to 29°C
Conditions: Moderate to very strong current, downdrafts possible
Marine Highlights: Strong drift, pelagics, Sharks, dramatic topography, soft coral plateau
Recommended Level:Advanced to Expert
Macro Level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆☆
Wide Angle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Gili Selang - Bali’s Wild Eastern Frontier for Expert Divers

Gili Selang is the easternmost dive site of Bali, located around a dramatic offshore islet where the island meets the powerful currents of the Lombok Strait. Known for its raw underwater energy and unpredictable conditions, Gili Selang is strictly for experienced divers who are comfortable with strong currents and rapid environmental changes.

The dive begins in a sheltered bay near the rock island, where divers can drop in and explore volcanic slopes, soft coral gardens, and coral bommies. As you move toward the exposed flanks of the site, you may encounter thrilling drifts, downcurrents, and pelagic action. The deeper north and east sides are known to host schools of trevally, bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, and even oceanic visitors like barracuda and, in rare stories, hammerheads.

Divers often aim to drift from the more exposed “Three Fingers” area, hugging the reef face before making their way to the calmer coral plateau on the southern side of the rock. If conditions align, Gili Selang delivers a world-class dive that’s both challenging and exhilarating, earning it nicknames like The Express among the local dive community.

Amed Diving Guide – Conditions, Seasons & Tips

Best Time to Dive in Amed

Amed is diveable year-round, but the best conditions are typically from April to November during the dry season. This period should offers calmer seas (august can have big waves), better visibility (15–30 meters), and warmer waters averaging 27–30°C. Rainy season (December–March) can reduce visibility and can have surface chop but still allows for diving on calmer days. Rainy season unfortunately brings into water more rubbishes.

Typical Diving Conditions in Amed

Most dives in Amed are shore entries or short boat rides by jukung, making logistics easy. Conditions range from calm to moderate currents, depending on the site. Deeper or exposed sites like Gili Selang or Deep Blue can experience strong drift or down current. Visibility varies from 10 to 30 meters depending on location and recent weather. Water is always warm, above 26°c.

Amed Diving is Best For who?

Amed suits a wide range of divers. It’s perfect for:

Beginners: Easy shore dives like Coral Garden, Lipah, or Melasti.
Macro lovers: Sites like Melasti, Ghost Bay Cafe Garam, and Japanese Wreck.
Drift dive fans: Bunutan and Deep Blue offer exciting yet manageable drift dives.
Photographers: Abundant critters, coral slopes, and reef life, especially early morning or Mid-day.

Amed Dive Planning Tips

Most sites are within 5–15 minutes by jukung from Jemeluk Bay.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, especially if long surface intervals on the beach.
A 3mm wetsuit is comfortable year-round due to thermoclines in deeper sites. Most of Amed Dive center use 3 mm shorty only. Plan for 2–3 dives per day, with surface intervals at beach cafés or dive base.
Sites like Gili Selang and Kusambi are best reserved for experienced divers and need good tide and current timing.
Use booties, the beaches are partially stones not sand

Get in Touch and start Diving in Amed

Sunset Serenity in Amed
Where the Ocean Meets Mount Agung

Amed Diving – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Amed good for beginner divers?

Yes, Amed is one of the best places in Bali for beginner divers. Sites like Coral Garden, Lipah Bay, and Melasti Beach offer easy shore entries, shallow depths, and calm conditions, ideal for first-timers or those refreshing their skills.

When is the best time to dive in Amed?

The best diving conditions in Amed are from April to November, during the dry season. Visibility is higher and currents are generally mild. However, Amed can be dived year-round, weather permitting.

Are there any wreck dives in Amed?

Yes, the Japanese Wreck in Banyuning Bay is a shallow, easily accessible dive. While the wreck itself is small, the surrounding reef offers great macro life, making it a popular dive for underwater photographers. USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben is also available with daily trip at just 30 minutes. Trip from Amed to Tulamben are available every days.