Amed is located on the SE corner of Bali. The coastal strip from Amed to Aas is often referred to as ‘Amed’, but there are a few villages along the way including, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah and Selang. The landscape is a series of headlands overlooking bays, lined with fishing boats. The local economy is supported by farming cattle and corn, fishing, diving and the hotel trade. The hole area is connected by one narrow road. Amed is ideal for people looking for a quiet place to relax. The coastal road was completed a couple of years ago and now you can drive all the way from Tirtaganga to Ujung in a clockwise manner, if you so desired.
•Why would you go to Amed?
Peace and quiet.
Snorkeling / diving.
A more low-key Balinese village scene than the main tourist areas.
Part of a tour around the island.
•Getting to Amed:
To get to Amed from Kuta, you jump on the Bypass heading to Sanur, exiting Sanur the Bypass splits in 2, you take the one going right, which will turn into the coastal highway heading east. You can make Candi Dasa in 2 hour from Kuta and after going through Tirtaganga, reach Amed proper in about 3.5-4 hours depending on how fast you go, how many times you stop etc. Distances are deceptive out here, so allow yourself 4 hours and you’ll be good.
•How to explore the Amed area:
The Amed area is in the ‘corn belt’ a fact which becomes obvious when you’re there. The lack of rivers and streams, plus the mass of large volcanic boulders strewn across the landscape, means rice farming is not possible. The drive from Amed around to Ujung will take around 3 hours and it is particularly enjoyable to wave at the smiling local kids. A car with driver, or self drive car would be the best way to explore the Amed area. As the coast turns west the vegetation increases and one is back into the rice belt at Ujung. The coastal road is narrow, but in okay condition, there are steep sections near the village of Seraya.
•Places to stay:
When you first come into Amed from the north you may be confused as to what the fuss is about. Amed is tiny and somewhat rundown. Give yourself a chance to check out some of the accommodation options around the coast, the heaviest density of places being from Bunutan to Lipah. The tourist stuff comes to a halt at Aas and continues again a kilometer or so east of Ujung water palace with a small line of quality guest houses.
•Nightlife in Amed:
Amed is a picture of tranquility at night. It pitch dark outside with little traffic. You don’t go there for nightlife and there really isn’t any. The Pavillion south of Selang as well as other places puts on a joged dance, allowing tourists to get up and make a fool of themselves. Its fun and after a glass or 2 of arak nobody cares.
•Activities in Amed:
Amed gained in popularity due to scuba diving. The best diving is off of Jemeluk, with a 40m coral wall. Dive operators in the area can accommodate PADI courses and pleasure dives as well as snorkeling.
Amed Cafe Divers
(0363)23473
At Amed Cafe (Pondok Kebun Wayan)
Amed Dive Center
(0363)23462
At Hotel Ayah.
Eco-Dive
(0363)23482
Euro Dive
(0363)23469
In Congkang
Stingray
(0363)23479
At Diver’s Cafe & Bungalows
Wirata Dive School
(0363)23523
At Puri Wirata in Bunutan.
