Snorkelling in Amed: Best Spots, Prices, & Marine Life

If snorkelling is high on your Bali itinerary, Amed is one of the best places to do it in 2026.

I’ve snorkelled here plenty of times over the years, and what makes it so good is how accessible everything is. You don’t need to be an experienced swimmer or spend a fortune to see some genuinely impressive marine life.

Here are my favorite snorkelling spots in Amed, including where to enter, what marine life you’ll see, and what you need to know before getting in the water.

Best Snorkelling Spots in Amed

It’s well known that snorkelling is one of the best things to do in Amed. Most people love exploring the marine life here because of the variety.

You can swim straight out from the beach at Jemeluk and Lipah, snorkel over a shipwreck in Banyuning, or take a local boat (jukung) out to deeper reefs around Bunutan and Selang.

Here’s a quick comparison of the best snorkelling spots in Amed before I get into each one in more detail:

Spot	Highlights
Jemeluk Bay	Underwater temple, coral wall, sea turtles
Lipah Beach	Shallow coral gardens, blue-spotted rays, soft sand
Japanese Shipwreck	20m wreck, sea fans, glassfish
Amed Pyramids	Artificial reef pyramids, Turtle Point
Bunutan Point	Garden eels, pelagic fish, drift snorkelling
Selang Beach	Outer reef wall, sponges, fewer crowds
USAT Liberty Wreck	WWII wreck, trevally schools, coral-covered hull
Ibus Beach	Quiet snorkelling, no crowds

Quick Choice Guide

• Best for beginners and families: Lipah Beach or Jemeluk Bay
• Best for wreck snorkelling: Japanese Shipwreck or USAT Liberty Wreck
• Best for turtles and marine life: Amed Pyramids or Bunutan Point.
• Best for experienced snorkellers: Bunutan Point or Selang Beach
• Best if you only have time for one: Jemeluk Bay

---

---

1. Jemeluk Bay: Underwater Temple

Jemeluk Bay is one of the most popular snorkelling spots in Amed in 2026. The bay is sheltered, the water is generally calm, and you can walk straight in from the beach if you prefer.

It’s also a really easy spot to snorkel regardless of experience. Beginners can stay around the shallower coral closer to shore, while stronger swimmers can head towards the eastern side of the bay where the reef drops away into Jemeluk Wall.

This is the bay you’ll see below you if you’re heading for a cocktail for beer at Sunset Point Amed.

Common Marine Life

• Hawksbill sea turtles
• Blue-spotted rays
• Clownfish
• Damselfish
• Surgeonfish
• Trevally
• Anemones
• Gorgonian sea fans

Underwater Shrine (Pura Subak)

Around 10 to 15 metres offshore, in front of the main cluster of warungs, you’ll find Jemeluk’s famous underwater shrine, known as Pura Subak.

The small stone statues and temple-style structures sit around 3 to 4 metres below the surface. Over time they’ve become part of the reef, with soft coral growing across them and plenty of small reef fish swimming around the structures.

You can easily see the shrine while snorkelling from the surface. If you’re comfortable duck diving, it’s also shallow enough to swim down and get a closer look.

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Walk into the water directly from the beach in front of Warung Enak or Sail Bhadra Restaurant. The bottom gradually gets deeper here, so you can swim out without having to walk across the live coral.
• Shore Access: Jemeluk is completely accessible from shore. You don’t need a jukung unless you want to explore the far end of Jemeluk Wall without making the longer swim from the beach.
• Best Time & Tides: Mid to high tide is generally the best time to snorkel here, with the shallow coral comfortably below the surface. Mornings between around 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM usually have the calmest conditions before the wind starts picking up later in the day.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	MM66+X5 Bunutan, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Beginner to Intermediate
Access Method	Walk-in from Shore
Depth Range	1m to 12m (40m at the Wall drop-off)
Typical Currents	Mild to None (Inside the bay)
Parking / Entry Fee	IDR 10,000 parking fee

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Avoid entering straight through the middle of the beach at extremely low tide. There are sea urchins hiding between the exposed rocks, and it’s much easier to enter slightly to the right near the outrigger boats where there’s a clearer sandy route into deeper water.

---

2. Lipah Beach

About 3 kilometres south of Jemeluk Bay, Lipah Beach is another of my favourite spots for snorkelling in Amed.

The shallow coral gardens here are some of the best in the area, plus the soft black sand makes getting into the water much easier than Amed’s rockier beaches.

It’s good for beginners at high tide. You don’t need to swim very far before you reach the reef, although there’s also plenty more to see if you’re comfortable heading further out towards the deeper drop-off.

Common Marine Life:

• Hawksbill sea turtles
• Blue-spotted ribbon-tailed rays
• Clownfish
• Bigeye trevally
• Damselfish
• Parrotfish
• Oriental sweetlips
• Moorish idol

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Head towards the eastern end of Lipah Beach in front of Vienna Beach Resort or Pohoda Bar & Restaurant. There’s a natural sandy corridor here that makes it much easier to walk out past the shallow reef without stepping on live coral.
• Shore Access: Lipah is very easy to access directly from the beach, and there’s really no need to hire a jukung here unless you’re hitting multiple spots.
• Best Time & Tides: High tide is definitely the better time to snorkel Lipah. At low tide, some of the coral sits extremely close to the surface, which isn’t great for you or the reef. Mornings between around 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM generally have the calmest conditions.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	JMXM+HMJ, Jl. Raya Lipah, Bunutan, Kec. Abang, Karangasem
Skill Level	Beginner (High Tide) / Intermediate
Access Method	Walk-in from Soft Sand Shore
Depth Range	1m to 8m
Typical Currents	Mild (Stays sheltered on the east side)
Parking / Entry Fee	IDR 5,000 to 10,000 parking

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Stick to the eastern section of the bay around Vienna Beach Resort for the easiest conditions. The western side can get more swell and poorer visibility. If you’re planning to spend a few hours here, some of the beachfront warungs will also let you use their loungers and umbrellas when you order food or drinks.

---

3. Japanese Shipwreck (Banyuning Bay)

About 15 minutes south of central Amed, the Japanese Shipwreck at Banyuning Bay is one of most famous snorkelling spots in Amed.

The wreck is only around 20 metres long and starts roughly 2 metres below the surface, so you can see plenty without having to dive down.

Over the years, the steel wreck has basically turned into an artificial reef. It’s now covered in coral, sea fans and sponges, with a surprising amount of marine life packed into a relatively small area.

Common Marine Life:

• Hawksbill sea turtles
• Blue-spotted rays
• Glassfish
• Batfish
• Yellow damselfish
• Blue-ringed angelfish
• Parrotfish
• Gorgonian sea fans

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Enter from the pebbled beach behind Eka Warung or Japanese Shipwreck Point. Unlike Lipah Beach, the shoreline here is made up of large smooth black pebbles, so reef shoes or booties make getting in and out much easier.
• Shore Access: The wreck is completely accessible from the beach, with the bow sitting only around 15 to 20 metres offshore. There’s usually a black floating buoy marking its location, so it’s pretty easy to find once you’re in the water.
• Best Time & Tides: Mid to high tide is the best time to snorkel the Japanese Shipwreck. At low tide, the top of the wreck can sit less than a metre below the surface, which doesn’t leave much room to swim over it. Mornings between around 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM generally have the best visibility before the water gets choppier later in the day.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	JPP2+47 Bunutan, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Beginner to Intermediate
Access Method	Walk-in from Stony Shore
Depth Range	2m to 12m
Typical Currents	Mild (Can get surgey during strong ocean swells)
Parking / Entry Fee	IDR 10,000 parking fee

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Enter beside the outrigger boat landing near Eka Warung. There’s a clearer route through the pebbles here, which saves you stumbling over the larger submerged rocks. A rash guard is also a good idea as you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time floating in very shallow water over the wreck.

---

---

4. Amed Pyramids & Turtle Point

Located along the coastline of Melasti Beach, just south of Jemeluk Bay, the Amed Pyramids are one of the more unusual snorkelling spots in Amed.

Dozens of hollow concrete pyramid structures were placed on the seafloor in the early 2000s as an artificial reef project, and after more than 20 years underwater, they’ve become completely integrated into the marine environment.

In 2026, you might also hear it being referred to as Turtle Point, which gives you a pretty good idea of one of the main reasons people come here.

Common Marine Life:

• Hawksbill sea turtles
• Green sea turtles
• Yellow snapper
• Sweetlips
• Lionfish
• Crinoids
• Sea fans
• Small reef fish

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: You can enter directly from the black sand beach behind Ghostbird Kafe or the Melasti Beach warungs. From here, head straight out from the beach towards the pyramid area.
• Shore Access: It is possible to swim to the Pyramids from shore, but they’re roughly 120 to 150 metres out. That’s a fairly long swim across open water where local boats also operate. I’d recommend hiring a traditional jukung from the beach instead. It’s safer, saves you the long swim and means the captain can position you directly over the best sections of the reef.
• Best Time & Tides: High tide and calm morning conditions are best. The extra water gives you more clearance above the shallower pyramid structures, while mornings between around 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM generally have clearer water before conditions start changing later in the day.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	MM2J+4V Bunutan, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Intermediate (Shore entry) / Beginner (Via Jukung boat)
Access Method	Long Swim from Shore or Local Jukung Boat Hire
Depth Range	3m to 10m
Typical Currents	Moderate (Can experience parallel shore currents)
Parking / Entry Fee	Free shore access

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: If you do decide to swim out instead of taking a jukung, use a bright surface marker buoy so boats can easily see you. There’s regular fishing and dive boat traffic along this section of the coast, and swimmers can be difficult to spot from a distance.

---

5. Bunutan Point

Further south along the Amed coastline, Bunutan Point is a completely different snorkelling experience from the calm bays around Jemeluk and Lipah.

This area is known for its garden eels, deeper coral slopes and drift snorkelling, with currents carrying you along the reef rather than swimming around one sheltered bay.

There’s also a better chance of seeing larger marine life here. The trade-off is stronger currents, so Bunutan is much better suited to confident swimmers and experienced snorkellers.

Common Marine Life:

• Garden eels
• Hawksbill sea turtles
• Barracuda
• Giant trevally
• Reef sharks
• Gorgonian sea fans
• Giant barrel sponges

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: You can access the water from the black pebbled shore near Warung Fish, although I’d recommend arranging a local jukung to take you to the starting point of the drift instead.
• Shore Access: Shore entry is possible for strong swimmers, but a jukung is the better option at Bunutan. The current generally runs along the coastline, so the boat captain can drop you up-current and follow as you drift along the reef.
• Best Time & Tides: Conditions are generally best around slack high tide or during milder tidal changes. Visibility can exceed 20 metres when conditions are good, with mornings between around 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM usually providing calmer conditions before the currents strengthen later in the day.

Quick Facts

Metric	Detail
Location	MM4F+6G7, Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Access Method	Jukung Drift Boat Entry (Recommended)
Depth Range	3m to 15m+
Typical Currents	Moderate to Strong (Drift conditions)
Parking / Entry Fee	Free shore access

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Don’t try to fight the current at Bunutan. The better way to snorkel here is to treat it as a drift: enter at the northern end, float south along the reef and arrange for your jukung captain to pick you up further down the coast.

---

6. Selang Beach

Sitting towards the far eastern end of the Amed coastline, Selang Beach is one of the quieter snorkelling spots in Amed.

It’s further away from the busier beaches around Jemeluk, so you generally won’t find as many people in the water here.

The reef starts fairly shallow but drops away quickly as you head further out. Selang is more exposed to the open ocean than Jemeluk or Lipah, which means conditions can be stronger, but you also get deeper coral slopes and a chance of seeing some of the larger marine life that passes through this part of the coast.

Common Marine Life:

• Hawksbill sea turtles
• White-tip reef sharks
• Blue-spotted rays
• Trevally
• Sweetlips
• Butterflyfish
• Giant barrel sponges
• Small reef fish

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Enter from the grey sand and pebble beach in front of Good Karma Bungalows or Selang Beach Warung. Look for the sandy opening between the rocks, which gives you an easier route into the water.
• Shore Access: You can snorkel the inner reef directly from the beach. If you want to head further out towards the deeper drop-off near Pulau Selang, I’d recommend hiring a local jukung rather than making the long swim from shore.
• Best Time & Tides: High tide and calm conditions are important here because Selang is more exposed to swells and currents coming through the Lombok Strait. Mornings between around 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM are generally the best time to visit, before the wind and surface chop start picking up.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Access Method	Walk-in from Shore (Bay) or Jukung Boat (Outer Reef)
Depth Range	2m to 15m+
Typical Currents	Moderate to Strong (Requires caution near the headland)
Parking / Entry Fee	Free shore access; IDR 5,000–10,000 parking at local warungs

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Don’t try swimming all the way out to Pulau Selang on your own. The currents wrapping around the small island can be very strong and unpredictable. Stick to the sheltered reef in front of Good Karma Bungalows unless you’re heading further out with a local jukung captain.

---

---

7. USAT Liberty Wreck (Tulamben)

The USAT Liberty Wreck isn’t actually in Amed, but it’s close enough that I’d definitely include it on this list of best snorkelling spots in Amed.

It’s located in Tulamben, around a 15 to 20-minute drive north of Amed, and is easily one of the most impressive places to snorkel in East Bali.

The wreck itself is huge. The 120-metre US Army transport ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 before eventually being pushed further into the water during the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung.

Today, the wreck sits along a black sand slope, with its shallowest sections only around 4 to 5 metres below the surface.

Common Marine Life:

• Bigeye trevally
• Giant sweetlips
• Parrotfish
• Surgeonfish
• Batfish
• Blacktip reef sharks
• Sea anemones
• Gorgonian corals

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Access the water from the beach entrance in front of Tulamben Wreck Beach near the local porter station.
• Shore Access: The wreck is completely accessible from shore, with the nearest section sitting roughly 30 metres from the waterline. You don’t need a boat to snorkel here.
• Best Time & Tides: I’d get here early, ideally between around 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM. The Liberty is an extremely popular dive site, and by later in the morning you’ll usually have groups of scuba divers arriving from other parts of Bali. More divers also means more activity around the wreck and potentially poorer visibility from disturbed sediment.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	PHGV+867 Coral Garden Diving Spot, Tulamben, Kubu, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Beginner to Intermediate
Access Method	Walk-in from Stony Shore
Depth Range	4m to 30m+ (Snorkelling focus at 4m–8m)
Typical Currents	Very Mild to None
Parking / Entry Fee	IDR 20,000 community ticket per person

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Tulamben’s beach is covered in large volcanic stones rather than sand, and they can be surprisingly slippery once the waves start moving them around. Wear hard-soled booties down to the water and put your fins on once you’re floating rather than trying to walk across the rocks in them. Local porters can also carry heavier dive gear down to the beach for a small tip.

---

8. Ibus Beach

Ibus Beach is one of the quieter snorkelling spots in Amed. It doesn’t get anywhere near the same number of visitors as Jemeluk or Lipah, and quite often you’ll arrive to find barely anyone else on the beach.

That’s really the appeal of Ibus. The snorkelling is good, but I’d come here just as much for the peaceful setting.

It’s a small black sand and pebble beach without the rows of snorkellers, boats and beachfront activity you’ll find at the more popular snorkelling spots in Amed.

Common Marine Life:

• Blue-spotted rays
• Sea turtles
• Butterflyfish
• Damselfish
• Parrotfish
• Angelfish
• Small tropical reef fish

Ibus doesn’t have a single major underwater attraction like the Japanese Shipwreck or Jemeluk’s underwater temple. It’s more about getting in the water and exploring a quiet stretch of reef without twenty other snorkellers around you.

Shore Access & Water Entry Points

• Exact Entry Point: Enter directly from Ibus Beach. The shoreline is a mixture of dark sand and pebbles, so take your time getting into the water and look for the clearest route between the rocks.
• Shore Access: You can snorkel directly from shore and there’s no real need to hire a jukung if you’re sticking to the reef in front of the beach.
• Best Time & Tides: Like most of snorkelling spots in Amed, mornings generally give you the calmest conditions and best visibility.

Quick Facts

Factor	Detail
Location	JMQX+6JH, Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Skill Level	Beginner to Intermediate
Access Method	Walk-in from Shore
Depth Range	2m to 10m+
Typical Currents	Mild close to shore; can increase further out
Parking / Entry Fee	Free

🤿 Snorkelling Tip: Come here when you want somewhere quiet rather than another major Amed attraction. Ibus Beach is often almost empty, especially in the morning, and I’ve been here with virtually nobody else around.

---

Amed Day Tour & Snorkelling Trip

If you’re not staying in Amed, you don’t necessarily need to spend a night here just to go snorkelling. I run a private Amed Day Tour with optional snorkelling, with pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Bali.

The snorkelling portion is done by private boat, so you’re not joining a big group or following a fixed snorkelling route.

You’ll have your own boat and captain and spend around 2 to 2.5 hours on the water, visiting several snorkelling spots in Amed.

Amed Snorkelling Spots on the Tour

• Jemeluk Bay: Calm water, coral gardens and plenty of tropical fish.
• Selang Coral Reef: Deeper reef with healthy coral and generally fewer people.
• Japanese Shipwreck: A shallow wreck that’s easy to explore while snorkelling.
• Turtle Point: One of the better areas around Amed for spotting turtles when conditions are right.

Because the boat is private, you can spend longer somewhere you’re enjoying rather than being shuffled back onto the boat because a group schedule says it’s time to leave.

What’s Included

• Private air-conditioned SUV & driver
• Hotel or villa pickup and drop-off (from anywhere in Bali)
• Up to 12 hours with your driver
• Private boat and captain
• All snorkelling equipment
• Optional snorkelling guide
• Fuel and taxes

After snorkelling, you can use the rest of the day to explore East Bali with stops like Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang Temple, Taman Ujung, Virgin Beach, and Lahangan Sweet. I normally recommend choosing two or three rather than trying to cram everything into one day

---

Tips for Snorkelling in Amed

If you’re not interested in booking a tour and would rather snorkel around Amed on your own, it’s pretty easy to organise.

Most of the best snorkelling spots in Amed have direct beach access, and you can rent equipment or organise a local boat once you arrive.

Here are a few things worth knowing before you go snorkelling in Amed in 2026.

Typical Costs for Snorkelling in Amed

You don’t need to spend much to snorkel independently in Amed. Prices vary slightly between beaches and operators, but these are good estimates:

• Snorkelling gear: Expect to pay around IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day for a mask, snorkel and fins from one of the beach warungs. Dive centres generally charge around IDR 100,000 to 150,000 for better-quality equipment.
• Booties: Usually around IDR 30,000 to 50,000. They’re useful at rocky entry points like the Japanese Shipwreck and USAT Liberty in Tulamben.
• Boat hire: A local motorised outrigger usually costs around IDR 350,000 to 450,000 per person for a two-hour trip. Hiring one is useful for reaching spots like Amed Pyramids, Bunutan and the outer section of Jemeluk Wall without a long swim.
• Parking and beach fees: Most beaches charge around IDR 5,000 to 10,000 for parking or local community fees. Expect around IDR 10,000 to 20,000 at the Japanese Shipwreck and Tulamben.

Best Time of Year to Snorkel in Amed

You can snorkel in Amed throughout the year, but conditions aren’t always the same.

• Dry Season (April to October): Generally the best time for snorkelling in Amed. There’s less rain, the sea tends to be calmer and underwater visibility can reach around 15 to 25 metres when conditions are good.
• Wet Season (November to March): Snorkelling is still possible, and you’ll certainly get good days. However, rain, wind and runoff can sometimes reduce visibility, sometimes down to around 5 to 10 metres after heavy rain.

Understanding Amed’s Tides & Daily Timing

Conditions can make a big difference when snorkelling in Amed. The same reef can be easy and clear one morning, then shallow or choppy a few hours later.

• Aim for mid-to-high tide on shallow reefs: This is important at Lipah Beach and the Japanese Shipwreck. At low tide, some of the coral sits very close to the surface, making it harder to swim over without scraping yourself or damaging the reef.
• Go early in the morning: The best conditions are generally between 7:00 AM and 10:30 AM. The water tends to be calmer and clearer before the wind and surface chop pick up later in the day.
• Be careful around Bunutan and Selang: These more exposed spots can have noticeably stronger currents than sheltered bays like Jemeluk. Check the water before getting in, and if you can see strong surface movement or whitecaps, stick to one of the calmer bays instead.

Checklist for a Day of Snorkelling in Amed

• Cash: Carry some small rupiah notes for equipment rental, parking, jukung hire and food or drinks from the beach warungs.
• Footwear: Reef shoes or sturdy sandals are worth bringing for the rockier entry points, especially for the Japanese Shipwreck and Tulamben.
• Sun protection: A long-sleeve rash guard is one of the easiest ways to avoid absolutely cooking your back while floating face-down for a couple of hours.

👉 If you’re staying in town and you’re looking for more activities to do outside of snorkelling, see my list of things to do in Amed.

---

FAQs About Snorkelling in Amed

Here are all your questions answered about visiting the top snorkelling spots in Amed, including all your Amed snorkelling info for 2026.

---