Amed

For the city in Turkish Southeast Anatolia with the Kurdish name Amed, see Diyarbakir.

Amed is a long coastal strip of fishing villages in East Bali.

Introduction

Amed refers to a long stretch of coast running from the village of Culik about 14 km eastwards incorporating the seven villages of Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning and Aas. The pace of life here is slow and the coastal scenery quite stunning making Amed the perfect place for a relaxed holiday in Bali.

Amed is the most recent tourist development area in Bali. It was only in 2000 that tarmac was laid on the roads. Telephone lines were installed in 2003 and it took until 2007 for a bridge to be built over a section of the primary street that regularly washed away during the rainy season.

Thit is the most commonly used base for visitors wishing to dive the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben and that area is also covered by this Amed#Tulamben|Halal Travel Guide. There are other good dive sites close at hand and a thriving dive industry has developed all the way along the coast here.

Amed's inhabitants live from fishing, salt-making and tourism. The lack of tourism-based revenue, its remote nature and the generally harsh environment for farming, meant that this area was very much one of the poorer areas in Bali. Amongst others and the East Bali Poverty Project drew attention to the plight of the local villagers in this area and that, together with recent tourist development, has gone a long way to improving general standards of living, health and education.

Travel to Amed

Amed lies on the north-eastern tip of Bali, a little more than a 2 hours trip from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. A taxi service to Amed is available at the airport for about Rp 600,000.

Amed is accessed by turning east at the village of Culik which lies on the main east coast road from Karangasem to Singaraja.

Shuttle buses regularly serve the destination from Candidasa and Lovina and now that the road has been greatly improved and they take you all the way into Amed.

Perama operates optional shuttle buses from Padang Bai or Candidasa to Tirtagangga, Amed and Tulamben (Rp 125,000, min. 2 people). Depart : 9:30AM & 2PM - Return : 11AM. There is no Perama office in Amed.

The easiest way into Amed though is to hire your own transport with a driver. Be aware that the Amed neighborhood is stretched out over more than 10 km. Transport by local drivers is widely available in Amed. Transport to Padang Bai should not cost more than Rp 250,000.

If you are coming from the islands to the east, AmedSeaExpress.com Amed Sea Express offers pick-up in Lombok, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air with twice daily service to Amed arriving at 9:15AM & 1:15PM.

Transportation in Amed

Public transport in Amed is common. There are bemos (mini buses) from Culik as far as Aas (that pass through Amed) but mainly in the morning. Later in the day it is almost imfeasible to find public transport. The easiest way to get around is to hire a vehicle and driver. Motorcycles are widely available for rent and you should expect to pay Rp 70,000-80,000/day.

What to see in Amed

Amed'sbeaches, are lined with traditional outrigger fishing boats, which depending on your point of view make a scenic photo or restrict walking on the beach. Amed village beach consists of coarse black pebbles; as you move further east (and away from Mount Agung) and the beaches become sandier but remain somewhat grey-brown in colour. The prettiest bays are probably those at Jemeluk and Lipah but the whole stretch of coastline is very attractive.

Salt production is a declining but still important industry in this area. As you drive along the main coast road through the villages you will see large open drying pans crusted with salt crystals. Those little boxes of gourmet Bali salt crystals you see in delicatessens and speciality food stores all over the world may have started their long journey from these very pans.

There is vibrant marine life close offshore in clear seas.

Mini Zoo Many kinds of birds (cockatoo, lory, hornbill), reptiles (python, tortoise, skink) and animals (slow lori, palm civet, porcupine).

Shell Museum An odd little place and a very charming one to boot. Exactly as it says, shells.

Muslim Travel Tips

Most people come to Amed as a getaway, including expats from other parts of the island. It is a favorite honeymoon destination for tourists and is very popular with divers and snorkelers. Day trips to local places of interest such as the water palace at Tirta Gangga and Bali's most sacred temple, Besakih, can easily be arranged.

Mount Agung with lots of trekking options just 30–40 minutes from Amed.

Traditional outrigger boats are available for fishing charters from the main beaches in the Amed area. This normally involves early morning trolling for mackerel.

Have a traditional massage on the beach. Women from the local villages are always on hand for an invigorating massage, speciality so at Lipah Beach.

Enjoy nature and go with the wind on a traditional sailing boat for diving, fishing, exploration, dolphin watching, snorkelling or just swimming and relaxing.

You can get your visa extended here for Rp 700,000 and it takes a week. Dive Concepts can tell you where to go for that and other dive centres may also assist. The standard charge at a Kantor Imigrasi (Department of Immigration office) for a 30 day extension is Rp 650,000 for a VOA, 211 class SOSBUB visa, presumably they are supplying the standard forms (normally Rp 7,000) and the footwork. You will need to provide 2 passport photos and your passport. A receipt should be provided for your passport and ensure that you have a couple of photocopies of the photo page, your arrivals card and the visa you used to enter. Do it at least one week prior to expiry date.

Condor Sailing - at Hotel Uyah Amed

Yoga

Coconut Yoga - A quiet shala situated in the forest, a little set back from the primary street, at Kelapa Cottage. Daily yoga classes, retreats and yoga teacher trainings. Classes are accessible to all levels.

Viktoria Hatha Yoga since 2006. Lessons are 90 min in duration.

Apneista Yoga and Freediving School eachside yoga sala and training in Jemaluk bay. Most days there is a 90 min Asana class in the evenings and often in the mornings. Workshops in pranayama and meditation.

Snorkelling

Amed has some good snorkelling within metres of the shore. A reef follows the majority of the coastline and is quite close in. Due to the limited number of visitors to the area and a growing conservation awareness among the local residents and the sea life is healthy and abundant. There is a small wooden wreck in only 1.5 m of water off Lipah Beach. Banyuning is great for diving & snorkelling with abundant coral & fish life - this dive site is locally known among the dive operators as the "Japanese Wreck" and is clearly signposted with ample vehicle parking and snorkel equipment rental on location.

Book a Diving trip in Amed

There is some fine diving in Jemeluk Bay both from the beach and from boats in deeper water. After a gentle slope out from shore and the wall here drops off dramatically to depths of 40 m plus. The coral is healthy and fish life abundant. There are some good drift dives further east at Selang and Bunutan but these are generally only suited to more experienced divers.

Beware of diving after a heavy rain; the water from the run-off can greatly reduce visibility in the water.

Adventure Divers Bali | PADI and SSI dive shop offering a full range of courses. Instructed by an Englishman who moved to Amed with his Dutch wife. Together they run the diving school and Geria Giri Shanti Bungalows. Great couple that makes you feel at home.

Amed Dive Centre | Full range of PADI courses, fun dives, diving and sailing trips. English, French and (German) speaking.

Amed Fun Divers | SSI dive school offering dive courses and fun dives. The school is teaching every course level including dive master and instructor training courses.They have a variety of dive sites to choose from in Amed and Tulamben areas. They also offer night dives and dive safaris. The school is devoted to helping the young local people get into the diving industry and increase their environmental awareness. Languages spoken: French - (German) - English - Spanish - Chinese- (Indonesian).

Tulamben

Tulamben is a small fishing village, 30 km north of Amed, about 20-30 min by road. As well as local dives off the various Amed beaches a notable attraction is diving the wreck of the USAT Liberty at Tulamben. Some divers base themselves at Tulamben itself where all of the hotels have either in-house dive operations or are associated with one of them. Local operators run shore dives, since both the wreck and the two other local dive sites are within 100m of the shore.

The Liberty is a US Army transport ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942. The wreck lies about 30 m offshore and is covered in soft corals. A huge range of reef fish have made this their home with occasional visits by pelagics. Some of the wreck can be seen by snorkellers. There are other dives in the Tulamben area and keen divers will have no problem entertaining themselves for a few days in this area. A night dive on the wreck is strongly recommended, with bumphead parrotfish looking for a place to sleep and chances of seeing the Spanish dancer. One word of warning - The Liberty is a very popular dive and unless you are actually staying at Amed or Tulamben and get there early in the day, it can be very crowded indeed.

Aqua Dive Paradise | A small, locally-owned place with friendly, professional local staff and negotiable prices. They also have three new, clean, affordable, fan-cooled rooms available (a nice breakfast included).

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Amed

There are a few shops in Amed selling basic necessities as well as sarongs and T-shirts. It does not have the range of handicrafts and clothing that you find in other more developed tourist areas of Bali.

There are ATMs in Amed.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Amed

Most restaurants in Amed cater only for tourists and no local can ever or can afford to eat there. It is virtually imfeasible to find any food that is not adapted to a Western palate (read: bland). In some Halal restaurants you can ask and they will be happy to make it a little more authentic.

There are not many budget options, unless you want to eat satay from the stalls and instant Noodles every day. And even those will try to get more money from you than they ask from the local residents.

Warung Enak | Small clean restaurant, with around 6 tables. Local & Western cuisine.

Warung Bobo II | Fresh fish and local cuisine. Located at the edge of the waves, popular at sunset.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Amed

Amed July 29, 2023 - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Amed, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Amed. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Amed and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Amed. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Amed. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Amed: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Amed.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Amed: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Amed, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Amed.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Amed, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Amed, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Amed and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Amed, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Amed, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Amed without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Amed is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Amed.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Amed is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Amed, please contact:

Irwan Shah Bin Abdullah

Chief Technology Officer

eHalal Travel Group Amed

info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Amed

Ramadan 2025 in Amed

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There is a wide selection of hotels in the area and more are appearing all the time. Most tend to be quite small and intimate and built by westerners in partnership with local Balinese. These have brought a welcome increase in employment and prosperity to the area.

Everyone knows everyone here so there is a real feeling of village community. The hotels are well spaced out though so you feel that you have your own private space. There are few TVs in the hotel rooms, so bring a good book to read or better still, spend your time getting to know the local residents. The pace of life is very slow and relaxed in Amed and the people are friendly and they have time.

There are also several hotels at the village of Tulamben to the north of Amed which specialise in providing for visitors intending to dive the wreck of the USAT Libery. These establishments are normally affiliated with a dive operator or run their own dive operation.

Visit https://hotels.ehalal.io for a full list of all hotels & resorts.

Where to go next

Lovina beach in north Bali is a good next stop for more quiet coastal life.
Padang Bai is a nice stop in itself and starting point for boat services to Lombok.
A journey back to South Bali will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.