Scuba diving in Amed

Bali's landscapes are renowned for their great beauty, but there's no question of snubbing the seabed, which is just as fascinating! While the south of the island is reserved for surfers, the north and east are a diver's paradise. The small village of Amed, in the east of Bali, is ideal for diving. Situated by the sea, its black sandy beaches give it a unique charm.

Several diving schools have set up on the shore, offering day trips for beginners as well as full licences. You'll have the chance to get up close and personal with hundreds of species in a variety of colours and shapes. For those who feel less at ease underwater, it's also possible to board a diving boat and accompany the divers on a snorkelling trip.

© Vladislav Sagaidak / Shutterstock

Amed, a dream spot

© Carla Neya

The small village of Amed offers underwater sites that are perfect for macro underwater photography. For example, you can observe and take photos of rare species such as ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses and the very rare and fascinating mimic octopus.

Amed Beach Resort Bali
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Amed Beach Resort

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What's more, because of its proximity to the Agung volcano, the sand on Amed's beaches is black, providing an unusual contrast to the colourful corals and creatures. For this reason, you can also enjoy a special type of diving: muck diving. This activity takes place in waters where the bottom is essentially made up of grey silt or black sand. You'll discover a lunar-like setting in which many endemic species live.

© Daniel Lamborn / Shutterstock

In terms of difficulty, novice divers will find it easy: Most of the underwater spots are shallow, and the sea near Amed has a very gentle current and good visibility (between 15 and 25 metres).

Discover the wreck of the U.S.A.T. Liberty

© Freediver HD

During your diving holiday in Bali, don't miss a visit to this wreck of an American cargo ship, which combines a dive into history with a discovery of biodiversity. The ship was sunk by the Japanese army in 1942 while transporting railway equipment for the Philippines.

The crew were forced to abandon it on Tulamben beach, and the local inhabitants used the debris to build their houses. In 1963, an earthquake caused by the eruption of Mount Agung caused the wreck to drift into the water, where it lies at a depth of between 6 and 30 metres. Since then, the underwater flora and fauna have flourished, making it one of the most attractive and biodiverse wrecks in the world. It's an unforgettable diving experience.

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Discover the Coral Garden

This dive site is close to the Liberty wreck on the same beach and can be easily reached from the shore. Here you'll find a magnificent coral reef, offering a glimpse of marine biodiversity. You'll have the chance to see clownfish swimming amongst the anemones, leaf fish, nudibranchs, ribbon moray eels and a variety of shrimps. It's also one of the most likely places to encounter a blacktip shark. With an absence of marine currents, this dive site is perfect for beginners or for an enjoyable underwater discovery."

by Jude JONES
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