Amed Beach — Attraction in Kecamatan Abang

Amed has become a region of around 7 beaches stretching from Amed itself around to the Eastern most point before the tourist strip ends. The best area I believe is the Beach 2, for venues, outlook and activity. Other areas feel a bit more isolated and less shady yet some nice resorts around east.

The main activities I recommend are Snorkeling, viewing the amazing Sunset and a mountain trip to Lahangan Sweet. A bit more detail later in this review for you. Pls do like the post if it's helpful to you.

The Land: It's a whole new volcano! this one is much older and eroded away. Ahmed is on the north. The dry northern coast rain shadow with poor soil gradually gives way to jungle east and south side. Inside the Caldera itself is the lush land with localised rainfall and good agriculture.

Beaches: A little rocky volcanic yet good for walking using crocs or sandals yet they do get more coral based and beachier sandy as you head east. Fishing boats cover much of them yet less so in the West. The Eastern most coves on each beach are generally the best spot in every way.

Accommodation: If you haven't already booked, I suggest arriving then firstly walk the beach area where you consider staying. You will view the venues and offerings clearly. vs. the busy road, maze like access and cacophony of often ancient signage. Vacancies will often be displayed beach side on blackboards. We stayed at smaller more local run villas featuring beach Warung in two locations(beach one then beach two) with great beach connection rather than expensive resort. AHMED SUNSET BEACH (with pool)& then WARUNG PANTAI BUNGALOWS (beach side shady trees). If we were not staying literally on the beach BLUE EARTH VILLAGE was looking good for location and everything else.

Food, Drink & Cafe: The best cafe is RIMBA CAFE, top notch, amazing work RIMBA keep it up 🙏 Beautiful shady garden cafe. The best place to view the Sunset is a club for that purpose, SUNSET POINT AMED BALI, this is atop a headland overlooking beach two, it features an infinity pool, it's busy, large and has music. The sunset and the mountains were wonderful 👍 Generally for food all along the beaches locals are doing fresh seafood grilled on hot coals, just go with the catch of the day while dining on the sand where you stay most likely, the real deal, we had brekky included at both our very affordable stays. A bit of live music around. Walking to the next set of festoons is worthwhile.

Activities: YOGA was a bit out of luck, one weird ayurvedic sort of venue doing a session weekly only. Blue Earth Village the main venue with a space and Gym currently has no resident teacher and nothing to offer. There is real opportunity for a Yoga instructor in Ahmed! SNORKELING features coral and some beautiful reef fish. The best spots are in the Eastern coves. Just rent gear from your hosts, simple and an activity I wish I had of applied more sunscreen for! There is a wreck further along yet it's best when tide is calm and not a must see, the best I had was just under Sunset Point on beach two. LAHANGAN SWEET, this is the highest point around up in the nearby jungle mountains on the western side of the Caldera, it's 30 minutes away by bike and the road is off beach 3. The valley into the Caldera is beautiful rural. Take care if two on one bike as it's bloody steep at points, use gears or risk brake overheating and failure on the descent, the final access to the peak is either pay for a 4WD jeep transfer, walk or bike(no weak scooter). It's only 800M so walking is fine if you are not a money bags and have time. I biked solo yet slid on both wheels coming down, don't dream about this trip in the wet. The actual tourism ticket price is about 20k a booth near the peak. A local Warung up there, great service plus WiFi. If you do it don't rush, it was amazing, the destination and the journey, great land and great people.

Enjoy Amed, at least a two day stay.

Thank you to the...

The Decline of Bali: A Traveler’s Disillusionment

For years, Bali has been hailed as a tropical paradise, a land of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and a vibrant Hindu culture that sets it apart from the rest of Indonesia. However, the Bali of today is a far cry from the idyllic escape it once was. After seven visits over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand the gradual yet undeniable decline of the island.

The Deterioration of Cleanliness and Beauty Bali was once known for its serene landscapes and immaculate beaches, but those days seem to be slipping away. Once-pristine locations like Amed, which previously promised a tranquil retreat from the island’s busier hubs, now resemble an open landfill. Litter is scattered across beaches and roadsides, with little to no enforcement of cleanliness regulations. Coral reefs, once teeming with marine life, are now suffering from neglect, pollution, and unregulated tourism. The lack of sustainable waste management and growing disregard for environmental conservation have turned once-breathtaking coastlines into polluted stretches of land.

The Decline of Hindu Culture Amongst the Youth Bali’s distinct Hindu culture was once one of its most captivating elements, offering visitors a deep sense of spirituality and tradition. However, amongst the younger generation, there appears to be a waning connection to their heritage. Increasing commercialization and a growing focus on tourism revenue over cultural preservation have led to a dilution of Bali’s rich traditions. Authentic religious practices now often serve as mere tourist attractions rather than deeply revered customs. While temples still stand as testaments to Bali’s heritage, the essence of devotion and tradition seems to be fading among the youth.

Overinflated Prices: Bali vs. Australia One of the biggest shifts in Bali over the past decade has been its pricing. What was once a budget-friendly paradise is now priced at nearly the same level as Australia. With the Indonesian government imposing additional levies, cleanliness charges, and a staggering 21% tax on services, a trip to Bali is no longer the affordable getaway it used to be. What’s more frustrating is that these higher prices rarely translate to better service or improved infrastructure. In places like Amed, where basic cleanliness and road maintenance should be a given, visitors are instead met with broken roads, rampant construction, and exorbitant pricing that offers little value.

Amed’s Rapid Downfall: A Lost Potential A few years ago, Amed held the promise of being a peaceful retreat away from the over-commercialized areas of Bali. With its volcanic beaches and relatively untouched charm, it attracted those looking for a quieter escape. However, in just a short time, Amed has transformed into an unregulated, chaotic mess. The once-promising snorkeling spots have been replaced with artificial attractions, while locals have effectively monopolized beach access, making it nearly impossible to find a genuinely natural experience. Despite these deteriorations, prices have skyrocketed to match European standards, with little justification. Rampant construction continues to erode the area’s ecological integrity, turning what was once a hidden gem into an...

Someone wrote about Amed Beach for you. Amed Beach 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 main road that regularly washed away during the rainy season. This is the most commonly used base for visitors wishing to dive the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben. 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, 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...