No one can deny that Bali is a fascinating island to have a journey. Traveling in Bali can be such a rewarding experience, especially when you are going off from mainstream tourists hubs to a secluded place to get more in touch with nature. The world underwater is one of the best options to spend your holiday. It’s as alluring as what the mainland has to offer, just wait until the bluish world unfolds its seductive beauty in front of you.
Located on a coral triangle and surrounded by blue ocean, Bali foster a number of fascinating diving spots, and Amed is one of the most beautiful. Located in the northeast of the Island, a trip to Amed is such a journey. You need at least 2.5 to 3 hours of driving from Ngurah Rai International airport, so prepare lively playlist to accompany your trip to the north. Along the way, you will be greeted by many cultural views, watching Kuta and Denpasar grow with sophisticated cafes and shops before the buildings slowly disappeared, and you will be graced with a soothing view of vast green paddies spreading to the horizon.
Once you reach Amed, prepare for a jaw-dropping scenery of picturesque fishing villages stringing along the coastline, glimmering blue ocean spread out to as far as you can see, with Mount Agung standing majestically in the background. Consisted of several fisherman villages, you won’t see sophisticates beach-side restaurant, bar, and shops like you commonly found in Seminyak or Canggu. There’re definitely fewer tourists roaming the area, and most of them are either marveling the ocean or enjoying their secluded retreat up on the villas.
However, don’t let the humbleness deceive you. Though the beach looks deserted, what lies beneath Amed’s waters is a gem for many divers and snorkelers. It’s a diving haven for those who want to get immersed with the beauty of nature, away from the buzz of tourists hubs.
To get into the diving spot, you need to hop into one of the ‘jukung’, traditional fishing boat that lining up the black sandy beach. Once you get into the middle of the ocean, The crystal-clear water is too much to ignore, gleaming and inviting you to take a jump. Lively, rich biodiversity of the seafloor greets you once you open your eyes under the water. It’s hard to not be amazed by beautiful hard and soft corals, enveloping the wall of reefs with vibrant hues of red, oranges, and purple. This is Jemeluk Bay or Amed Wall, one of the most elusive wall diving in the country.
As divers haven, Amed has several awesome diving points that are up for your underwater discoveries. Aside from the Amed Wall, you can dive into Pyramids site, where man-made pyramids are planted artificial reefs; Bunutan Reefs, a perfect to watch mesmerizing garden eels; or the Japanese Wreck at Lipah Bay to, well, do another ah-wesome wreck diving.
The sea currents in Amed is perfect for the blooming growth of abundant marine life. Fishes are darting among coral plateau, the colorful nudibranchs are taking their time slithering around the reef, and deep on the Bunutan, black tip sharks and barracudas are swimming in vigilance, looking for their next meal. Amed is also the home of famous, rare species of pink pigmy seahorses. This cute and minuscule animal (only 6mm height) are living hidden in their gorgonians, peeking shyly to curious divers above them. Be extra careful, though, as this endangered species are very vulnerable, even the light from your strobes can blind, stress, and overheat this poor creature. Seeing pigmy seahorse need very delicate approach; mind your exhaled bubbles, weaving gestures, and position of your fin will impact the seahorses and gorgornian they live in. Never touch the seahorse and its gorgonian; we don’t want to kill this little creature, do we?