Place to see · Amed
Lipah: the calm reef at the far end of Amed’s bays
Lipah is a small pebble beach further east than Jemeluk, on Amed’s coast road. The coral starts a few metres from the shore, a small shallow wreck lies a little further on, and the sea is often flat in the morning. A few warungs, few boats: people come here to swim.
- Updated on
- 3 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
You walk into the water with a mask and follow the reef, which starts a few metres from the shore and slopes gently down. Hard corals, reef fish, sometimes a turtle. A little further east, the small Japanese wreck at Banyuning can be seen while snorkelling in a calm sea. Otherwise, you read at the warung.
Contents
Key points
- Snorkelling from the beach: the coral starts a few metres from the shore.
- Come in the morning: the sea is calmer and the water clearer before the afternoon wind.
- The small Japanese wreck at Banyuning, in shallow water, is a few minutes’ drive to the east.
- A pebble beach with little shade: water shoes and a hat. Allow 2 to 3 hours on site.
Amed is a string of fishing villages at the foot of Mount Agung, at the far eastern end of Bali. Lipah lies beyond Jemeluk on the coast road: a pebble cove, a few warungs, jukung outriggers pulled up on the beach and a reef that slopes gently away.
To compare spots and choose a dive centre, see diving and snorkelling in Bali; to stay nearby, where to stay in Amed.
What you do at Lipah
You walk into the water with a mask and follow the reef, which starts a few metres from the shore and slopes gently down. Hard corals, reef fish, sometimes a turtle. A little further east, the small Japanese wreck at Banyuning can be seen while snorkelling in a calm sea. Otherwise, you read at the warung.
- The reef in front of the beach: shallow near the shore, for swimmers at ease with a mask.
- The Banyuning wreck, a few minutes’ drive away: small, shallow, visible from the surface.
- The beach warungs: simple meals, juices, mask and fin rental.
- Divers: several Amed dive centres offer dives on the drop-off and the wreck.
Getting there
Lipah lies on Amed’s coast road, east of Jemeluk, between Bunutan and Selang. You get there by scooter or on foot from nearby places to stay. The road is narrow and winds above the bays: drive in daylight and slowly.
- Follow Amed’s coast road east, past Jemeluk and Bunutan.
- Look out for the warungs and the fishing boats on Lipah beach.
- Park the scooter in front of a warung, ordering something or asking first.
- Go into the water where the pebbles are finest, in water shoes.
From the airport or the south of the island, see airport to Amed.
When to go
In the morning the sea is often flat and the water clearer. The wind frequently picks up in the afternoon and ruffles the surface. The dry season generally gives the best visibility; in the rainy season, swell and run-off can cloud the bay after heavy downpours.
| Time slot | Sea | Light | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise to 10 am | Often calm | Low, head-on | The best time for snorkelling |
| 10 am to 3 pm | Variable | Strong, little shade | Mineral sunscreen, T-shirt in the water |
| After 3 pm | Often choppy | Warm | Better for the warung than the water |
Season by season: see when to go to Bali.
What to pair it with
Lipah pairs with Jemeluk bay, livelier, a few minutes’ drive to the west, and with Tulamben and the Liberty wreck, further north. One day is enough to see two sites in Amed; Tulamben deserves a whole morning of its own.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to dive to enjoy Lipah?
No: the reef starts a few metres from the shore, in shallow water. A mask and snorkel are enough when the sea is calm.
Where is the shallow wreck?
At Banyuning, a little east of Lipah. It is a small Japanese wreck visible while snorkelling; ask a warung or dive centre for the exact entry point.
Lipah or Jemeluk?
Jemeluk has more restaurants and more people; Lipah is calmer, with a quieter reef. Both are done by snorkelling from the beach.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
