Amed

When people ask for Bali recommendations, Amed instantly springs to mind. I think this may have been my favourite place on the island. The beach is calm and relaxed, the food is good, the vibes are lovely, it's just an all-around nice place. 

We stayed in a homestay called 'Bali Sari' and I couldn't recommend it enough! It was such good value for money, and the rooms were huge, clean and right on the beach front. 

There you'll find a string of traditional fishing villages stretching along the coast, where the pace of life slows down significantly compared to the southern tourist hubs. The landscape here is defined by dramatic black sand beaches and the massive silhouette of Mount Agung - which looks incredible at sunset while you're floating in the ocean! 

The primary draw of Amed is what lies beneath the surface of the water. It is world-renowned as a premier destination for diving and snorkeling, featuring vibrant coral reefs that are often just a few meters from the shore. One of the most famous sites is the USAT Liberty shipwreck in nearby Tulamben, or the Japanese Shipwreck right in Amed, which has become a thriving artificial reef. This was our first snorkelling experience in Bali, and although we went on a choppy day when the water wasn't at its clearest, we were still amazed by how many fish were there! 

For those who prefer to stay on land, the area has so many coastal viewpoints like Jemeluk Bay, where people gather at sunset to watch the sky set behind the volcano. You can also explore the traditional salt-panning farms where locals still harvest sea salt using ancient methods, or simply spend the afternoon wandering through the villages to get a sense of authentic Balinese coastal culture.