I love snorkeling! I have snorkeled in several places, including Malaysia and “The Blue Hole” in Dahab, Egypt – all locations with pristine white sand where the crystal-clear water allowed me to see corals and fish in the most vibrant colors.
When we considered going to Bali‘s northern coast, specifically Amed, where the imposing volcano Gunung Agung has resulted in black beaches, I was somewhat concerned about the snorkeling experience as it was described.
If the sand is black, how would snorkeling be? Would everything appear dark and gloomy? Is it even worth visiting?
The black sand
Yes, there is black sand in Amed. Not completely black, but rather a dark grayish color. And yes, it can feel extra hot under your bare feet.
However, the black sand does not make your snorkeling experience dark and gloomy. The sand in the water might have a darker shade, but the clear water and the light work together to create a fantastic experience – and the water is still azure blue, not black!
See for yourself in the video – this is what snorkeling in Amed is like.
Fish and coral colors
Despite the black sand, the water is clear with ample light reaching down. Light brings out the colors of both corals and fish.
The snorkeling experience cannot be compared to the unmatched snorkeling experiences I had in Malaysia and Egypt, but it was still a great adventure for both Peter and me – and especially for Sebastian.
The surroundings
When snorkeling in Amed, you are not in a secluded lagoon. Snorkeling attracts many travelers from the surrounding bays, especially because many nearby beaches have strong waves that can make snorkeling challenging. However, if you can accept being one among many and occasionally need to be cautious not to bump into others with your goggles, Amed is a decent place to snorkel.
The cool thing about snorkeling in Amed is that you walk straight from the sandy beach into the calm waves, and voila, you’re right in the midst of the corals. This is perfect for us, especially with a 7-year-old boy who had just learned to swim.
Quick facts about Amed, Bali, Indonesia
Amed, they say it’s like how Bali was 30 years ago…
The town is located on the northern side of Bali, towards the east, and is part of what is known as the Amed stretch, which spans 14 km eastward, encompassing one bay after another. Along this stretch, you will find Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning, and Aas.
You can snorkel right off the beach, but you can also choose one of the many diving trips that take you further out – and likely to much better snorkeling areas than what you can reach from the shore.
Nyttige links
-> Amed Travel guide
-> Amed Beach in Bali
-> Amed – bay after bay after bay (Travelfish)
