This spot has been added by

mahli974
mahli974

7 spots added - 76 photos shared

Other contributors You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form

Last updated on

The view over Jemeluk’s tiny bay with impressive Mount Agung in the background is an iconic image of Bali. This place is located at the heart of Amed, a segment of the Island’s east coast reputed for its authenticity and quietness. Jemeluk indeed is a quiet place loved by travelers. Its bay also shelters one of the best snorkeling spots in the region: here, the reef drop-off it home to gorgeous coral formations and fish for every color of the rainbow, and it can be accessed directly from the beach.

Snorkeling Jemeluk Beach underwater temple, Bali
Jemeluk underwater temple is a perfect setting for underwater photography.

How to get to Jemeluk Beach for snorkeling?

Jemeluk Beach is located on Amed Coast, less than 4 miles (6km) East of Culik. It is a 3 hours’ drive to the spot from Denpasar and Ngurah Rai International Airport. Most travelers use one of the various shuttle services available on the island, however if you decide to take the local bus remember that it only stops on Culik’s main road.

Jemeluk Beach snorkeling map, Bali

Entering the water in Jemeluk Beach

Walk to the beach’s eastern end (look for the Bali Amed Bluestar and Villa Coral). Enter the water facing the reef.

Jemeluk Beach snorkeling tips

The exploration area covers the coral formations that grew over the eastern edge of the small bay (on your right when facing the sea). Here the reef drop-off is only 20 to 70 meters from the beach: you can access it by yourself, using fins.

The closest areas to the beach are shallow and coral don’t settle here (0.5-2m). Once in the water, head directly to the drop-off (2-6m): it is where marine life truly clusters.

Blue sea star and giant clam at Jemeluk Beach, Bali
Blue sea stars (Linckia laevigata) and giant clams are easily spotted on Jemeluk reef flat.

Coral formations are well preserved and you will most probably spot a wide variety of fish species. Schools of hundreds of green chromis and bright yellow damselfish stay above finger coral. Small, unfearful batfish shoals seem to prefer the shadows of the drop-off.

Lined surgeonfish, emperor angelfish, sixbar wrasse and boxfish are amongst the other species you will most probably come across during your snorkeling.

The best-preserved areas of the reef are for fit swimmers only: swim along the drop-off towards the North-East, until the viewpoint located over Jemeluk Beach (see map above).

View on Jemeluk Beach, Bali
Jemeluk reef is located at the foot of the hills extending at the eastern tip of the beach.

Be careful when in the water, since many small fishing boats move over the area. Unfortunately, as often along Indonesia shores the spot can be polluted by plastic bags, bottles and other floating pieces of garbage brought along by tides.

Restaurants and accommodation in Jemeluk Beach

In Jemeluk Beach, and more generally over the whole of Amed Coast, you will find a wide variety of accommodation options fitting all budgets. Several cafes and restaurants are settled directly on the beach, just in front of the spot.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth6ft on the reef flat, 30ft on the drop-off
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersmedium
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.