Balisama: luxury resorts and villas in Bali

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Amed vs Gili Islands

Choose Amed for quiet and lower prices; choose Gili Islands for walkability, better beaches, nightlife and sunsets.

Amed

Reef diving off quiet fishing bays. Best for: Divers, snorkelers & slow travelers.

Choose Amed for quiet, lower prices.

  • Beach: Black-sand and pebble bays with fishing boats; the reef starts a short swim out at Jemeluk and Lipah.
  • Nightlife: A few beach bars and warungs; quiet after dinner.
  • Prices: $ · Budget. Inexpensive: dive lodges and bungalows, with a few upscale villa resorts.
  • To the airport: 100 km · 2½–3 h
  • Climate: Hot & humid · coast
  • 20 resorts on Balisama, from about $52 a night

Gili Islands

Car-free islands, turtles & sunsets. Best for: Couples, divers & island hoppers.

Choose Gili Islands for walkability, better beaches, nightlife, sunsets.

  • Beach: White-sand beaches with clear water and turtles; mind the currents between the islands.
  • Nightlife: Gili Trawangan parties most nights; Gili Air and Gili Meno are quiet.
  • Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: a little more than Bali for food, since supplies come by boat.
  • To the airport: 3–5 h. Fast boat from Padangbai (1.5–2.5 hours), or fly to Lombok
  • Climate: Hot & humid · coast
  • 6 resorts on Balisama, from about $50 a night

Amed and Gili Islands are about 43 km apart, with a boat trip between them.

Ratings

  • Beaches: Amed Fair (2/5), Gili Islands Excellent (5/5)
  • Calm-water swimming: Amed Very good (4/5), Gili Islands Very good (4/5)
  • Surfing: Amed None (0/5), Gili Islands Poor (1/5)
  • Diving & snorkeling: Amed Excellent (5/5), Gili Islands Excellent (5/5)
  • Sunsets: Amed Good (3/5), Gili Islands Excellent (5/5)
  • Nightlife: Amed Poor (1/5), Gili Islands Very good (4/5)
  • Restaurants & cafés: Amed Fair (2/5), Gili Islands Good (3/5)
  • Culture & temples: Amed Fair (2/5), Gili Islands Poor (1/5)
  • Nature & landscapes: Amed Very good (4/5), Gili Islands Good (3/5)
  • Yoga & wellness: Amed Good (3/5), Gili Islands Good (3/5)
  • Family-friendly: Amed Fair (2/5), Gili Islands Good (3/5)
  • Peace & quiet: Amed Excellent (5/5), Gili Islands Good (3/5)
  • Remote work: Amed Poor (1/5), Gili Islands Fair (2/5)
  • Walkability: Amed Poor (1/5), Gili Islands Excellent (5/5)

Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.