Amed vs Sidemen

Choose Amed for diving, calm water and lower prices; choose Sidemen for a shorter airport transfer, culture and walkability.

Amed

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

Choose Amed for diving, calm water, 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

Rice valley below Mount Agung. Best for: Nature lovers, hikers & slow travelers.

Choose Sidemen for a shorter airport transfer, culture, walkability.

Beach: No beach; the east coast is about 30 minutes away.
Nightlife: None.
Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: small villas and eco-resorts, simple local food.
To the airport: 62 km · 1½–2 h
Climate: A little fresher · 350 m
2 resorts on Balisama, from about $150 a night

Amed and Sidemen are about 29 km apart.

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

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