Amed Diving for Beginners: The Best Scuba Spots in Bali

For beginner divers in Bali, Amed is the gold standard, offering calm waters, incredible visibility, and the world-famous USAT Liberty wreck just minutes away. The best spots for your first breaths underwater are Jemeluk Bay for its easy shore entry and the Tulamben area for its accessible history. If you are coming from Australia or New Zealand, Amed offers a much-needed break from the chaos of Kuta, but it does require a bit of planning when it comes to staying connected.

Why Amed is the Ultimate Beginner Dive Hub

Unlike the heavy swells you might find in Uluwatu or the strong currents of Nusa Penida, Amed is tucked away on the northeast coast of Bali, shielded by the massive silhouette of Mount Agung. This creates a bay with water as flat as a lake most mornings. For a beginner, this is exactly what you want. There is no boat to get seasick on because most of the best diving is accessible right from the beach. You simply gear up on the black volcanic sand, walk a few meters into the water, and you are surrounded by tropical fish.

When you see plans for your Bali trip, you will notice that Amed is a bit of a trek from the airport—usually about three to four hours. Having reliable data for that drive is essential for keeping track of your driver on Google Maps or letting your family know you have arrived safely.

The USAT Liberty Shipwreck (Tulamben)

Technically located in Tulamben, just 20 minutes from Amed, the USAT Liberty is arguably the most famous dive site in Indonesia. For beginners, it is a dream. The wreck starts at only 3 meters deep and goes down to 30 meters. You do not even need to be an advanced diver to see the best parts. The structure is covered in soft corals, and you will likely see massive bumphead parrotfish, turtles, and schools of trevally. Because it is a shore dive, you can take your time descending without the pressure of a boat full of people waiting for you.

Jemeluk Bay: The Underwater Postbox

Jemeluk Bay is the heart of Amed. It is famous for its underwater postbox where you can actually send a waterproof postcard. The coral reef here starts almost immediately, making it perfect for a 'Discovery Scuba Dive' (DSD). You will see blue-spotted rays hiding in the sand and plenty of 'Nemo' clownfish in their anemones. The bay is also protected from wind, so the water is crystal clear.

Amed Wall and Pyramids

Amed Wall is a short boat ride in a traditional 'jukung' (outrigger boat). It drops down deep, but beginners can stay on the top shelf at 10-12 meters where the light is best. The Pyramids is an artificial reef made of concrete structures that have become home to an incredible array of marine life, including leaf scorpionfish and the occasional reef shark.

Choosing Your Dive School in Amed

Amed is packed with dive shops, but for a beginner, you want to look for a few specific things. First, check if they offer PADI or SSI certifications. Both are globally recognized, so it mostly comes down to the quality of the instructor. Look for shops that keep their groups small—ideally no more than two students per instructor for your first time.

While you are sitting at a cafe in Amed comparing dive shop reviews, you will want a solid internet connection. Relying on cafe Wi-Fi in East Bali can be a gamble. This is where having an AussieRoam eSIM becomes a lifesaver. You can check phone compatibility before you even leave Australia to ensure you are ready to go.

Staying Connected: Why Your Aussie Roaming is a Rip-off

Many Australians land in Denpasar and simply leave their Telstra or Optus roaming on. This is a mistake. Telstra’s International Day Pass and Optus’s daily roaming charges can add up to $100 or more over a two-week trip. Even worse, if you are using a budget provider, you might find yourself with no service at all. You can read more about how this compares in our guide on Kogan Mobile Roaming vs Travel eSIM for Overseas Trips.

AussieRoam offers a much smarter alternative. Our eSIMs connect to the best local networks in Indonesia: Telkomsel, XL, and Indosat. Telkomsel, in particular, has the best coverage in rural areas like Amed. While your mates on roaming are struggling to find a signal behind a volcanic hill, you will be posting your turtle photos to Instagram with ease.

The Connectivity Reality in East Bali

Bali is a modern island, but Amed is still quite rural. The signal can be patchy if you are on the wrong network.

• Telkomsel: The gold standard. They have the most towers in East Bali and offer 5G in many parts of the island, with solid 4G coverage in Amed.
• XL Axiata: Great as a backup, with good 4G speeds in the main bay areas.
• Indosat: Strong in the south (Canggu/Seminyak), but can be hit-or-miss as you head further north toward the volcanoes.

With an AussieRoam eSIM, you get access to these local powerhouses without the 'roaming tax.' Our plans are data-only, which means no local phone number, but in Bali, everyone uses WhatsApp for everything anyway—from booking your dive to ordering a taxi.

How to Set Up Your eSIM Before You Land

The best way to handle your Bali data is to get it sorted before you leave Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland. You can follow our setup guide to get everything ready in minutes.

iPhone 15 and Beyond

If you are rocking the latest tech, check out our iPhone 15 Dual SIM Setup Guide for International Travel. The process is simple:

1. Buy your Indonesia eSIM from AussieRoam.
2. Scan the QR code sent to your email while you are still at the airport in Australia.
3. Label the new line 'Bali Data.'
4. Set your Primary line to 'Off' for data to avoid roaming charges, but keep it on for SMS if you need bank codes.
5. As soon as the wheels touch the tarmac in Denpasar, turn on your 'Bali Data' line.

Data Usage for Your Bali Trip

How much data do you actually need for a diving trip in Amed?

• Google Maps: Essential for the 3-hour drive. It uses more data than you think because of the real-time traffic updates.
• WhatsApp: This is how you will communicate with your dive instructor. Since our plans are data-only, you will use WhatsApp for calls and messages.
• Social Media: Uploading high-res videos of the USAT Liberty wreck will eat through data quickly.

We offer a range of plans to suit your needs, from 1GB for a quick trip to 50GB for those who need to work remotely from a beach bungalow. We also have daily passes if you prefer a 'set and forget' approach. If you run out, you can see plans and top up instantly from our website.

Comparison: AussieRoam vs. Home Carrier Roaming

Feature	AussieRoam eSIM	Telstra / Optus Roaming
Cost	One-off prepaid price	$5 - $10 per day
Network	Telkomsel (5G), XL, Indosat	Roaming Partner (often limited)
Data Limits	Flexible (1GB to 50GB)	Often capped at 1GB/day then slowed
Bill Shock	Impossible (Prepaid)	Very common
Setup	QR Code in 2 minutes	Automatic (but expensive)

The bottom line

Amed is the perfect place to start your scuba journey, but don't let a lack of connectivity ruin the experience. Between navigating the winding roads of East Bali and coordinating with your dive shop, having a local eSIM is a no-brainer. Skip the expensive roaming fees from home and get sorted with an AussieRoam eSIM before you fly. You will land with data, stay connected on the best local networks like Telkomsel, and spend more time focusing on the fish and less time hunting for Wi-Fi.