Looking for something special in Amed

[InDaWata]

Hello everyone,

I've come here looking for some help, as I'll be kicking around Amed for a while this coming July for diving.
I'm a divemaster and photographer, which puts me into a little bit of a conundrum when looking for operations to dive with. I'd like to avoid having to dive in a group, for example, and would absolutely hate to have to stick to some arbitrary time limit when on a dive (NDL, and air consumption allowing, of course).

Does anyone have any recommendations in Amed? It's been years since I've been there, and I imagine things have changed quite a bit.

Thanks for your help!

 

[tygeronix]

I always go with a freelance guide when I'm in Bali. My guide is really good, he's been diving since the 90s so he knows Bali seas really well - except for Gili Selang. Unfortunately he doesn't speak English. But if you go with a freelancer, your insurance won't cover you because you're not diving with a licensed dive operator. I reckon you can ask the dive center for a private guide? I'm pretty sure they can cater to your need.

 

[RobinC.]

Hi,
If you're into photography, i would advice you to go to bintang divers and ask to dive with Brata.
He is one of the first dive guide in the area (15+ years) and specialized in taking photographers underwater and he definitely wont bother you with time limit or whatsoever as long as you pay him a beer at the end of the day ^^

 

[Tippytoes12]

Hello everyone,

I've come here looking for some help, as I'll be kicking around Amed for a while this coming July for diving.
I'm a divemaster and photographer, which puts me into a little bit of a conundrum when looking for operations to dive with. I'd like to avoid having to dive in a group, for example, and would absolutely hate to have to stick to some arbitrary time limit when on a dive (NDL, and air consumption allowing, of course).

Does anyone have any recommendations in Amed? It's been years since I've been there, and I imagine things have changed quite a bit.

Thanks for your help!

I just had a week in Liberty Dive Resort , where I had my own guide , could go diving whenever we wanted , often spent 70 and sometimes 80 minutes
unferwater and had free Nitrox. I realise that you asked about Amed, and you may know all of this already, but just thought I would mention it !

 

[RobinC.]

I'd definitely stay in Amed area rather than Tulamben.

 

[InDaWata]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.
I've heard of Bintang Divers, and think I might head their way when I get in town. Im surprised at the amount of development there appears to be in Amed... really don't remember it being that big when I was there long ago. It's like 10x the size!

 

[Wisnu]

If you are Into UWP particularly macro / muck diving, then Tulamben offer more flexibility and more choice on dive sites
It is very common the dive centers in tulamben offer low guide to diver ratio, typically 1 : 2 or even a private guide 1 to 1 at no extra cost.
Amed offer more choices on accommodation and restaurants, but diving wise, tulamben is still my favorites so far, 17x stayed in Tulamben and only 2x in Amed.

 

[Ardy]

If you are Into UWP particularly macro / muck diving, then Tulamben offer more flexibility and more choice on dive sites
It is very common the dive centers in tulamben offer low guide to diver ratio, typically 1 : 2 or even a private guide 1 to 1 at no extra cost.
Amed offer more choices on accommodation and restaurants, but diving wise, tulamben is still my favorites so far, 17x stayed in Tulamben and only 2x in Amed.

I agree Wisnu, Tulamben is the diving centre and Amed has good cafe's, restaurants etc Pity Tulamben doesn't have that vibe but it has never bothered me. Stayed in Amed once and enjoy the place but the diving was disappointing.

The only thing missing in Tulamben is a decent coffee shop and a concrete jetty near the wreck to access the ocean for old farts like me!

 

[InDaWata]

If you are Into UWP particularly macro / muck diving, then Tulamben offer more flexibility and more choice on dive sites
It is very common the dive centers in tulamben offer low guide to diver ratio, typically 1 : 2 or even a private guide 1 to 1 at no extra cost.
Amed offer more choices on accommodation and restaurants, but diving wise, tulamben is still my favorites so far, 17x stayed in Tulamben and only 2x in Amed.

Im in the same situation- I've been staying in Tulamben so many times I've lost count.
For that reason I was looking to do something different. I would like to do more shore diving than from a boat, but I'm having trouble finding information about a) renting tanks (which I would prefer), and b) the logistics concerning dive sites, and travelling from site to site in and around Amed.

I'd really like to make it work, but it's true that in Tulamben everything is right there. There are so many options regarding places to stay, and most of them are a very short walk from all of the dive sites Tulamben offers.

 

[Ardy]

Im in the same situation- I've been staying in Tulamben so many times I've lost count.
For that reason I was looking to do something different. I would like to do more shore diving than from a boat, but I'm having trouble finding information about a) renting tanks (which I would prefer), and b) the logistics concerning dive sites, and travelling from site to site in and around Amed.

I'd really like to make it work, but it's true that in Tulamben everything is right there. There are so many options regarding places to stay, and most of them are a very short walk from all of the dive sites Tulamben offers.

I dived in Amed, did a shore dive with some dive op on the beach. We swam a fair way to an average reef with a limited amount of life but good clear water. Had a look around and then swam back. Quite forgettable for me but some of those with me who had less experience enjoyed it. The guide pointed out nothing and was there to guide us to the reef and get us back. My experience was limited in Amed and I think there must be better diving there but it wasn't obvious and I did not plan to dive there.
Stayed at a good hotel but it was a fair way from the dive op's. Hotel was 'Life in Amed Boutique'.
Tanks are no problem and most op's seem to travel around Amed to differnt dive sites. I think it's the kind of place to go for a holiday with the girlfriend or wife, Wisnu has dived Amed many times and there are a couple of guys here who run a dive shop in Amed.
I will say that I do macro mostly and have not enjoyed much diving outside of that on Bali. Was very dissapointed with the manta's on Lombok swimming in plastic and poor viz.