Lipah Bay

A relaxed sandy slope dive about 12 minutes from Amed, mixing artificial reefs with natural coral patches, large bommies, and resident turtles — a pleasant, easy site if not the most dramatic in the area.

Overview

Lipah Bay is located approximately 12 minutes from Amed on Bali’s northeast coast. The site features a sandy slope descending to around 40 meters, with a mix of artificial reef structures (now colonized with coral growth), natural coral patches, and large bommies decorated with gorgonias and barrel sponges. While described as “not the most exciting dive at Amed,” the site offers pleasant, relaxed diving with reliable turtle sightings, large moray eels, and abundant reef fish. It is well-suited to less experienced divers looking for an easy, enjoyable dive in the Amed area.

Site Information

• Location: Lipah Bay, Amed, East Bali, Indonesia
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 30 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15-25 meters
• Water Temperature: 27-29°C
• Current: Generally mild
• Best Time: April to November (dry season)

Marine Life

Lipah Bay is confirmed by two independent dive-shop sources (Bali AQua and Bali Fab Dive) as a shark nursery area — juvenile white-tip reef sharks shelter under large table corals in the 5–30 m range, with adult reef sharks reported deeper (25–40 m) on the same site. Hawksbill and green sea turtles are regular sightings. Large moray eels inhabit the bommies and artificial reef structures. A note on one dive log (Michael McFadyen’s Scuba Diving Web Site) recorded only a single “blind shark or similar species” on that particular visit rather than a nursery — individual dive reports don’t always encounter every resident species. General reef fish are abundant across the varied habitats.

Dive Profile

Enter from shore and descend onto the sandy slope. The site is a mix of terrain types — navigate between artificial reef structures, natural coral patches, and the larger bommies. The bommies are decorated with gorgonias and barrel sponges and are worth circling for turtles and moray eels. The slope descends gradually to around 40 meters, but most of the interesting features are in the 5-25 meter range. This is a relaxed dive well suited to slow exploration.

Entry and Exit

Shore entry from the beach at Lipah Bay, approximately 12 minutes by road from the main Amed area. The entry is straightforward over a sandy beach. Exit at the same point.

Tips and Recommendations

• A good choice for newer divers or for a relaxed second dive of the day
• Turtles are the highlight — approach slowly and let them come to you
• Check around the artificial reef structures carefully for moray eels and other residents
• Combine with a dive at one of the more dramatic Amed sites for variety

Safety Considerations

Lipah Bay is a straightforward dive with generally mild conditions. Currents are usually light. The sandy slope is easy to navigate, but maintain awareness of your depth as the bottom slopes gradually deeper. Standard safety practices apply — maintain adequate air reserves and perform a safety stop.

Photography

The turtles at Lipah Bay are the primary photographic attraction and are often cooperative subjects. The large moray eels in the bommies reward patient photographers. The artificial reef structures with their coral growth provide interesting compositions showing reef colonization. Wide-angle is recommended for turtles and reef-scape; macro for the invertebrates on the artificial structures.

Sources: Bali AQua - Amed Diving, Amed Dive Explorer - Dive Sites, Michael McFadyen’s Scuba Diving Web Site, Bali Fab Dive - Lipah Bay. Last updated 2026-07-17.