Amed · Nature
Japanese Shipwreck, Amed: A Snorkeling and Diving Guide
A small coral-crusted wreck, clear from the surface, a short swim off a pebble beach.
By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 11 November 2026
Overview
Japanese Shipwreck, Amed, before you go.
The Japanese Shipwreck is a small steel wreck in Banyuning bay, near the eastern end of the Amed coast in northeast Bali, about 7 km past Jemeluk. It lies about 2 to 12 m deep, 15 to 30 m off a pebble beach, so snorkelers see it almost as well as divers do. For anyone staying in Amed it is worth a morning.
In Banyuning, a hamlet of Bunutan village in Abang district, a steel boat about 20 m long lies on a sandy slope a short swim from the beach. Two buoys mark the spot. The highest part of the wreck sits about 2 m below the surface, less than a meter at a very low tide, and the deepest parts reach about 12 m. Gorgonian sea fans, sponges and soft corals cover the hull, glassfish shelter inside it, and the fans around it hold pygmy seahorses.
Nobody knows what ship this was. Indonesia’s official tourism site calls it a World War II relic, and dive guides describe it as a tug or a small patrol boat, but no record gives its name or the date it sank. The usual story is that divers named it for its toilet, said to be Japanese in style. Even the underwater photographer who wrote the best-known account calls that story unverified. A large marine diesel engine stands upright in deeper water among crankshafts and engine-room debris, which suggests the boat broke apart while it was still afloat. Treat “Japanese” as a nickname, not a fact.
The wreck is one of Amed’s standard stops. Snorkel boats from Jemeluk and Amed village pull in here, dive shops bring beginners for their first shallow dives, and freedivers practice on it. The reef keeps going beyond the hull: to the left as you face the sea, a slope of sea fans runs from about 12 to 30 m, and many divers turn a wreck visit into a long reef dive. To the right, a sandy bank leads about 60 m to coral outcrops at around 12 m.
There are catches. The beach is black pebbles and larger stones, which are awkward to cross with fins on and hard to manage in a swell. Visibility depends on the silty sand below, which waves and careless fins stir up. Currents are usually mild inside the bay, but eddies swirl around it and can pick up without warning. Boats also come and go over the site. There is no lifeguard. In January 2024 a 43-year-old visitor died while snorkeling at Jemeluk Bay, 7 km west, a reminder that even Amed’s calm bays call for a buddy and an eye on the sea.
There is no ticket. The beachfront restaurant behind the usual entry charges a small fee for parking and access, which reports from 2023 to 2026 put at IDR 10,000 to 25,000, sometimes with a drink and a shower included.
- Opening hours
- Open water, daily; snorkel in daylight only (checked Nov 2026)
- Ticket
- No ticket; parking or beach fee about IDR 10,000–25,000 (checked Nov 2026)
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours to snorkel; one 45- to 60-minute dive
- Best time
- 8–10:30 AM at mid to high tide; April–November
- Dress code
- Swimwear and reef shoes; cover up in the village
- Location
- Banyuning, Bunutan; about 7 km (15–20 min) east of Jemeluk
Today at Japanese Shipwreck, Amed
- Daylight
- to
- Hours of light
- 12 hr 29 min of light
Checking the weather in Amed…
Times for this spot, in Bali time (WITA).
Banyuning, Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Open in Google MapsWhat to See
What to see at Japanese Shipwreck, Amed.
- 01
Snorkeling over the hull
From the beach, swim about 15 to 30 m out to the two buoys and the wreck appears below you. Its highest point is about 2 m down, so on a clear morning you can trace the whole outline of the boat, the sea fans on its sides and the schools of fish around it. Float rather than stand: at low tide the top is less than a meter deep and the metal is sharp.
- 02
An easy first wreck dive
Because the wreck lies between about 2 and 12 m on a gentle sandy slope, Amed dive shops use it for beginners, refresher dives and try dives, which are usually limited to 12 m. You walk in from the beach, so there is no boat ride. Certified divers often start here, circle the hull, then swim off along the reef for the rest of the tank.
- 03
Sea fans and pygmy seahorses
To the left of the wreck as you face the sea, the slope drops from about 12 to 30 m past large gorgonian fans, barrel sponges and soft corals. Pygmy seahorses, smaller than a fingernail, live on some of the fans, and gobies and nudibranchs crowd the slope. A local guide is the only realistic way to find them. This is a dive, not a snorkel.
- 04
The engine and the debris field
In deeper water beyond the hull, a large marine diesel engine stands upright, ringed by crankshafts and scattered engine-room parts. It is the strongest clue to how the boat ended up here, since the debris points to a violent break-up rather than a quiet sinking. It is deeper than the hull, so it is for divers, and like the rest of the wreck it should be looked at, never handled.
- 05
Freediving practice
Amed is one of Southeast Asia’s main freediving centers, and the wreck suits beginners: a hull to dive down to at 2 to 12 m, a sandy bottom and usually little current. Courses based at Jemeluk sometimes bring students here. If you freedive on your own, go with a buddy who watches you from the surface every time you dive.
- 06
The ride along the coast
The 7 km from Jemeluk to Banyuning is part of the trip. The road climbs over headland after headland, with views back along the coast to Mount Agung, and drops into small bays lined with jukung, the outrigger fishing boats. Stop at Lipah, 2.5 km before the wreck, for lunch and its own tiny wreck in shallow water.
Seasons
Best time to visit Japanese Shipwreck, Amed.
Come in the morning. Visibility is usually best from about 8 to 10:30 AM, before the wind picks up and before the dive groups stir up the sand. Late afternoon is often quiet as well. Mid to high tide is easiest for snorkelers, because at low tide the top of the wreck is less than a meter below the surface.
April to November is the best season, with calmer seas and the clearest water. The bay is sheltered enough to dive all year, but in the wet season, roughly December to March, rain and choppy seas cut visibility quickly. Check the forecast for swell before you go: a big swell makes the pebble entry dangerous.
On Nyepi, 8 March 2027, the whole island stays home for 24 hours, and nobody is allowed on the beach or in the water. Bali’s busiest holiday weeks, from July to August and around Christmas and New Year, bring more snorkel boats, so go early.
Coming between November and March? Read our Bali rainy season guide →
Getting There
How to get to Japanese Shipwreck, Amed.
| From | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Jemeluk (central Amed) | 15–20 min | About 7 km east on the coast road through Bunutan and Lipah, with steep climbs over the headlands. Snorkel boats from Jemeluk and Amed village also stop at the wreck. |
| Lipah | 5–10 min | About 2.5 km east by scooter or car. The wreck is in the next bays east, just before Aas. |
| Tulamben | 35–45 min | About 22 km by car via Culik, then east along the Amed coast. Easy to pair with the Liberty wreck on a two-dive day. |
| Candidasa | 1–1.25 hours | About 41 km by car via Amlapura and Culik. |
| Bali airport (DPS) | 2.75–3.5 hours | About 106 km via the east-coast road, Candidasa, Amlapura and Culik, longer in afternoon traffic. If you land late, sleep in Sanur and drive up in the morning. |
| Ubud | 2.25–3 hours | About 86 km by car via Klungkung and Amlapura. |
| Sanur, Seminyak or Canggu | 2.25–3.75 hours | About 92 km from Sanur and more from Seminyak or Canggu. As a day trip it is too far, so stay at least one night in Amed. |
Getting around Japanese Shipwreck, Amed
The usual entry is at the beachfront restaurant in Banyuning bay, which charges a small fee for parking and access and has showers, shade and gear for rent. You walk a few steps down to the pebbles, then swim out. Two buoys float above the wreck, so it is hard to miss.
There is no Grab or Gojek in Amed. Come by rented scooter or with a driver, or book a snorkel trip that includes transport. The coast road is narrow, climbs steeply over each headland and has few street lights, so ride it in daylight. Dive shops along the coast drive their guests here and handle parking and gear.
Getting in and out is the hardest part. Wear reef shoes or dive booties on the stones, wade in to waist depth, then put your fins on in the water. Coming back, take your fins off before you stand up, and wait for a lull between waves if there is any swell.
Know Before You Go
Japanese Shipwreck, Amed tips that save time and trouble.
- 01Wear reef shoes for the pebbles and put your fins on in the water.
- 02Go at mid to high tide. At low tide the top of the wreck is less than a meter down.
- 03Never snorkel or freedive alone, and keep an eye on the boats that use the bay.
- 04Do not touch the hull or the coral. The metal is sharp and corroded, and the sea fans break easily.
- 05Do not swim inside the wreck. Leave any closer look to divers with a guide.
- 06Bring your own mask if you can. Rentals cost about IDR 25,000–50,000 an item.
- 07Carry small cash for parking, gear and drinks. ATMs are scattered along the coast.
- 08Pair the wreck with the Liberty at Tulamben for a two-wreck day, or with Lipah for lunch.
- 09A bright rash guard or a small float makes you easier for boat crews to see.
FAQ
Japanese Shipwreck, Amed questions, answered.
Is the Japanese Shipwreck in Amed worth it?
Yes, if you snorkel or dive. It is one of the few wrecks in Bali you can see clearly from the surface, a short swim from the beach, and it costs only a small parking or access fee. It is small, about 20 m long, so it is a one- or two-hour stop rather than a full day. Divers get more from it than snorkelers.
How deep is the Japanese wreck in Amed?
About 2 to 12 m. The top of the wreck sits roughly 2 m below the surface and can be less than a meter at a very low tide, while the deepest parts reach about 12 m on a sandy slope. The reef beside it continues to about 30 m, which only divers reach.
Can you snorkel the Japanese wreck from the beach?
Yes. The wreck is about 15 to 30 m off the beach in Banyuning bay, marked by two buoys, so you can walk in and swim out without a boat. Wear reef shoes on the pebbles and put your fins on in the water. Snorkel boat trips from Jemeluk and Amed village also stop here.
Is the wreck really Japanese?
Nobody knows. Indonesia’s official tourism site calls it a World War II relic, and guides describe a tug or patrol boat, but no record gives its name or the date it sank. Divers say it got its nickname from a toilet that looked Japanese, a story that even those who tell it call unverified.
How much does it cost to visit the Japanese wreck?
There is no ticket. The beachfront restaurant at the usual entry charges for parking and beach access, about IDR 10,000 to 25,000 in reports from 2023 to 2026, sometimes with a drink and a shower included. Masks and fins rent for about IDR 25,000 to 50,000 an item. Foreign visitors also pay Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy once per trip.
Is the Japanese wreck safe for beginners?
Yes, on a calm day, for confident swimmers. The bay is sheltered and currents are usually mild, but there is no lifeguard, the pebble entry is hard in a swell, and boats use the bay. A snorkeler died at Jemeluk Bay nearby in January 2024. Swim with a buddy, wear fins and stay out when the sea is rough.
Can you dive the Japanese wreck without a license?
Yes, on a try dive with an instructor. Because the wreck lies at about 2 to 12 m, Amed dive shops use it for introductory dives, which are usually limited to 12 m. Certified divers can explore the hull and the deeper reef beside it, ideally with a local guide who knows where the pygmy seahorses live.
What is the best time to snorkel the Japanese wreck?
Between about 8 and 10:30 AM, at mid to high tide, from April to November. Mornings usually have the clearest water and the fewest people. At low tide the top of the wreck is very close to the surface, and in the wet season choppy seas often cloud the water.
Japanese wreck or USAT Liberty: which is better?
The Liberty, if you can do only one. The USAT Liberty at Tulamben is about 125 m long and far richer, while the Japanese wreck is about 20 m long. But the Japanese wreck is shallower, quieter and easier for snorkelers. They are about 22 km apart, so many divers do both on one day.
Nearby
Where to go after Japanese Shipwreck, Amed.
Places close by that fit into the same trip, with realistic travel times.
5–10 min by road (2.5 km)
Lipah Beach
Amed’s second cluster of warungs, a shaded gray-sand beach and a small wooden wreck in 1.5 m of water.
15–20 min by road (7 km)
Jemeluk Bay
Amed’s main snorkeling bay, with coral, sunken statues and a viewpoint over the coast and Mount Agung.
35–45 min by road (22 km)
USAT Liberty Wreck
Bali’s best-known wreck dive, a 125 m World War II cargo ship off the beach at Tulamben.
Visitor guide45–60 min by road (22 km)
Lempuyang Temple
The split gate framing Mount Agung, best at dawn before the lines build.
Visitor guide40–50 min by road (23 km)
Tirta Gangga
The former royal water garden, with stepping stones, koi ponds and spring-fed pools.
Visitor guide
Read Next
More Japanese Shipwreck, Amed guides.
How we researched this
Sources and fact checks.
Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Japanese Shipwreck, Amed guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 11 November 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.
We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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