- Overview of Amed Marine Tourism Area
The Amed Marine Tourism Area, located on the eastern coast of Bali, Indonesia, is recognized as one of the island’s prominent marine tourism destinations. Approximately 80 kilometers from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, this area comprises several coastal villages, including Amed, Jemeluk, Purwakerti, and Bunutan. Amed is particularly well-known for its coastal and marine tourism appeal in northern Bali. Surrounded by mountains and hills and featuring an extensive stretch of coastline, the area offers not only diving opportunities but also beach-related, boating, and cultural tourism. With average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C, Amed attracts visitors year-round.
As one of Bali’s notable diving destinations, Amed offers several popular dive sites such as Pyramids, Jemeluk Bay, Bunutan, Lipah Bay, Deep Blue, and the Japanese Shipwreck. These sites are renowned for their vibrant coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity, including artificial reefs shaped as statues and stupas that reflect the local Balinese cultural identity.
According to official statistics from Karangasem Regency, there are approximately 66 hotels and resorts operating in the villages of Bunutan and Purwakerti, two main areas supporting Amed’s tourism sector. Employment absorption in these areas reached 747 workers in 2024. However, based on 2024 monitoring through Google Maps, there are in fact more than 150 hotels, resorts, villas, and guesthouses operating in Bunutan and Purwakerti. Located just 15–20 kilometers from the village of Tulamben, Amed shares similar socio-cultural characteristics with Tulamben. The majority of the population practices Hinduism and maintains strong local traditions. The village of Bunutan covers an area of approximately 30.58 square kilometers, while the neighboring village of Purwakerti spans about 4.49 square kilometers.
The high concentration of dive centers and resorts has also made Amed a popular and affordable location for dive training and certification. As a flourishing destination for diving tourism, the area has contributed significantly to the local economy through job creation and increased household income. Many local residents are involved in the tourism industry as dive guides, accommodation owners, or small-scale entrepreneurs. However, detailed academic studies or reports specifically evaluating these impacts have yet to be published.
- Overview of The Japanese Shipwreck
The Japanese Shipwreck is located in Purwakerti Village, Abang District, Karangasem Regency, Bali Province. Although geographically situated in Purwakerti, the site is more commonly associated with the name “Amed” due to its proximity and popularity as part of the broader Amed diving area. Measuring approximately 20 meters in length, 5 meters in width, and 2.14 meters in height, the wreck lies at a depth of about 3 to 7 meters (Tenaya 2017). The relatively shallow depth also makes it an ideal site for both novice and experienced divers.
Despite its significance as a dive site, there has been limited scholarly attention devoted to the Japanese Shipwreck, particularly from archaeological and tourism perspectives. To date, the only identified archaeological study is a survey report by Tenaya (2017). This report presents basic measurements of the wreck and provides a preliminary historical interpretation. Based on interviews with local residents and an initial analysis of the ship’s dimensions and structural characteristics, Tenaya concluded that the site likely represents a Japanese vessel that sank during World War II.