Amed Beach

Amed Beach has a second name, one that becomes clearer once you walk to the coast and notice the dark volcanic sand. The gorgeous beach is also dubbed "Black Beauty" for its inky coastline.

"Amed" refers to the Bali coast that stretches for about 8.5 miles and incorporates a cluster of seven villages called Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning, and Aas. In the past, these were mainly a collection of fishing villages and salt farms. Now, the area also beckons honeymooners looking to escape Bali's more touristy spots.

The reefs along the coast also attract divers and snorkelers. The water teems with various marine life. An aquatic adventure here will likely reveal tropical fish, sea turtles, coral gardens, and perhaps even the occasional shark. You'll even discover a shipwrecked Japanese patrol boat from World War II.

However, the black sand is what makes Amed Beach so remarkably unique from other Bali beaches. The sand's color is due to the volcanic deposits in the coastal soil. It stays black year-round, a sharp contrast to the gold and white sand that hugs most of Bali's coastline.