The Japanese Shipwreck Point

Most divers visit the Tulamben area for the Liberty Shipwreck but often are unaware of this hidden gem in nearby Amed Village. The Japanese Shipwreck point is located in Banyuning Bay close to Amed Village, a famous diving and snorkelling destination on the eastern tip of Bali. Banyuning is just one of the seven villages along the 8km long strip of coastline that is referred to as “Amed”. 

A diver’s paradise as they say about Amed, if you are keen on spending your holiday diving and snorkelling by the day and relaxing and just chilling by the evening then a visit to the Japanese Shipwreck Point is an absolute must. There are a number of options for you in Amed Beach itself to spend your Bali holidays. You can also plan your Bali holiday through Bali Trip Packages and have an amazing holiday at this Island of Gods.

The wreck is literally just off the beach in Banyuning Bay, making it easy to snorkel on. Very little is actually known about the Japanese Wreck in Bali or how it ended up underwater at Banyuning. In fact, it is not even clear that it is actually Japanese. The Japanese Shipwreck Point is marked by one (or two) black buoys and although the spot is freely accessible from the beach, many local guides will offer to take you there by boat.

Very little information is there about the history of this Shipwreck. However, two major stories are that it was a Japanese patrol ship which must have sunk during WWII and got its name because of an intact Japanese-style toilet found on the remnants of the vessel. Furthermore, it was either the term ‘Java-nese’ was mistaken for ‘Japa-nese’ and that stayed on. Now whatever the case maybe, this shipwreck in Bali is covered in some of the most beautiful corals and sponges in the area making it a wreck diving favourite for the area. There is also plenty of fish, shrimp, manta rays and other marine life to keep you entertained for a couple of hours. From the beach, you simply swim out the 50 metres or so to the wreck which begins in a few metres of water making it suitable for all levels including snorkelers. The wreck itself is fairly small and looks more like it used to be a tug.  The depth on the wreck varies from just 6m to about 12m. It lays on silty sand that can easily be stirred up by too many divers or a change in the prevailing currents. But overall the wreck itself is very easy and a safe dive.

Suggested Read: Places for Scuba Diving in Bali

Things to do near the Japanese Shipwreck Point

Going right takes you north and along a sloping sandy bank for about 60m or so. There you will find some bommies in about 12 m of water. Heading left from the wreck will take you east around a headland and along the coastline. This is a really interesting dive as it is almost two dives in one. From about 12m down to around 30m there is an excellent variety of the smaller marine life. Ranging from pygmy seahorses to gobies and nudi’s. You can spend your day discovering a range of aquatic fishes.

To add on to your list of things to do near the Japanese Shipwreck Point, you can also choose from an array of activities in and around Amed Beach. Some of them are: