Amed: Spearfishing, Freediving and Catch & Cook Adventure

Amed’s best catch may not be the fish. It may be the way this private spearfishing trip turns a morning on the sea into a shared meal with the crew. You head out by speedboat, learn how to move calmly through clear water, and return to shore for a BBQ built around whatever the sea provides.

I like two things right away: the personal coaching, and the fact that dinner is included even if the fish are having a better day than you are. The main drawback is simple: this is open-water spearfishing, so rough conditions, seasickness, and an empty catch basket are all possible.

Key points to know before booking

• The catch becomes dinner: Fish you land may be prepared fresh, while dinner still goes ahead if luck or weather works against you.
• Coaching changes with your ability: Beginners can learn equipment handling and technique, while experienced spearos can spend more time hunting.
• The guides are part of the appeal: Philip, Wayan, Dusan, Filip, and Bojan are named by guests as patient, friendly, and focused on safety.
• You may hunt two very different settings: The plan can use reef areas or open blue-water sites, depending on conditions and skill.
• The group stays small: A private format gives you more time with the guide and less waiting for other people.
• The five hours include the meal: Allow time for the briefing, boat rides, about three and a half hours on the water, and a relaxed dinner.

Starting in central Amed, close to the sea

You meet at the Amed Local Adventures office in central Amed, about 20 meters from the ocean. Look for a host wearing an Amed Local Adventures shirt. This is a useful meeting point because you are not being sent across Bali to begin the trip. The office is right near the water, so the transfer from briefing to boat is short and easy.

Hotel pickup is not included. You will need to arrange your own way to the office, and personal expenses are also yours to cover. For a private outing priced at $277 per group of up to two people, that detail matters. The cost is easier to justify if you are sharing it with a companion, especially since it covers the boat, fuel, gear, coaching, refreshments, and dinner.

Bring sunscreen and beachwear. Basic swimming ability is required. You do not need prior spearfishing experience, but you should be comfortable in open water and ready for a physical half-day outside.

The 30-minute safety briefing

The first half hour is not filler. It is where you learn how the equipment works, what the day will involve, and how to behave around the boat and other people in open water.

Your guide adjusts the lesson to your level. A first-timer may spend more time learning how to hold and use the equipment, control movement, and stay calm underwater. Someone with experience may need less theory and more discussion about the likely fish, locations, and conditions.

That early coaching has real value. Spearfishing is not simply a matter of pointing a tool at a fish. You need to move quietly, watch your surroundings, judge your comfort level, and conserve energy. In open water, calm technique is more useful than bravado.

Dusan has made time for beginners before the boat went farther offshore, and that extra instruction helped them feel ready for deeper water. That is a good sign for anyone who is curious but nervous. Wayan has also been praised for patient encouragement, including with a solo woman who wanted to feel safe while learning.

The safety portion cannot remove every risk. The sea changes from day to day, and no guide can promise easy water or a particular catch. Still, a careful briefing and a guide close by are exactly what you want when trying a new ocean activity.

A 30-minute speedboat ride along Amed’s coast

Once the briefing is finished, you board the speedboat. The ride out and back take about 30 minutes each, giving you time to see Amed from the water and reach the chosen hunting area.

The exact destination depends on the weather, the sea state, and your experience. Some trips focus on reefs. Others head farther out for blue-water hunting and pelagic fish. This flexibility is useful because it lets the crew choose a safer and more productive plan rather than forcing every group into the same route.

It also means you should not arrive expecting a fixed list of fish. The species depend on season and conditions. Fish mentioned during the trip can include mahi-mahi and amberjack, and one successful outing produced an Almaco jack and a mahi-mahi. Another group caught four fish weighing roughly 4 to 5 kilograms each.

Those results are encouraging, but they are not a promise. You could see fish and miss your shots. You could find rough conditions. You could return with little or nothing from the water. The fair trade is that dinner remains included, so the day does not depend entirely on your aim.

Snacks and cold refreshments are provided. That helps during a long session, but you should still take the physical demands seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with a low level of fitness, those prone to seasickness, or anyone uncomfortable in open water.

Three and a half hours of guided hunting

The main session lasts about three and a half hours. Your guide remains with you in the water, helping you stay relaxed and giving practical tips as you move between locations.

On a reef trip, you may look for fish around underwater structure. On a blue-water outing, the focus can shift to pelagic species and more open surroundings. The setting changes the feel of the day. Reef hunting can offer a more defined area to work, while blue-water hunting may feel more exposed and dependent on conditions.

The guides know the local waters, but you are still part of the process. You will learn to spot fish, choose an approach, and judge when to act. Beginners should expect to spend part of the session building comfort rather than collecting fish. That is not wasted time. Learning to control your breathing and movement is central to making the activity enjoyable.

Experienced participants may get more from the open-water option. The trip can give you a chance to work on technique without being placed in a large mixed group. Because the booking is private or small group, you are not waiting for a busload of people to finish or being pushed through a standard lesson at someone else’s pace.

The reviews describe a notably social crew. Ryan went out with Philip, who explained the equipment and the fish being targeted, then helped him feel comfortable as a first-timer. Conditions were rough that day, but the group still managed to land an Almaco jack and a mahi-mahi. They also used a hand line while moving between sites, adding a little extra fishing to the outing.

Wildlife sightings can add another layer to the trip. One outing included whales, dolphins, and a turtle, though these are chance encounters, not scheduled parts of the activity. You should treat them as a bonus rather than an expected feature.

The sustainable angle is worth considering too. Spearfishing can be selective because you choose the fish you pursue rather than taking a large random catch. The experience is presented as respectful and sustainable, but local conditions and the guide’s instructions still matter. Listen carefully about which fish to target and how to handle the catch.

Returning by boat and sitting down for dinner

After the water session, you return to Amed by speedboat. The final part of the experience is a shared dinner with the crew, and this is what gives the trip a stronger local character than a standard activity followed by a quick goodbye.

If fish were caught, local restaurant partners prepare them fresh. Previous meals have included BBQ fish, tempe, rice, spicy sauce, and beers. The food is shared around the table, with the crew joining in. That setup turns the catch into a communal meal rather than a trophy to carry away.

If the sea provides nothing, dinner still happens. This is one of the smartest features of the trip. You are paying for a complete day on the water, not gambling the entire value of the booking on fish behavior and your own skill.

The dinner lasts about an hour and a half. If you prefer a fast activity with no social time afterward, this may feel long. I think the slower ending suits the experience. You have time to dry off, talk through the day, and enjoy the result without watching the clock.

The meal also helps explain the price. You are not only buying boat time. You get the guide’s attention, equipment, fuel, snacks, refreshments, and a meal that may include your own catch. At $277 for up to two people, it is a stronger deal for a couple or two friends than for a solo participant paying the full group price.

Who will enjoy this Amed adventure

This trip suits an adventurous adult who wants more than a sightseeing boat ride. It is a good choice if you like hands-on activities, want to learn a new skill, and enjoy eating with local hosts afterward.

It also works well for beginners. You need basic swimming ability, but no previous spearfishing experience. The coaching is tailored, and the guides have shown patience with people learning from scratch. If you are anxious, tell the guide early. The better the crew understands your comfort level, the better they can shape the session.

Experienced spearos may prefer it because the group stays small and the plan can shift between reef and blue-water hunting. The trip does not read like a rigid lesson for beginners only. Your guide can spend more time on tactics and fish spotting if you already know how to handle the basics.

This is not a good fit for children under 13, pregnant women, non-swimmers, or people with heart problems, epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, altitude sickness, or a low level of fitness. You should not book if you have been diving within the previous 24 hours. The activity is also unsuitable for people over 70 or those prone to seasickness.

Photos and videos are not part of the standard package, though they may be available as an add-on if selected. If you want proof of your catch, check that option before booking rather than assuming someone will film the day.

Timing, cancellations, and practical value

The total experience takes about five hours, although the operating information also describes it as approximately four to five hours. Check the available start times when booking, then leave enough room afterward so you are not rushing to another appointment.

The schedule is roughly:

• 30 minutes for the safety briefing
• 30 minutes by speedboat to the hunting area
• 3.5 hours of guided spearfishing
• 30 minutes by speedboat back to Amed
• 1.5 hours for dinner

The small-group format is important. It gives you direct contact with the guide and makes it easier to adjust the session to your comfort level. It also means spaces are limited, so booking ahead makes sense, especially if you want a particular day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those policies are helpful when weather can affect an open-water outing, though you should still confirm the final start time and meeting details.

Should you book the Amed spearfishing trip?

Book it if you want a personal, active day that combines instruction, time on the sea, and a proper meal with the crew. The strongest reasons are the patient coaching, the private format, and the fact that dinner is guaranteed even when the fish are not.

I would especially recommend it to a first-timer who feels uncertain about trying spearfishing. Philip, Wayan, Dusan, Filip, and Bojan are associated with a warm and careful approach, and the extra time given to beginners can make a real difference.

Think twice if you dislike rough water, get seasick, or want a guaranteed catch. The sea sets the terms. But if you can accept some uncertainty, this is a memorable way to meet Amed through its water, its fishing culture, and a shared plate at the end of the day.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

You meet at the Amed Local Adventures office in central Amed, about 20 meters from the ocean. Your host will wear an Amed Local Adventures shirt.

How long does the activity take?

The experience lasts about five hours. The stated schedule includes a 30-minute briefing, two 30-minute speedboat rides, about 3.5 hours on the water, and a 1.5-hour dinner.

Is previous spearfishing experience required?

No. Basic swimming ability is required, but no prior spearfishing experience is necessary. The guide adapts the coaching to your skill level.

What fish might I find?

The exact species depend on weather and season. Fish mentioned for the trip include mahi-mahi, amberjack, and Almaco jack.

Is dinner included if I do not catch a fish?

Yes. Dinner after the trip is always included. If fish are caught, they may be freshly prepared by local restaurant partners and shared with the crew.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. Complete spearfishing equipment, the boat, fuel, snacks, and cold refreshments are included.

Can children join?

Children under 13 cannot join this activity. The experience is also not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with several listed medical conditions, or people over 70.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.