Nestled on a lush hilltop and overlooking the sea, Amankila has an incredibly picturesque setting and is one of Bali’s most luxurious hotels. Located in the Karangasem region, the resort has 33 private suites as well as a 3-tiered infinity pool, a beach club, and a private black sand beach.
I had the pleasure of staying at Amankila for a few nights… and it’s pretty safe to say it’s now one of my favorite hotels ever!
One of the most treasured memories from my trip was our day on the Amankila cruise, which is one of the special experiences offered by the hotel.
Here’s my experience on the Amankila cruise to Virgin Beach!
About the Amankila Cruise
Amankila has two boats, Aman XII and Aman XVI, and both are styled after traditional Balinese outriggers. Aman XII is the 50-foot boat that the hotel uses for group cruises at 5:30am (Sunrise Cruise), 9:15am (Morning Cruise) and 1pm (Afternoon Cruise).
Private tours are given on the slightly smaller 40-foot Aman XVI boat. This is the boat we took for our cruise to Virgin Beach!
We set up the cruise with the reception staff the day before and were told that it would be best to go in the early morning. The reason for this is the water tends to be calmer in the mornings. We were also informed that, depending on weather and water conditions, we would either be picked up from the hotel’s beach or be taken to the harbor to board the boat.
The next morning, we learned that the weather conditions were good and we could be picked up from the beach (very lucky for us!). Arriving to the beach, we were helped on the boat — a little tricky with a few waves but we managed to keep our belongings dry!
The boat itself is beautiful and very comfortable, with a large table and cushioned seats.
But the best part…
There is an upper rooftop lounge complete with comfy cushions… it felt like more of a bed than a boat. And who wouldn’t want to cruise along the coast from bed?! Talk about dreamy.
After meeting our friendly boat crew (a captain and deckhand), the Aman XVI boat took us along the coast for just under 10 miles to our beach destination. Along the way, we were able to take in the incredible coastal views of East Bali.
The lush jungles, the tropical beaches, and views of Mount Agung were breathtaking.
Virgin Beach
When we arrived at Virgin Beach, I was delighted by how absolutely stunning the area was. Tropical palm trees and lush jungle surrounds this idyllic golden-sand beach.
And the water… WOW! The water at Virgin Beach was some of the most beautiful I saw in Bali with so many different shades of blue.
The beach is lined with a few warungs and beach bars with sun loungers and umbrellas, and of course the iconic jukungs (traditional Balinese outrigger canoes).
We were then taken for a snorkel tour of the gorgeous coral reefs — where we spotted tons of colorful fish and even a sea turtle!
After taking in the beauty that is Virgin Beach and its waters, we started the return journey back to Amankila. On the way back, we were taken to see a few little offshore islands and enjoyed the boxed lunch that the hotel had packed for us.
My Thoughts
The Amankila cruise on Aman XVI was such a wonderful way to see East Bali from a different perspective. Amankila truly offers some of the best experiences that allow you to really soak in the island’s natural beauty.
I still can’t get over the rooftop lounge area on the boat… I’ve never experienced anything like it!
And, Virgin Beach was even more beautiful than I imagined. All in all, it was one of my favorite experiences from the trip and a memory I’ll never forget.
Amankila Cruise Tips
Planning to stay at Amankila and interested in the cruise? Here are a few tips for you!
- Neither boat, the Aman XII and Aman XVI, have a bathroom on board so just make sure to use one before your trip, and change into your swimsuit beforehand.
- Check the weather conditions on the day of your cruise! If it’s the water is too choppy, consider going on a different day.
- Pack a sun hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun if you want to enjoy the upstairs roof lounge!
→ Read the FULL review of Amankila here!
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