West Bali National Park and Menjangan Island

Wild forest, rare birds and some of Bali's best coral walls, at the quiet far end of the island.

Area

West

Start from

Pemuteran

Distance

about 3.5–4 hours from Ubud

Time needed

2–3 days

Best season

Best April – November

Difficulty

Moderate

Transport

Car to Pemuteran or Labuhan Lalang; boat to Menjangan

Tickets & rules

National park fees; local guides for trails

Why go

The north-west corner of Bali is protected as West Bali National Park, a mix of dry forest, mangroves and savannah, very different from the green rice country of the centre.

Off its coast, Menjangan Island is surrounded by steep coral walls that drop into deep blue water. The visibility is often excellent, and snorkellers can float along the edge of the wall while divers go deeper.

The nearby village of Pemuteran is a calm base with a black-sand beach, small resorts and a long-running reef restoration project.

The story

The park was created partly to protect the Bali starling, a striking white bird with blue skin around its eyes, found nowhere else in the world and once on the edge of extinction. Breeding and release programmes have helped it come back in small numbers.

Menjangan means 'deer', and small Javan deer can still be seen on the island, sometimes walking on the beach. The island also has a temple and a large Ganesha statue facing the sea.

In Pemuteran, villagers and scientists started building Biorock reef structures in the early 2000s: metal frames carrying a small electric current that helps coral grow. The project is often cited as an example of community-led reef restoration.

Getting there

Drive to Pemuteran via the north coast or through the mountains. Boats to Menjangan leave from Labuhan Lalang, a short drive west of Pemuteran.

A suggested plan

1. Day 1Drive to Pemuteran, swim at sunset.
2. Day 2Morning boat to Menjangan for snorkelling or diving; visit the island temple.
3. Day 3Guided walk in the national park or snorkelling over the reef restoration structures in Pemuteran.

Where to stay

Pemuteran has a good choice of small resorts and guesthouses.

Good to know

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.
• Early boats get calmer seas.
• Ask your guide about the Bali starling breeding programme.