Welcome to Menjangan Island, Bali’s best kept secret for dives!
Recently, we went to Bali for four amazing dives at Menjangan Island. Were the dives worth it? Was the island worth the 45-minute boat ride? Discover it below!
Let’s get started!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1) SCUBA DIVING: Menjangan Island is famous for having the BEST WALL DIVING sites in Bali. Its underwater world is very bright and colorful, with TEN SITES to choose from.
2) Location: Menjangan Island is in the north-west corner of Bali, within the West Bali National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is accessible by a 45-minute boat ride from Pemuteran.
3) Other Activities: Besides diving, visitors can enjoy birdwatching, nature walks, mountain biking, horseback riding, spa treatments, and dining experiences at Bali Tower Bistro.
About Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is located in the north west corner of Bali and is a part of the larger West Bali National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Category II).
It is considered one of the top destinations in Bali by Lonely Planet and one of the best spots to get away from tourists by the New Zealand Herald.
The small island is close to Pemuteran (45 minutes by boat), another amazing diving area in Bali – which we highly recommend visiting.
KEEP IN MIND: Menjangan Island is a long drive from places like Ubud, Uluwatu, Canggu, and Seminyak. From Ubud, it will be a 5-hour drive, but very worth it!
In 1978, Menjangan Island became the number one diving location in Bali, initiated by the sponsorship of the INDONESIAN NAVY. This event brought together major diving clubs such as Possi, Ganesha, Nusantara, and Trisakti. This meeting established Menjangan as a leading international dive site in Bali.
DO YOU KNOW: ‘Menjangan’ actually means ‘deer’ in Javanese. Hence, the island is known as the ‘DEER ISLAND.’
The name was inspired by the local population spotting wild deer herds swimming to the island every spring. If you plan your trip right, you get to see deer swimming yourself!
How to Get to Menjangan Island?
Reaching Menjangan Island is quite easy, but it takes a while.
The easiest way to reach Menjangan Island is by car from Ubud to Labuhan Lalang, a port located in northern Bali. Then, you take a 45-minute boat ride to the island. You’ll see amazing landscapes and feel the ocean breeze breathing down your neck
However, you should be prepared for rough seas. We advise you to take medication against sea sickness for your boat journey to Menjangan Island!
REMEMBER: You must be accompanied by a park guide to visit Menjangan Island (you cannot visit the island by yourself).
You MUST book a tour with one of the many tour operators on the island. You can use our widget below to find the best Menjangan Island Tours!
We always use Get Your Guide as our tour operator – skipping the hassle of long queues or sold-out experiences for our activities. It provides PRIORITY ACCESS to popular attractions.
Additionally, their flexible cancellation policy offers peace of mind, allowing you to cancel your booking up to 24 hours before the activity begins.
A permit is necessary to enter Menjangan Island, as it is part of the West Bali National Park Conservation Area. Below is a short breakdown of the costs you will experience.
- Cost of the Park Guide: depends on the park guide and the tour you book!
- Cost of the Permit: IDR 200.000 on weekdays (12.5 USD), IDR 300.000 on weekends (18.8 USD). (Note: The prices may change.)
KEEP IN MIND: Menjangan Island is a conservation area and does NOT HAVE RESORTS OR HOTELS. it is impossible to spend the night on the island.
So you must book a hotel in Pemuteran or north Bali (see below for our recommendations).
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: Marine Life on Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is a PREMIER DESTINATION in the world for snorkeling and a dive safari (multiple dives in one day).
As an avid diver with over 150 dives to date, I approached Menjangan Island with high expectations. I hoped for clear visibility, moderate currents to attract a diverse range of fish, dramatic drop-offs along beautiful walls, and vibrant coral reefs.
Did it surpass my expectations? See below for the answer!
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The island is encircled by a coral reef, featuring drop-offs reaching nearly 60 (!) METERS and many beautiful rock formations.
It offers TEN EXOTIC DIVING SITES that showcase the island’s beautiful underwater biodiversity. Let’s take a closer look:
- Gardens Eels: This area features white sand filled with eels. The dive begins along a beautiful wall, 40 meters deep, with stunning gorgonians and other sea fans. It then climbs over the top of the reef to a stretch of white sand, known as garden eels, considered one of Menjangan Island’s best parts.
- Pos I: Features stunning coral formations and a diverse range of marine life, including large schools of fish.
- Pos II: Offers beautiful coral gardens with many soft and hard corals.
- Anchor Wreck (Anker/Kapal Budak): At a depth of 45 meters lies the Anchor wreck, also known as the Anker or Kapal Budak (Slave Ship). This old wooden shipwreck, located on the western tip of Menjangan, is believed to be either a 19th-century Dutch vessel that sank during WWII or one that sank much earlier during the Dutch colonial era while allegedly transporting Balinese slaves to Batavia (now Jakarta). The wreck, which holds a cargo of ceramics and glass bottles, is entirely covered in soft coral and is a prime spot to encounter turtles and sharks.
- Bat Cave: Named for the nearby bat cave, this site has impressive drop-offs and rich marine biodiversity.
- Temple Point: Features underwater pinnacles and walls with coral and fish species.
- Coral Garden: Famous for its extensive and colorful coral gardens, home to various coral species,.
- Menjangan Slope: A gently sloping reef with beautiful coral and marine life, ideal for beginners and snorkelers.
- Menjangan Reef: A diverse and vibrant reef ecosystem with various fish and coral species.
- Sandy Slopes: Characterized by gentle sandy slopes with scattered coral formations and diverse marine life.
BE AWARE: At any of these spots above, you might encounter REEF SHARKS AND SEA TURTLES, just as we did! The sea turtles you’ll mostly see swimming or grazing on seagrass beds
Around Menjangan Island, you might see many different fish species. We’ll give you the full overview: garden eels, groupers, moray eels, snappers, batfish, tuna, jackfish (trevally), angelfish, sea turtles, various shark species, pygmy seahorses, parrotfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, lionfish, triggerfish, sweetlips, surgeonfish, damselfish, wrasses, barracudas, Napoleon wrasse, fusiliers, blennies, gobies, pipefish, hawkfish, goatfish, scorpionfish, and cuttlefish.
Menjangan Island is committed to preserving its natural environment as part of the West Bali National Park Conservation Area. Please follow the Leave No Trace Principle.
Where to Stay on Menjangan Island?
The Menjangan: Nature Retreat in West Bali National Park
- Description: We escaped to an idyllic holiday at The Menjangan, the largest resort in the region of West Bali National Park. This peaceful nature retreat offers luxury, tranquility, and adventure with beachfront villas and forest lodges.
- Activities: Diving, snorkeling, wildlife tours.
- Price: Starting at $150 per night.
- Booking Link: The Menjangan Resort
Nusabay Menjangan: Balinese Getaway in a Paradise
- Description: Experience the perfect Balinese getaway at Nusabay Menjangan, an intimate boutique resort in the protected region of West Bali National Park. Accommodations include traditional Balinese cottages and modern beachfront villas.
- Activities: Kayaking, bird watching, exploring coral reefs.
- Price: Starting at $130 per night.
- Booking Link: Nusabay Menjangan
Menjangan Dynasty Resort: Luxurious Glamping in Northwest Bali
- Description: Enjoy the ultimate luxury glamping experience at Menjangan Dynasty Resort, a world-class diving location with views of North West Bali. Accommodations include tented villas and cliff-top tents equipped with modern amenities.
- Activities: Scuba diving, horseback riding, sunset cruises.
- Price: Starting at $200 per night.
- Booking Link: Menjangan Dynasty Resort
When we travel, we always use Booking.com to book all our accommodations. It has the best prices and flexible cancellation policies, depending on the accommodation we choose.
What Other Activities To Do In Menjangan Island?
1) Land Activities
- Description: Enjoy birdwatching, nature walks, mountain biking, and horseback riding activities at Bali West National Park and Menjangan Island (depending on the tour you book).
- Activities: Birdwatching, nature walks, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
- Price: Activities start at $30 per person.
- Booking Link: Book Activities
3) Mangrove Spa
- Description: Experience traditional Balinese healing techniques and natural products at the Mangrove Spa. Enjoy massages and treatments that use locally sourced ingredients.
- Activities: Spa treatments, massages.
- Price: Treatments start at $60 per session.
- Booking Link: Book a Spa Session
4) Dining Experiences
- Bali Tower Bistro
- Description: Dine amidst the treetops at the Bali Tower Bistro, offering a unique culinary experience with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The dramatic forest canopy deck also provides an immersive dining venue, perfect for enjoying breathtaking views and connecting with nature.
- Price: Meals start at $25 per person.
- Booking Link: Reserve a Table at Bali Tower Bistro
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5) Paddle boarding
Description: Rent a paddle board on Menjangan Island and explore the calm waters. It’s an easy and relaxing way to take in the coastal scenery. No experience needed. If you are lucky, you might even see some turtles or deer!
Activities: Stand-up paddle boarding.
Price: Rentals start at $25 per hour.
Weather at Menjangan Island
General Climate
Menjangan Island experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and wet and dry seasons.
Temperature
- Average Annual Temperature: 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F)
- Warmest Months: April to November (Temperatures: 28°C to 30°C (82°F to 86°F))
- Cooler Months: December to March (Temperatures: 26°C to 28°C (79°F to 82°F))
You can check the live weather on the island here.
Seasons
- Dry Season (April to October)
- Weather: Sunny and dry with minimal rainfall.
- Humidity: Lower, making it more comfortable.
- Sea Conditions: Calm seas, excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.
- Activities: Ideal for outdoor activities like diving, snorkeling, and trekking.
- Average Rainfall: Less than 50mm per month.
- Wet Season (November to March)
- Weather: Increased rainfall, occasional thunderstorms.
- Humidity: Higher, can be pretty humid.
- Sea Conditions: Slightly rougher seas, reduced visibility underwater.
- Activities: Diving is still possible but with lower visibility; lush green landscapes for trekking.
- Average Rainfall: 100mm to 300mm per month.
Conclusion
Menjangan Island is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience Bali’s natural beauty and marine life.
With its peaceful nature retreat, exquisite surroundings, and ultimate luxury options, Menjangan Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Whether you’re a snorkeler, diver, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Menjangan Island has something for everyone.
