Ditch your usual Bali haunts for a while and drive up north to discover the mesmerising natural delights of Menjangan.
The southern part of Bali has always been more popular among travellers, especially considering the international airport is located in the vicinity. That being said, the island has endless wonders all around just waiting to be discovered. One of these is Menjangan in northwest Bali, known for its national park and deer island.
The name Menjangan – which means deer in Indonesian – actually belongs to the inhabited island where the protected deer live, around 8km offshore from West Bali National Park. Travellers can take a day trip to the island to enjoy the breathtaking underwater scene, comprising colourful reefs and fauna, as well as a magnificent dive spot where you can see a shipwreck aptly named Anker (anchor) site.
While you can’t spend the night on the island, you can experience living amidst the wondrous nature of the national park as there are two elegant resorts operating within it: Plataran Menjangan Resort & Spa and The Menjangan. In addition, just outside the park, also on the coast, is the glamping-style Menjangan Dynasty Resort. Further, the nearby Singaraja and Pemuteran areas offer numerous more modest accommodations.
In addition to close encounters with deer on the island and the vibrant underwater scene, immerse yourself in the natural surroundings by exploring the national park and discover more of Indonesia’s rich world of flora and fauna, possibly with a horseback ride around the forest. Afterwards, take it easy with a dip in the water or kayaking around the area.
