Menjangan Island is located 5 miles to the north-west of Bali and is part of the West Bali National Park. “Menjangan” means “deer,” named due to the rare Javan rusa deer herds that swim to the island every spring. Visitors can regularly spot these deer bathing at the secluded, sandy beaches that adorn the coastline. You can also admire the Menjangan island’s collection of shrines, including Segara Giri Dharma Kencana temple with its imposing, seaward-facing Ganesh statue.
Calm waters and coral gardens teeming with marine life offer diving and snorkeling with excellent visibility year-round. Good drop-offs on Menjangan’s south side are a popular spot for dive enthusiasts. Apart from a high diversity of coral and tropical fish, many sea and shorebirds are floating around the Menjangan island. The hawksbill turtle is also frequently sighted alongside gentle manta rays, harmless blacktip sharks, and elusive octopus. It would help if you had a permit and a park guide to visit Menjangan Island, but it’s more than worth it for the taste of untouched Balinese nature.
