Bali’s Secret Island Is Unmissable Vacation Destination For Ocean Lovers

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Bali travelers are rightly always on the lookout for a new destination to explore and stunning natural wonders to enjoy.

Here at The Bali Sun, we are proud to know all the best hidden gems and secret travel hotspots that tourists can’t skip.

We make a point of not gatekeeping! If you’re a respectful traveler, you’re invited to explore as much of Indonesia as you possibly can…that’s what the national tourism board, Wonderful Indonesia, keeps promoting anyway!

Have you ever heard of Menjangan Island? We bet you haven’t! This is undeniably one of Bali’s best-kept secrets.

For tourists seeking crowd-free bliss, untouched natural beauty, and authentic cultural interactions, Menjangan Island is the place to go. In fact, the whole of West Bali feels like a totally different island. It’s hard to describe exactly, but the whole energy of this landscape feels grounded, ancient, and truly welcoming. 

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Menjangan Island is part of West Bali National Park in Buleleng Regency. Its name comes from the Javanese word for ‘deer’. The island is said to have been given this name after local communities observed deer herds from the coastal forest ecosystem that is now known as West Bali National Park, swimming to the island every springtime. Crazy! 

Mengjangan Island is located 10km north of the West Bali National Park area and is surrounded by some of the most pristine underwater ecosystems in Bali. While hundreds of thousands of tourists depart from Bali every year to go island hopping over the Nusa Islands and Gili Islands, it’s wild that the desert island sensation that they are seeking can be found in the totally opposite direction!

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This island is seriously photogenic. When the tide is low, the white sand beaches grow in size, and when the sun is shining, the water glistens in a dreamy, crystal blue. For nature lovers wanting to dive into an underwater adventure, it doesn’t get much better than the waters off Menjangan Island.

The abundance of marine life that it is possible to encounter is nothing shy of awe-inspiring, from moray eels to snappers, tuna, batfish, and angelfish, to name but a few. For those who are super lucky, it is possible to encounter sea turtles and small sharks. 

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What makes Menjangan Island the ideal focal point for a vacation in Bali is that it is surrounded by incredible hotels and cultural attractions.

West Bali is an untapped gem in terms of tourism, but the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Bali Provincial Government are working to change that and attract more tourists to the area.

Nearby Pemuteran Village has also this year been awarded the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Best Tourism Village Award.

This is the same award that was won by Penglipuran Village in Bali’s Bangli Regency a couple of years back, and the win helped catapult the community onto the world stage.

The same phenomenon is expected to hit Pemuteran Village, and a huge increase in the number of visitors is anticipated over the next 18 months. 

Since it is not possible to stay on Menjangan Island itself, Pemuteran Village is the perfect place to stay for tourists who want to experience the magic of West Bali National Park and rural, coastal village life in Bali. Pemuteran is also home to one of the biggest coral restoration projects in Bali, operated by BioRock Indonesia. Accommodation options in Pemuteran leave tourists spoilt for choice.

Take Adi Assri Bech Resort and Spa, this 4-star hotel offers low-season rooms for as little as USD 35. Guests have access to beachfront bungalows, a private pool, an in-house spa, and of course, exceptional West Bali hospitality.

Mango Moon Guesthouse is an increasingly popular budget-friendly stay in the heart of Pemuteran Village. For a more up-market stay, Sun Suko Bouqtirue Retreat is a top choice offering guests private bungalows, four-poster beds, and gorgeous gardens.