WEST BALI

Menjangan is the place to go if you're looking for somewhere you can exhale, where you can find peace and solitude, and escape the crowds. Out here on the north-west coast of Bali, when you're surrounded by the forest of West Bali National Park and are close to Menjangan Island, one of the best snorkelling and dive spots Bali has to offer, it'll be difficult to imagine that you're just 110km from the crowds of Kuta and the sun beds of Nusa Dua.

If you drive to the Menjangan area around the coast from Negara, you'll notice that as you "turn the corner" onto the northern part of the island the vegetation changes entirely. The lush greens that surround Negara make way for drier savannahs that are more reminiscent of Southern Africa and the Mediterranean that your usual views of lush, tropical Bali. It is hotter here than "down south", and as you travel further along the north coast you'll see many cactuses forming part of the vegetation. 

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There is no "Menjangan town"; rather, Menjangan refers to the area around West Bali National Park, which is home to Menjangan Island (and the menjangan deer, from which the island gets its name). Menjangan is the perfect area for travellers who want to escape the crowds and spend time in nature – whether that be under water, or trekking in the national park. There are some superb resorts out here, and a small selection of budget accommodation too. Most cater to divers, and all of them will be able to arrange snorkelling and diving trips to Menjangan island, as well as trekking and cycling trips in West Bali National Park. On the West Bali National Park page we've outlined how you can do these activities independently, although please keep in mind that when you do anything within the national park you have to be accompanied by a guide.

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