Snorkelling at Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island, also known as Pulau Menjangan, is a remote island (1.5 km by 500m) located on the Northwestern flank of Bali. Since 1982, Menjangan Island has been part of the West Bali Barat National Park.

Menjangan Island is unspoiled and undeveloped. The surroundings are beautiful, with wild nature to explore and ancient temples to visit.

Snorkelling at Menjangan Island is a ‘must do’ when in Bali. It is a popular activity. It ranks 3rd on Discovery Channel’s list of The World’s 10 Best Spots for snorkelling in the world.

Menjangan Island is part of a national park and snorkelers’ haven 5 miles off the northwest coast of Bali. Home to amazing species of marine fauna and more than 1500 species of coral, sponges and other flora, it is one of the most biodiverse and more well-preserved reefs in SE Asia.

This small island is actually where diving first started seriously on Bali back in about 1978 under the sponsorship of the Indonesian Navy, when it arranged a get-together of the country’s main diving clubs -Possi, Ganesha, Nusantara, and Trisakti. That get-together led to Menjangan establishing itself as the premier international dive location in Bali and many of the attendees went on to become the pioneers of commercial dive operations across Indonesia.

The island itself is surrounded by a coral reef, characterized by deep drop-offs of near to 60 meters and by complex rock formations. These distinctive features have given rise to a great number of large and small caves, festooned with the sponge and soft corals and often inhabited by large groupers, moray eels and by young snappers and batfish in the smaller caves.

The sea beds are also rich in large barrel sponges and vibrant sea fans, some of which are truly enormous. Given the depth, the moderate flow of currents and its protection from strong winds, it is common to see tuna, shoals of jack-fish, batfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and on occasion also sharks, especially off the outer corners of the island.

Menjangan Island is an easy location for snorkelers and divers alike, the waters had visibility of more than 30 meters. Combine that with the abundant fish and wildlife species, colourful coral of all shapes and sizes.

Menjangan Island is also an unmistakable joy with world-famous wall diving. It is for sure, the best wall diving around Bali. Here you can see and experience a great medley of marine life and beautiful hard and soft coral.

Snorkelling on this island is calming and soothing with its crystal clear waters. It is excellent for beginners and experienced divers.

The spot to explore covers a wide area between the beach and the reef drop-off, about 150 to 200 yards apart. You will cross a few dozen yards from the coast of the sandy sea bed and rock (↕3-6ft/1-2 m), then sea bed covered with soft coral (↕3-10ft/1-3 m) as far as the reef drop-off.

Although there are exciting things to see in the reef flat (batfish, giant clams and blue starfish living in the rocky crevices). The phenomenon takes on another dimension when you get closer to the reef drop-off.

Here, the sea bed is spectacular: thick shoals of green Chromis and sergeant majors swim around the coral beds, while parrotfish, butterflyfish and spine foot, with stunning colours, come and go on the reef drop-off.

This spot is particularly rich in soft coral (Sarcophyton, Xenia). Try to find a sea anemone between the rocks: most live ocellaris clownfish, better known to kids as “Nemo”. Several species of angelfish, including the six-bar angelfish and the regal angelfish, are easy to see.
In the deep blue of the reef drop-off, you may also have the chance to see a green sea turtle or hawksbill sea turtle, although they are shy here.

ITINERARY

09.00 AM Meet at the meeting point and check your snorkelling gear
09.30 AM Depart for Menjangan Island
10.15 AM Arrive on the island and head to the first spot for snorkelling. After snorkelling, you will have time to break and enjoy your lunch
11.30 AM Head to the second snorkelling spot
12.30 PM End the snorkelling trip and head back to the mainland

What to Bring / Travel Tips :

• You can wear strapped sandals, flip-flops or shoes
• You may wear comfortable T-shirt and shorts and bring swimsuits for the visit to the beach
• You may bring swimsuits or any water activewear for the snorkelling activity
• Backpack for your belongings

Prohibitions & Limitations :

• Know your limits and capabilities, you should be considerably physically fit to take part in this activity
• Not suitable for people who have heart problem, asthma
• If you are prone to seasickness, please do ensure you have your medication with you

Additional Information :

• Itinerary is subjected to weather conditions
• Rest assured that you will be accompanied by experienced facilitators and guides throughout the way in case you are in need of any assistance