Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hang out along the shore, too, hunting for fruit, mussels, small mammals and crabs (they're
very good swimmers and divers). On the exposed reef you'll see sea cucumbers and various
species of crab. You might also spot some dark-grey Pacific reef egrets. The only downside
is that every plastic bottle in Java and other debris seems to get washed into the area from the
Bali Strait.
DIVING IN BALI BARAT NATIONAL PARK
The clear, shallow water between the mainland and Pulau Menjangan is protected from ex-
cessive winds and strong currents by the Prapat Agung Peninsula, and its
reefs
are mostly
in good health, not least because national park officials and local dive operators have
helped stamp down on dynamite fishing. The reefs form a band 100m to 150m wide around
the coastline, offering plenty of
dive sites
with drop-offs of 40m to 60m and first-class wall
dives. Visibility is superb, ranging from 15m to 50m - as so many of the walls top out near
the surface, the snorkelling is good too. While larger pelagic species aren't common vis-
itors, the area is phenomenally rich in sea fans, barrel sponges, sea corals and all manner
of soft and hard corals, and is a haven for masses of
reef fish
, nudibranchs and other reef
dwellers. Popular sites include
Garden Eel Point
and
Pos II
, or
Anker Wreck
, an old
wooden
prahu
at 45m, for more experienced divers.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
The closest guesthouse to the national park headquarters in Cekik is
Pondok Wisata Lestari
near Gilimanuk. There's a rudimentary campsite at the national park headquarters; well, a
field with a toilet nearby (Rp100,000).
The Menjangan
17km marker Gilimanuk-Singaraja road 0362 94700,
themenjan-
in a forest lodge around a pool or more chic beach villas in an eco-resort within the park.
Its an activity base, too, with opportunities for trekking, riding, kayaking, snorkelling and
diving. Its restaurant
The Tower
(7.30am-11pm) is a 28m structure with superb forest views
to go with dishes like regional speciality
ayam betutu
(slow-braised chicken in hot spices;
Rp95,000
) or b
eef
rendang
(Rp70,000) - superbly romantic for dusk. It's also open to non-
residents.
$240
Santi Sari
0815 571 7629,
santisarihotel.com
.
East of the park boundary area near
Banyuwedang, this small coastal boutique hotel has an effortless easy elegance, both in
atmosphere and in suites flooded with light; rooms are vast, bathrooms stupendous and
suites share private pools. Just as appealing is a Mediterranean-accented gourmet restaur-
ant (9am-11pm) that features fish and vegetarian dishes like pan-fried sea bass with risotto
(Rp220,000). The coastal and mountain vie
ws a
re great and, with an adults-only policy, it
doesn't come much more peaceful than this.
$308
