Pemuteran & Menjangan Island
A quiet dive village in northwest Bali, with Menjangan Island's coral walls, Biorock artificial reefs and Bali starlings in West Bali National Park.
Pemuteran is a quiet fishing village and dive town in Buleleng Regency on Bali's northwest corner, bordering West Bali National Park to the west and about 30 km from Gilimanuk harbor – a world away from the busy beaches of the south. It's best known for nearby Menjangan Island, whose vertical coral walls, protected by the national park, have exceptionally clear water and rank among Bali's best snorkeling and diving spots; in the bay in front of the village, the Biorock project regrows coral on electrified steel frames, which you can reach straight from the beach. On land, you can hike in the national park to see the critically endangered Bali starling, or visit Pura Pulaki and Pura Melanting temples beneath the seaside cliffs. Seasons: the Apr–Oct dry season brings calm seas and high visibility; the Nov–Mar rainy season has frequent afternoon showers and slightly rougher seas, but diving is still possible. About 45 km east along the north coast are the Banjar hot springs and Buddhist monastery, which can be combined with Lovina (dolphin watching, covered under the Bali destination) as a day trip. Getting there: about 4–5 hours by private car from Bali's airport, or about 40 minutes from Gilimanuk after taking the ferry from the eastern tip of Java. Most hotels run dive and snorkel boats; stay 3–4 nights and bring sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen.
Top sights
- Menjangan Island – An uninhabited island within West Bali National Park, with vertical coral walls and crystal-clear water. It is one of the best snorkeling a…
- Pemuteran Biorock – Artificial reef made of electrified steel frames in the shallows just off the beach. The sculptural structures are overgrown with coral, an…
- Pemuteran Beach – A calm black-sand bay backed by mountains, with fishing boats and resorts along the shore; quiet and great for sunset walks and snorkelling.
- West Bali National Park – Bali's only national park, with monsoon forest, mangroves and coral reef, where you can hike to spot the critically endangered Bali myna.
- Pura Pulaki – An ancient sea temple built below seaside cliffs, home to large troops of macaques, and one of the most important temples on the north coas…
- Pura Melanting – The most ornate temple in the Pulaki group, at the foot of the hills south of Pura Pulaki, dedicated to the goddess of wealth, with gold ca…
- Reef Seen Turtle Project – A community turtle hatchery and conservation station beside the dive centre, where you can see baby turtles and pay to release one into the…
- Banyuwedang Hot Springs – Natural hot springs by a mangrove bay, with traditional public baths and resort pools side by side; a good place to unwind after diving.
- Banjar Hot Springs – Sulfur hot spring pools in a tropical garden, fed by dragon-head stone sculptures, and the most popular hot springs on the north coast.
- Brahmavihara-Arama – Bali's largest Theravada Buddhist monastery, set on a hillside with a small Borobudur-style stupa and sea views.
Where to eat
- D'Bucu Warung – A family-run warung just off the main road, long ranked near the top of Pemuteran restaurant lists, with well-loved tun…
- Warung Setia – A popular spot on the main road, known for tuna ceviche and black pepper tuna steak.
Itineraries
- In-Depth Bali Round-Island Tour – Circle Bali from the north, northwest, and east to Ubud, taking in mountain lakes, coral reefs, volcanoes, and rice ter…