Jembrana, Bull Racing Center

Menjangan Island

Do you want to leave the hustle and bustle in town? If yes, this one may be your right choice. Escape from daily routines and enjoy the tranquility on the other side of this island. Think of blue sea, and a deep forest on a remote small island. Bali Island has all of these criteria.

Bali Island also has some five-sister islands, one of them stands on the North West of Bali, and it is called Menjangan Island or the island of deer. The island includes the area Bali Barat National Park the home to the rare species of paradise colorful bird named Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschlidi). It belongs to Buleleng regency. As this area is a part of National Park so any species are under control of the park’s authority. Nobody is allowed to take out the “content” of the park in any form and in any way.
As soon as you arrive at the wooden jetty at Labuan Lalang, a small harbor connecting Bali to Menjangan Island, some small fish in the shallow clear water welcome you. Around you, on the right and on the left you will see the stretching mangrove trees on the white sandy beach. Teens of motorized boat are ready to take you cross the sea to explore the Menjangan Island.
To reach Menjangan Island it will take you only about thirty minutes by boat. During the dry season in April-October you will see only brown light view around you as nearly the whole island is covered with dried grass. Some trees in the bush are experiencing “fall season”. Only few trees do still have green leaves on its branches.
Menjangan Island is best known for its magnificent underwater world. Its endless beauty has attracted so many divers to explore. Exotic coral reefs and colorful fish have proclaimed the area as most visited diving spot on the island. From the sea you will see some small caves at the edge of the island and the arising padma shrine at the temple complex. Few minutes later you will arrive at the harbor at Menjangan Island. When you visit the island at midday, there you will encounter some divers who are just sitting relaxingly on the wooden jetty after exploring the underwater paradise while some others are absorbing in enjoying their light meals on their boat.
Be careful to step up the steep steps. Leap slowly and hold down the pipeline along the side. There you will find the unique temple with newly sandstone-walled temple. The temple is called Segara Giri Kencana. Down there you will also see a temple with altar shrines dedicated to Great Warrior Keba Iwa from Bedahulu kingdom and separated place the pendopo (Javanese style pavilion) of the Great Warrior Gajah Mada of Majapahit Kingdom in East Java.
As its name implies, the Menjangan Island is still inhibited by limited numbers of deer. If you are lucky you will encounter young deer in the temple yard or in its surrounding. This remote island that is without inhabitant almost never comes to silence as some pilgrims visit the island for pay homage in succession.(BTN/029)