Hiking in Bali Barat
The best source for information on hikes and facilities is Park
Headquarters at Cekik, by the intersection of the main roads from
Singaraja and Denpasar, just south of Gilimanuk. A small library
with exhibits and a knowledgeable staff are available to help
you. Since this is a government office, it closes at 3 pm, Monday
through Thursday, at noon on Friday, and is closed on Saturday
and Sunday.
There are many interesting trails, but to enter Bah Barat you
must first obtain a permit and be accompanied by a guide. Permits
are available free of charge at Cekik and at Labuhan Lalang, or
at the Forestry Department offices (Departemen Kehutanan) at J1.
Niti Mandala, Renon in Denpasar (tel: 235679). The cost of a guide
is $5 for 1-2 hours.
Shelters are available for overnight stays, but you must provide
your own bedding, mosquito protection, food, water and utensils.
If You plan to stay overnight, it is best to notify the park staff
in advance so that your guide and facilities will be ready when
you arrive. If You wish to spend several days exploring the Park
without camping, you can stay in simple bungalows at Labuhan Lalang,
or in hotels in Gilimanuk or Negara.
Diving off Menjangan Island
The most beautiful, unspoiled coral reefs in Bali are located
off the coast of Pulau Menjangan ("Deer Island"). Comprising
hundreds of species of coral, these reefs extend 100 to 150 m
from the shore, then drop 40 to 60 m down to the ocean floor.
Menjangan and the nearby mainland are excellent places for swimming,
snorkeling, and scuba diving. A 45 minutes nature walk on Pulau
Menjangan, which is uninhabited except for the Java Deer, affords
beautiful panoramic views of the mountainous mainland.
To reach Pulau Menjangan, hire a boat at Labuhan Lalang, just
opposite the island on the north coast of Bali. 'Me round-trip
cost is about $20 for 6 people. Snorkeling and scuba equipment
are not available here, but you can organize this through one
of the many diving tour operators in Kuta or Sanur (see "Practicalities"
for these areas). The boat will stop wherever you want, and the
boatmen are experienced guides. It is forbidden to spend the night
on Menjangan, but food and simple lodgings are available at Labuhan
Lalang.
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