The northwest of Bali is known mainly for the beautiful wall diving around Menjangan island. Actually it is well worth staying a couple days in this area. On the very western tip is another excellent dive site for people that like rare and unusual animals: Gilimanuk bay. True, the water is awfully cold here but there are real treasures to be found like frogfishes, special scorpionfishes, nudibranchs, ghostpipe fishes and a lot more.
Menjangan island
Menjangan (Deer Island), a 1,5 km long and 500 m wide island is situated in the northwest of Bali and is part of the Bali Barat National Park. This park is actually quite large, it encompasses much of Bali's western end and is also worth a visit. You will find forests, savanna, mangroves and the rich marine habitats of the Java Sea. Here also lives the endemic Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) a beautiful and nearly extinct bird with white plumage and a mask of turquoise (only about 12 individuals still live in the wild, others can be seen in the bird parks in Bali) lives here. You can also see rusa deers, wild boars, long-tailed macaques and leaf monkeys.
The dive trips start from the Labuhan Lalang Jetty, from where it is about a 30 min. boat ride to the Menjangan island and it's dive sites. Dives range around 20 to 30m, mostly wall diving. The waters are clear and calm with a rich variety of fish and since there seldom is that much current, also a good place for beginners. Fixed moorings are build at the dive sites. Lunch is usually taken on a small beach near Pos I or the temple.
Lovina
Lovina beach, on the North coast of Bali, is a narrow 8km strip of black volcanic sand and a muddy, cloudy sea. Though the coastline is not attractive, Lovina is a popular destination with budget travelers, because it is cheaper, less developed, retains a local character and is less stressful than Kuta. The highlight for many visitors are the dolphin tours.
Lovina extends along 3 beaches - Anturan, Kalibukbuk & Temukus. Kalibukbuk is the central area were most people stay.
Mosquitos are a problem, take precautions: mosquito nets, coils/repellents, cover arms & legs in the evenings.
Diving off Pulau Menjangan, part of the Bali Barat National Park, is generally regarded as the best in Bali. Boats are readily available to take divers over to the island, where there are no residents or hotels.
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