Situated on the northern coast of Bali, Pemuteran is a pretty oceanside spot where visitors flock to enjoy the tropical heat and natural beauty.
Most people travel to Pemuteran in order to visit the stunningly beautiful Bali Barat National Park, which is a world famous scuba diving spot. Covering a staggering 77,000 hectares, this area is best explored by boat, stopping occasionally at small islands to trek through the forest.
Scuba divers visit Pemuteran from all over the globe to experience its dramatic vertical walls and soft coral formations. Snorkelers will also find plenty to see here as the water is full of a colorful collection of marine life such as frogfish, butterflyfish, batfish, jackfish, midnight snapper and it is even possible to spot white and black tip reef sharks.
Where to Go
- Bali Barat National Park: take a boat trip through this large and lovely park to explore mangrove forests, tiny islands and see a wide range of wildlife.
- Menjangan Island: this is the area’s top diving spot and also a pretty place for trekking through the forest.
Getting There
International visitors will arrive in Pemuteran via Ngurah Rai International Airport, which is located just outside the city of Denpasar. There are regular buses from Denpasar to Pemuteran (3 hours) as well as from surrounding towns and cities such as Lovina and Sanur.
Need to Know
- Worth it? Only if you’re a keen scuba diver and plan to visit Bali Barat National Park.
- What to do: scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, trekking through the forest.
- Best time to go: during the dry season between May and September.
- How long? A day or two is enough time to swim with the fish in Pemuteran.
- Trivia: Bali Barat National Park was established in 1941 to protect Bali’s white starling and wild banteng.