Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island is a small island located off the northwest coast of Bali, Indonesia, and is part of the West Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat, was first famous for its deer (Menjangan is Javanese word for “Deer”) that swim across from Bali to the island.
When west Bali Park was declared in 1982, Menjangan Island was included as well and the Park Service controls entry and diving on the island.
Although it is said, the best diving in Menjangan island is during the south east monsoon (about April to November). You can dive here anytime of the year, choosing sites on the north or south of the island depending on the direction of the wind.
The visibility at Menjangan Island can, at times, be amazing, probably the best in Bali, especially in October and November with horizontal visibility of 50 meters +.
Current here is very rare, even 1 knot of current is unusual around the island.
The most recommended dive sites on the island are the Angker, Garden eel and pos II.
The Anker wreck
Is a small wooden boat and no one knows its exact name or what brought it to the area. Dive guides have always called this site the Anker wreck, simply because of the large, encrusted anchor that still lies about 6 – 8 meters from the surface.
Just follow the anchor chain down the wall – a steep, terraced slope to 33 meters where the coral yields to sand. Here stands a second anchor also beautifully encrusted and the first few timbers of the wreck are dark against the white sand.
After exploring the wreck we follow the wall to the west at 6 – 10 meters with many overhangs, considered as the richest part of the wall, also it is an ideal place for extended safety stop after this dive.
Garden Eel
Using the boat we start this dive from the most northwestern tip of Menjangan Island. Just follow the wall from this point, west of the Anker, around the tip and almost into the channel between Menjangan and Bali main land. Once you arrive at this channel, you will see perhaps the richest and healthiest wall on Menjangan Island.
The nicest thing about this dive is that you end in a shallow area full of garden eels. This area is also known for sighting of white tip reef shark, barracuda, turtles, and of course napoleon fish.
Pos II Left wall and Right
The post II Ranger station is located on Menjangan’s most southeasterly point, and can be a boat entry or a beach entry. It is usually a relaxing drift dive. The dive starts at 5 meters where the white sandy slope meets the top of the wall. We usually begin our dive to the northeasterly, where the current usually flows. Slowly descending the wall, drifting with the current you will see a profusion of soft corals, sponges, and an abundance of gorgonian.
This stretch is also the best place on Menjangan to see big animal’s such as mantas, sharks and other pelagic (depending on season and conditions)