National park · Indonesia
West Bali National ParkTaman Nasional Bali Barat
Go for one full day: hike with a park guide from Cekik in the morning (from Rp200,000 per person, 2–5 h), then snorkel or dive Menjangan Island from Labuhan Lalang; skip the park entirely if you only have a half day — the drive eats it.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
190 km² (73 sq mi)73 sq mi (190 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 190 km² (73 sq mi)73 sq mi (190 km²)
- Official park area about 190 km², with a further protected reserve of roughly 580 km² in the eastern highlands (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
West Bali National Park covers the north-west tip of Bali: the Prapat Agung peninsula, dry savanna and acacia scrub, mangroves, patches of rainforest, protected beach and reef, plus a highland reserve with the old volcanoes Patas and Merbuk. It is the only national park on Bali and the last stronghold of the Bali starling, one of the world's rarest birds. Almost everything here is done with a park guide: trails from the Cekik headquarters, and boats from Labuhan Lalang to Menjangan Island, the best-known dive and snorkel site in the north-west.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
190 km² (73 sq mi)73 sq mi (190 km²) · national park since 1995
Official park area about 190 km², with a further protected reserve of roughly 580 km² in the eastern highlands (check).
Why go
- The only national park on Bali, and the last wild home of the Bali starling.
- Menjangan Island: calm, clear water, coral drop-offs and a short walk to a temple.
- Dry savanna, mangrove and monsoon forest in one small peninsula, with deer, banteng and monkeys.
- A quiet corner of Bali that most beach-bound visitors never reach.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; rough sea, boats often cancelled
- FebRain and wind; muddy trails
- MarRain easing; some boat cancellations
- AprDry season starts; clear water
- MayDry, calm sea, few crowds
- JunDry and clear; book boats ahead
- JulPeak season; busy at Menjangan
- AugPeak season; windy afternoons
- SepDry, warm, quieter
- OctDry and calm; good visibility
- NovFirst rains; trails greasy
- DecWet season; sea and trail closures likely
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali starling (critically endangered)All year · Very few left in the wild; do not pay anyone promising a guaranteed sighting. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Banteng, Java rusa and muntjac deerApr–Oct · Best seen on the savanna in the early morning. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Long-tailed macaques and wild boarAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish and coral at MenjanganApr–Nov · Clearest water in the dry season. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Migratory shorebirds and wadersOct–Mar · On the mudflats and mangrove edges. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Pemuteran
Scooter or car along the north coast road to Labuhan Lalang, then the park office.
15–20 min
From Lovina
North coast road west via Seririt and Pemuteran.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Gilimanuk
Road east to Cekik headquarters, then north to Labuhan Lalang.
15–25 min
From Denpasar and the south
Long drive up the west coast; a car with driver is easier than a scooter.
3.5–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Ubud
Across the island via Bedugul or the west coast road.
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cekik headquarters | Park office, permits, guides and the start of the main walking trails. | Open 7:30–17:00 with a ticket.Open 7:30 AM–5:00 PM with a ticket. |
| Prapat Agung peninsula | Dry savanna, acacia scrub, monsoon forest and protected beach. | Guided trails only. |
| Labuhan Lalang and Menjangan | Boat jetty, visitor centre and the reef and temple on Menjangan Island. | Boat with a permit; snorkel and dive sites. |
| Eastern highlands reserve | Montane forest around Mount Patas and Mount Merbuk. | Restricted; no regular visitor access (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Cekik headquarters · Headquarters≈-8.201, 114.452Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Labuhan Lalang jetty · Ranger station≈-8.135, 114.535Approximate; boats to Menjangan leave here.Map ↗
- 3Menjangan Island · Beach≈-8.100, 114.520Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Prapat Agung peninsula · Trail≈-8.130, 114.490Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Gilimanuk · Town≈-8.162, 114.438Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Pemuteran · Town≈-8.142, 114.649Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Mount Patas · Summit≈-8.230, 114.620Approximate; in the closed highland reserve.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park spans the north-west tip of Bali.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Cekik or Labuhan Lalang) | IDR 200,000–250,000 (≈ US$13–16) | person | 2026 estimate; foreign visitor rate, domestic rate lower (check). |
| Park guide, half day | IDR 200,000–400,000 (≈ US$13–25) | person | 2026 estimate; price depends on group size and route (check). |
| Park guide, full day | IDR 400,000–700,000 (≈ US$25–45) | person | 2026 estimate; required for trails away from the headquarters (check). |
| Boat charter to Menjangan Island | IDR 600,000–900,000 (≈ US$40–55) | boat | 2026 estimate; return trip, up to about 4 people, from Labuhan Lalang (check). |
| Snorkel gear rental | IDR 50,000–100,000 (≈ US$4–7) | person | 2026 estimate; from operators at Labuhan Lalang or your hotel. |
| Campsite at Cekik headquarters | IDR 0–50,000 (≈ US$0–4) | person | Basic site; bring your own gear; a donation is expected (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guide for forest trails permit or guide
Menjangan Island boat and landing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp200,000–250,000≈ US$13–16
- Rp200,000–400,000≈ US$13–25
- Rp400,000–700,000≈ US$25–45
- Rp600,000–900,000≈ US$40–55
- Rp50,000–100,000≈ US$4–7
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on West Bali National Park — official park site (Taman Nasional Bali Barat) before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Walking trails in the park requires an official guide from a park office.
- Stay on open routes
- Only a small part of the park is open to visitors; do not cross into closed areas.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; a basic campsite exists at the Cekik headquarters.
- Food and water
- Nothing is sold inside the park; bring everything you need and take the rubbish out.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; keep your distance from deer, monkeys and birds.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park office (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Waka Shorea
The only resort inside the park, on the Prapat Agung peninsula; reached by boat from Labuhan Lalang.
Near the park
Pemuteran
Guesthouses and dive resorts 15–20 min from the jetty; the easiest base.
Near the park
Gilimanuk
Budget rooms and ferry-port food, 15–25 min from Cekik.
Near the park
Lovina
Wider choice of hotels, 1.5–2 h east along the coast.
Safety
Dehydration and heat on the trails medium
Rough sea and cancelled boats medium
Uninsured dive operators medium
Getting lost off-route low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Cekik headquarters, the Labuhan Lalang visitor centre and the jetty area are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Forest trails are rough dirt and grass with roots and no shade; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Boarding a Menjangan boat needs a short step down from the jetty; ask the operator for help.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a park guide: the fee supports the staff who protect the starling and patrol for poachers.
- Do not buy or accept captive birds, and report anyone offering starling sightings for money.
- Snorkel and dive without touching coral or standing on the reef; use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Take all rubbish back to Pemuteran or Gilimanuk; bins inside the park are rare.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter West Bali National Park?
Foreign visitors pay roughly Rp200,000–250,000 per person for park entry (2026 estimate), bought at the Cekik headquarters or the Labuhan Lalang visitor centre. Add a guide, about Rp200,000–400,000 per person for a half day, and a Menjangan boat charter at about Rp600,000–900,000 per boat return. Domestic visitors pay less; confirm current rates at the office.
What are the best hikes in West Bali National Park?
The Cekik forest trail (2–3 hours, easy) and the longer Prapat Agung walk toward the peninsula beaches (4–5 hours, moderate) are the two standard routes, both with an official park guide. The highland reserve around Mount Patas and Mount Merbuk is closed to regular visitors. Start early: the savanna has almost no shade.
When is the best time to visit West Bali National Park?
April to October, in the dry season. April, May, June, September and October give calm seas for the Menjangan crossing and clear water for snorkelling and diving. July and August are dry but busy. December to February is the wet season, when boats are often cancelled and trails turn muddy.
Do I need a guide to visit the park?
Yes for the walking trails — an official guide from the Cekik headquarters or Labuhan Lalang is required. Boat trips to Menjangan Island are arranged through a boat operator or your hotel, and the operator handles the island landing permit.
Can I see the Bali starling?
Only with luck. The Bali starling is one of the rarest birds in the world, with very few left in the wild inside this park. Sightings are not guaranteed, and no responsible guide will promise one. Birdwatchers should book a specialist guide and expect an early start.
Is there anywhere to stay or eat inside the park?
There is one resort inside the park boundaries, Waka Shorea on the Prapat Agung peninsula, reached by boat from Labuhan Lalang. There is nowhere else to sleep and nowhere to buy food or water inside the park, so bring supplies. Most visitors stay in Pemuteran, Gilimanuk or Lovina and day-trip in.
Can I visit West Bali National Park without a car?
It is difficult. The park offices at Cekik and Labuhan Lalang sit on the north coast road, with no useful public transport. Most visitors arrive by scooter, private car or a hotel-arranged transfer from Pemuteran, Lovina or Gilimanuk.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go