Snorkeling with Kids in West Bali – Menjangan (Deer) Island
#snorkelingwithkids #westbali #MenjanganIsland
Approximately 1.5 hour grab ride (approx 350 IDR) from Lovina, and 30 minute crossing later across calm and beautiful waters, we were greeted by this wondrous site. We snorkelled on Nusa Penida before with both kids – one 6 years and another 8 years old – and they both found the waters quite challenging and currents too strong to overcome even from walking from the beach at Crystal Bay.
Sight and Activities
Trekking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving, camping tours are offered at West Bali National Park, but one needs to register and pay for the 200k per person for admission alone with a registered guide (compulsory). We specifically requested Mr Idris +62823-4018-5768, who is so knowledgeable and patient with the kids. He brought us to very calm waters and we started at coral reefs about 3 meters deep. After ensuring the waters were indeed super calm, the kids went into the waters holding to a life buoy, with Mr Idris leading the way. Gob-smacked by what we saw. It’s like swimming in “Finding Nemo”. We stopped at the beach on the island and saw some resident wild deer.
Info/ Trip details:
2.6m IDR in total for 1 adult and 2 kids below 7 years old. Includes car transfer from Lovina area (1 hour ride to West Bali National Park), national park admission, private boat ride from Labuhan Lalang pier (~30 min boat ride to Island), national park (and snorkeling) guide, life vest and snorkel equipment (note small sized fins may not be available but we brought our own), lunch on boat (or on island)
Duration: We left at 7.30am from Lovina, reached pier around 8.30am, started snorkeling at 9am, finished after lunch, back at Lovina before 2pm
Pro Tip 1: Get a good snorkeling guide who knows the shallower snorkeling areas. We felt very safe with Mr Idris who brought us out using a life buoy. Some reef cliffs dropped 10m or 40m. We stuck around the 3-5m shallow calm waters and already saw so much. Also ask the guide when sea is calmest/ tide is best. Usually early mornings are better when the waves gentler, so if you can start at 6.30am from Lovina (even).
Pro Tip 2: If you can base yourselves for 1 or 2 nights you may choose to stay in the Pemutaran area which is less than 20 minutes drive to the pier. Pemutaran has nice beaches and decent snorkeling too and calm waters for kids. Or even closer at Menjangan Island so you could literally roll out of your hotel bed and make your way to the pier. Please see links and recommendations below on where to stay.
