Discover Bali’s Scuba Paradise: Travel Guide to Pemuteran Bay & Menjangan Island

Tucked far away from the majority of Bali’s main tourist destinations on the northwestern coast, Pemuteran Bay is a sleepy and relaxing coastal village which serves as the main gateway to Menjangan Island.

With it’s laid-back vibe, black-sand beaches, and some of the island’s best snorkeling and diving — I’d consider Pemuteran Bay & Menjangan Island to be an amazing hidden gem and perfect for aquatic lovers looking to escape the Bali tourist chaos.

I’ve been traveling around Bali (as well as currently living here) for over 10 years, but I just now recently took the drive up North to do some scuba-diving for my birthday and I’m very happy that I did! While I didn’t get the best weather (it is rainy season so not overly surprised) – I spent three nights exploring the area and enjoying the scenery (both above and below the sea).

So I figured I’d write up this mini travel guide to the area for recommendations for where to stay, fun things to do, dive centers, and a couple food recommendations.

Where To Stay in Pemuteran Bay & Menjangan Island

With just one main road connecting Pemuteran Bay and the short 25-minute drive to Menjangan Island, finding accommodation is pretty easy and affordable up there. I ended up spending so much time researching where I wanted to stay so here would be my top 3 recommendations.

It’s important to note that there are NO dive centers or hotels on Menjangan Island itself. Originally when I was planning this trip I thought I’d book a stay on the island, and quickly realized that’s not possible, lol.

Taman Sari Bali Resort and Spa (Affordable Beachfront Hotel) – Located right on the beach close to the area’s best snorkeling (the Bio Rock Conservation project), you really can’t go wrong with booking a stay here. While prices are a bit more at around $50 USD per night, it’s still an amazing deal for what you get and the quality of accommodation!
Suka Sari Cottages (Budget Guesthouse) – So this is where I ended up booking a stay at for my time in Pemuteran Bay, and had a really enjoyable stay. Rates were extremely affordable only costing me roughly $17 USD per night for my own Garden room. The staff were really friendly and helpful, the location was perfect on the main highway (and a short walk to the beach), and there’s a lovely warung that I ate at a few times and always enjoyed my meal. While the bed/room was on the basic side of things – I still had a nice stay and is perfect for other budget travelers.
Plataran Menjangan Resort and Spa (Luxury) – For those travelers who are looking to splurge on a luxurious escape, then look no further than the Plataran! I’ve stayed with this brand in Ubud, and it was truly perfect from start to finish. I actually drove by this resort when I was exploring the area on my moto, and it’s definitely where I want to stay for future visits with a travel partner. While it is nestled in the jungle away from the main strip of Pemuteran Bay, you can easily book everything from the hotel concierge.

Snorkeling/ Scuba Diving in Pemuteran Bay & Menjangan Island

The main highlight and reason to visit the area is to explore its underwater beauty! Honestly, if you’re not a fan of snorkeling/scuba-diving – then this guide is not for you and I honestly would definitely recommend you visit somewhere else in Bali.

I ended up doing 7 different dives over 3 days during my time in Pemuteran Bay, and I honestly loved all of them – but I will say that if you’re crunched for time then you NEED TO PRIORITIZE MENJANGAN ISLAND for diving as the dive sites there are quite a bit more exciting.

Dive Center Recommendations

Abyss Ocean World – One of my friends I met in Raja Ampat used to work for Abyss and recommended them to me if I ever made it up to Pemuteran, and they were fantastic to dive with. Top-notch equipment, nice boat, and friendly dive-guides all played a part in a perfect day of diving with them. I spent my actual birthday with Abyss and I loved when the dive guide took out a Happy Birthday sign after our descent. While their prices are a bit more expensive at first glance, you definitely get what you pay for in terms of equipment, comfort, and customer service.
Dive Concepts Bali – I’ve been diving with these guys now in several of their locations and always have a great time with them! They are easily the most affordable dive center in the area with great prices/packages for multiple days of diving. I did their 3-Dive Menjangan Trip for 1,450,000 IDR + 200k for National Park fees.

Permuteran Bay Menjangan Island Scuba Diving

Thanks to Abyss Ocean World for this nice surprise during my birthday dive!

Scuba-Diving in Pemuteran & Menjangan Island Tips

Menjangan Island Diving is truly fantastic, so if you don’t have a lot of time I would focus on Menjangan Island.
I would recommend doing at least one shore dive at the local Bio Rock Conservation Project. What started in 2005 has now grown into one of the coolest restored coral gardens with lots of fun structures right off the shore that are great for beginner divers. If you don’t dive here, I’d still recommend doing some snorkeling here as it’s quite cool.
If you’re into night-diving, I’d definitely recommend doing one here at Bio Rock or Muck Bay. I did one here right off the shore and it was a fantastic way to spend an hour just after the sunset. Pemuteran Bay is a lot more famous for much diving.
If you plan on scuba-diving a lot during your time up north, then you could also look into dive centers that offer discounts with a guesthouse. For example, I know that Dive Concepts partners with Arjuna Homestay which would make things super simplified. I also know that many of the luxury resorts partner with dive centers and have coordinated discounts for their guests – so that’s also something to inquire about!

Things To Permuteran Bay

Pemuteran Bay Biorock Project — I already mentioned this above, but this remarkable coral restoration initiative lets you snorkel right off the beach over metal structures now covered in thriving coral gardens. It’s accessible for beginners and a really fun eco-experience. As stated above, I did a shore dive & a night dive here and it’s definitely worth checking out.

Pemuteran Beach — Spend your day here just relaxing and enjoying the calm waters. It’s a sleepy area but offers quiet shores are perfect for swimming, sunset watching, or grabbing a coffee at a beachfront café.
Turtle Conservation Programs — Join local efforts during nesting season (typically March–October) and even take part in releasing baby turtles back into the ocean. Check out the Turtle Project for more information.
West Bali National Park — Beyond the water, explore hiking trails, birdwatching (look for rare Bali starlings), or join guided nature walks through lush tropical forests.
Banyuwedang Hot Springs — Just a short drive from Pemuteran, these natural sulphur springs are perfect for a relaxing soak. While they may not look too stunning, it’d be a nice place to unwind for an hour or two and enjoy the healing properties of the hot springs.

Best Time to Visit

Personally, whenever I get asked this question about Bali in general – I always say there’s never really a bad time. But here’s a little breakdown to give some insight on key times/ benefits.

April-October: Dry season with calm seas, excellent visibility, and great diving/snorkeling conditions.
March-October: Turtle nesting and release programs are active.
November-March (Off-Season): Fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices, though weather/ seas can be a bit more unpredictable.

Bali Travel Insurance

I never travel anywhere without booking a travel insurance policy, but this is essential for all Bali visitors!

So I’ll repeat… Please, do NOT visit Bali WITHOUT Travel Insurance!

It’s unfortunately all too common that people come to Bali, get into a scooter accident, and end up needing a lot of medical attention. This, as you can imagine, is not cheap, and while the Bintangs and good vibes are, don’t expect medical treatment as a foreigner to also be of great value! These bills will add up, and sometimes they won’t even operate before they know you’re covered.

I’ve had at least 4 friends now get in serious accidents, but only half of them had travel insurance to cover their needs. Trust me – especially if you plan on driving or getting on the back of a moto (which you most likely will), you’ll want peace of mind to make sure you’re covered.

You also need to consider other issues that could arise, such as theft, boat sinking or water damage, or catching dengue. Trust me when I say these warnings aren’t to scare you, but real-life examples I’ve seen during my time in Bali.

Planning a Trip To Bali?

I’ve spent a lot of time backpacking around this marvelous region of the world, and I’ve written a rather large amount to help you figure out your ideal upcoming vacation! Look through some of my favorite articles below, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my Bali itinerary travel guide!

Further Reading:

Thanks so much for reading! Hope this was helpful for planning your trip! Feel free to email or DM me on Instagram for any questions you have!