Menjangan Island wall dives — Indonesia

The Menjangan Wall

The walls here drop fast. You will see vertical coral structures that descend from 5 m down to 30 m or deeper. I remember diving the North Wall in July 2018 when the visibility hit 40 m easily. It is a massive limestone cliff. Most of the action happens on the sheer faces because the sunlight hits the coral directly.

Visibility is often better here than in Tulamben. You can see for long distances. This makes the site feel very open.

What you’ll see

The marine life is predictable but reliable. You will find turtle populations near the reef edges. I often see green sea turtles resting near the wall. Barracuda also form large schools in the blue water above the drop-off. They move in silver clouds.

Small details matter too. Look closely at the coral heads for nudibranch. These colorful mollusks hide in the crevices. The biodiversity is high because the National Park protects the area from heavy fishing.

Conditions and skill

This site is calm. There is almost no current at Menjangan. This makes it a great spot for Open Water divers. You do not need advanced buoyancy skills to enjoy the walls. However, you must watch your depth.

The drop-off can be deceptive. Beginners might accidentally drift too deep if they lose focus. Always keep an eye on your computer. It is a relaxed environment.

Logistics from Bali

Getting there takes time. You must drive about 120 km from the Amed or Tulamben areas. This drive usually lasts 2 hours. Most divers leave early in the morning. You will take a small boat from Pemuteran to reach the island.

Boats depart around 8:30 am. Prices for a day trip are roughly $50 to $70 USD per person. This usually includes lunch and two dives. Check your local operator in /destinations/bali/ for current rates. Boats are small.

When to go

The best months are April through November. During this time, the water is stable. You can expect visibility between 20 m and 40 m. I prefer visiting in May or June. The crowds are much smaller then.

Rainy season brings different challenges. From December to March, the water can get murky. This reduces your sight significantly. If you want clear walls, plan your trip for the dry season. Visibility is key here.

Honest negatives

The travel time is long. Driving through North Bali can be tiring. You spend a lot of time in a van before you even see the water. Some people find the boat rides bumpy. The waves near Pemuteran can be choppy in the mornings.

It is not a remote experience. You will share the sites with other groups. Sometimes there are 4 or 5 boats at one spot. This can feel crowded if you want solitude. It is also quite expensive compared to Koh Tao.

Comparing Menjangan to other Bali sites

Menjangan is different from the wrecks in Tulamben. You do not get the history of a ship here. Instead, you get pure verticality. While USAT Liberty offers structure, Menjangan offers scale. The visibility is usually 10% higher here than near the coast.

I find the lack of current a double-edged sword. It is easy for beginners. But, experienced divers might find it boring. If you love heavy surge, look at /dive-sites/sanur/ instead. Menjangan is about watching the wall. It is a slow dive style.

Check your air consumption carefully. The calm water often makes divers move too fast. Slow down to enjoy the view. If you are new to diving, practice your buoyancy in a pool before attempting these walls.