13 Top Things To Do in Pemuteran & Northwest Bali [+ Map]

Located in one of the least-visited corners of the island, Pemuteran is a lovely little fishing village and the perfect base for exploring the hidden gems of northwest Bali.

This underrated region is a paradise for nature lovers, home to the majestic West Bali National Park and the stunning turquoise waters of Menjangan Island. It has some of the best snorkeling and diving in Bali, fantastic hiking routes, epic scenery, exotic wildlife, and more.

In this post, we'll guide you through all the best things to do in Pemuteran and its surroundings. We've also included where to stay, where to eat, and lots of helpful tips, based on our many visits.

Northwest Bali Map

Things To Do in Pemuteran [& Northwest Bali]

1. Take a snorkelling trip to Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island is a small, uninhabited island just off the coast of West Bali National Park, which is known for its untouched natural beauty and local deer population (Menjangan actually means deer).

But it's the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island that have become its biggest draw, with dense reef forests and vibrant marine life, making it one of the best spots in Bali for snorkelling and diving.

We've snorkelled all over Bali, and Menjangan is undoubtedly the best of the best. We've been twice now and have seen huge schools of exotic fish and giant sea turtles. If you're lucky, you can also spot the likes of manta rays, reef sharks, mola-mola fish, and even whale sharks on occasion.

You can only snorkel at Menjangan on an organised boat trip, which leave from Banyumandi harbor, around 10km west of Pemuteran.

We've done both of our trips with West Bali Explorer, who we'd definitely recommend. The trip takes roughly 5 hours, including transport to the harbour, the boat journey to the island, and snorkelling at two different locations. They also include a picnic-style lunch, which you enjoy on the island.

Another popular company for Menjangan snorkelling trips is Dive Concepts in Pemuteran. Most trips leave fairly early in the morning, so it's essential to book at least one day in advance.

2. Go diving and explore the amazing marine life

While we don't dive ourselves, it's no secret that Pemuteran and West Bali National Park are some of the top scuba diving locations in Bali.

There are countless dive resorts and schools in Pemuteran offering training courses and dive trips for all levels. Some of the most popular centers include Dive Concepts, Karang Divers, and Reef Seen.

3. Visit the coral reef restoration projects

There's a reason that Pemuteran has some of the best underwater life in Bali. The small coastal town is actually one of the most important centres of marine conservation in all of Indonesia.

Two of the main conservation projects currently taking place in the area are Biorock and Metamorfosa - both of which offer the opportunity for visitors to see the amazing work they're doing and support the projects.

Biorock Project

Biorock is an established conservation project that's been working to protect Indonesia's coral reefs for almost 25 years. Their Pemuteran site is the largest artificial reef conservation project in the country, with a collection of unique metal sculptures built to aid reef growth.

The project is clearly working and the area is now a fantastic spot to see colourful corals and vibrant marine life. If you're not taking a boat trip to Menjangan, this is a great (and cheaper) alternative.

It's free to snorkel over the Biorock Project, which sits just 50m from the shore at Pemuteran Beach. You can hire snorkeling gear from Karang Divers right next to the Biorock office and enter the water on the beach here.

Metamorfosa

Metamorfosa is another fantastic reef restoration project in neighbouring Sumberkima Bay that helps protect local reefs with their "underwater art gallery" - a series of underwater sculptures, including monkeys, a giant teddy bear, and a dragon, that provide a base for baby corals to grow on.

We visited the underwater art gallery on a guided trip with Metamorfosa (book here). We kayaked from the shore with a guide (you can also go by boat) to a platform, then snorkeled around the many statues. We also got to plant our own baby coral in the reef.

We paid 350,000 IDR ⓘ per person for the boat/kayak trip and snorkelling gear, and an extra 100,000 IDR to plant the baby coral. All profits go towards the project.

4. Explore the area's many colourful temples

Pemuteran and the neighbouring village of Banyupoh are home to some of the most beautiful temples we've seen anywhere in Bali. Their elaborate and colourful decor is more reminiscent of temples you might find in China, rather than the simple greys and browns of most Balinese Hindu temples.

There are many beautiful temples to explore in this region. But with limited time, we'd recommend prioritizing Pura Melanting, Pura Pulaki, and Pura Pabean, which all sit a short distance from one another.

Pura Melanting

Pura Melanting is definitely one of the most beautiful temples we've visited in Bali, with its intricate carvings and bright colours. The highlight has to be the amazing mythical dragons that line the main staircases.

Pura Melanting is dedicated to Goddess Dewi Melanting and is visited by merchants, traders, and business people looking for success and good fortune. It's a "kahyangan jagat", or universal temple, which means all Balinese Hindus can worship at it, no matter which community or caste.

If you only have time to visit one temple in the Pemuteran area, this is the one we'd pick!

Pura Pulaki

Pura Pulaki is one of Bali's most important "pura segara," a collection of sea temples that form a chain of protection around the island's coastline. These temples were established in the 1500s by a Javanese Hindu priest called Dang Hyang Nirartha.

Local legend states that when Nirartha arrived in Pulaki area, he was escorted into the jungle to the now temple site by a troupe of macaques.

These macaques still act as guardians of the temple today, gaining Pulaki the nickname of north Bali's "monkey temple." In other words, watch out for your valuables and belongings - the monkeys can be a little mischievous!

Pura Pabean

Just across the road from Pura Pulaki, you'll also find Pura Pabean, another colourful temple perched on a small hill overlooking the ocean. The temple has a unique mix of Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist influences.

Pabean translates to "customs," so the temple is believed to have been an entry point for seafaring merchants to enter Bali and a place of prayer for sailors and fishermen leaving the island.

Much like neighbouring Pulaki, you may spot a few monkeys running around the temple, so be careful of your belongings.

5. Kayak to Gili Putih (white sand island)

If it's some beach time you're looking for, don't miss beautiful Gili Putih, a tiny white sand island just off the coast of Sumberkima (the village next to Pemuteran). It's prettier than the pebbly black-sand beaches of Pemuteran.

The sand bar is uninhabited and has no facilities other than a couple of small gazebos. It's a tiny slice of paradise that's perfect for sunbathing in peace or enjoying the stunning turquoise waters.

Getting to Gili Putih:

The only way to reach Gili Putih is by jumping on a local fisherman's boat or hiring a kayak, making the journey an experience in its own right. Reaching the island from the mainland takes just 10 minutes by boat, or 20-30 minutes by kayak, depending on the currents.

Local NGO Metamorfosa in Sumberkima Bay rents kayaks for 200,000 IDR (for 2 people). They offer guided trips through mangrove forests to Gili Putih. Or you can combine the island with snorkelling at their coral reef restoration project close by, which is what we did (more above).

There's also the option to organise BBQs and romantic dinners on the island too.

6. Explore West Bali National Park

At the very northwest tip of Bali is the majestic West Bali National Park, the island's only official national park. The large protected area has a range of ecosystems, from dense forests and mangrove swamps to dry savannas and beaches. It's also home to endangered animal species, including the endemic Bali Starling.

Visiting on your own is challenging due to park restrictions. This is why most people visit as part of a guided activity, such as trekking, animal-watching safaris, mangrove tours, and birdwatching trips.

We booked a safari with West Bali Explorer and got to explore the park in a converted VW safari van. With the help of two guides and some binoculars, we spotted animals like Javan rusa deer, rare Balinese black monkeys, a couple of HUGE monitor lizards, and plenty of cheeky macaques.

To enter the National Park, all visitors must pay a fee of 200,000 IDR ⓘ on weekdays and 300,000 IDR ⓘ on weekends and holidays.

Some activities can be booked at the ranger gate at the park entrance (here). However, we'd recommend booking in advance to guarantee your activity and avoid needing to negotiate on price at the gate. To book a trip with West Bali Explorer, you can message them online or visit their office in Pemuteran.

7. Hike to some epic viewpoints

The village of Pemuteran is perfectly located between the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, meaning it's also a great destination for hiking.

There are several popular hiking routes in the area, all of which offer epic views back over the coastline and ocean. These are a couple of our favourite hikes in the Permuteran region:

8. Visit a turtle hatchery

Permuteran Beach is a popular nesting ground for sea turtles. However, threats from humans and other animals pose significant risks to both adult turtles and their eggs, leading to a huge decline in their population in recent decades.

In response to this, several turtle conservation projects have popped up in the area, including Bali Turtle Hatchery at Reef Seen Dive Resort on Pemuteran Beach.

The turtle hatchery helps conserve the area's sea turtle population by collecting the eggs to protect them from predators. They then look after the baby turtles until they are bigger and more likely to survive in the open sea.

The project relies on donations to support the work they do. For a small donation of 40,000 IDR ⓘ, you can visit the hatchery, learn about the project, and see the baby turtles. If you visit at the right time, you may even be able to help release a baby turtle back into the sea!

9. Soak in the hottest hot spring in Bali

Located on the seafront and surrounded by thick mangrove forests, Banyuwedang Hot Springs is a fantastic place to enjoy a relaxing soak after trekking through the National Park or hiking in Pemuteran.

With a toasty average temperature of 40°c, Banyuwedang is the hottest hot spring in Bali. It was once a place for royals to bathe, and the spring waters are believed to have healing properties.

You can visit the hot springs for 45,000 IDR ⓘ (foreigner price, 15,000 IDR local price). You'll also need to pay 2,000 IDR for parking.

During our visit, the water was super hot and very clean. There were plenty of places to sit inside and outside the pools. The water also wasn't as sulphury as other hot springs we've visited in Bali.

There's a small cafe near the entrance to buy drinks and snacks. Lockers, toilets, and showers are also available next to the springs. We'd suggest leaving valuables in a locker (which costs 10,000 IDR) as monkeys are common in the area.

10. Eat at Bali Tower Bistro

The Menjangan is a luxurious holiday resort hidden away in a private area of West Bali National Park, surrounded by thick jungles and stunning nature.

While most of the resort is only accessible to hotel guests, outside visitors can still enjoy its several restaurants, including the amazing Bali Tower Bistro.

The Bali Tower Bistro is an unusual 5-story wooden structure that peaks above the surrounding tree line. The tower's top floors offer breathtaking 360° views over the national park, while its forest canopy deck also has fantastic views of the valley.

The tower is home to a lovely bistro-style restaurant with a range of all-day dining options, including many Indonesian favourites and several Western dishes such as burgers and pasta.

Food prices at the restaurant are very high compared to elsewhere in the area (165,000 IDR ⓘ for a nasi goreng - ouch!). If you're on a budget, you can also visit the tower for a coffee or cocktails like we did.

If you're eating, you'll likely be seated on the 2nd or 3rd floors. After your meal, head up to the top floor to check out the best views. There's a swing-style seat on the top floor that was our favourite spot to enjoy the scenery for a while.

To reach the restaurant, you'll need to pass through an entrance gate (here) where they'll issue you with a guest badge. When driving through the jungle, you may encounter some local wildlife, including the park's famous deer.

11. Relax at a local beach club

While North Bali isn't quite as famous for its luxurious beach clubs as the south of the island, there are still a few low-key spots where you can chill by the beach for the day.

During our most recent visit, we spent some time relaxing at the Pasir Putih Beach Club, which belongs to the beautiful Menjangan Dynasty Resort.

The beach club has a lovely oceanside restaurant and a small white-sand beach with daybeds, deckchairs, and beanbags. You can also rent snorkels to enjoy the stunning turquoise waters in the surrounding bay.

The beach club is free for guests of the resort, while outside visitors need to pay 250,000 IDR ⓘ to visit (200,000 IDR goes towards food and drinks spend). You can also eat at the restaurant with no minimum spend, but you can't use the beach facilities.

12. Try the local speciality "ayam betutu"

"Ayam Betutu" is a popular local dish that originates from northwest Bali, meaning there's nowhere better to try it than here! The dish consists of slowly cooked chicken in an aromatic spice mixture, served with rice, spicy water spinach, fried peanuts, and sambal (chili).

The most famous ayam betutu restaurant is Ayam Betutu Men Tempeh in Gilimanuk, which has been making the legendary dish since 1978. Many locals believe it to be the tastiest on the island. But be warned, it's spicy!

However, unless you're a huge foodie looking for an authentic local experience, we wouldn't recommend going to Gilimanuk just to eat here. It's a 40-minute drive from Pemuteran, and having visited the port town ourselves, there's really nothing else for visitors to do here.

There are several places you can try ayam betutu nearer to Pemuteran, including Warung Betutu Bu Moleh. We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty the dish was - the chicken is super succulent and the spices are delicious.

13. Go wine tasting at Hatten Vineyards

If you're a wine lover (like us), this one's for you. Northwest Bali's cool(er) climate and rich volcanic soils make the region perfect for growing grapes. So that's exactly what the locals here do!

Sanggalangit village, which is just to the east of Pemuteran, is particularly well-known for its acres of lush vineyards. These vineyards provide the grapes for several of Bali’s top wine producers, including the original, Hatten Wines.

You can visit Hatten Wines private vineyards for a short vineyard tour and tasting of 3 wines for just 100,000 IDR ⓘ per person. You need to book in advance to make sure someone is available during your visit.

While the wine isn’t actually produced here (the winery itself is in Sanur), the vineyard tour still offers a great introduction to Balinese wine and the chance to see where the grapes are grown. It’s also a lovely spot to sit outside by the vines in the sun and enjoy a few glasses.

Where To Eat in Pemuteran

Where To Stay in Northwest Bali