STAR J TRAVEL is our Product Factory, a division of Indonesia Holidays DMC.
STAR J TRAVEL creates and operates its own unique and exclusive products, on a B2B and B2C level.

Our team of specialist travel designers are constantly sourcing, designing, planning and creating new and exciting products and travel itineraries within the archipelago of Indonesia, and beyond.

They aim to bring you the best of Indonesia and South East Asia; including the lesser known and lesser traveled areas.

Walking down the beach at Pemuteran Bay provides a glimpse into both the past and future of Indonesia's coastal communities. One end of the beach serves as the mooring and launching area for the fleet of traditional fishing craft that have so long provided subsistence to the community. At the other is a community-driven reef restoration and conservation project started in 2000, which has changed not only the reef itself, but also the attitudes, livelihoods and economy of the entire region.

Pemuteran is home to the largest artificial Biorock reef project in the world and there is a real spirit of marine conservation effort in this area. This reef project is seen in Bali and Indonesia as a model for community based development of tourism. The village protects the reefs and safeguards a peaceful stay for visitors. It is one of the few places in Bali where you will not be bothered by beach hawkers. The reefs in Pemuteran are very colorful with great looking hard and soft coral, table coral, sponges and gorgonian sea fans mixed with lots of reef fish. The sea has moderate currents so good for all divers and snorkelers. You can have a look at a video that explains about the reef restoration project and shows the commitment of the community here: http://vimeo.com

Pemuteran Village has worked out a unique way of restoring the coral reefs by using electricity to stimulate the growth of new coral. As a result the Coral grows 5 times faster, creating a vibrant and healthy reef. More than fifty-six Biorock coral nursery structures have been installed since June 2000 in Pemuteran Village. With a total length of 300 meters situated in an area of 2 hectares, this is the largest Biorock coral reef nursery and restoration project worldwide. These structures are easily accessible, about 30-100 meters from the coastline, in waters ranging from about 3 to 7 meters deep. They are roughly lined up, forming a natural snorkeling and diving trail.

Pemuteran Bay is in the quiet north west of Bali. A small laid-back village, which has become increasingly popular with visitors in recent years. In the background of the bay are majestic mountain tops, the sea is free of currents and is perfect for swimming. Pemuteran has the largest area of shallow reefs in Bali. Also its proximity to Menjangan Island `snorkel and dive paradise` and West Bali National Park, together with the extreme natural beauty of the area, has fuelled quite rapid growth in tourism infrastructure in the area. There are a number of waterfront resorts, villas and home stays, suitable for all budgets. The word 'Pemuteran' means 'comes back to you'.......You will see that this is true for many aspects of the bay.

Just off the northwest coast of Bali lies a tiny island, Pulau Menjangan. The island is situated in the protected marine reserve of the Bali Barat National Park. It is surrounded by hectares of beautiful coral reef gardens with a very diverse eco biology, which makes this the island is a favorite destination for both snorkelers and divers.

The good drop-offs on Menjangan's south side are a popular spot for locals and tourists wishing to dive for a variety of fish and for coral reef exploration. There are no dangerous currents to contend with in this area.

Apart from a high diversity of coral species and colorful tropical fish, there are also many kinds of sea and shorebirds frequenting the island. Also the Hawkesbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is frequently sighted in the area.

Menjangan is often referred to as Deer Island as it happens to be the habitat of the Barking Deer or Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak).

Visitors can regularly spot these deer taking a bath at the secluded, sandy beaches of the island.

Flora

The Park has over 175 species of plants, 14 of which are endangered like cendana, or sandalwood (Santalum album).

Birds

With about 160 different species Bali Barat National Park is a paradise for bird-watchers.
The Bali starling or Rotschild's Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) is also the mascot of the Park. It loves a clean habitat and has a short flying range. Being easy to catch, this species needs special care and protection to safeguard its decreasing population..

The Bali Starling

Found only on the Island of Bali, the distinctively beautiful Bali Starling Bird was first discovered in 1910 and adopted as an iconic symbol for Bali in 1991. The bird, locally known as "Jalak Bali" also graces the face of Indonesia's Rp. 200 coin.
The bird is under threat from man's encroachment on its natural habitat and poachers who are able to fetch high prices for live birds sold on the black market. Estimates in 2012 counted only 124 birds living in the wild, spread between the Bali National Park and Nusa Penida Island. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,000 birds are believed to be held illegally in the hands of private collectors.

The wildlife consist mostly of sea and shore birds, the most conspicuous being the Brown Boobies and Lesser Frigate birds. There are two colonies of Terns that nest on a sandy cay at the entrance to Teluk Lumpur (also knownas Mud Bay) whilst the Frigates and Boobies roost on Pulau Burung. The number of White Starlings left in the wild is unknown. Other wildlife consists of the big black long tailed monkeys, leopard cats, deers, wild pigs, reptiles and gigantic lizards.

The Bali Barat National Park, founded in the year 1941, was originally an initiative by the Dutch, with the purpose of protecting the endangered Bali Starling bird and the last remaining wild banteng (a native animal from which most of the Balinese cattle descend).

The park can be found in the most western part of the island of Bali. Nowadays, it has a total area of 19,000 ha. but in the beginning the park extended much further eastward than it does today. At that time it covered a total area of about 77,000 ha.

The Bali Barat Park is mountainous and consists of primary monsoon forest, mangrove forest (310 ha.), lowland rain forest, savanna, sea grass vegetation types (40 ha.), coral reefs (810 ha.), sandy beaches, and both shallow and deep sea waters (3,520 ha.).
At the peninsular Prapat Agung one will find many routes off the beaten track; which makes it the most accessible part of the park.

At Menjangan island you will find hectares of colorful coral reef gardens making it a perfect destination for snorkeling and diving.

Marine protected areas

The Bali Barat National Park shows a high bio diversity in a relatively small area. At the end of the last century, 110 species of coral belonging to 18 families were recorded, of which 22 species were of the mushroom coral family (there are just 29 species of mushroom coral recorded worldwide!), and there were at least 27 species of Acropora coral found in an area as big as only 2 ha.

The Marine reserve includes the cape shores and several sanctuary islands. With many seabirds in the bay of Gilimanuk and on the island of Menjangan; and the excellent coral reefs surrounding it. The good `drop-offs` on Menjangan's south side, are only surpassed by the particularly superb reefs on its northern shores. The island is a popular spot for locals and tourists wishing to dive for a variety of fish and coral reef exploration. There are no dangerous currents to contend with in this area.

Why is West Bali overlooked? Simply because almost nobody knows, or has heard of it.
Why does nobody know? Because West Bali is not promoted by ‘local agents’ to their overseas clientele.
Why is West Bali not promoted by ‘local agents’? Because, to many local agents there are ‘no shopping malls or theme parks, there is no night life and some believe there are “bad ghosts”…..and West Bali is ‘ too far away’.  It is just jungle, empty beaches and wildlife…’, …and they believe foreign visitors to Bali are simply  not interested!

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