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.