Entering the national park on the way to the resort hidden deep in the jungle, you’ll soon sense that you’ll be spending your entire holiday time here. Villas (some of which have two bedrooms) either stand in the forest or look across the sea from the rocky mangrove coast. The spa, one of the best on the island in terms of view, is built on stilts on a shallow sea, while the main restaurant is placed inside an octagonal structure which also houses the main pool and observation deck.
Compared to the main tourist spots like Canggu or Kuta, the park feels like a world apart. Here, every day is a safari. Walking around the resort, you will see groups of deer grazing, monkeys hanging from branches, monitor lizards sunbathing, or junglefowls peeking out from behind leaves. If you are lucky, you might hear the sharp chirping of Bali starling, the island’s fauna icon.
The sea too promises a memorable exploration. Menjangan, an island offshore, and a short boat ride from the resort, is popular among beachgoers because of its pristine beaches, while the surrounding water hides some of the most protected dive sites in Bali. In the afternoon, opt for the Plataran Menjangan sunset cruise that will take you on a 15m wooden Phinisi, the double masts schooner from South Sulawesi, to explore the northern sea and admire the towering volcanoes in East Java, while enjoying canapes and fresh coconut water.
