Visitors to Lovina Beach in serene North Bali will find no shortage of things to do and places to visit during their time in their island province. While North Bali and Lovina Beach in particular are famous for dolphin watching tours as well as excellent diving and snorkeling sites, nature lovers will want to trek northwest to visit the Park. West Bali National.
Located about 60 kilometers west of Lovina Beach, West Bali National Park lies straight to the west along the Singaraja-Gilimanuk highway. The whole trip shouldn’t take more than a couple of leisurely hours and makes for a great day trip from your home base in Lovina Beach. Known locally as Taman Nasional Bali Barat, West Bali National Park is a sight to behold. Covering some 770 square kilometers, the park occupies about 10% of Bali’s total land area.
The park is home to several ecological habitats, such as dry savannah, acacia scrub, mangrove swamps, mixed montane and monsoon forests, and coral islands. To the north of the park there is a 1 kilometer long beach, a natural reef and several islets. The park is also home to the small town of Goris in the east and a seaport at Gilimanuk in the west. Perhaps the most impressive sight is the center of the reserve, in which are the remains of four huge extinct volcanoes dating from the Pleistocene era. The largest of the four, Gunung Patas stands at a towering 1,412 meters at its highest point.
The diverse habitats and ecosystems within the park’s protected area also make it home to some 160 species of rare tropical birds and animals. The weather here can be hotter and drier than southern Bali and there are no places to buy water in the park, so be sure to bring plenty of water if you plan on hiking. There are several great hiking trails in the park, as well as some great snorkeling spots and even a temple. Hiring a guide from the national park office is mandatory when trekking in West Bali National Park.