During our annual month long trip to Bali in June, my husband and I decided to break up our stay in Ubud with a few days diving trip to Menjangan Island. We took forever to decide between staying at the Mimpi resort or at Waka Shorea. We had our Balinese house manager on the phone to both places an hour working out discounts, which proved to be well worth it, as a local he was able to get us rock bottom prices at both places, both of which were still quite expensive for Bali. The discounted package price for 3 nights and 6 dives at Waka Shorea was $700 US, and $600 at Mimpi. OUCH!

We finally decided on Waka Shorea based on Tripadvisor reviews; the proximity to Menjangan Island (from other resorts it is at least a 45 minute boat trip) and because everyone loved the location in Bali Barat park. When we first arrived we were certain we had made a horrible mistake, but over the course of 4 days the place grew on us, mostly because of the fantastic diving. If one weren't diving, there is really very little to do but eat, meditate, and have sex.

First of all, I was expecting the resort to be in a jungle, but no. This part of Bali is quite arid, at least in June, reminding me of parts of West Texas, like around Wichita Falls; dusty, scrubby low trees and brush, at best it could be called a forest but looked to me like Uncle Leroy's uncleared back 40.

The bungalows struck me not so much as rustic, but as having been hastily thrown together with cheap materials and therefore quickly falling apart. Actually, for being in a sensitive national park area, they were quite posh, with constant electricity, AC, flush toilets, strong flowing hot showers, and minifridges. In fact, the plumbing for the resort is probably taking a toll on the fragile arid ecosystem; water has to be piped from the mainland to run the nice showers and the fountains and the swimming pool. And, where does that toilet go when you flush it? Also, I heard the nearby village has to do without piped in water sometimes, and must bring water over in boats from the mainland.

Then the next day, when we went diving, the trip turned around for us and we began to have a fantastic time!!!! And oddly enough, on 5 dives out of 6 we never saw any other divers! The sites were technicolor gorgeous thriving with intreging marine life, interspersed with complete destruction- the aftermath of dynamite fishing. On one dive we heard several blasts, sudden and loud! permeating the body- a heinous reality check in stark contrast to the peaceful beauty of the healthy reef we were currently in. Our plucky little dive master assured us the explosions were coming from nearby Java, but ample evidence of destroyed reef in the park made us question that.

Topside, wildlife encounters consisted mostly of brief glimpses of fleeing shapes. We went on several walks around the property, unguided as they charge USD $20 per person to escort you; our wildlife sightings consisted of viewing acres of crab hole cities and glimpsing a few wild pigs and monkey groups running like all get out when they heard us coming. However, one fine morning there was an ELK drinking at the pool, completely unconcerned with the Japanese tourists enthusiastically snapping his portrait. This huge and unlikely creature is the MENJANGAN the island is named after. It was incredibly weird to see a large and hairy elk on Bali, looking like he'd just flown in from Colorado.

We loved the food from the hotel restaurant (of course the only choice) The ample breakfast and lunch were included in the package price, but dinner had to be purchased. At least it was tasty and most nights served by candlelight on a platform overlooking the beach. Since drinks and snacks had to be purchased, it would be clever to buy them on the mainland (especially alcohol!) and pack them in your bags as the rooms do have the minifridge to stash them away in.

Would we stay at the Waka Shorea again? Uncertain... being 10 minutes away from the fantastic diving on Menjangan was GREAT, but the resort itself is wildly overpriced (for example, in Ubud we were paying USD $45 a night for a two story house, beautifully furnished with TV, AC, and a lovely garden and fish pond) We will probaly explore other properties in nearby Permuteran.

I stayed at the Waka Shorea with my wife, for a week in one of the two villa's, which were fantastic even having our own private beach area, seperate dining room, and two sun loungers at the waters edge.
The wildlife is amazing to watch and you will find that no food or water is allowed to be left out near the kitchens etc. due to not being allowed to interfere with nature.
I wouldn't say that the snorkelling/swimming was fantastic around the pier, but near to deer island it really is good, but there is nothing else to do except relax!!
Bali Barat national park is also worth a visit. We were with two guides who took us along a dry river bed pointing out all sorts. We even came across bird traps which poachers were using to catch various finches, which we saved the finches and released them and destroyed the traps. If you can, have a trip to see the "Bali Mynah" breeding area, which we went to. Its like Fort Knox. Well worth a visit to the area. We were in Bali for 3 weeks and covered a lot, and yes it is worth going to.
Rob

We stayed at Waka Shorea in April 2007. Our party consistsedof myself, husband, 2 year old son, nanny, my brother, his wife and 2 kids (11 and 6 years old).

We went to the Bali Barat area to dive. My brother and I dive, while the rest of the party snorkels (except my toddler and his nanny, of course). The diving was beautiful, even just in front of the hotel. The snorkelling equally great. On good days, you can see the fish and
the corral from the jetty. But on bad days depending on the season, you get trash all over the place carried by the current.

I had a wonderful time at Waka Shorea. We stayed at the villa w/ 2 bungalows. Husband, me and toddler slept very comfortably on the king
size bed, and were protected from the mosquitoes by the bed netting.
I enjoyed the outdoor bathroom and saw some monkeys. We had more than
enough hot water, soap/shampoo, towels. The turndown service was also
very nice. Our unit was only a few meters from the beach, and we saw the beach and heard the ocean at all times. The nanny slept in the other bungalow. It had a full size bed, A/C as well. But we shared a bathroom. There was also another bale to laze around. My brother, his
wife and 2 kids shared 1 bungalow.

Food was OK. I wasnt that happy with the food. But totally edible. Breakfast was good, with enough selection of bread. The juices were good.

Staff was excellent. They cleaned the rooms efficiently, catered to our meal requests.

But be forewarned. The place is rustic. Not rustic in the Four Seasons way. But rustic in the trees are gonna eat up your cottage way. If you have problems with mosquitoes, insects, bugs of any kind, do NOT come here. If you are prepare to come, definitely bring your won insect repellent. The whole place does have a rundown feel to it. In fact, we learned that they have cut their staff down to around 50% of its original level. Also, some of the villas are closed
/damaged. I fear that soon, the wild nature will overtake the hotel!

Also, there really is not much to do apart from snorkeling and diving. The beach is very rocky. And when the water is rough, you can't really snorkel/dive either. When we were there, there was 1 wasted day since the water was super rough.

I like the feeling of wilderness, the quiet and beauty of the place.
If Waka Shore were only 2 hours away from the airport, I would definitely return. As it is 5 hours, unfortunately, I am not sure.

Right up in the North West corner of Bali, it's over 4 hours drive from Denpasar. After check in there is a 20 minute boat ride to the resort itself, no roads go there only the motorcycle tracks used by the park rangers.
The accommodation is in 10 individual lanai, equipped with everything you would expect in a good hotel. As you are in the Park there is wildlife everywhere from insects and frogs up to deer, wild pigs and monkeys so you are recommended to keep the doors shut.
However, where else can you have breakfast and watch long tailed monkeys watching you from the trees 20 feet away or have a candlelit dinner by the beach while wild pigs charge about nearby.
Snorkelling from the jetty is spectacular and there is a PADI dive school.
A unique resort well away from everything, but if you have to keep in touch, they have a WiFi link