Tahura Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest

Tahura Ngurah Rai is a large mangrove forest park along Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai in Suwung Kauh and Sidakarya, Denpasar Selatan, in Bali, Indonesia, forming part of the wetland system around Benoa Bay. The mangroves protect the coastline from erosion, filter runoff, and provide nursery habitat for fish, crabs and birds, and the area is a rare green space between Denpasar, Sanur and the airport corridor. Visitors typically enter through the Mangrove Information Center on the Bypass road, where wooden boardwalks lead into the forest and show the aerial roots of different mangrove species at close range. Signs explain the ecology and the conservation work done by local groups and forestry authorities, and guided boat and kayak tours, priced separately, take visitors along channels beneath the canopy. Birdwatchers can spot herons, egrets, kingfishers and other waterbirds, and mudskippers and crabs are common along the mudflats. A visit takes one to two hours. Entry for the walkways is a small fee, around IDR 20,000 to 50,000, and the park is open from about 8:00 to 17:00. Early morning offers the coolest conditions and the best birdlife, while high tide is the best time for kayaking, since channels are navigable and the roots are partly submerged. Photo angles include the boardwalk through the root tangle, channel reflections and wading birds at low tide. Visitors should wear insect repellent, closed shoes and sun protection, and avoid leaving litter, since plastic waste washed in by the tide is an ongoing challenge. Weekends attract more local volunteers and school groups.