Cruise Travel Emerges as a Leading Gateway for Tourists Visiting Bali
Bali is witnessing a significant surge in cruise tourism, positioning itself as a prime destination for travelers arriving by sea. This growing trend is expected to shape the island’s tourism landscape in 2026 and beyond, fueled by substantial investments in port infrastructure and enhanced visitor amenities.
Expansion of Benoa Harbour to Accommodate Jumbo Cruise Liners
Over the past five years, Bali has embarked on extensive infrastructural upgrades focused on Benoa Harbour, the island’s principal maritime gateway. These improvements enable the port to accommodate large cruise ships, reflecting the increasing demand from international cruise lines.
Recently, the arrival of two luxury vessels, the Viking Venus and Silver Moon, marked a milestone as the 50th and 51st cruise liners to dock in Bali this year alone. Both ships berthed simultaneously at Benoa Harbour International Terminal, bringing in over 2,000 tourists and crew members.
According to Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram, General Manager of Benoa Port, the terminal currently boasts a 500-meter pier with the capacity to handle up to 3,000 visitors at once. Plans are underway to extend the pier to 1,300 meters, which will allow four cruise ships to dock concurrently, further enhancing the port’s operational capacity.
“We are fully equipped to manage simultaneous cruise arrivals,” Mataram stated. “In February, we successfully served three cruise ships docking at the same time. Our aim is to become a premier home port for tourism in the region.”
Transforming Benoa into a Comprehensive Maritime Tourism Hub
Beyond port upgrades, Benoa Harbour is being developed into a multifaceted maritime tourism hub. This ambitious project includes the establishment of restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and retail outlets, designed to enrich the visitor experience.
A significant feature of the development is the new luxury yacht marina, which is expected to attract high-end yachting enthusiasts to Bali, placing the island on the global luxury maritime map. Nusra Fariz Hariyoso, Sub-Regional Head of Pelindo Bali, highlighted ongoing efforts to create such facilities. “We are working on a marina in development area 1 through collaboration between our subsidiary PT SPSL and PT MDI,” he explained. “A pontoon dock will be constructed to accommodate approximately 180 yachts.”
Integrating Cruise Tourism with Bali’s Cultural Attractions
Efforts are also focused on connecting cruise travelers with Bali’s rich cultural and natural attractions inland. Karlinda Sari, Senior Manager of Legal and Public Relations at Pelindo, emphasized partnerships that integrate the maritime hub with renowned tourist sites. An example is Penglipuran Tourism Village, a fostered village prepared specifically as an international tourist destination, drawing around 400 cruise visitors annually.
Rising Numbers Reflect Cruise Travel’s Increasing Popularity
Statistical data underscores the rapid growth of cruise tourism at Benoa Harbour. After welcoming 48 cruise vessels carrying 78,241 passengers in 2023, the figures rose to 56 vessels and 107,717 passengers in 2024. With the recent docking of the Viking Venus and Silver Moon, the 2025 total reached 51 cruise arrivals and 96,013 passengers so far, with projections indicating an additional 15 vessels before year-end.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be a record-breaking year with 73 cruise ship arrivals already scheduled, and the possibility of more as demand climbs steadily.
Enhanced Security Measures Support Growing Maritime Traffic
To ensure a safe and secure environment for tourists and maritime operations, Bali Police have increased their presence around Benoa Harbour. Commissioner Ni Wayan Adnyani Prabawati, Chief of Benoa Police, affirmed the ongoing commitment to improving supervision and service quality for all passenger ships docking at the port.
“We prioritize the safety, security, and comfort of everyone using the port’s services,” Prabawati assured.
Bali’s transformation into a thriving cruise tourism hub reflects a concerted effort to diversify travel options and elevate the visitor experience. With expanded port facilities, integrated cultural excursions, and luxury maritime amenities, cruise travel is set to become one of the top ways for tourists to explore this iconic Indonesian island.
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