Changes on the Horizon at Bali’s Busiest Tourist Fast Boat Port
July 27, 2025
Bali’s Sanur Port, known as the busiest commercial boat harbor on the island, is set to experience significant administrative changes in the near future. This vital transportation hub facilitates the daily movement of thousands of passengers traveling between popular Indonesian destinations such as Nusa Penida, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.
The Denpasar Transportation Agency (Dishub) has formally requested that management of Sanur Port be transferred from the central government to the Denpasar City Government. Ketut Sriawan, head of the agency, expressed a strong desire for this transition to take place swiftly, ideally by September 17th, which coincides with Indonesia’s Transportation Day. Sriawan stated, “We will do it as soon as possible. The target is, if possible, before Transportation Day. We hope it will be September 17th, which is Transportation Day. Hopefully, the Minister of Transportation can submit it at that time in accordance with the Director General’s suggestion.”
The idea of shifting control from the central administration to local authorities has been under consideration since the inception of Sanur Port’s new construction. It had originally been planned that both the Denpasar City Government and the Bali Provincial Government would eventually assume full responsibility for the port. However, despite discussions, the new Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, has yet to engage actively on this matter. Sriawan revealed, “We just met with the Director General a few days ago, and he will continue to convey this to the Minister. God willing, the initial development plan will be realised.”
One of the primary motivations behind this proposed handover is to achieve better integration of the port’s management with the infrastructure in Sanur and Denpasar City. Local officials believe this integration will help reduce chronic traffic congestion, improve passenger flow, and better synchronize the harbor’s operations with the newly established Sanur Special Economic Zone for Health, Medical, and Wellness Tourism. Sriawan emphasized the broader benefits, saying, “If we look at the current movement, there are automatically multiple effects from the port. Traditional villages are developing, creating economic activity in the area. In terms of spatial planning, it has become a transit-oriented development.”
Once under Denpasar City Government control, local authorities plan to implement tighter regulations on boat and ship traffic, particularly those navigating between Bali and the surrounding Nusa Islands. The new management anticipates reorganizing boat departure and arrival schedules to align with peak and off-peak traffic periods on land. This strategic coordination aims to smooth out traffic flow throughout the area, reducing congestion that frequently impedes tourists and residents alike.
Sriawan outlined the approach to these operational improvements: “How do we facilitate these tourists leaving in the morning, and returning in the afternoon? Hopefully, we can manage ship departures and arrivals while also implementing landslide measures to reduce traffic congestion.”
For the time being, travelers using Sanur Port can expect normal operations to continue. As the high tourist season persists, visitors are advised to allot ample time when traveling between destinations, especially to avoid missing boats or flights due to traffic delays.
While Sanur remains the primary departure point for visitors heading to Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands, and Lombok, alternative departure points such as Serangan and Padangbai are worth considering to avoid peak crowds and traffic.
Looking forward, the coming months and into 2026 promise expanded fast boat and ocean taxi services across Bali. These developments are part of broader efforts by local and provincial leaders to alleviate land traffic congestion and provide travelers with more efficient and affordable options to explore the region.
Additionally, this week marked the launch of a new direct boat service linking Denpasar with Banyuwangi in East Java, opening a new transportation corridor that enhances connectivity between the two provinces for tourists and residents alike.
As these changes take shape, Bali continues to enhance its travel infrastructure, ensuring the island remains easily accessible and enjoyable for the millions who visit each year.
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