In a major move to improve tourist mobility, Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is set to launch a series of new water taxi services, aimed at offering travelers a fast, efficient, and scenic alternative to traditional road transport. The initiative, announced by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, is expected to reduce traffic congestion around the airport while enhancing the overall visitor experience on the island.

Direct Water Taxi Routes from Bali Airport to Popular Destinations
The new water taxi services will connect Bali’s airport to some of the island's most popular destinations, including Sanur, Seminyak, Kuta, and the outlying island of Nusa Penida. According to Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, this new sea route will significantly cut down travel time compared to previous methods, such as taking a speedboat from Sanur Harbor to Nusa Penida.

“Landing at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, then where to go? There are many popular tourist attractions on the Island of the Gods,” the Ministry wrote in an Instagram post. “One of the easiest ways, besides the land route, was conveyed by Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, namely the sea route via water taxi service.”

Connecting Key Locations via Sea Routes
The water taxi service will be available to various routes, including those to Tanjung Benoa, with easy access from the airport’s western side, offering direct access to Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. On the east side of the airport, the service will be linked to Benoa Bay, providing access to nearby locations including the Bali Mandara Toll Road.

While an official launch date for the water taxi services has yet to be set, the boats have already been allocated for the initiative, marking a significant step forward in Bali's tourism infrastructure. The hope is that this new service will streamline access to popular tourist areas, particularly as traffic congestion has long been a concern around the airport.

An Innovative Solution for Bali’s Traffic Woes
Tourists often face long delays traveling from the airport to their destinations due to heavy traffic around the area. In response, Bali’s local authorities are taking proactive steps to offer alternative travel methods. Aside from the water taxi services, the Bali Urban Rail Network is also under construction. This public metro system will eventually connect the airport to key locations like Kuta, Seminyak, and Sanur, although it will not be operational until later this decade.

The introduction of water taxis is part of a broader plan to diversify transport options on the island, including a network of ocean taxis launching throughout 2025. In addition to the routes connecting the airport to popular spots, a new water taxi service will operate between Canggu and Nusa Dua, with a possible stop at the airport.

Regent of Badung, Nyoman Giri Prasta, explained the development of a sea toll road to improve coastal transport. “God willing, between January or February, we will build a sea toll road so that tourists on the coast (Canggu-Berawa) will no longer use the main road but sea transportation,” he said in December 2024.

Established Water Taxi Services Already in Operation
While the new water taxis between the airport and key tourist spots are still in the works, Bali already boasts an established water taxi service. GoBoat, for example, operates over 300 daily departures across Bali and Lombok, including services between Canggu and Uluwatu. The service has proven to be a popular and time-saving option for tourists, with water taxis also operating between Canggu and Jimbaran Beach.

With the upcoming launch of these airport-connected water taxis, Bali is set to provide its visitors with more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable travel options.