Bali Water Taxi Accelerated, Airport–Canggu Travel Time Cut to 30 Minutes
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi is urging the acceleration of tourism transportation development in Bali through the expansion of water taxi services and the construction of docks to strengthen connectivity and boost tourism appeal.
“The Ministry of Transportation is synergising the acceleration of tourism transportation development in Bali,” said Dudy in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4/2026), as quoted from Antara on Friday (10/4/2026).
He explained that the government has prepared several strategic steps to strengthen connectivity in Bali Province, including the development of water taxis and the construction of docks at Celukan Bawang Port in Buleleng Regency.
According to Dudy, water taxis provide an alternative solution to integrate land, sea, and air transportation, while also reducing traffic density, particularly in the Badung area.
The water taxi service will connect Ngurah Rai Airport with the Canggu tourism area. Based on observations, the current land journey from the airport to Canggu takes about 1–2 hours.
“Meanwhile, using the water taxi is expected to take a maximum of 30 minutes,” said Dudy.
On the other hand, the construction of docks at Celukan Bawang Port is also being prepared. Dock I is planned to serve general cargo ships and liquid asphalt with an addition of about 92 metres in length.
Meanwhile, Dock II will be developed as a multipurpose dock to serve passengers, general cargo, and dry bulk, with an addition of about 60 metres in length.
Dudy stated that this development is the result of an evaluation to introduce an alternative port, so that vehicle movements do not mix between large and small vehicles.
As a short-term solution, the Ministry of Transportation has also requested PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) to develop ports, particularly in Ketapang, by opening a new dock in Gilimanuk.
He emphasised the importance of preparing paired ports to receive ships from Ketapang, including providing buffer zones to anticipate surges in vehicle traffic.
“Especially next year when Nyepi Day and Eid al-Fitr will be close together,” he said.
Dudy hopes these strategic steps will soon be realised to strengthen connectivity, support more efficient passenger mobility and logistics distribution, and reduce congestion in Bali.
“At the same time, improving the quality of transportation services in tourism areas,” he said.