Gilimanuk Port to Close on 19 March, Ketapang on 18 March Ahead of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr

Maritime traffic between Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana Regency and Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi Regency, and in the opposite direction, will be regulated during the Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Operating hours will be imposed because the holidays are close together.

‘I have confirmed with the Governor (Wayan Koster); there is a regulation that governs it,’ said Kakorlantas Polri Irjen Agus Suryo Nugroho during the Polantas Menyapa event in Banjar Kebalian, Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, on Friday (6 March 2026).

Agus said that inter-provincial sea crossing traffic would be carried out alternately. In the run-up to Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr, Ketapang Port will be completely closed from 18 March 2026 at 17:00 WIB. Meanwhile Gilimanuk Port will be completely closed from 19 March 2026 at 05:00 WITA. This has been regulated and set out in a Bali Governor’s circular letter (SE) regarding traffic arrangements during Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr.

‘So that Nyepi celebrants can observe the festival smoothly, and those travelling home can do so without problems,’ Agus said.

Agus said the opening/closing schedule for the two ports is part of the Ketupat Operation 2026 scenario. The security arrangements for routes to critical places and tourist sites, passenger distribution at airports, and security posts have also been laid out. ‘Including security posts and security checkpoints at tourist sites, it’s all been explained. Nyepi and Takbiran prayers also pose no problems,’ he said.

Bali Police Traffic Directorate head Kombes Turmudi said that the opening/closing arrangement applies only to the two ports. There is no open/close scenario along the route from Denpasar to Jembrana.

‘So, on 19 March 2026 Gilimanuk Port will be closed at 05:00 WITA. It won’t extend to the open/close scenario along the route. The arrangements will proceed as usual,’ Turmudi said.

Separately, a traffic engineering scenario has been implemented for the route to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport from Nusa Dua. The scenario is triggered when traffic density increases, prioritising traffic heading to the airport. Before that, traffic management to clear traffic exiting the airport will be carried out first to allow those heading to the airport to pass.

‘We prioritise those going to the airport. Then, we will drain (clear) traffic leaving the airport,’ he said.