Today is Nyepi: Gilimanuk Port in Bali Operations Already Closed

Today, the Hindu community, particularly in Bali, is observing Nyepi on Thursday (19 March). Transport services for the Lebaran Idulfitri 1447 Hijriyah homecoming to and from the island have been stopped in observance of Nyepi, covering air, sea, and land modes. “I received a report from the Jatim Police Traffic Directorate and the Kapolda is at Ketapang [the crossing port in Banyuwangi, East Java]. It has been closed for access leading to Gilimanuk [Bali],” said Kakorlantas Irjen Pol Agus Suryonugroho while briefing reporters at the Command Center Post KM 29 Cikampek Toll, West Java, in the early hours of Thursday. “[The crossing service] from Gilimanuk at 05:00 this morning has already been closed. So indeed to celebrate Nyepi Day in Bali,” he added. Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of Bali Police, Kombes Pol Ariasandy, stated on Wednesday afternoon that there were no longer any vehicle queues either on the main route or in the support areas of Gilimanuk Port. He conveyed that to maintain a conducive situation, combined personnel continue to carry out traffic management and ongoing monitoring throughout the Gilimanuk Port area. The situation at Gilimanuk Port is now truly back to normal. “Based on field monitoring, the crossing flow at Gilimanuk Port is now fully normal, with no vehicle queues. All vehicles can be served directly and properly,” he explained. Furthermore, he added that the readiness of the ferry fleet is one of the supporting factors for the smooth crossing flow. Assistance for stranded residents PT Angkutan Sungai, Danau, dan Penyeberangan (ASDP), the police, and related parties have prepared anticipatory measures if many homecomers are stranded during Nyepi due to the closure of Gilimanuk Port this morning. One of them is preparing a communal kitchen in Gilimanuk. Jembrana Police Chief, AKBP Kadek Citra Dewi Suparwati, said in line with instructions from the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Dudy Purwagandhi, who visited Gilimanuk Port on Tuesday (17 March), vehicle owners and their passengers will be prioritised for crossing. Meanwhile, vehicles left in Bali are still optimistic that all vehicles can cross on time before Nyepi. However, if not fulfilled, for those ‘trapped’ in Gilimanuk, a communal kitchen will be provided. “We have coordinated with ASDP; if it’s not possible (to cross on time), later a communal kitchen will be provided at the port by ASDP,” said Citra as quoted from detikBali. “We will try to ferry the homecomers if vehicles can no longer be ferried. Vehicles are left behind and people are crossed. In Ketapang, the technical arrangements will be prepared accordingly, because in Ketapang it’s easier for people to carry out activities compared to in Bali which is observing Nyepi,” she added. Operations at Gilimanuk Port will be closed starting at 05:00 WITA on Thursday (19 March 2026). However, until H-1 closure, the outbound traffic from Bali was still monitored as busy, dominated by private vehicles. Vehicle queues today, Wednesday (18 March 2026), around 15:30 WITA, reached the Cekik Forest area in Gilimanuk or about 7 kilometres from Gilimanuk Port. As a result, concerns arose that many homecomers would be trapped by Nyepi in Gilimanuk. “This afternoon the queue was already at Cekik Forest and the cargo terminal has been reactivated for private car queues. Hopefully all homecomers can cross before Nyepi,” said Citra.