Bali Boat Operators Commit To Improving Safety Standards For Tourists

Fast boat providers connect tourists with destinations like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands and Lombok, and for years the operation’s safety standards have been a point of intense focus. 

Latest Situation & Advisory Details

With Benoa Harbour now functioning as the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, leaders at the port are calling on fast boat service providers as well as all other vessel operators to conduct regular accident handling simulations for operations out of all ports in South Bali.

The Head of Benoa Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), Aprianus Hangki, told reporters that tourist ship operators regularly conduct accident handling simulations as a form of crew preparedness, and that port officials will be checking that these standard operating procedures are adhered to. 

Hangki explained, “Our focus is on how operators ensure the seaworthiness of their vessels.” The intention is that through these kinds of accident stipulations, ship crews can be more competent and skilled in handling emergency situations, thereby reducing the risk of loss of life.

Simulations are carried out at least once a month to improve the skills and alertness of the ship’s crew, and the drills are operated in alignment with international regulation SOLAS 1974 (Safety of Life at Sea).

At Benoa Port alone, there are around 79 units of tourist boat fleets that operate every day for tourist transportation.

Affected Corridors & Port/Flight Status

Hangki told reporters, “To date, 100 percent of operators have complied with the requirements because we have zero accidents, no compromises, and no compromises on safety and regulations.”

Traveling by fast boat is, of course, the only way to access destinations like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, but these operators have also created routes that help tourists traveling around Bali Island to beat the traffic. 

GoBoat offers dozens of departures every day, operating a water taxi-style service between Canggu and Uluwatu. If the roads are clear, in theory, you can drive between Canggu and Uluwatu in just over an hour. In reality, even if traffic is free-flowing, it takes at least 90 minutes; during peak traffic, sometimes upwards of 4 hours. 

The Canggu-Uluwatu fast boat service for tourists by GoBoat cuts travel time down to 35 minutes, and here at Regional Travel Monitors we think it’s a more scenic route too! GoBoat also has a similar service operating between Canggu and Jimbaran. 

This high season in Bali, tourists are being encouraged to book fast boat tickets in advance of travel for a number of reasons. First is that with the island being so busy, the most popular fast boat routes tend to sell out in advance.

Safety Restrictions & Operational Directives

For tourists who have a fixed itinerary, it is essential to book tickets for boat crossings ahead of time, and this is even more important for those traveling in groups. 

The second reason is that with the boats being so busy, so too are the ports. While teams work to manage queues of people and keep everyone moving quickly, those tourists who have advance ticket bookings tend to have a smoother experience, which is something that we all want on vacation, right?

Most tourists traveling by fast boat to the outlying and neighbouring islands tend to travel through Sanur Harbor.

Tourists can also consider traveling through Benoa, Serangan, or Padangbai Harbor; not only does this help avoid some of the busyness of Sanur Harbor at peak times but also helps tourists see a little more of Bali while on vacation.

Arrive an hour or so early to Benoa, Serangan, or Padangbai, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you find!

What Travelers Should Do

Maritime and atmospheric weather patterns can affect inter-island boat crossings to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Lombok. When swell or weather warnings are active, travelers should confirm departure schedules directly with licensed harbor operators and maintain flexible itinerary timing. For live harbor advisories, wave heights, and marine condition reports across Badung Strait, refer to our Island Travel Safety Radar.