Bali Is Starting To Feel Busy For Tourists As Long Holidays Kick Off
The peak travel season has arrived in Bali, and with the long school holidays just days away, the island is going to welcome tens of thousands more holidaymakers, and the vibe is going to be high, especially since Galungan is just days away too.
The peak travel season has arrived in Bali, and with the long school holidays just days away, the island is going to welcome tens of thousands more holidaymakers, and the vibe is going to be high, especially since Galungan is just days away too.
What Has Opened
June is set to be one of the busiest and most culturally active months in Bali in 2026. Not only is it the start of the peak travel season, but we will also be celebrating Galungan later this month, and the Bali Arts Festival is about to kick off, too.
Here at Regional Travel Monitors, you will hear us talk about how crowded Bali can feel at times, and actually, this year, we’re low-key excited for it.
We want to see this island busy and thriving, and most importantly, holidaymakers and travellers having the time of their lives.
Truth be told, some areas of Bali can feel a little too busy, a little too intense during the height of the high season, but the reality is also the case that there are plenty of places to retreat to, to enjoy the blissful calm the island has to offer, all should 365 days a year round.
This week, we have really felt the buzz about town. Tourism businesses, from hotels to tour providers, restaurants to top attractions, have all been working around the clock to make sure that everything is ready to welcome a surge in arrivals.
On Thursday, 11th June, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Wayan Sumarajaya, held a coordination meeting as a follow-up to the Minister of Tourism’s Circular Letter Number SE/3/HK.01.03/MP/2026 concerning the Implementation of Safe, Comfortable, and Enjoyable Tourism Activities During the 2026 School Holidays.
He told reporters, “Because the Minister of Tourism’s circular concerns school holiday preparations. There, several stakeholders related to tourism, local governments, districts, business actors, and associations were urged to make preparations so that holiday activities run well, smoothly, and safely.”
Rooms, Wellness & Architectural Highlights
He added “We held a meeting here to align our understanding of the Minister of Tourism’s circular and the Governor’s directives for optimal coordination and preparation regarding this holiday. Moreover, Bali has a major event, namely the Bali Arts Festival.”
Sumarajaya made it clear that the tourism sector will be prioritizing safety and sustainability throughout the peak travel season.
Tourists traveling to Bali can take peace of mind in knowing that a coordinated effort is underway. He shared, “In our discussion, we emphasized safety and focused on sustainable tourist destinations.”
“We also discussed indicators that need to be considered. Destinations that have successfully reorganized their tourist areas, such as Sanur, can serve as examples for other regions.”
At both the destination level, regency level, and provincial level, government agencies and the private tourism sector will be working together to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
He noted “We are also coordinating so that districts regularly report conditions and developments. So they know where crowded objects are and so on. We also request coordination with other stakeholders, including the police.”
Speaking to reporters this week, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Recreational Park Business Association (PUTRI) Bali, Inda Trimafo Yudha, said arrival figures have been steadily increasing since early June.
Location, Setting & Neighborhood Access
This has largely been driven by a combination of the start of domestic school holidays and an increase in international tourist arrivals ahead of the peak mid-year holiday season. Internationally, the long school holidays tend to start in mid-July.
Yudha told reporters, “For school holidays, of course, families come. Whether the children are still young or already in college, it’s still a time for families to travel together. Currently, the increase in visits is starting to be seen and usually rises above 50 percent compared to normal days.”
Bali’s top attractions, including playgrounds, water parks, conservation-based zoos, white-water rafting activities, and culinary and family recreation centers, are expecting to see an 80-100% increase in family visits.
Waterbom Bali, the island’s favourite waterpark, has just welcomed the Deputy Minister for Tourism for a site visit to check that everything is ready for a huge rise in the number of visits.
Ni Luh Puspa told reporters that all attractions in Bali are expected to stay open and provide a safe, comfortable, and high-quality travel experience for both domestic and international tourists.
Waterbom Bali will be doing that and more. Waterbom Bali CEO Sayan Gulino told reporters that his team is ready and raring to go ahead of the high season, and confirmed that routine inspections are conducted to ensure all facilities operate according to international safety standards.
He shared, “With 33 years of experience, we are ready to face the increase in tourist visits. Our team and staff have also prepared for the high season.”
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