Leaders in Bali’s Nusa Penida have pledged to tackle the island’s issues with traffic congestion. The tiny outlying islands have seen a sharp rise in the number of tourist visits annually, and major changes must be made if the growth is to be sustained long-term.
The issue of traffic jams in Nusa Penida, especially around the Banjar Nyuh harbour area, is a huge cause for concern for local leaders. As the island sees an ever-increasing number of visitors, its infrastructure is starting to struggle under the pressure of the volume of tourists.
Head of the Klungkung Transportation Agency, Gusti Gede Gunarta, spoke with reporters to discuss the issue in detail.
Gunarta shared that although traffic conditions on the island are under control for now, anticipatory solutions must be put in place soon, given the ongoing increase in vehicle and tourist numbers. He noted, however, that traffic congestion is not a constant, and that focus must be given to creating solutions to the traffic jams that form during peak travel hours, which correspond with the morning fast boat arrivals and evening fast boat departures.
He confirmed, “We are currently focusing on addressing traffic congestion in Nusa Penida.” Gunarta also confirmed that he will chair a stakeholder meeting on the 28th August, gathering together tourism drivers, tour operators, local community members, and others to create a focus group discussion to urgently find and implement solutions to the traffic congestion situation in Nusa Penida.
One aim is to better regulate and organize tourism transportation around Banjar Nyuh Habor, and across the island, to help make it easier for tourists to navigate their way around the island, and travel more comfortably and efficiently.
Gunarta was clear that this is no easy feat, especially since the volume of traffic is not the only issue, but also the limited capacity of the island’s roads and limited parking areas.
There are also concerns that there is an increasing number of vehicles on Nusa Penida that are not from Bali Province.
One objective of the Klungkung Transportation Agency is to transfer these vehicles onto Bali licence plates so that road and vehicle taxes are gathered by Bali Province, not other regions of the country.
This revenue can then be used to help level up transportation infrastructure on the outlying island. Gunarta told reporters, “Many vehicles have out-of-region license plates, even though the tax revenue should go to Bali.”
Leaders are already investing in improving Nusa Penida’s road network for tourists. By early 2026, a new road will be constructed between tourist hotspots Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. The new 1km stretch of road will make it quicker and safer for tourists to travel between the two must-visit attractions.
For tourists traveling to Nusa Penida, long-term solutions may take time to come into effect. Tourists arriving on Nusa Pendia should anticipate some traffic congestion getting out of the Banjar Nyuh Harbour area, and onwards to the top tourist attractions like Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach.
Similarly, on the return, tourists should anticipate traffic congestion upon arrival in Banjar Nyuh Habor ahead of their departure back to Sanur or Padangbai. Tourists should leave extra time to travel back to the harbor from their daily trips and stays on the island.
Where possible, tourists can do their best to avoid traffic congestion by booking boat crossings outside of peak fast boat crossing times. This can mean traveling over to Nusa Penida on the first early morning departures, or waiting until the early afternoon.
Similarly, this can mean crossing back to Sanur on a late evening crossing, or staying an extra night on the island and booking an early morning crossing to avoid traffic.
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