The long-awaited new Bali-East Java tourist fast boat service has officially launched.
The new public transportation route has been months in the making, and the first journey took place on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025, with 75 tourists traveling from Banyuwangi to Serangan in Bali.
Speaking to reporters following the safe and successful first journey of the Banyuwangi-Denpasar fast boat service, I Ketut Sriawan, Head of the Denpasar Transportation Office, said that the new route had received a positive response from passengers.
Now, passengers aboard the Express Bahari fast boat from Banyuwangi can travel from Banyuwangi to Denpasar in just 3 hours. Previously, this trip would have required a short crossing over the Bali Strait, followed by a minimum four-hour drive to central Denpasar; often longer considering traffic congestion on the Gilimanuk-Denpasar Highway.
Sriawan told reporters, “In terms of the ship, I saw earlier that the ship was also quite good, there were VIP, executive, and economy rooms. This safety standard has also been checked by Syahbandar, and we see the condition above on the ship is also quite good.”
He added, “During peak seasons such as Eid and Nataru, the operation of fast boats can reduce the accumulation [of vehicles] in Gilimanuk. Likewise, from the East Java side, it can reduce the density in Ketapang. This becomes a means of transportation that helps the land sector.”
Sirawan noted that the launch of the operation of the new fast boat service will also help spread the concentration of tourism more broadly across the province. He shared, “Who knows, with this transportation, they can also visit tourism areas in Serangan, Denpasar, and Bali in general. Those from here [Denpasar] can also visit Mount Ijen. So, this is integrated to develop the tourism area.”
One domestic traveler, Budiono, shared his experience aboard the Express Bahari fast boat with reporters. He regularly travels between East Java and Central Bali, as his family is based in Banyuwangi, but he works in Bali’s Sanur.
He noted, “I usually go from Banyuwangi to Denpasar by land with a travel time of five to six hours. But, with this fast boat, the travel time is shorter.”
Officials have confirmed that the Banyuwangi-Denpasar route will currently be operated exclusively on the Express Bahari fast boat. The service will operate 6 days a week, except on Tuesdays. The Banyuwangi-Denpasar route is scheduled to depart at 9:00 a.m. local time. The Denpasar-Banyuwangi route departs at 2 pm local time.
Traveling by fast boat is one of the most affordable and convenient ways to navigate around Bali. Due to rising issues with traffic congestion, political leaders and businesses in Bali are seeking to better utilize the ocean for sea taxi services and increased fast boat operations.
It is already the case that dozens of fast boat departures leave Sanur Port every day, connecting tourists to must-visit destinations around Bali Province, including Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. It is also possible to explore further afield from a Snaur Port, with multiple daily departures to Lombok and the Gili Islands.
Tourists also have the option of traveling to Bali’s outlying islands and Lombok from Serangan Port in Denpasar and Padangbai Harbor in East Bali.
Tourists who wish to avoid traffic congestion entirely and take the more scenic route between Canggu and Uluwatu can access the GoBoat sea taxi transfer on a daily basis. Sea shuttle services with GoBoat are also available from Jimbaran.
Tourists and travelers setting out to travel by boat anywhere in Indonesia are advised to check weather conditions and wave forecasts prior to departure.
The Australian Tourism Advice Bureau, Smartraveler, has recently issued updated warnings for tourists traveling by boat in Bali, urging them to choose reputable providers.
Smartraveler explains, “Travel by boat or ferry can be dangerous. Commercial and private boat and ferry operators may not comply with international safety and maintenance standards. Australians have been seriously injured or have died in marine transport incidents.”
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