Getting from Bali’s airport to Canggu can sometimes feel longer than the flight itself. Heavy congestion in southern Bali has become a daily frustration for both tourists and local residents. Now, the government is preparing a new transportation solution, water taxi Bali, that could dramatically cut travel time by shifting part of the journey to the sea.
The Ministry of Transportation is accelerating plans to develop a water taxi system in Bali as part of a broader effort to strengthen tourism transportation and improve connectivity across the island.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the project is designed to integrate land, sea, and air transportation while helping reduce traffic congestion, especially in Badung Regency, one of Bali’s busiest tourism centers.
At present, traveling by road from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to Canggu usually takes between one and two hours depending on traffic conditions. Through the planned water taxi service, the journey is expected to be reduced to a maximum of 30 minutes.
“Water taxis can connect I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport with the Canggu tourism area. Based on field observations, land travel from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu takes around one to two hours. Meanwhile, by using a water taxi, the journey is expected to take a maximum of 30 minutes,” Dudy said in a written statement on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
The water-based transportation system will specifically connect the airport area with Canggu, a destination known for high tourist activity and increasing mobility demands. The government sees the project as a strategic response to Bali’s increasingly complex transportation challenges.
At the same time, the Ministry of Transportation is also supporting the development of a dock at Celukan Bawang Port in Buleleng Regency as part of efforts to strengthen transportation infrastructure on the island.
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Currently, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is preparing the Detailed Engineering Design, or DED, for the project. Construction work is scheduled to begin in August 2026 and continue until July 2027.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said the water taxi initiative forms part of a larger plan to build a more integrated transportation network in Bali.
“The development of water taxi services is part of our commitment to supporting the government’s policy of creating an integrated transportation system. We hope this service can become an efficient, safe, and comfortable alternative for both local residents and tourists,” Heru stated.
The project has already passed an important early stage. ASDP, together with PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, completed a feasibility study that reviewed market demand, technical readiness, as well as social and environmental impacts.
The study concluded that the project has strong potential to move forward.
Based on the assessment, the Sekeh to Canggu (Berawa) route was selected as the priority route because it is considered capable of delivering the most direct benefits for tourist and community mobility.
The route selection process also included evaluations related to shipping safety and infrastructure preparedness.
“Through this approach, the water taxi service is expected not only to be efficient, but also safe and integrated with Bali’s tourism ecosystem,” explained ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale.
Right now, the project is entering the next phase involving permit processing and completion of the Detailed Engineering Design. ASDP and Angkasa Pura Indonesia are targeting completion of this stage in 2026 before submitting the project back to the government for further approval and implementation decisions.
In the long run, the Bali water taxi system is expected to become more than just another transportation option for tourists. The government hopes the project can help shape a more sustainable and integrated transportation system for one of Indonesia’s most important tourism destinations.
