Rough seas are expected to pound parts of Bali’s waters from August 3 to 6, 2025, with waves in Bali potentially reaching up to six meters in height, according to an early warning issued by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) Region III Denpasar.
The affected areas include several major sea routes: the southern part of the Bali Strait, Badung Strait, southern Lombok Strait, and the waters off southern Bali. These routes are heavily used by fishermen, tourist vessels, and inter-island ferries.
The warning comes amid increasingly unstable weather. Wayan Musteana, Head of the Operational Meteorology Working Group at BBMKG Region III, explained that current atmospheric conditions are driving strong wind patterns. In Bali’s northern waters, winds are moving from southeast to south, while in the southern region, they are blowing from east to southeast. Wind speeds in both areas could reach 20 knots, or about 37 kilometers per hour.
These conditions are expected to generate significant wave activity not only in the southern sea lanes but also in the northern part of the Lombok Strait, where waves could reach up to four meters. Meanwhile, Bali’s northern waters may see waves as high as 2.5 meters.
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Such extreme conditions pose serious risks to maritime activities. BBMKG emphasized the need for heightened caution, particularly for small vessels and sea transport users. They outlined recommended safety limits based on wind speeds and wave heights for various types of boats:
- Fishing boats: should be on alert if wind speeds exceed 15 knots (27 km/h) and waves are higher than 1.25 meters.
- Barges: are advised to operate cautiously in winds up to 16 knots and wave heights reaching 1.5 meters.
- Ferries: must be especially careful if winds climb to 21 knots and waves reach 2.5 meters.
“Maritime safety must be the top priority. Always check the weather forecast before engaging in any sea-related activities,” Wayan Musteana warned.
To ensure public awareness, BBMKG has coordinated with port authorities, sea transport operators, and related agencies to rapidly disseminate the warning of waves in Bali. Tourists planning to travel to Nusa Penida or Lombok are also urged to follow official instructions to avoid potential dangers during periods of extreme weather.
