Bali's Dishub to Test Sea Taxi

Illustration: Pelindo Regional 3 Bali and Nusa Tenggara conducted a trial of water taxis to support alternative connectivity through the sea route in Denpasar, Bali, Friday (25/7/2025) ANTARA/HO-Pelindo Bali

DENPASAR - The Bali Transportation Office (Dishub) hopes that the water taxi test, or sea taxi, which is being initiated by the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), can be tested in 2026.

"Currently, the study is still being completed, including the design of the ship and the port, it is hoped that the trial can be carried out this year," said Head of the Bali Police I Kadek Mudarta in Denpasar, Friday, April 10, reported by ANTARA.

Kadek Mudarta assessed that sea taxis can be an alternative in the midst of heavy traffic on land routes, especially in the area of the entrance to Bali I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to tourist attractions.

For this reason, the first route that started running was Sekeh Beach next to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu, specifically Berawa Beach.

"This is to provide alternatives, reduce the burden of land traffic, and reduce travel time. For now, this route is Sekeh Beach-Berawa Beach which is being studied," he said.

The sea taxi project itself is currently still in the study phase and later the results of the study will also formulate the roles of related institutions, including Bali Dishub, because for its implementation it is the authority of PT ASDP.

"Yes, this is indeed expected to be implemented by business entities, across this is still in one district, of course, in terms of authority, Badung has a more important role, but the study that will be carried out will also formulate the role of parastakeholders, including the Bali Provincial Government," said Kadek Mudarta.

If the study and trials have taken place, he said, then according to the target of the Ministry of Transportation, construction is estimated to be completed by mid-2027.

Previously, in the Work Meeting (Raker) of Commission V of the DPR, which was also attended by the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/4), the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Dudy Purwagandhi said that when the sea taxi is present, it will be able to reduce the journey from 1.5-2 hours to only 30 minutes using a more environmentally friendly ship.

Canggu area, specifically Berawa Beach, was also chosen because it was included in the highest number of visits by domestic and foreign tourists in Bali.

For the process, currently the Ministry of Transportation has assigned PT ASDP as the sea taxi operator to prepare a DED (Detailed Engineering Design) study with a target for construction to begin in August 2026 and also targets a trial this year.