The Bali Sun
It has never been easier to travel between Bali and its neighbouring islands. From Bali to Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands and Lombok, island hopping is the best way to max out on the number of destinations explored in just one short vacation.
Bali’s fast boats and ferries have always been reliable. For decades, there have been daily fast boat and ferry services operating out of Sanur and Padangbai for destinations like Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands.
However, over the last five years, the number of service providers and the number of dialysis routes have vastly increased, making it easier than ever to explore not only Bali Province but also Lombok and its outlying islands.
In fact, in the coming months and years, leaders in Bali want to make it even easier to navigate around the province, both between islands and across other parts of Bali. Leaders want to launch a series of water taxi services to help combat traffic congestion in the island’s busiest areas and ensure that tourists can enjoy scenic routes where possible.
Bali’s issues with traffic congestion are well known and an all too real situation for tourists returning to Bali. There are hopes that by the end of 2025, sea taxi service will be connecting tourists directly between I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and Canggu and Nusa Penida. For tourists traveling for a full vacation in Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Nusa Ceningan, this will be an absolute game-changer.
At present, those traveling to the Nusa Islands for vacation first land in Bali, then drive to Sanur Harbor or all the way out to Padangbai Harbor in order to catch a connecting service to the Nusa Islands. This proposed sea taxi service would dramatically cut travel time and help attract a whole new wave of tourists to explore the Nusa Islands.
Speaking to reporters in August 2025, the Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, said plans are underway to open these sea taxi services as soon as possible. He shared, “As previously stated. We are encouraging the existence of a mode of sea transportation in the form of a water taxi or sea taxi. We try maybe from the airport to Canggu.”
He added, “If [working to] overcome traffic jams, it is not enough to just build roads, without also building an alternative transportation system. Indeed, in 2026, we will design a public transportation system.”
It is already the case that tourists can use Bali’s sea taxi services to hop from one resort area to another. Fast boat operator GoBoat has totally changed the way tourists navigate the island since its post-pandemic launch.
GoBoat launched their business with a route operating between Canggu and Uluwatu, which reduced travel time down to just 35 minutes, and a far more scenic 35 minutes at that.
While Google Maps says it should only take 90 minutes to drive from Canggu to Uluwatu, embarking on that journey at rush hour could mean travellers are on the road for upwards of 4 hours.
The Canggu-Uluwatu service is still one of GoBoat’s most popular routes, operating between Nelayan Beach in Canggu and Padang-Padang Beach in Uluwatu, with tickets starting at IDR 255,000 per person.
As tourists look to explore further afield than Bali alone, GoBoat and other fast-boat service providers are constantly working to improve services and expand their routes. GoBoat now operates more than 350 departures a day, including regular crossings to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands, and Lombok.
Tourists are advised to book their fast boat tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons and over religious and public holidays. For example, over Christmas and New Year, fast boat crossings have been known to sell out.
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