The annual migration of Muslims to their hometowns and villages (mudik) ahead of the Lebaran holiday has started earlier than usual in Bali this year. Many Indonesians are trying to leave the island before the ports are closed for 24 hours in observance of Nyepi.
The Ketapang-Gilimanuk Port will close on the Java side on Friday, March 28 at 5:00 PM and reopen on Sunday, March 30 at 6:00 AM Java time. On the Bali side, the closure will last from 12:00 AM on March 29, 2025 to 12:00 AM on March 30, 2025.
Four days before Eid al-Fitr, traffic at the Gilimanuk Harbor crossing (Jembrana Regency, Bali) heading to Ketapang Port (Banyuwangi, East Java) increased significantly. Travelers in cars and on motorcycles have reported waiting in line for up to eight hours to cross to Java. One traveler shared that he arrived at Gilimanuk Port at around 1:00 AM on Thursday, March 27, but only managed to board the ferry to Ketapang at 11:30 AM.
Yani Andrianto, head of the Gilimanuk/Ketapang branch of ASDP Indonesia Ferry, said the company is doing everything it can to ensure the timely transport of passengers and vehicles across the strait. Traffic through the ferry crossing began increasing a week before Lebaran and has now reached its peak. Ferry operators are urging travelers to avoid peak hours, especially in the evening after breaking the fast.
On March 26, the total number of ferry passengers in a single day reached 74,113 people, a 44% increase compared to last year’s 51,339.
The number of two-wheeled vehicles reached 15,396 units, up 66% from 9,272 last year.
Four-wheeled vehicles totaled 6,615 units, which is 45% more than last year’s 4,561.
Overall, 24,188 vehicles crossed from Bali to Java in one day — 48% more than in 2024.
Heavy passenger traffic is expected to continue through March 28, and again on March 30 and 31, once the port reopens after Nyepi. Authorities are urging travelers to plan ahead and be prepared for potential delays.
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