Good news for anyone tired of Bali’s traffic jams: in future, you’ll be able to avoid them by travelling on the water. The Indonesian government is preparing to launch a new water taxi. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi called the project part of a strategy to integrate land, sea and air transport on the island. The main goal is to reduce congestion in tourist areas, especially on the route from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu.
The “airport–Canggu” route was chosen because the area is among the top three most popular destinations for tourists, both domestic and international. At the moment, the drive takes between one and two hours depending on the season and time of day. By water, it will take just 30 minutes.
The investment is estimated at IDR 1.21 trillion. Construction is planned to start in August 2026 and be completed by July 2027. The operator will be the state-owned company PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry. It is currently preparing pre-feasibility studies and a feasibility study. The next stage is to develop a detailed engineering design.
Infrastructure is also being planned in parallel. Piers and breakwaters will be built along the route—protective structures that reduce the force of waves. Changes will cover the entire stretch from the coastline near the airport to Berawa Beach in Canggu.
The authorities expect the new service to speed up travel around the island and reduce pressure on the roads. If everything goes to plan, tourists and expats will have another way to get to Canggu without traffic jams and traffic lights.
By the way, this isn’t the first time local authorities have promised to launch a water taxi between Canggu and the airport. In August 2025, it was already reported that the project was at its final stage. Back then, they even said the service would start operating in early 2026. Apparently, the timeline has shifted. But since a contractor has already been selected, there’s still a chance an alternative route will finally be available by 2027.
For now, the most convenient way to get anywhere on the island from the airport is a private transfer. We recommend using MyBaliTrips—they have punctual drivers, comfortable cars and a trusted service.
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