If you were planning to travel to Nusa Penida with your motorbike, you may now face an unexpected problem in Padangbai. The main ferry on the route is out of service, and the temporary replacement is not suitable for everyone.
KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi (NJA), which operates between Padangbai and Nusa Penida, has stopped running after its hull was damaged. On 30 July, as the vessel was entering Mentigi Port in Nusa Penida, bad weather caused the current to push it off course. The hull struck the breakwater and began to leak. The propeller was also bent.
The operator decided not to take any risks and temporarily withdrew the vessel from service. KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi was originally scheduled for routine dry-docking in September, but the repairs were brought forward to August following the accident. The Klungkung authorities have allocated around 3.6 billion rupiah for the repairs. A tender for the work is currently underway.
The problem is that KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi is the only ferry on the Padangbai–Nusa Penida route owned by the Klungkung government that carries both passengers and cars. Since it stopped operating, the route’s capacity has fallen sharply.
The route is temporarily being served by LCTs—cargo vessels with open decks. The authorities initially arranged four such vessels: Arjuna, Yudhistira, Bima and Abimanyu. However, by 9 August, reports indicated that only one vessel was actually operating on the route. Another is being used specifically to transport fuel tankers.
As a result, long queues have formed at Padangbai Port. Trucks, pickup trucks and cars are waiting more than two days to cross. Drivers say they are spending several days at the port without knowing exactly when they will depart.
The situation is further complicated by damage to berth No. 1 in Padangbai. This has disrupted loading and unloading, while ferries have to wait for their turn to dock.
The temporary arrangement is particularly inconvenient for people travelling by motorbike. Port staff are currently saying that LCTs are not accepting motorbikes, only cars. This means the usual option of arriving in Padangbai, riding your scooter onto the ferry and crossing to Nusa Penida is unavailable for now.
The payment system has also changed. While KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi was operating, subsidised fares applied to the crossing. For example, an adult ticket cost 25,610 rupiah, while a child’s ticket cost 17,610 rupiah. LCTs charge commercial fares set by their operators.
The Klungkung authorities hope to speed up repairs to KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi. In the meantime, they are trying to maintain regular services using LCTs, but these vessels cannot fully resolve the problem with queues.
If you are travelling to Nusa Penida now, we recommend going without a motorbike and taking a speedboat. You can rent a scooter on the island or book a car tour with a driver-guide. You can arrange your trip and find a suitable speedboat through MyBaliTrips, which helps with boat tickets and trips to Nusa Penida.
If you were planning to take your own motorbike across, it is better to wait until the regular ferry resumes service and check the situation at the port in advance. Up-to-date information about the ferry service is available on the Klungkung Regency Transportation Agency’s (Dishub Klungkung) page.
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