NusaBali reports that the much-discussed water taxi project connecting Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport and Canggu has entered into the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) stage centered in Jakarta in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion along Bal’s southwest coast.
The Head of the Bali Transportation Agency, I Kadek Mudarta, said on Friday, 27 May 2026: “The water taxi project is being studied by the central government. If we look at the timeline, the DED will be released this year, meaning the detailed engineering design is currently being progressed.”
Once the DED review is complete, the government will determine the form of regional support, including supporting infrastructure, required at ports and along the proposed sea transportation route. According to Mudatta, the initial concept for managing sea transportation calls for the state-owned company PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to handle it.
”From the DED, we’ll come up with a regional support scheme. The concept is that PT ASDP will operate the service as a business entity,” said Mudarita.
Mudarita said the initial concept for the water taxi was designed to save travel time compared to the present overland routes. The estimated travel time by boat would be around 30 minutes, compared to the current one to two hours.
The water taxi plan from Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu is seen as a solution to alleviate traffic congestion in southern Bali.
Future Plans for Water Taxis
Mudarita explained that the initial concept for the route being studied is from Sekeh Beach near Bali’s airport to Berawa Beach in Canggu. The project is currently undergoing planning and design steps to address supporting port infrastructure.
This route was chosen because it was deemed the most strategic for alleviating traffic congestion in the airport, Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu corridors, which have long been major congestion points, especially during peak travel hours. Mudarta emphasized that the proposed water taxis are expected to provide a faster alternative mode of transportation while reducing vehicle pressure on the roads.
The project is also estimated to require an initial investment of around Rp 1.21 trillion, with construction targeted to begin in 2026.
Related Links
Water Taxi from Airport to Canggu Under Review
Bali’s MRT Subway Project Stalled and Running on Empty?
Gridlock Creates Traffic Chaos in Bali
Indifference on Gridlock in Canggu & Berawa
Escalating Overtourism in Bali
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