New Fast Boat Connects Bali & East Java for Easier Tourist Travel

Share The Article Tourists looking for something a little bit different out of their trip to Bali simply have to check out the destination combo of Bali and East Java. These two regions of Indonesia are home to breathtaking natural beauty and some of the most welcoming hospitality around. It is easy to see why tourists love the central south of Bali. Not only is the area perfectly set up to receive tourists, but it’s also super close to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. All tourists want after a long flight to Bali is to be able to flop on a sun lounger and order that first Bintang or fresh coconut as quickly as possible. This is easily achievable if staying in top resort areas like Nusa Dua, Sanur, or Seminyak. With accessibility to West Bali considered a timely affair and onward travel to East Java on the ferry not favoured by many international tourists, it has been a hard sell to encourage tourists to visit East Java from Bali. Wonderful Indonesia, the national tourism board, and the Ministry of Tourism have been working to promote Bali and East Java as a combination destination for over a year. The team has had a specific focus on promoting North Bali, West Bali, and Bangywangi in East Java. In order for this to be a viable option for tourists, it was quickly evident that connectivity between Bali and East Java needed to be improved, and as 2026 gets underway, the solution is now in place. The solution is, in fact, even better than anticipated. It is now possible to travel from Denpasar to Banyuwangi in East Java on a fast boat. This cuts out the long drive from central Bali to Gilimanuk, and the often crowded ferry ride over to Banyuwangi. The new fast boat service cuts travel time down to just 3 hours, enabling tourists to avoid traffic entirely. The fast boat service is operated by Express Bahari and departs from Serangan Port in Denpasar at 3 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The return service departs from Boom Marina Port in Banyuwangi at 10 am on the same days. The East Java Tourism Board, Majestic Banyuwangi, explained, “Beyond speed, Express Bahari also prioritizes comfort for every passenger. With onboard amenities, travelers can enjoy views of the Bali Strait and the coast of the Island of the Gods in a more exclusive and relaxed atmosphere than other forms of public transportation. Adding “The return of this route has not only been enthusiastically welcomed by tourists but will also have a significant positive impact on the tourism sector in both regions.” “Ease of transportation access is key to attracting both international and domestic tourists to the eastern tip of Java.” Majestic Banyuwangi shared, “With improved connectivity, the local government hopes that the number of tourist visits to Banyuwangi will increase rapidly.” “This presents a significant opportunity for local tourist destinations like Ijen Crater, Alas Purwo National Park, and Pulau Merah Beach to become more widely known.” The team has also made it as easy as possible for tourists to book their fast boat tickets independently of travel agents, noting, “To facilitate access to services, Express Bahari management offers online ticket reservations. Prospective passengers can conveniently book tickets through the Express Bahari Mobile App, available on smartphones, without having to queue at the ticket counter.” For many tourists traveling to Bali, the idea of island hopping is an enticing one. Typically, tourists will add a couple of days of island hopping to their itineraries and head for a one or two-night stay on either Bali’s outlying islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, or head even further east to the Gili Islands and Lombok. With the Denpasar-Banyuwangi fast boat service now in permanent operation, Bali tourists have even more options for exploring the Indonesian archipelago, no matter their budget or time constraints.