On the evening of September 26, 2026, hundreds of truck drivers staged a protest that completely halted operations at Ketapang Port in East Java. The disruption spread to Bali's Gilimanuk Port, causing traffic queues exceeding 7 kilometers that had not fully cleared by the afternoon of September 27.
Things to Consider: If you are planning to cross from Bali to Java via the Gilimanuk-Ketapang ferry, expect significant delays and consider departing much earlier than usual or postponing your trip until conditions stabilize. Impact on Denpasar airport flights is limited, but if you're traveling overland by bus or rental car toward Java, check local traffic updates from Polres Jembrana or ASDP beforehand, follow officers' instructions, and avoid attempting to cut into queues. Given that similar disruptions have recurred multiple times in 2026, consider alternative options such as flying instead of the ferry if your schedule is time-sensitive.
On the morning of September 27, 2026, a protest by thousands of truck drivers at Ketapang Port in East Java restricted port access, causing a 3.5km vehicle queue toward Gilimanuk Port on the Bali side. Police have deployed additional personnel to manage traffic and report the situation remains under control.
Things to Consider: If you plan to travel from Bali to Java via Gilimanuk Port, consider departing several hours earlier than planned or postponing your trip until the protest situation calms down. Check local news and social media for real-time traffic updates, strictly follow police officers' instructions at checkpoints, and avoid cutting into other lanes. If you have a ferry booking, contact the ferry operator in advance to inquire about possible delays.
Indonesia's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detained four foreigners—an Egyptian man, two Russian men, and a Nigerian woman—during a joint operation in Canggu, Bali. Three were suspected of misusing their stay permits to work as DJs at a nightclub, while the woman had overstayed her visa by 402 days.
Things to Consider: Foreigners staying in Bali should verify the type of visa or stay permit they hold and confirm that their activities fall within its permitted scope. Working in any capacity—including as a DJ—on a tourist visa or Visa on Arrival is illegal; those earning income should switch to a proper work visa or KITAS. Regularly check your visa expiration date via your passport or apps like M-Paspor to avoid overstaying. Since joint immigration operations occur without advance notice, it is advisable to always carry your passport and relevant stay permit documents.
Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which had suspended operations due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, resumed normal operations early on September 8. Flights between Bali (Ngurah Rai) and Jakarta/Bandung by seven airlines also returned to normal the same day. Separately, Bali's disaster agency (BPBD) clarified that heightened volcanic activity is not mechanically linked to feared
The Denpasar Class I Immigration Office deported a Chinese national (initials JZ) via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on September 7, 2026, after he was found working as a project supervisor at a construction site in Bali while holding only a tourist visa.
In Canggu on Bali's southwest coast, an influx of digital nomads and foreign investors has driven rice paddies to disappear amid a construction boom and soaring land prices. In July 2026, two Dutch nationals were banned from re-entering Indonesia over discrimination allegations tied to a foreign-run running event, highlighting rising friction with local residents. Experts warn that locals risk being pushed out of housing and job opportunities in their own community.
Swiss-Belhotel International officially opened Ashva Swiss-Belresort Ubud in Tegallalang, Bali on September 5, 2026. The new resort offers 90 rooms and suites plus wooden pavilions, targeting families, wellness travelers, and corporate events.
The eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano near Jakarta forced the closure of seven airports across Indonesia on September 7, cancelling around 3,000 flights and stranding over 340,000 people. Five airports, including Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta, reopened on September 8, but volcanic alert levels remain high. Flights connected to Bali were also affected, with reports of stranded tourists including a newlywed couple.
Indonesia's tourism industry association (Asppi) has praised a planned new direct flight route between Bali (Denpasar) and Belitung (Tanjungpandan) as a strategic move to expand access for foreign tourists. However, industry representatives note that success will depend on airline selection, destination readiness, and international marketing strategy.
Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre reportedly faces potential Federal Court proceedings in Australia over alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law linked to his Bali-based Lux Property Group projects. McIntyre was previously banned for 10 years from managing companies following a 2016 land banking scheme collapse.
Following flight cancellations caused by the September 6 eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia's Immigration Directorate General has begun issuing Emergency Stay Permits (ITKT) and waiving overstay fees for affected foreign nationals. Between September 5-7, 528 flights were affected, impacting 86,760 passengers, with applications also processed at Bali's Ngurah Rai immigration office.
An international hospital, Bali International Hospital, opened in June 2025 within Sanur's medical special economic zone in southeastern Bali. The zone allows foreign doctors to practice under special exemptions and is attracting overseas clinics, aiming to become a medical tourism hub, though room rates rival luxury hotels and some locals say the facility feels inaccessible.
Badung Regency's government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Bali's traditions, culture, and spirituality, which underpin the region's tourism-dependent economy. Officials highlighted temple facility upgrades and improvements to transportation and pedestrian infrastructure aimed at enhancing visitor comfort and extending stays.
Ash from an eruption at Anak Krakatau has disrupted flights, with several Indonesian airports closed and some Jakarta-Bali flights cancelled. Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport remains open, but authorities urge travelers to monitor conditions via the official MAGMA Indonesia platform.
Mount Semeru, on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted Sunday morning with an ash column reaching about 1,000 meters above the summit. The volcano remains at Alert Level III (Siaga), and authorities have advised against outdoor activity within a 13 km radius southeast of the crater along the Besuk Kobokan river. The eruption occurred in East Java, not on Bali island, but travelers with plans to visit that region should stay informed.
A joint patrol dubbed the 'Three Pillars'—comprising Indonesia's military, police, and municipal enforcement (Satpol PP)—was conducted in Bali's Canggu area within Kuta Utara district. Officers patrolled cafes, parking areas, and tourist routes to monitor security threats, bylaw violations, and illegal street racing.
Increased volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau has caused more than a dozen flight cancellations and schedule changes at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, mainly affecting Jakarta routes. Airport operations otherwise continue normally, but affected passengers face disruption.
Indonesia's meteorological agency BMKG reported no anomaly in sea levels around the Sunda Strait as of Sunday 7:00 AM local time, based on monitoring from 20 tsunami sensors following renewed activity at Anak Krakatau volcano. Tsunami probability remains low at under 40 percent, though authorities continue to urge coastal residents to stay alert.
Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, in her role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, visited earthquake recovery projects in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, reviewing rebuilt schools, health facilities, and water systems constructed under UNDP's PETRA program following the 2018 earthquake. The visit highlights ongoing disaster resilience efforts in the region, though it involves no new travel restrictions or safety alerts for visitors.
Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation temporarily closed Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta from 1:30 AM to 5:30 AM local time due to volcanic ash spreading from Mount Anak Krakatau. Several domestic flights, including those to Denpasar (Bali), were canceled, delayed, or rescheduled, with possible cascading effects on subsequent flight schedules.
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration detained 55 Chinese nationals at a data center construction site in BSD Serpong, South Tangerang, on suspicion of working illegally while holding tourist or visit visas. Although the incident occurred in Java rather than Bali, it signals intensified enforcement against visa misuse that could extend to other regions.
The Belitung Regency government in Indonesia has announced plans to develop a new flight route connecting Bali, Belitung, and Bangka islands. Discussions with airlines such as Lion Air are underway, aiming to boost tourism. The plan is still in the proposal stage, with no confirmed launch date yet.
Bali's governor has welcomed plans to reopen a direct Taipei-Bali flight route, expressing hope for increased Taiwanese tourist arrivals. A Starlux aircraft is scheduled to make its inaugural flight on October 1, 2026, marking the route's reopening after a hiatus.