Gilimanuk Harbor Is Offering Bali Tourists A Gateway To East Java

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The west of Bali is a largely overlooked travel destination for tourists who visit the island for a laid-back vacation.

Not only does the west of Bali have a wealth of travel experiences to offer, but it’s also the gateway to East Java that offers a whole new land of opportunities. 

Gilimanuk Habor is the ferry port where tourists can transit between Bali and Java. The harbor is a busy and bustling place, especially since most domestic tourists to Bali travel overland rather than fly.

As Indonesia looks to promote add-on Bali destinations and move towards more sustainable tourism programs, Gilimanuk is getting a green makeover. 

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The grand redesign is going to completely change the face of Gilimanuk Harbour for tourists.

Project leaders are on a mission to make the harbor an environmentally sustainable port, and the renovations have been created as part of a partnership between Jembrana Regency Government and PT ASDP (Persero) and are also involving Udayana University academics.

The Regent of Jembrana, Nengah Tamba, told reporters that the renovations to Gilimanuk Harbor are super important.

He noted that Balinese architectural elements and design principles will be employed throughout the renovations. 

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Regent Tamba said, “The concept is very good; it fulfills the Balinese elements. So the press impression of people entering Bali will be very good; Gilimanuk Harbor is the face of Bali.”

He also wanted to see the area surrounding Gilimanuk Habor become a regional business center, which would help boost the local economy.

The vision in mind is inspired by projects like the Special Economic Zone, now known as The Sanur, where medical tourism and events tourism have found a new home.

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Speaking to reporters, Udayana University academic I Wayan Kastawan explained that Gilimanuk Port is expected to become a driver for the development of the surrounding integrated area.

He gave a subtle nod to the prospect that the North Bali Airport plans are back on the table and that Gilimauk Harbour would play a vital role in the development.

Kastawan said, “Later in the Gilimanuk Port Area, there will be a transit hotel, marina, floating restaurant, prehistoric human museum, art gallery, as well as an upgrade of the Gilimanuk type B terminal, which will function with MPP for migrant residents and an MSME business center.”

A leveling up of the Gilimanuk area not only opens up a wealth of travel opportunities in West Bali but also provides easier access to East Java.

While Bali is a travel destination tourists could travel through for months on end and only scratch the surface, for those wanting to see a more diverse range of cultural and natural landscapes, East Java is the perfect add-on destination to a Bali vacation. 

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The Indonesian Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economies wants to see more tourists adding extra destinations to their Bali vacation.

During a visit to Australia last week, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno met with leaders at Flight Centre. He personally called on Australian tourists to consider visiting Bali, one of Indonesia’s Super Priority Destinations.

These are Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.

Tourists wishing to add East Java to their Bay adventure can travel from the Island of the Gods through Gilimauk Harbour and hop aboard one of the daily ferries across the Bali Strait.

East Java is the perfect destination for hikers, nature lovers, and adrenaline seekers. Hike to the stunning blue fire lake at the summit of Mount Ijen or catch a sunrise over Mount Bromo.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is one of the most famous landmarks in East Java and is as magic IRL as it appears on TikTok!