A fast boat capsized on the shores of Sanur at 3 pm on Tuesday, 5th August. While emergency services rushed to the scene, at least three people were killed in the incident, two more critically injured, and dozens more left in need of hospital treatment.
According to reports from the Denpasar Search and Rescue Team, speaking at the scene, the Dolphin II Fast Boat, arriving in Sanur from Nusa Penida, crashed, capsized, and sank off an inlet at Sanur Beach.
The boat is reported to have been carrying 80 people in total, 75 of whom were passengers and five crew. At least five passengers were from Australia, with the remaining passengers a combination of international and domestic visitors to Bail.
Two passengers, with the initials SGH and HY, believed to be from China, were reported to have died at the scene, and as of sundown on Tuesday evening, a local man with the initials KAJD was still missing.
Denpasar Search and Rescue Teams confirmed that the body of KAJD had been found by local residents on Padanggalak Beach bordering Matahari Terbit Beach in Sanur on Wednesday afternoon.
Denpasar Search and Rescue Teams shared that five personnel were deployed to the scene, while the marine Search and Rescue Unit was deployed into the water using a Rigid Inflatable Boat carrying a team of three personnel.
The Head of the Denpasar Search and Assistance Office, I Nyoman Sidakarya, immediately went down to the location to ensure the course of the SAR operation and get certainty regarding the victim’s data.
Speaking to reporters at 9.45 pm on Tuesday evening, Sidakarya explained, “The position of Bali Dolphin II Ship has been pulled to the edge but still in the upside down position, the joint SAR team assisted by the local community trying to reverse its position, to be able to make sure there are no casualties in the boat.”
The incident has left passengers traumatised, and many are now in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries. Footage from the scene shows passengers, including children, being rescued by beachgoers and local fishermen.
This is not the first fast boat or ferry disaster to happen in Bali in recent weeks. On 2nd July 2025, the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry sank in the Bali Strait while travelling from East Java towards Gilimanuk Harbour. The vessel was carrying at least 53 people, at least a dozen of whom died in the incident.
As work continues on the recovery, the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry from the bottom of the ocean and investigates the scene, officials have not yet issued a final death toll for the tragedy.
Just days later, on the 20th July, a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of North Sulawesi. The terrifying incident left tourists questioning the boat safety in Bali and across Indonesia.
The KM Barcelona 5 was listed as having 280 passengers on board at the time of the fire, and Search and Rescue teams, along with maritime authorities, are now working to establish the cause of the blaze.
In early June 2025, a fast boat carrying 89 passengers and crew capsized and sank at Tanjung Sanghyang Port in Nusa Lembongan. Though no injuries were reported, the incident also left passengers and crew traumatised. The vessel was preparing to depart from Nusa Lembongan for Sanur Harbour when it was hit by a freak wave.
Tourists could be seen jumping into the ocean, clinging to anything that could float, while others were able to access lifejackets even amidst the panic.
The situation led the Australian Government to issue updated guidance for tourists traveling by boat in Bali and other destinations in Indonesia.
Australia’s Smartraveler advises, “Travel by boat or ferry can be dangerous. Commercial and private boat and ferry operators may not comply with international safety and maintenance standards. Australians have been seriously injured or have died in marine transport incidents.”
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Swen
Thursday 7th of August 2025
And this circus of an island is charging western prices for a lot of things. Clownshow all around.
David Bandy
Thursday 7th of August 2025
The tourist boat industry in Bali, and especially the training of the captains, needs a thorough reassessment. Several preventable deaths and injuries have occurred recently. I was on a boat from Nusa Lembongan to the Nusa Penida manta eay dive site last year. The captain CLEARLY did not have adequate training. My friend was tossed into the air and had a nasty landing back on the seat and floor due to the poor seamanship if the captains. I have extensive power boat sea time. I asked the captain to slow down and approach the waves at the correct angle. He laughed and did not comply, so after another hard landing I was forced to threaten him violently with removal from his command. He then realised I was very serious, and capable of overpowering him, so he complied. All of those vessels need to be structurally inspected, as I saw them being exposed to excessive stresses due to poor seamanship. I would expect to find hull & deck cracking, and comprimised internal load bearing structural joints. This needs to done immediately, together with proper sea training of the captains. Failing this, I am certain more will die and be injured. This now a serious government issue. Failure by the respective government departments and their employees, together with the industry owners and staff will, and should, open up legal avenues for prosecution of same. They are now aware. Failure to take action will be deemed dereliction of duty. They already have blood on their hands.
Nigel
Thursday 7th of August 2025
Yes lot of cowboys in Bali fast boats, who knows if they even have skipper tickets, and old unseaworthy ferry's, to much she be ok in Bali.
Steve bm
Thursday 7th of August 2025
Cowboy operators poorly skilled poorly trained no international maritime courses for skippers and crew. Sloppy rules for lokals while tourists get hammered. This is the cost of GREED human lives lost many more to come as the boat transportation steps up a few more gears meaning more poor crew captain skippers...$$$$
Exp
Wednesday 6th of August 2025
Eyewitness on board: "Tristan Gorringe and Bailey Hearne have told 9News the captain of the vessel was going too fast and hit a large wave at a terrible angle."
Likely the locals will blame it on "bad weather and big waves" and continue as before. Admitting mistakes, lessons learned and do corrective actions is hard to come by in this culture. Making money has first priority, hence the tourist themselves must assess risks with every activity they are involved in.
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