Bali’s Benoa Port has undergone a huge renovation over the last five years and has been transformed into the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub.
As the harbour fully embraces this new chapter, it is clear that the growth isn’t going to slow down; Benoa is now Indonesia’s national HQ for luxury cruise travel.
The Benoa Port General Manager, Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram, spoke to reporters about what 2026 looks like for the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub.
He shared, “We ensure that all cruise ship services, including those docked within a short period, run safely and smoothly, meeting operational standards.”
Bali is making waves in the luxury cruise travel space. The island was overlooked as a viable cruise destination, not because the infrastructure was not up to scratch.
In 2026 and beyond, Bali is set to compete with the most in-demand cruise terminals in Asia, including Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Benoa Port can serve as a destination port and provide passenger embarkation and disembarkation services for ships on turnaround. With massive upgrades to facilities, it is now possible for Benoa Port to receive jumbo cruise ships, thanks to the extension of the eastern pier from 350m to 500m.
Between 1st and 13th January 2026, Benoa Port has already received six luxury cruise ships, which carried a total of 5,500 passengers and 2,802 crew. This is a promising start for Benoa Port, which welcomed 65 cruise ships in 2025, with a total of 140,000 passengers. As reservations stand, Benoa Port is set to receive more than 60 luxury cruises in 2026. However, passenger numbers could drop slightly as the focus shifts to smaller, more luxurious vessels.
Speaking to reporters last week, Mataram explained that the 73 ships are expected to welcome what Indonesia rates as high-quality tourists. He shared, “Approximately 55,000 to 65,000 passengers. This is also greatly influenced by the number of large and tall ships. There are 19 large and tall ships with an average passenger capacity of around 3,000. Most of these passengers are considered quality tourism.”
Adding, “Based on the 2026 cruise ship schedule, Benoa Port will serve 61 vessels of various sizes and segments from expeditions to world-class cruise ships. This demonstrated the strong confidence of international shipping industry players in Benoa Port’s readiness.”
He concluded, “Benoa Port not only serves as a docking point for ships, but also handles turnaround activities, which involve the simultaneous boarding and disembarkation of large numbers of passengers.”
“This activity has a significant multiplier effect on the port, the tourism, the transportation, hospitality, MSMEs, and Bali’s broader economy.”
The upgrades to Benoa Port have even received the green light from Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Widiyanti Wardhana, who visited the site last year.
Following the visit, the Strategic Director of Pelindo, Drajat Sulistyo, who oversees the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, told reporters, “The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is not just a port but a centre for marine tourism, activated, integrated with logistics, shipping, and tourism infrastructure. We remain committed to making this area an international maritime hub.”
Benoa is a destination now synonymous with luxury cruise travel, but as the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism looks to promote maritime tourism more broadly, alongside gastronomy and wellness travel, Benoa is attracting increasing attention from a wider range of tourist demographics.
Top hotels in Benoa include Novotel Bali Benoa, Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali, and The Sakala Resort.
Tanjung Benoa, as a resort area, has long been popular with young families. Home to a fantastic selection of family-friendly resorts and all-inclusive hotels, Tanjung Benoa is an easy choice. Benoa is ideal in many ways, not least because it is so close to Bali Airport.
Tourists can be on their sun loungers within an hour of leaving the terminal building. It also offers easy access to top attractions like the Waterblow at Nusa Dua and the GWK Cultural Park.
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