1,000 miles from Singapore
Approaching anywhere from the east, find the safe-water mark at 8°45.249S, 115°14.916E, then follow the leads (255T) and channel markers, or another vessel, to avoid the reef edges on either side of this tricky dogleg entrance. Give the marks plenty of space since the reef edge sometimes extends past their positions, especially on the second light north starboard edge.
Once inside the main harbour, motor past the concrete commercial dock north into the Bali Yacht Club Marina or anchor just past it in 4 metres on thick mud. It’s possible to anchor anywhere inside the harbour in manageable depth. At the Bali Marina there are 50 berths and all services are provided ashore. There are not many berths for visiting yachts so best contact in advance. VHF Ch. 77. www.balimarina.com
Ashore are Harbourmaster, Customs and Immigration offices all within easy walking distance. A dinghy ride south across the harbour to Tanjong Benoa gives access to Nusa Dua and the full range of motorised watersports activities on the beaches there.
Benoa Harbour is the main port for Denpasar, the capital of Bali. Centrally located just north of Nusa Dua in the teardrop on the southeast side of Bali, close to the airport and to Kuta, Legian and Sanur.
The other anchorage option, especially for cruising yachts spending longer periods enjoying Bali, is north in the protection behind Serangan (Turtle) Island. The entrance through the reef is two miles northeast of the Benoa entrance and the yacht masts behind the reclaimed island can be seen from afar.
As with the Benoa channel, try to time your entry for daylight. The entrance through the reef is easily recognisable by the breaking waves; even when it’s calm, there’s often a southern ocean generated ground swell running here. The channel is about a quarter mile wide at its narrowest where it runs straight east west.
Once inside there’s plenty of room and moorings are available or anchor anywhere with reasonable swing room near 8°43.199S, 115°14.332E. The moorings are all owned and charged out for a fee. Locals often squabble over new cruising yacht arrivals and much is written about this situation on the web. We recommend The Royal Bali Yacht Club (RBYC) moorings, which are clearly marked and further inside port side. Showers, cold beer and advice are all here. www.theroyalbaliyachtclub.com
Otherwise anchorage is possible between 2-8 metres all over and is free, although with poor holding because of the rubbish strewn inside the mud bottom.
Serangan Island is the centre of recent controversy since it was earmarked for high-end residential and marina development. The for and against arguments are both compelling. The new development will be called Kura Kura Bali.
