Bali Travel Hot Topics & News Roundup｜September 23, 2026

🪸 Sanur Coral Reefs Continue to Degrade: Study Suggests Planting Corals May Not Solve the Root Problem

If you enjoy snorkeling, diving, or beach activities, this news is worth your attention today.

A recent study reveals that Sanur’s coral reefs are still degrading, despite ongoing restoration efforts such as coral transplantation and artificial reefs. The situation has not fully improved. Published in Ocean & Coastal Management, the study interviewed 18 stakeholders involved in Sanur’s coral reef management.

The research found that the issue may not simply be ‘not enough corals,’ but rather that the root causes of coral death haven’t been adequately addressed—such as sediment runoff, sewage discharge, and pressure from coastal development and tourism activities.

The study also found that coral conditions in Sanur’s popular nearshore snorkeling areas are worse than in offshore zones with fewer visitors. Some once-intact coral communities have turned into rubble fields covered in algae.

For travelers, this doesn’t mean ‘Sanur is off-limits for water activities,’ but serves as a reminder: don’t step on corals, don’t stand on reefs, and don’t let boat anchors drop directly onto coral areas.

Sometimes, the simplest way to protect Bali’s oceans is for visitors to do one less thing that harms them.

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🛡️ Kuta and Pecatu to Add Tourism Security Personnel Starting November This Year

The Badung government is preparing new security measures for tourist areas, with a pilot program set to begin in November 2026 in Kuta and Pecatu.

The first phase will deploy 50 Bakamda personnel, with 30 assigned to Kuta and 20 to Pecatu, primarily to assist with security in tourist zones and coastal areas.

This initiative is still in the preparatory stage. Administrative work, signing memorandums of understanding with traditional villages, and personnel training will take place in October, with the pilot officially starting in November.

Notably, the Badung government has clarified that these Bakamda personnel are not pecalang (traditional village security guards) but will collaborate with Satlinmas and Satpol PP.

For now, the first phase is limited to Kuta and Pecatu. The government will later evaluate the pilot results to decide whether to expand to other areas.

For tourists, this measure won’t directly change travel rules at the moment, but it shows Badung is working to institutionalize daily security management in popular tourist zones.

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💰 Bali Tourism Tax Payment Rate Still Below 50%, Only 65 of 150 Partner Points Actually Collecting

Bali’s tourism tax PWA released another set of new figures today.

As of September 20, revenue from the Bali tourism tax for foreign visitors reached approximately IDR 289 billion, but the actual payment rate among foreign tourists is only about 43%.

More interestingly, there are currently around 150 registered PWA partner collection points (endpoints), but only 65, less than half, have actually started collecting the tourism tax.

These endpoints include hotels, villas, guesthouses, travel agencies, attractions, and ferry companies.

The PWA currently charges IDR 150,000 per foreign tourist, payable only once per trip to Bali, through LoveBali or certified partner collection points.

This data is worth noting for travelers: The tourism tax system has been in place for over two years, but on-the-ground enforcement still doesn’t allow every tourism business to directly assist with payment.

So if you haven’t paid yet, it’s usually more convenient to handle it yourself before departure rather than scrambling to do so at your hotel or a tourist attraction.

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🚧 Bali’s Major Infrastructure Projects Continue to Advance, Gilimanuk–Pekutatan Section Upgraded to National Highway

New planning changes have emerged today for Bali’s transportation infrastructure.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that the originally planned Gilimanuk–Mengwi Expressway will see some route adjustments. The Gilimanuk–Pekutatan section will no longer be built as an expressway but will instead be upgraded to a national road, while the Pekutatan to Mengwi stretch will remain an expressway.

This adjustment is related to traffic demand and engineering considerations in western Bali.

Although there’s no immediate impact for travelers heading to Bali tomorrow, if you’re planning to travel from Bali to Java or embark on a long self-drive trip through western Bali, this is a transportation development worth keeping an eye on over the long term.

Once road improvements are completed, they could particularly affect travel times and tourism development in western Bali, Jembrana, and Gilimanuk.

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🚫 Drone Flights Temporarily Banned in Nusa Dua—Violators May Be Intercepted

This is the most important update to share with travelers today.

Drone flights are currently temporarily banned in parts of Nusa Dua. In response to two international police events, Bali authorities have tightened airspace controls, especially around The Westin Nusa Dua, Merusaka Nusa Dua, nearby parking lots, and surrounding areas.

The restrictions are linked to two international events:

• September 20–24: The 63rd International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference is being held at The Westin Nusa Dua, with representatives from 43 countries attending.
• September 20–22: High-level meeting between Indonesian National Police and Australian Federal Police officials at Merusaka Nusa Dua.

Starting from 8:00 AM on September 21, police will monitor airspace and deploy anti-drone units to track drones, while using equipment for signal jamming. Authorities also remind residents and tourists not to fly drones in the above areas without official permission.

This restriction is a temporary security measure, not a full drone ban in Bali.

If you’re staying near Nusa Dua, especially around Westin or Merusaka, and planning to capture aerial shots of hotels, beaches, or sunsets, don’t take off just yet—check the latest local restrictions before flying.

** **【Bali Drone Guide】Latest Aerial Regulations, No-Fly Zone Queries, and Full Registration Process