Benoa Harbor or Benoa Port is Bali’s busiest port for passengers and it’s located near to the famous resort town of Nusa Dua.
The vast majority of people who pass through this part of Bali are arriving on one of the many cruise ships.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the port either as a passenger or out of curiousity from the rest of the island.
Where Is Benoa Port?
Benoa Port is in Tanjung Benoa, Bali which is on the Bukit Peninsula just north of the resort town of Nusa Dua and just south of Denpasar.
Travelers who plan on arrival on a cruise ship will be disembarking in Bali here and it offers easy access to the beaches of Sanur, Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran as well as to the capital city of Denpasar.
If you’re coming from Ngurah Rai International Airport just use Grab or Gojek which will get you to the port with the minimum of fuss and relatively cheaply.
Make sure to allow plenty of time to get there, cruises won’t wait for you if you get stuck in Bali’s traffic jams and turn up late.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Benoa Harbour?
The vast majority of cruises tend to take place in the dry season as their guests are seeking cooler temperatures and lower humidity so that they can enjoy the services in the local area, go shopping, etc.
However, there’s never a bad time to visit Bali or any part of it including the Bali cruise terminal, though if the weather does turn stormy, you may find that you get a little seasick if you leave by boat.
Just What Will You Find At Benoa Port?
If you’re arriving on a cruise ship, we’d advise you to ignore the offers of a local taxi and walk a few hundred yards down the road to book yourself a taxi as the taxi mafia have a real hold on the space just in front of the port and will vastly overinflate their fares – particularly for guests from Australia.
Otherwise, if you’re looking to enjoy the area itself, you’re a short walk from some of the best water sports operators in Bali and the Tanjung Benoa beach too.
If you head away from the cruise terminal, you can also watch the local fishing boats arriving and offloading at certain times of day.
There are also a few places where you can grab some lunch or a cold drink, but relatively few shops – you’d need to head to Canggu or Seminyak if shopping is on your mind.
Where To Stay Near The Port
If you go to the North of Benoa, Bali you will find affordable but relatively simple accomodation and if you go South you reach the ultra-luxury resort town of Nusa Dua. Some of our favourites in this area include:
Amnaya Resort Nusa Dua – a lovely 5-star beach resort with incredible pool areas and amazing onsite restaurants.
Serangan Turtle Island Homestay – this is actually in Denpasar but a very short drive from the port. A pleasant homestay on Serangan Island.
Paras Paros Marina Lodge – also on Serangan Island this is a simple three-star hotel with nice views out over the surrounding area.
The Yani Hotel Bali – an ultra-basic 2-star hotel in Sanur. It’s cheap but it could use a bit more love and care lavished on the rooms and guest experience.
Grand Mega Resort & Spa Bali – a decent four-star hotel between Ngurah Rai International Airport and the port.
Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali – an incredible 5-star hotel in Nusa Dua with some of the best service on the island.
Where To Eat Near The Port
There are plenty of places to eat in Benoa, Bali or within a short drive and they include:
Black Stone Yacht Club – a very nice place at the Marine which has a swimming pool and restaurant serving a variety of international dishes. It’s a bit pricey for what it is, but the view is probably worth it.
Warung Bakso Barokah – if you’re in the mood for meatball soup (bakso) then this is the best place in the area for it.
Bali Ocean Feast – a pleasant Chinese restaurant not far from the port and serving generous portions in an attractive dining room.
Pirate Dinner Cruise – not to be confused with the pirate restaurant in the area which has long been closed down, this place takes people for sunset dinner cruises with all the staff in full playful pirate costumes.
Sate Gurita – a very basic stall that sells octopus satay and it’s just before the bridge out to Serangan Island. The spicy sauce on the satay is amazing!
Other Places To See In Nusa Dua/Tanjung Benoa
This area doesn’t have a lot of attractions focusing on Balinese culture but there are still things to do including:
Nusa Dua Beach – probably the most famous beach in Bali and the soft white sand here is what most people’s vision of a paradise island beach is like. It’s kept very clean too, thanks to all the resorts that back on to the beach.
Caow Eng Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple – this beautiful temple is incredibly distinctive and looks amazing in photographs. It’s best to visit at Chinese New Year when the decorations are incredible.
Turtle Island – not to be confused with Serangan Island (which is also occasionally called Turtle Island) this is a small island just off the coast of Tanjung Benoa, Bali with a turtle sanctuary.
Bumbu Bali Cooking School – this is a very pricey cooking school but that’s because it’s in the swanky resort town of Nusa Dua. The food is excellent, mind you.
Tanjung Benoa Beach – is another lovely white sand beach that is great for learning to jet ski, water ski, etc. snorkeling is a particular treat too as there’s some amazing marine life at this beach.
Is Benoa A Tender Port?
Yes, some cruise lines tender their passengers ashore at Benoa.
Where Is Viking Dock In Bali, Indonesia? Where Does The Celebrity Solstice Dock In Bali?
Viking cruise ships dock at Benoa Harbour in Bali. The Celebrity Solstice also docks at the same port.
Where Does A Cruise Ship Dock In Bali?
Cruise ships dock at the Benoa Cruise International Terminal. What was once a relatively small and insignificant corner of the island now sees approximately 50 cruise ships arrive at the South Berth every year.
Ships such as the Dawn Princess and the Sun Princess can often be found in Benoa, Bali as they deliver their passengers ashore for fun activities and water sports in Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua located close to the main port.
What Is The Name Of The Harbour In Bali? What Is The Main Shipping Port In Bali?
It’s called Benoa Port.
What Is Benoa Beach Like?
Benoa Beach is a white sand beach with a mixture of fine and coarse grains of sand which are quite pleasant underfoot.
It’s very popular for water sports enthusiasts and there are many facilities strategically located around the beach to help ensure people get the most out of the pristine white sands and the blue ocean here.
Is Novotel Benoa Open?
Yes, the Novotel in Benoa, Bali, Indonesia reopened at the end of 2022 following a period of renovation.
Where To Book A Holiday Or Cruise In Bali To Visit Benoa Harbor?
We always recommend that you book your holiday with the Bali Res Centre whether you want two berths on a cruise ship or a great hotel with a spa, they can get great deals on rooms, flights, berths and more.
Final Thoughts On Benoa Harbor
If your holiday master plan includes a Bali cruise or if you intend to spend some time on the island, you may sooner or later visit Benoa Port.
It’s where all the cruises come ashore and it’s in very close proximity to the popular holiday resorts in Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa.
We’re not sure we’d make a special trip to see the cruises at sea, mind you, but the area around the port is very much worth visiting.
