a group of boats floating on top of a lake

Padangbai

A small harbor town on Bali's east coast, known for boats to Lombok and the Gili Islands and for diving close to shore.

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Padangbai is a harbor town on Bali's south-east coast, in Karangasem Regency. Its port sends ferries to Lombok, the Gili Islands, Nusa Penida and other islands in West Nusa Tenggara, so many travelers pass through on the way to another island. Divers come for the reefs, with sites that work for beginners and for experienced divers. Blue Lagoon Beach, just east of the port, has six dive sites with clear water and colorful reef fish. The most important historic site is Pura Silayukti, a temple on a small peninsula east of town that dates from the 11th century.

Denpasar Airport is about 56 km (35 miles) south-west, roughly 1 hour 19 minutes by car in good traffic. Ubud is about 37 km (23 miles) west. A night or two suits travelers catching an early boat or joining a dive trip, and the beaches and temples in town can fill a slow afternoon. Plan around the dry season, roughly April to October, and check current conditions before you dive, since currents can become strong at tide changes and at the new moon.

Padangbai in five

Find your pier before the day of travelFerries, fast boats and Penida boats leave from different spots around the bay, and some tickets include a pickup. Confirm the boarding point and a check-in time with your operator.
Sleep here before a morning boatThe airport is 1.5–2 hours away, and early departures are hard to catch from Seminyak or Ubud. One night in Padangbai beats a 4am start, and the town is walkable.Candidasa
Pick fast boat or ferry by time and weatherThe public ferry to Lombok takes hours and is cheap; fast boats to the Gilis take less but can be cancelled in rough seas. Do not book a same-day flight after either.Gili Islands
Keep your visa clock in mind when going to LombokHeading on to Lombok does not restart a 30-day Indonesian visa, and the e-VOA counts from your first arrival. Plan extensions before you leave Bali if your trip runs long.e-VOA and levy guide
Snorkel at Blue Lagoon in the morningBlue Lagoon is a short boat or walk from the bay, with calmer water and clearer views before the day boats arrive. Check conditions locally and do not touch the coral.

Things to do in Padangbai

See all attractions in Padangbai

Sight · PadangbaiPura Penataran

Temple · PadangbaiSilayukti Temple

People in traditional attire take pictures

Beach · PadangbaiBias Tugel Beach

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PadangbaiPut the places you like in Padangbai on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Ngurah Rai (DPS), about 1.5–2 hours by road
Getting there: Private driver or shuttle from south Bali
Getting around: On foot; the harbor, beach and cafes are close together
Best base: A night here before an early boat; Candidasa is more resort-like
Time needed: 1 night; 2 with snorkeling and a Penida day

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, humid
FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet, humid
MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Showers
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drying out
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, sunny
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, sunny
JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, busy
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Peak season
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Calm seas
OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Warm, dry
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rains begin
DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, holidays

Average daily high and low in Padangbai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Padangbai

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 26°
Humidity: 97%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 94%

Padangbai

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°23°94%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
Wed31°24°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
Thu31°24°65%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
Fri31°23°41%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
Sat30°23°66%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 66%.
Sun30°23°72%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 72%.

Updated 01:53 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR

Amount

Converted to

IDR · Indonesian Rupiah

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Padangbai

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

MarNyepiBali, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Padangbai

Fast boats from PadangbaiTo Penida, Lembongan and the GilisCheck boat tickets

Hotels by the baySimple stays for an early boatCheck availability

eSIM for PadangbaiKeep boat tickets on your phoneRead the guide

Cover for ferry and boat daysSea delays and missed connectionsRead the guide

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Rules for Padangbai, checked

Check Indonesia's entry requirements with the Directorate General of Immigration (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly, as rules change.
Padangbai's temples are active places of worship: cover your shoulders and legs, and wear a sarong and sash when you go in.
Dive currents can be strong at tide changes and at the new moon. Check conditions and dive only with a licensed operator.
Blue Lagoon and Bias Tugal sites have been part of a Marine Protected Area since 2017. Do not touch or take reef life.
Confirm your sailing with the operator before you travel to the port.

Plan around Padangbai

How to get to Nusa Penida

Boats and ferries from Padangbai and Sanur

Read the guide All of Indonesia

The country, island by island

Read the guide Gili Islands

Fast boats and what each Gili is like

Read the guide Lombok

The next island east, by ferry or fast boat

Read the guide Candidasa

A quieter coast stay 15 minutes away

Read the guide East Bali

Beaches, temples and volcano views beyond the port

Read the guide

Padangbai FAQ

Is Padangbai worth a stay?

For one night, yes, if you are catching an early boat. It has a small beach, a calm harbor and snorkeling, but not much nightlife. Two nights suit divers or travelers using it as a Penida base.

How do you get to Padangbai from the airport?

By private driver or shuttle, about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Public buses are slow and impractical with luggage, so book a transfer if you have an early boat.

Which is better to Lombok, the ferry or a fast boat?

The ferry is cheaper and runs through the day, but takes hours. Fast boats are quicker to the Gilis but can cancel in rough seas. Choose by budget, and leave slack before flights.

Can you snorkel in Padangbai?

Yes. Blue Lagoon and the harbor-side reef have fish and coral, with calmer water in the morning. Check conditions and operator advice, and wear reef-safe sun protection.

How far is Padangbai from Ubud or Candidasa?

Ubud is about 1–1.5 hours by road; Candidasa is roughly 15 minutes. Traffic and festival days can add time, so allow an extra hour before a boat.