Construction begins on Bali Benoa Marina - a game-changer for Indonesia's marine tourism

Construction begins on Bali Benoa Marina © Marina Development Indonesia

PT Marina Development Indonesia (MDI), in collaboration with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo), officially broke ground on the Bali Benoa Marina on 22 May 2025.

As Indonesia's first full-service international yacht marina, this landmark development marks a pivotal step in positioning Bali as Southeast Asia's premier yacht destination.

Strategic government backing for marine tourism expansion

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia recognises the project as a key driver in Indonesia's transition from mass tourism to high-value, sustainable travel. Bali Benoa Marina aims to enhance the visitor experience, stimulate local economic growth, expand marine tourism offerings and strengthen Indonesia's position on the global yachting map as part of the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub master plan.

"The development of Bali Benoa Marina marks a pivotal moment in Indonesia's transition toward upscale, sustainable tourism. By embracing world-class marine infrastructure, we are not only enhancing our appeal to global yachting communities but also creating new economic opportunities for our coastal regions. This project aligns closely with our flagship agenda of upscaling Indonesia's tourism profile through high-value, experience-based travel. We believe that marine tourism—rooted in our rich maritime heritage—can be one of Indonesia's strongest offerings on the global tourism stage"— Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.

Master plan unveiled: a fusion of world-class infrastructure and Balinese philosophy

During the groundbreaking ceremony, MDI revealed the comprehensive master plan design for Bali Benoa Marina and its 3.3ha waterfront development, comprising:

• A hospitality zone with meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition facilities
• A retail promenade featuring curated local and global brands
• A lifestyle and events hub including food and beverage outlets and marine lifestyle experiences

The waterfront land master plan is led by 2M Design Lab, the appointed international waterfront architect, in close collaboration with Dr. Eng. Ir. I Wayan Kastawan ST, MA, the spiritual architectural advisor of MDI. Guided by the Balinese philosophy of Sad Kerthi, the design incorporates six key principles: spiritual purification, forest and water conservation, ocean preservation, human development and universal balance, ensuring a regenerative coastal development rooted in cultural and ecological harmony.

I Nyoman Giri Prasta, Vice Governor of Bali, stated: "The success of this development will be measured not only in numbers, but in how well it upholds Bali's traditions, empowers our people and brings long-term value to the island."

Project scope and timeline

Bali Benoa Marina will be developed in four key phases:

• Phase 1 (Q4 2025): Completion of Dock B with 40 berths, operational utilities and a welcoming station to begin pilot operations
• Phase 2 (Q2 2026): Full rollout of technical services including vessel maintenance, repair workshops, fuelling systems and docking support
• Phase 3 (Q3 2026): Final expansion to 180 berths, including infrastructure for yachts up to 90 metres, customs/immigration clearance, provisioning services and integrated digital booking systems
• Phase 4 (Q4 2027): Completion of waterfront business zones including food, beverage and retail outlets, yacht sales offices and branded meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition venues to support a sustainable waterfront economy

Through its partnership with MDI, Pelindo ensures the project aligns with broader maritime logistics strategies while supporting the government's vision of diversifying tourism and strengthening coastal economies.

Prasetyo, Director of Strategy at Pelindo, emphasised: "The Bali Benoa Marina is a key anchor within the larger Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH), envisioned as a centralised gateway for superyacht marina, cruise ports, and waterfront tourism experiences."

World-class standards through international collaboration

Bali Benoa Marina is designed to meet international superyacht standards, featuring high-performance floating concrete pontoons engineered by SF Marina (Sweden). These pontoons offer exceptional structural integrity, wave attenuation, and long-term resilience in tropical marine environments.

Through a structured technology transfer program, SF Marina Indonesia now undertakes 100% of the pontoon manufacturing, assembly, and installation under the onsite, direct supervision of a senior project manager from SF Marina Sweden. This collaboration ensures strict compliance with global standards while enhancing local expertise in marine infrastructure, advancing Indonesia's ambition to become Southeast Asia's premier yachting destination.

Plus Marine (Italy) will equip the marina with dockside utility pedestals offering integrated electricity and freshwater access at all berths, managed remotely via the SMARTPLUS CLOUD web-based system. Discover Luxury Indonesia (DLI) will lead the implementation of QICP (Quarantine, Immigration, Customs, and Port protocols), provisioning systems, and crew logistics, while also curating bespoke yachting routes and on-ground guest experiences across Bali and the Indonesian archipelago—ensuring seamless clearance, premium services, and world-class destination experiences aligned with global luxury standards.

Bali Benoa Marina is developed in close collaboration with KSOP Benoa, as the Port Authority overseeing maritime safety, vessel traffic and port clearance.

"Our mandate is to uphold international safety and clearance protocols so that every yacht entering Indonesian waters is backed by efficient clearance and navigational safety whilst following the local regulatory compliance," said Aprianus Hangki, Head of the Port Authority and Harbour Class II Benoa.

Local impact: job creation and competency development

Ulf Backlund, President Director of MDI, stated, "Over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created—from marina crew and marine technicians to hospitality and digital service roles. We are committed to building not just infrastructure, but a sustainable marine economy that improves lives and unlocks new business opportunities in Bali and beyond."

MDI will also roll out a Marine Skills Development Program in partnership with local vocational institutions to build a future-ready workforce. Privately funded and aligned with the government's tourism diversification strategy, the project meets growing demand for premium yachting destinations and is strategically positioned along key cruising routes from Australia and across Southeast Asia.