NUSA DUA, Bali – Waters surrounding some of Bali’s busiest tourism destinations could soon receive new environmental protections as authorities study plans for one of the island’s largest proposed marine conservation zones.
The proposed protected area would cover approximately 55,000 hectares across southern Bali waters, stretching through areas surrounding Nusa Dua, Pandawa Beach, and Sanur — regions heavily used for tourism, boating activities, watersports, and fishing.
Officials say the proposal reflects growing concern over how to protect some of Bali’s most biologically important waters while tourism continues expanding.
“South Bali includes waters around Nusa Dua, Pandawa Beach, and Sanur. Around 55,000 hectares are currently under assessment,” said I Nengah Sugiarta, head of Bali’s marine affairs division, during World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day 2026 events in Nusa Dua on Sunday.
Why South Bali?
According to provincial officials, the southern coastline was not selected randomly.
The waters serve as an important migration corridor for large marine species, including whales and other marine mammals.
Authorities also say coral reef conditions in parts of the area remain relatively healthy and require stronger protection before environmental pressures increase further.
“One of the main reasons is because this area is a migration route for megafauna such as whales,” Sugiarta said.
“The coral reefs are also in good condition. These are the ecosystems we need to protect.”
What Would Change?
Officials say conservation status would not automatically mean beaches, tourism businesses, or marine tourism activities would be shut down.
Instead, authorities plan to apply zoning systems similar to those already used in other marine conservation areas.
Core zones would receive stricter protections.
Other areas would remain accessible under limited-use arrangements.
“There will be core zones and limited-use zones,” Sugiarta said.
“Discussions with the central government regarding spatial allocation are still ongoing.”
The area currently remains under what officials describe as a postponed zoning status while technical studies continue.
Authorities hope formal designation can be completed by 2027.
Tourism and Conservation on the Same Waters
The proposal presents a challenge Bali has increasingly struggled to balance.
Southern Bali is simultaneously one of Indonesia’s busiest tourism regions and one of its most environmentally sensitive marine corridors.
Provincial authorities insist the objective is not simply creating more protected areas.
“The important thing is not adding more conservation zones,” said Bali Marine and Fisheries Agency chief Putu Sumardiana.
“The most important thing is maintaining the integrity of the conservation areas that already exist.”
According to officials, coral reef degradation remains among the largest threats facing Bali’s marine ecosystems.
A Bigger Question for Bali
Bali already has marine conservation areas in places such as Nusa Penida, Buleleng, Karangasem, Jembrana, and Benoa Bay.
But protecting waters surrounding Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Pandawa would represent something different.
These are not remote waters.
They are among Bali’s busiest.
And if the proposal moves forward, the island may soon face a larger question:
Can one of the world’s most tourism-dependent islands continue growing while protecting the ecosystems that made it famous in the first place?
