DENPASAR, Bali — Mariners and coastal communities in Bali are advised to exercise increased caution as meteorological authorities issue a four-day warning for moderate sea waves across the island’s waters.
The Regional Office of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Denpasar has forecast waves reaching 1.25 to 2.5 meters in height from January 5 to 8, 2026. This advisory highlights potentially hazardous conditions for smaller vessels operating in several key channels and open seas.
Affected Zones and Risks
The forecast indicates that elevated waves are likely in the southern Lombok Strait, the northern Lombok Strait, the southern Bali Strait, the Badung Strait, and the open waters south of Bali Island. According to BMKG standards, these conditions pose a notable risk to traditional fishing boats when wind speeds exceed 15 knots and wave heights reach 1.25 meters. The risk extends to larger vessels like barges when winds pick up to 16 knots with waves of 1.5 meters.
Wind patterns during this period are predicted to move from the southwest to northwest at speeds ranging from 4 to 25 knots, driving the unsettled sea state.
Broader Context for Marine Activity
This weather warning arrives alongside the extended closure of all marine tourism activities in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park until at least January 8, as previously reported. The synchronized advisories for both eastern and central Indonesian waters underscore a significant regional pattern of challenging maritime weather at the start of the new year.
For tourists, expatriates, and local operators in Bali, this serves as a critical reminder of the powerful and changeable nature of the island’s surrounding seas. While conditions may differ from the extreme weather necessitating closures further east, the advisory urges vigilance for anyone planning near-shore or nautical activities, reinforcing the paramount importance of heeding official safety guidance during this period.
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