To check into Bali yourself without an agent takes a bit of time but is not difficult. We found that going to Benoa first to check in and then moving to Serangan the next morning worked very well.

Arriving at Benoa

We had no problems with our entry into Benoa Harbour, it was as described in the Noonsite resources. However it was busy with paragliders, day boats and other ships coming in. We arrived at Spring Tide and conditions in the Lombok Straight were pretty intense with confused seas and very strong currents, but this didn’t impact our entry into the harbour.

The anchorage area is regularly dredged, so depth wasn’t an issue. However, there wasn’t a lot of room to anchor and we were the only sailboat there. It was fine for overnight but not really appropriate to stay much longer. We were actually asked to move to Serangan the next day (which was our plan anyway) as the dredger was coming through. 

Dealing with Officials

At the time of writing you are required to tender both Quarantine officials and Customs officials aboard your vessel so anchoring close to Bali Marina was convenient. The Harbour Master, Quarantine, Immigration and Customs are very close to each other and all within a 10 minute walk from the Bali Marina in the port precinct.

The process took about four hours in total of walking, waiting and tendering, but was a pleasant experience with helpful staff in all locations. All of the offices were open until at least 6pm and I believe they are open every day, some of them 24hrs, due to it being a busy port. Arriving on Friday afternoon, we had expected to wait until Monday, so this was a pleasant surprise. Other than visas, our total costs were $46 AUD.

Harbour Master
At the Harbour Master’s office we gave copies of our documents and three copies of our crew list. We needed a designated place for the Harbour Master, Captain, Immigration, Customs and Quarantine to all sign, date and stamp on the crew lists. We were told to visit Quarantine, Immigration, Customs (in that order) and then return to the Harbour Master to get our crew lists stamped.

Quarantine
Our next stop was Quarantine. We tendered them aboard and they took copies of our vaccination documents. One of our crew had a medical exemption and there was some initial confusion about this but after a call to the office it was confirmed that an official Medicare issued medical exemption digital certificate was to be treated the same as a proof of vaccination digital certificate. Hence nothing further was required for either of us with regards to Covid.

Back at their office they issued us with a Green Book (which they insisted was still needed in Indonesia), a sanitation certificate and a Medical Certificate (for our first aid kit). We were charged 150 000 rp for each of these (450 000 rp in total) and were told they were compulsory. They also issued us a Certificate of Pratique, stamped our three crew lists and asked for some copies of our documents.

Immigration
Next stop was Immigration. They took a few copies of documents, including the Certificate of Practique and issued us our VOAs (500 000 rp per person). They signed the three crew lists and took one of them. We were the only people there, but it takes about 30 minutes for the visas to be issued.

Customs
We then visited the Customs office who again took copies of various documents. We took them aboard and they checked the AIS, MMSI, spirits, engine and took a look in the fridge and some cupboards. They recommended we print out our MMSI number and stick it to our AIS, but were happy to take a copy of our MMSI document instead. Back on shore, they asked us to get the final signature on the crew lists from the Harbour Master and return one of the originals to them (we kept the third signed crew list). When we returned they issued us with several customs documents to keep.

Checking out of your first port of entry:

Harbour Master
Before leaving Benoa, even for nearby Serangan, it’s very important to get a Cruising Permit (Port Clearance) from the Harbour Master. This is the document that allows you to sail to all other Indonesian ports and will be needed at check out of the country. We gave them our signed crew list and the document cost about $1.

We had copies of the following documents and needed all of them at different stages in the process, but weren’t asked for anything additional.

• VDS – first few pages of the declaration which includes the official number
• MSSI – email we were sent when it was issued
• Crew lists – including a place for the Harbour Master, Captain, Quarantine, Immigation and Customs to all sign, date and stamp
• Boat registration certificate
• Covid proof of vaccination/exemption digital certificates
• Passports
• Zarpe from last country visited

Our experience checking into Indonesia was positive. Everyone was helpful and professional at Benoa after a six day voyage from Dampier in Western Australia.

Kristin Cowan
SV Kelandria III