Govind Tekale
A speedboat carrying 80 people, including five Australians, capsized off Bali’s east coast on Tuesday, killing two Chinese tourists and leaving an Indonesian crew member missing.
The Fast Boat Dolphin II was returning from Nusa Penida island to Sanur when it was struck by large waves about 100 meters from shore at approximately 3:00 PM local time on August 5, 2025.
I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Denpasar Search and Rescue, confirmed the two deceased were Chinese nationals. The missing person is 23-year-old Indonesian crew member I Kadek Adi Jaya Dinata, for whom search efforts continue.
Rescuers quickly responded to the scene, with locals and officials pulling survivors from the sea. The five Australians—three men and two women—were not among the 14 people transported to hospital, according to reports from rescue authorities.
The vessel capsized close enough to Sanur Harbor that rescuers were able to haul it onto the beach, where it remains overturned. Photos show the boat would have been crowded with its 80 occupants, which included 73 foreign tourists, two Indonesian passengers, and five crew members.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had issued warnings about sea conditions, with waves reported between 3-5 meters in southern Bali waters.
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Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia, a nation of about 17,000 islands where safety standards are often poorly enforced. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was “working with local authorities to confirm no other Australians were affected” and stands ready to provide consular assistance.
This marks the fourth serious boat accident off Bali this year. In March, Australian Anna Blight died when her snorkeling boat capsized in rough seas off Nusa Penida. Last month, a ferry traveling to Bali’s Gilimanuk port from East Java sank with at least 66 people aboard, resulting in 19 deaths.
Muhammad Masyhud, Director General of Sea Transportation, expressed condolences and called for an evaluation of maritime safety protocols following the incident.
The Indonesian Transportation Ministry confirmed the vessel was already inside the port’s navigational channel when struck by the sudden wave. Sanur Port was temporarily closed to support evacuation and search operations but has since resumed normal activities.
For tourists traveling by sea in Indonesia, local authorities recommend checking weather forecasts, ensuring vessels have adequate safety equipment, and confirming that life jackets are worn, especially during periods of rough seas.
