Last updated: 15 October 2026
Long queues at petrol stations across Bali have raised concerns among residents, expats, and international visitors. For travellers planning a holiday on the island, the key question is whether the disruption will affect their plans. For surfers, getting to the beach often means relying on a scooter or car, making fuel availability an important part of the daily plan.
Bali has recently experienced fuel distribution problems, leaving some petrol stations with limited availability and long waiting times. Additional supplies are arriving, and local fuel distributors are increasing deliveries to restore normal service. Conditions can still vary between stations, so checking local updates before travelling is essential.
Here’s what travellers need to know about the situation, how to check petrol availability, and how to plan a Bali surf holiday while distribution recovers.
How Is the Fuel Shortage Affecting Travel in Bali?
The disruption has been linked to delayed fuel deliveries, technical problems affecting a tanker, adverse weather conditions, and increased demand. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Oil and Gas has attributed the queues to distribution problems rather than a shortage of national fuel reserves. Read the report from ANTARA NEWS.
Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, Pertamina, plays a major role in the country’s fuel supply and distribution. Its petrol stations operate under the Pertamina name and sell products such as Pertalite and Pertamax, which are commonly used by local motorists. For international visitors, these are the names to recognise when checking fuel availability at stations across Bali.
On 15 October, Pertamina Patra Niaga, the company’s commercial and distribution subsidiary, announced an additional 57.9 million litres of fuel scheduled for delivery to Bali between 14 and 17 October. This includes 44.9 million litres of Pertalite and 13 million litres of Pertamax. Pertamina also announced expanded operating hours at selected stations, with 60 additional petrol stations in Denpasar prepared to operate 24 hours a day alongside 24 stations already running around the clock.
Source: ANTARA NEWS: Additional fuel supplies for Bali.
These measures are intended to improve availability and reduce queues. However, additional deliveries do not guarantee that every station has fuel immediately. Travellers may still encounter waiting times or temporary shortages of particular fuel types.
For visitors, the main concern is getting around the island. Airport transfers, day trips, scooter journeys, and trips between surf spots may require additional planning. A station with fuel in one neighbourhood does not necessarily reflect conditions elsewhere.
If you’re already in Bali, ask your accommodation or transport provider for recent information about nearby stations. If you’re arriving soon, confirm your airport transfer and allow extra time for journeys until conditions become more predictable.
How to Check Fuel Availability in Bali
Before travelling to a petrol station, check recent reports and consult official updates. Two useful resources are Bali Fuel Watch and Pertamina Bali’s Instagram account.
Bali Fuel Watch is an independent online tool that displays petrol station locations, community-submitted fuel reports, and supply forecasts. You can select a fuel type, check reported availability, identify nearby stations, and use map directions to plan your journey.
The website relies partly on user reports and estimates, so information may change before you arrive. Use it to identify stations worth checking rather than treating a listing as a guarantee that fuel will be available.
For official announcements, follow @pertaminabali on Instagram, the Bali regional account of Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned energy company. The account shares local updates about fuel distribution and petrol station operations.
You can also ask your hotel, villa manager, or scooter rental provider which nearby stations have recently received supplies. Local businesses may have useful information about queues in their area.
Before making a special journey to refuel, check more than one source where possible. If your tank is nearly empty, avoid riding long distances in search of petrol without confirming that a station has fuel available.
Practical Tips for Your Bali Trip and Surf Holiday
Fuel disruption can make travelling around Bali less predictable, particularly if your plans involve visiting several beaches in one day. A few practical adjustments can help you spend less time searching for petrol and more time enjoying your trip.
Refuel before your tank gets low. If you find a station with fuel and a manageable queue, consider topping up rather than waiting until your scooter or car is nearly empty. This is especially useful before heading outside your usual neighbourhood.
Choose surf spots closer to your accommodation. If you’re staying in Canggu, consider planning your sessions around nearby breaks instead of making a long journey across the island every day. Surfers staying around Kuta, Jimbaran, or the Bukit Peninsula can take a similar approach. Check surf conditions and local access before deciding where to go.
Plan longer journeys carefully. Before travelling to a distant surf break, check your fuel level and identify possible refuelling stops along the route. Do not assume a station has petrol simply because it appears on a map. If you’re planning a dawn surf session, arrange your transport and refuel the evening before where possible.
Consider alternative transport. Taxis, ride-hailing services, and private drivers may be useful if you cannot find fuel or prefer not to ride a scooter. If you’re carrying a longboard or several surfboards, a car or pre-arranged transfer may also be more practical. Confirm availability and waiting times before leaving, particularly for airport transfers and time-sensitive bookings.
Ask your scooter rental provider for local advice. Rental operators may know which stations in the surrounding area have recently received deliveries. If your scooter runs out of fuel, contact the provider for assistance instead of riding around in search of another station.
Keep your itinerary flexible. If a long journey becomes impractical, consider surfing closer to your accommodation or spending the day exploring the surrounding area. You can adjust your plans as fuel distribution improves.
The aim is to avoid unnecessary journeys while keeping your holiday enjoyable. A little preparation can make a difference when travelling between beaches, particularly if you depend on a scooter to carry your board.
Should You Cancel Your Bali Trip Because of the Fuel Shortage?
The current fuel disruption does not automatically mean you need to cancel your Bali holiday. The reported problem concerns fuel distribution and access at individual petrol stations, while additional supplies are being delivered to support recovery. Your decision should depend on your travel dates, itinerary, transport arrangements, and the latest local information.
If you’re arriving in Bali soon, confirm your airport transfer and ask your accommodation about current transport conditions. If you’re already on the island, check fuel availability before setting off on longer journeys and allow extra time for travel.
For surfers, the most useful adjustments are straightforward: avoid letting your tank run low, check local reports before heading to a distant beach, and have an alternative transport plan if necessary. You may need to change the order of your sessions or choose a closer surf spot for a day.
There is no confirmed date by which every petrol station will return to normal. For current information, check Bali Fuel Watch and Pertamina Bali’s official Instagram account before travelling.
With some preparation and a flexible itinerary, you can make informed decisions about getting around Bali while fuel distribution recovers.
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This article reflects information available on 15 October 2026. Fuel availability and transport conditions may change. Check current local updates before travelling.