Much of the Bali Mandara Toll Road is built out over the water of Benoa Bay, so you drive along the sea instead of beside it. Concrete spans carry the traffic above shallow water and mangrove stands. The road links the southern resort area with the airport side of the island and the coast to the north. For many visitors it is the smoothest stretch of road they will meet in Bali.
Bali Mandara Toll Road: the essentials
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People come for the view from the window, not for a stop. You see the bay open out on both sides, with boats, mangrove green and sky. It is a calm way to cross the south, especially after the crowded streets around Kuta and Sanur.
A road that crosses the bay
Most roads in southern Bali run through towns and between shopfronts. This one leaves all that behind and heads out over Benoa Bay. The mangroves below are a living part of the bay's shoreline. From the elevated spans you can look down on them and out to the open water.
Motorbikes have their own lane, separate from the cars. This keeps the main carriageway clear and gives riders a view at a gentler pace. The road is built for steady travel, with few junctions and no market stalls spilling onto the verge.
How the drive goes
After that the traffic moves in a calm, even stream. The sea appears quickly and stays with you for much of the crossing. Passengers get the best of it, since the driver needs to watch the lane ahead.
There is no ticketed attraction here and no queue for a viewpoint. The experience is the crossing itself. Sit on the side facing the bay and let the scenery pass. Taxi and private-driver passengers get this view without any effort.
Where it sits in the south
The road ties together parts of Bali that otherwise take a slow, stop-and-go route to link up. It serves the Nusa Dua side, the airport area and the Sanur direction. That makes it handy when you move between the resort zone and the capital's coast. The bay lies at the centre of that whole loop.
Because it is a toll road, it feels like a different world from the older streets nearby. Local drivers use it as a shortcut, and visitors on airport transfers often use it without noticing. If you ever wondered why the ride from the airport felt so smooth, this may be why.
Spas and splashes close to the road
The south of Bali has plenty of ways to unwind after a drive. Bliss Massage, Bamboo Spa by L'Occitane and Alam Jimbaran Spa are all natural stops for a rest. They suit a traveller who has just landed or is about to leave. A massage after a long transfer is a good way to settle in.
For a livelier outing, Waterbom is nearby and works well for a day with slides and pools. Plan the crossing and then the activity in sequence. The toll road gets you across the bay, and these places give you a reason to be in the area.
What visitors ask
What is the Bali Mandara Toll Road?
It is a toll road in southern Bali that runs largely over the water of Benoa Bay. It connects the Nusa Dua side, the airport area and the Sanur direction. Many visitors use it for the sea views as much as for the speed.
Do you have to pay to use the Bali Mandara Toll Road?
Yes. It is a toll road, so vehicles pay at the gates when they enter. Motorbikes use their own lane.
Is the Bali Mandara Toll Road worth driving for the views?
Yes, if you are already travelling between the south coast and the airport side or Sanur. The road crosses Benoa Bay, so you see water and mangroves on both sides. It is a scenic crossing rather than a place to stop.
What can I visit near the Bali Mandara Toll Road?
Several spas lie in the area, including Bliss Massage, Bamboo Spa by L'Occitane and Alam Jimbaran Spa. Waterbom is also nearby for a day of water slides and pools.
Nearby places to see
- Bliss Massage (3.9 km)
- Bamboo Spa, By L'Occitane (3.93 km)
- Alam Jimbaran Spa (4.77 km)
- Waterbom (5.2 km)
Tours
More things to do: things to do in Bali.