Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS/WADD) is THE gateway to Bali. With 23 million passengers a year it is Indonesia’s second busiest airport after the capital’s airport Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The airfield was opened back in 1931 and is located 13km Southeast of Denpasar – the capital of the isle of Bali. After its military Usage in World War 2 mainly by the Japanese forces, the airport was extended as an terminal building and control tower were added in 1949. After another extensionproject which was ended in the late 1960s the airport was able to handle big aircrafts such as the Douglas DC8 or the Boeing 707 – this was the begin of the raise. Since this time on, the passenger numbers and the ones of movements are increasing steady while the airport was extended step by step.

Within the last 20 years, the passenger number coped with 400% due to all the airlines which opened hubs and routes here, the airport experienced a real raise along the booming tourism.

Spotting around the airport is no problems and the locals are friendly albeit didn’t speak much English. Only the police maybe watching closer at you and you might feel a bit uncomfortable. But usually they have no problem with our hobby.

Written by Marcel Hohl, Gonçalo Guimarães (Spot 8) and Marcos Oliveira (Spot 3). Pictures provided by Dave Potter and Dimitri Steendjik. Last change: October 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	3000m (9843ft)
Terminals
International terminal	All International operations.
Domestic terminal	Only domestic services. Opened in 2014.
GA gate	South of the airfield – capacity: 14 small airplanes (500 bizzer per month)
Spotting Information
Ladder	Might be useful at some spots, but we don’t know how the airport handles spotter at the fence with ladders. Mostlikely it also possible without ladder (all provided example shots were taken without)!
Car/Public Transport	Public transport around the airport is quite poor, so you either take a Taxi, a Ricksha or go by foot. Driving a car in Indonesian traffic is quite hectic and parking is a big problem at most parts that’s why we can’t recommend a car here.
Restrooms	In the airport facilities or several hotels around the airfield.
Drinks/Food	In the airport facilities or the hotels around the airfield as well as in all the shops/bars, which are all over the area by the busy roadsides.
Hotels	There are several hotels around the airport, but especially Bali itself is full of hotels and other facilities to sleep at. Some of them offer a rooftop which have a good views onto aircraft movements like the Sovereign Bali (see spot 1)
Season	Definitely the time around June when the light is best and the weather is most comfortable.
Runway Usage
General Information	Depending on the season and the monsum, but mostly you will have 09 Usage in the European summer season (~July) and 27 Usage in the European winter season (~December). No favourite Usage here, totally depending on the wind.

	Spot #1 – Sovereign Bali – 27 arrivals, 09 departures, partially ground movements
WHERE	This spot is located on the top floor of the Sovereign Bali, where the pool is also located at. Just search your favorite position along the edge of the rooftop and try not to disturb the swimming guests! This spot is useable for people who are no hotel guests. Ask at the entrance for access and please support the hotel by ordering something at the bar!
WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 27 and departures from runway 09 as well as several activities on the ground in between the terminal buildings, but rather difficult to spot ground movements.
TIME	The sun is directly in a 90-degree angle above the surface in February and October, so the light is directly over the aircrafts then which makes it horrible. Between October and February this spot is rather not useable. Due to the runway‘s direction light will be best in June.
MISC.	Restrooms, shadow, food and drinks are all nearby. Heat haze is a problem during the day due to the high distance and obstacles in between.
FOCAL LENGTH	~200mm

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The pool itsself…

…and the view into southwestern direction:

	Spot #2 – Satria Gatotkaca statue – 09 departures
WHERE	This spot is located by the kinda roundabout next to „Jl. Airport Ngurah Airport“ road just after leaving the last apron part at the apron‘s eastern end. It can be found easily as it is just south of the „Sovereign Bali“ so quite close. Search your favorite position around this statue on the traffic isle depending on the view which might be disturbed at some points.
WHAT	Departures from runway 09 although the angle might not be the best for some aircrafts – especially smaller airplanes are already quite high.
TIME	The sun is directly in a 90-degree angle above the surface in February and October, so the light is directly over the aircrafts then which makes it horrible. Between October and February this spot is rather not useable. Due to the runway‘s direction light will be best in June.
MISC.	Shadow nearby; food, drinks and restrooms can be found in the nearby hotels. Take care of the furious drivers around here.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm A330 = 145mm / B738 = 210mm

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	Spot #3 – Satria Gatotkaca statue – 27 arrivals and line-up
WHERE	You can easily walk to this location if your room is near otherwise we recommend to take a ride share service such as gojek or grab. Get off at “pura prapatan agung” just cross the street and get into the middle of the roundabout where you find a small park. From the park itself you can catch the arrivals but you won’t be able to see the runway line up. But there is a statue where you can get upstairs to clear the fence.
WHAT	Runway 27 arrivals and line up. Latter is only visible from the statue.
TIME	The sun is directly in a 90-degree angle above the surface in February and October, so the light is directly over the aircrafts then which makes it horrible. Between October and February this spot is rather not useable. Due to the runway‘s direction light will be best in June.
MISC.	Lots of shops around. This location is a 24h transisting area. Light poles disturb the sight.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 = 200mm

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	Spot #4 – Southern beach – 27 departures
WHERE	This spot is located close to the northern end of „Hidden beach“ which is also known as Pantai or Kelan beach. Once reached the area here you can either place yourself right at the fence or try your luck from the nearby big stones or small „mounds“ to clear the fence. Avoid getting too close to the fence because some days the security of the airport comes up and “you take a picture of yourself”.
WHAT	Departures from runway 27 and other ground movements as even departures are quite low here.
TIME	The sun is directly in a 90-degree angle above the surface in February and October, so the light is directly over the aircrafts then which makes it horrible. Between February and December is rather not useable. Due to the runway‘s direction light will be best in January from here, but still quite sheer then.
MISC.	Restaurants/bars and restrooms quite close. Heat haze might appear as a problem.
FOCAL LENGTH	738=170mm; ATR72=260mm

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	Spot #5 – Northern beach – 09 departures
WHERE	This spot is located right at the beach or the nearby rocks/dams just north of the airport’s western end. The beach called Pantai Melisan/Jerman is public and easily accessible from diverse streets/paths.
WHAT	Departure on runway 09. Due to expansion of the western apron and a new constructed golf club, taking pictures from the apron and runway is no longer possible.
TIME	Best in the late evening or early morning.
MISC.	Everything you need as shadow or snacks can be found in the nearby hotel resorts.
FOCAL LENGTH	At least 400mm for a heavy departures

We cannot provide photos from this position.

	Spot #6 – Airside domestic departures – All movements
WHERE	This spot is located inside the domestic terminal on the departure level and no exact area rather just along the glass front inside the terminal. You can walk all way along the glass at the western front, so there is a southern and a northern end – look at the map and overviews below. To reach this area, pass the security check and proceed to the southwestern corner, where you have the best view from.
WHAT	Actually all runway movements and plenty taxiway movements as well. In addition the nearby parking spots are also shotable, too.
TIME	Runway/Taxiway are best during the day; nearby parking positions may be better in the morning/evening, depending on their exact position and angle.
MISC.	All you need is inside the terminal. This spot is AIRSIDE and can only be reached with a VALID Boarding pass as it’s located AFTER Security Check.Update August 2023, please take into consideration: You have tinted clean glass, then a corridor for passengers going to their gates, and then a second glass. That means: you have to photograph through two windows. You get mirroring of the lights of the terminal in your pic. The only place with just one window is gate 2. If their is a plane parked their this position also gets unusable. Also note that you may face obstruction issues with large passengers groups sticking in front of the windows. Check in only opens 3 hours before departure now, so it is not possible to enter hours before departure for long time spotting anymore.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm Taxiway: B738 = 95mm /// Runway: A333 = 110mm

Example shots were all taken from the southern end:

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Southern end (look at map mark):

Northern end (look at map mark):

	Spot #7 – Airside international departures – All movements
WHERE	This spot is located inside the international terminal on the departure level and no exact area rather just along the glassfornt inside the terminal. You can walk all way along the glass at the southern front, so there is a western and an eastern end – look at the map. To reach this area, pass the security check and proceed to the southwestern corner, where you have the best view from. The glass is slightly tinted.
WHAT	Actually all runway movements and plenty taxiway movements as well. In addition the nearby parking spots are also shotable, too.
TIME	Runway/Taxiway are best during the day; nearby parking positions may be better in the morning/evening, depending on their exact position and angle.
MISC.	All you need is inside the terminal. This spot is AIRSIDE and can only be reached with a VALID Boarding pass as it’s located AFTER Security Check. Check in only opens 3 hours before departure now, so it is not possible to enter hours before departure for long time spotting anymore.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm Taxiway: B735 = 95mm /// Runway: B788 = 130mm

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	Spot #8 – Run@way Bar Novotel – All movements
WHERE	This spot is located on Run@way Bar, on the last floor of Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport. You have multiple ways to reach the hotel: walking from the terminal, take a ride share service such as gojek or grab or park your car on the parking. To reach it, walk to the main lobby/reception and cross the hotel from one side to the other through the door on the right side (on the left side you access the pool area). After crossing, you will see stairs on the left side. Climb two floors and you will find the place. There is no need to book a hotel room if using the bar only!
WHAT	All movements on RWY 09/27 and planes taxiing on the main taxiway to both directions. Few airplanes on push back are also possible to photograph.
TIME	The sun is directly in a 90-degree angle above the surface in February and October, so the light is directly over the aircrafts. Due to the runway‘s direction light will be best in June. Heat haze might be a problem in hot days.
MISC.	Pictures have to be taken through glass and using a ladder is not recommended. An important note is that the bar only opens at 16:00! We tried to ask our way in for access to take some pictures, but they denied it! The bar then serves food or drinks from 18:00 to midnight: you need to order something if you want to spend some time on the spot during the day. Alternatively, some shops and restaurants are located inside the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	FOCAL: 70-300mm or 100-400mm Taxiway: MD82 = 170mm; A320 = 190mm, A330-300 = 130mm Runway: A321 = 250mm

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