Can You Photograph Bali Airport, Military Bases or Police Stations?

Photographing aircraft or the terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport from a public spot is generally not prohibited, and no Bali-specific rule against plane spotting turned up in our research. The risk lies with military installations: Indonesia's new Criminal Code (Law 1/2023, in force since 2 January 2026) carries up to 2 years in prison for unauthorised photos or video concerning national defence.

In Bali the two sit side by side. The Ngurah Rai runway is shared with the Indonesian Air Force base Lanud I Gusti Ngurah Rai, and Benoa Port neighbours the navy's Lanal Denpasar. All legal points below were checked on 1 November 2026.

Can I photograph planes and the terminal at Ngurah Rai?

Yes from public areas, with caveats. ANTARA Bali (4 August 2026) describes the airport as a national vital object (objek vital nasional) whose security is enforced strictly under the law. Security of vital objects is governed by Presidential Decree 63/2004: the operator guards its own area and the police assist. In practice, staff can question you, ask you to step back from the fence, or ask to see your photos.

SpotterGuide.net (updated February 2025) lists the usual plane-watching spots, such as the rooftop pool at Sovereign Bali, the Satria Gatotkaca statue roundabout and the Run@way Bar at Novotel. It also notes that security sometimes intervenes when people get too close to the fence on the southern beach. Inside the terminal, follow the signs: security screening, immigration and customs are not places to film officers at work.

What about military aircraft and hangars?

This is where the line is. Lanud I Gusti Ngurah Rai is a type B Air Force base in Tuban, Badung, sharing the runway with the civilian airport (ANTARA Bali; literasihukum.com, 26 June 2026). Military aircraft and helicopters sometimes park on the base side.

• Article 197, new Criminal Code: making, keeping or transporting, without authority, photographs, drawings or video concerning matters of national defence. Penalty: up to 2 years in prison or a category IV fine (Rp200 million).
• Article 202, new Criminal Code: entering, without authority, a defence construction area within 500 metres (except public roads), bringing a camera into a prohibited field, or holding photos of a defence project. Penalty: up to 1 year 6 months or a category II fine (Rp10 million).

Both articles say "without authority", so a tourist whose holiday shot happens to include an Air Force plane is not automatically committing a crime. But zooming in on hangars, collecting a series of military aircraft photos or flying a drone near the base is the kind of behaviour that gets people questioned.

Has anyone foreign been questioned over photos?

We found no Bali case in a search on 1 November 2026. The closest happened on Sebatik Island, North Kalimantan: detikBali (22 July 2022) reported that the navy detained three foreigners and three Indonesians whose phones held covertly taken photos of a military post, border markers and a border-crossing port. They were handed to Nunukan Immigration. The pattern: photos found during a check, then the matter moves to immigration.

Can I photograph a police station?

We found no article that specifically bans photographing a police building from a public street; a station is not a defence installation in the sense of Article 197. Use common sense anyway: do not photograph detainees, documents or officers questioning someone, and stop if asked. For filming crowds and police, see our article on protests and foreign tourists.

Drones and kites near the airport

Drones follow much stricter rules around airports; details are in Bali drone rules. Kites are covered by a Bali regional regulation, see kites and lanterns near the airport.

If an officer stops you

• Stop shooting and lower the camera or land the drone.
• Show your passport if asked and briefly explain you are a tourist.
• If asked to delete photos, delete them in front of the officer. Arguing about photography rights at a base fence rarely ends well.
• If taken to a station, you may contact your consulate. Read your rights if detained by police and our summary of Bali rules for visitors.

FAQ

Can I take photos from the cabin window during take-off?
We found no ban for civilian passengers. Follow crew instructions on flight mode.

Is a selfie in front of the airport sign a problem?
No, as long as you are not blocking passengers or standing in a restricted area.

Can I photograph warships at Benoa?
From public port areas it is usually not an issue, but navy vessels and the Lanal Denpasar pier are defence matters. Do not zoom in on weapons or military docks, and follow officers' instructions.