BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – International open water swimming competition Oceanman Bali Indonesia 2026 is set to return to Bali after a two-year hiatus, bringing more than 900 participants from 27 countries to Kedonganan Beach from June 19 to 21, 2026.
Carrying the theme “Waves of Change,” the event marks Indonesia’s return to the official Oceanman World Series calendar.
Oceanman Bali was previously held consecutively from 2021 to 2023, with participation continuing to grow each year. Organizers said registrations for the 2026 edition, which opened in October 2025, have already surpassed 900 swimmers, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the 2023 event.
Participants are coming from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, India, Japan, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, South Korea, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, and several European nations.
Chairman of Oceanman Indonesia, Wibowo Suseno Wirjawan, said Bali remains one of the most attractive destinations in the international open water swimming circuit.
“This phenomenon shows the growing global interest in open water swimming. With Bali’s iconic sea backdrop and challenging swimming routes, Oceanman Bali has become one of the most anticipated series on the international calendar,” Wibowo said in a written statement on Wednesday (May 20).
The 2026 competition will feature six race categories designed for various skill levels and age groups, including Oceankids 500 meters, Oceanteams 3×500 meters, Oceanfins 2 kilometers, Ocean Sprint 2 kilometers, Half Oceanman 5 kilometers, and the main Oceanman 10-kilometer category.
Organizers said the event is designed to accommodate both beginner and professional swimmers while promoting Bali’s marine tourism.
Oceanman Indonesia Co-Founders Albert Sutanto and Felix Sutanto stated that the event would follow international operational and safety standards, especially considering the complexity of managing hundreds of participants in open water conditions.
“Managing more than 900 participants in open water is a complex challenge involving safety, supervision, and natural conditions such as currents and waves. Oceanman Bali 2026 is not only a sports competition, but also a large-scale international-standard event,” Albert said.
Indonesian swimmer Joe Aditya and public figure Desmond Sutanto are also scheduled to participate in the competition.
Beyond sports, organizers said the event is expected to contribute to Bali’s tourism sector, especially in Kedonganan, an area known for its seafood culinary tourism.
Director of PT Avatara Lintas Media and event promoter Herty Purba said international participants typically travel with family members and support teams, creating broader economic impacts for local tourism businesses.
Oceanman Bali 2026 is supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, the Bali Provincial Government, Bali Tourism Office, Badung Regency Government, Kedonganan Traditional Village, and the Kedonganan Coastal Tourism Area Management Agency.
The event will also feature the Oceanman Festival, showcasing local culinary businesses, MSMEs, and Balinese cultural performances for international visitors.