Sunda Strait ferry weather
Check waves, wind, visibility and changing marine conditions across Sunda Strait today and tomorrow, with guidance for the Merak-Bakauheni ferry crossing.
Merak-Bakauheni is short but extremely busy. Use route-level marine forecasts and the operator status as well as the regional wave map.
Sunda Strait outlook
Waves to 0.7 m · 15 kt winds · gusts 21 kt
Usually comfortable on a conventional ferry.Waves to 0.6 m · 11 kt winds · gusts 16 kt
Usually comfortable on a conventional ferry.Currently looking broadly similar to today and tomorrow.
5-day trend · Lower confidenceGenerally comfortable conditions on a conventional ferry.
Sunda Strait ferry weather should be checked route by route
The Merak-Bakauheni crossing links Java and Sumatra through the northern part of Sunda Strait. The sailing is short compared with many overnight ferries, but high traffic levels and changing local weather make route-specific information especially useful.
BMKG’s Maritime Meteorological Station at Merak publishes a dedicated forecast for the northern Sunda Strait and separate route guidance for Merak-Bakauheni. That route product includes weather, wave height, wind and visibility for the actual crossing rather than just a city forecast.
Sunda Strait wave forecast
Use the map for the general sea state, then compare it with BMKG’s route forecast. The northern crossing can have modest wave heights while visibility, rain or current still makes the operational picture more complicated.
BMKG separates port weather from crossing weather
For Merak-Bakauheni, that distinction is valuable. A port forecast describes conditions at the terminal, while the route product covers the water between the terminals. The northern Sunda Strait forecast then gives the broader marine pattern.
BMKG’s Merak port forecast also includes sea-current speed and direction alongside wave height, wind and visibility. In other words, a calm-looking wave forecast is not the only factor relevant to this crossing.
Terminal conditions
Use the port forecast for rain, visibility, wind and current close to loading and docking.
Merak-Bakauheni
Use the route forecast to see the expected weather and sea state during the actual sailing window.
Northern Sunda Strait
Use the regional forecast for the larger wind and wave pattern around the crossing.
Merak-Bakauheni ferry weather
Merak-Bakauheni is one of Indonesia’s most important ferry corridors. The short distance means crossings run frequently, so disruption can create a queue problem on land very quickly even when the sea itself is not extreme.
For planning, the most useful sequence is: check FerryWeather for the regional outlook, open BMKG’s crossing forecast for the sailing hour, then confirm the operational status with ASDP before entering the port queue.
Heavy rain and poor visibility can still matter
BMKG route forecasts include visibility because marine operations depend on more than passenger comfort. Tropical rain can briefly reduce visibility around the terminals and crossing, while wind direction may shift around thunderstorms.
That is why this page does not treat wave height as a cancellation threshold. For Sunda Strait, the combination of port weather, route visibility and the operator’s traffic decision is more useful.
Complete the Sunda Strait weather check
Use the regional wave outlook first, then check BMKG’s specialised Merak-Bakauheni forecast and ASDP for operations.