The sea has an area of 45,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 1,590 m (5,217 ft).

[2] The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the Bali Sea as being one of the waters of the East Indian Archipelago.

A line from the West point of Gedeh Bay, Kangean Island, to Tg Sedano, the Northeast extreme of Java and down the East coast to Tg Bantenan, the Southeast extreme of the island.

The West and North coasts of Soembawa as far East as Tanjong Sarokaja (8°22′S 117°10′E / 8.367°S 117.167°E / -8.367; 117.167), thence the Western limit of Flores Sea [A line from Tg Sarokaja to the Western Paternoster island (7°26′S 117°08′E / 7.433°S 117.133°E / -7.433; 117.133)].

In oceanographic, Bali Sea is concerned with the Indonesian Throughflow coming from Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, the flow of which are mostly passing through Bali Strait and Lombok Strait.