Bali to Lombok: Snorkeling in the Gili Islands
Bali and Lombok are two neighboring islands in Indonesia, which are very easy to travel between.
We’ll go over your flight options and ferry / fast boat options between Bali and Lombok, for people looking to go snorkeling around Lombok’s famous Gili Islands.
The Gili Islands offer a fantastic snorkeling experience, with clear waters, abundant marine life, and beautiful coral reefs.
Hire a Driver on Bali or Lombok
While it’s popular to rent a motorbike on Bali and Lombok, I’d suggest skipping it (especially if you’re a first-time visitor).
Hiring a driver is just as cost-efficient on both islands, and I’ve had good experiences with these two options:
🚙 CLICK to Book a Driver on Bali
🚗 CLICK to Book a Driver on Lombok
A private driver usually runs about $50 for the day (plus tip). They can come up with an itinerary, or you can point out the sites you want to see.
Bali to Lombok: Fast Boat (Ferry)
A variety of ferries run between ports on the southeastern coast of Bali, the Gili Islands, and the west coast of Lombok.
- Distance: Approximately 35-50 kilometers depending on the route.
- Time: The journey typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the sea conditions and the specific route.
Ferry Departure Ports
- Departure from Bali:
- Padang Bai (most common)
- Sanur
- Arrival in Lombok:
- Bangsal Harbor: The primary arrival point in Lombok, close to the Gili Islands.
- Senggigi
Fast Boat vs. Public Ferry
Public ferries are a slower, more affordable option.
The public ferries depart from Padang Bai (Bali) and arrive at Lembar Harbor (Lombok).
The cost is 50,000 IDR, or about $3 USD.
While the price is greatly reduced for the public ferry, it’ll take between 4 and 6 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Bali to Lombok: Flights & Airports
Flying between Bali and Lombok is quick and convenient. Flight costs are usually under $100 each way, sometimes as low as $50.
It’s usually just about 45 minutes of flight time between the airports.
Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport – DPS)
- Location: Located south of Denpasar, Bali’s capital.
- Facilities: A modern international airport with various amenities, including restaurants, shops, lounges, and transportation services.
Lombok (Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport – LOP)
- Location: Located in Praya, Central Lombok, about 40 kilometers southeast of Mataram, the capital city.
- Facilities: A smaller airport compared to Bali’s, but still equipped with essential services.
Airlines Flying Between Bali and Lombok
Several airlines operate flights between Bali and Lombok. The main airlines include:
- Garuda Indonesia
- Lion Air
- Wings Air
- Batik Air
Gili Island Snorkeling Tours
There are a number of snorkeling tours around the Gili Islands once you’re on Lombok. They’re remarkably low-priced, too!
These two snorkeling tours have the best ratings from real visitors:
Another option is to hire a driver right from the Lombok airport, who can create an itinerary and roll it into one package price. We were very happy with the flexibility it provided:
🚗 CLICK to Book a Driver on Lombok
The driver brought us right to a small village, where a private boat was waiting to take us to Gili Nanggu.
Snorkeling in the Gili Islands Around Lombok
The Gili Islands refer to all of the islands surrounding Lombok in Indonesia.
Marine Life
The Gili Islands are known for their rich marine biodiversity. Common sightings include sea turtles, reef sharks, colorful coral gardens, and a variety of tropical fish.
- Sea Turtles: The area is famous for its green and hawksbill turtles, which are often spotted close to the shore.
- Colorful Fish: Schools of parrotfish, clownfish, angelfish, and other tropical species are abundant.
- Coral Reefs: Healthy coral gardens with a mix of hard and soft corals are found around all three islands.
- Other Marine Life: You might also encounter reef sharks, cuttlefish, octopuses, and rays.
The Underwater Statues
The underwater statues at Gili Meno are one of the most famous snorkeling and diving attractions in the Gili Islands. Known as the “Nest”, this unique underwater sculpture is a blend of art and marine conservation.
Creation & Design
The sculptures were created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The “Nest“ consists of 48 life-sized human figures arranged in a circular formation, meant to symbolize the circle of life.
The sculptures are made from pH-neutral materials, which are eco-friendly and designed to encourage coral growth. Over time, the statues are expected to become part of the natural reef, as coral and marine life gradually cover the figures.
The statues are situated at a shallow depth of around 3-5 meters (10-16 feet), making them accessible to both snorkelers and divers.
The Best Gili Island Snorkeling Spots
The “Three Islands” on the northwest coast of Lombok are likely the most well-known for snorkeling.
You’ll see small boats from the mainland pulled up to the sandy shores of each.
Gili Trawangan (Gili T)
The largest and most developed of the three islands, Gili T is known for its lively nightlife, variety of accommodations, and dining options. Excellent for snorkeling, particularly on the east coast, where you can spot sea turtles, colorful coral reefs, and a variety of fish. Popular snorkeling spots include Turtle Point and the reef near Gili Meno.
Gili Meno
The smallest and quietest of the three islands, Gili Meno is perfect for those looking for a more serene and tranquil experience. Gili Meno has some of the best snorkeling spots around the islands, particularly on the western side. You can see turtles, underwater statues, and vibrant marine life at sites like the Gili Meno Wall and the Underwater Sculpture Park.
Gili Air
A mix of the other two islands, Gili Air offers a balance between the quiet of Gili Meno and the social scene of Gili Trawangan. It’s a great spot for couples and families. Snorkeling around Gili Air is also fantastic, especially on the eastern coast. The waters are teeming with marine life, and you can often see turtles, reef sharks, and schools of fish.
Gili Nanggu
Lombok is full of lesser-known Gili Islands, like Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis (or Kadys), and Gili Sudak.
Gili Nanggu has its own restaurant.
They’re less crowded. In fact, we were the only ones on Gili Kedis for a while!
The Best Time to Snorkel in the Gili Islands
You can snorkel around Lombok all year, but there are a few things to keep in mind, if you’re looking for prime conditions with pristine water:
- Dry Season (May to October): Offers the best conditions for snorkeling with calm seas, warm water, and excellent visibility.
- Early Morning: The best time to snorkel is early in the morning when the water is calm, and the marine life is most active.
Where to Stay on Lombok
Lombok is full of beautiful hotels and resort options. I loved the Quinci Villas, where a large suite with its own private yard and pool was less than $250 per night.
You can use this interactive map (which I’ve centered on the Quinci Villas) to check the rates of hotels and rentals for your dates:
Map of Ferry Ports & Snorkeling Sites
Other Things to Do on Bali
Bali is a paradise, full of beautiful beaches, rice fields, and waterfall hikes.
A few of my favorite things include:
FAQs About Snorkeling on Lombok
Let’s go over a few more frequently-asked-questions about going from Bali to Lombok to snorkel around the Gili Islands.
How long is the ferry ride from Bali to Lombok?
It depends. The cheap public ferry from Padang Bai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok) will take between 4 and 6 hours.
The fast boat ferry from Padang Bai (Bali) to Senggigi or Bangsal (Lombok) will take 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
How long is the flight from Bali to Lombok?
Online, the flights are sometimes blocked for 60 to 90 minutes, but that includes boarding, taxiing, flight time, deboarding, etc.
In reality, you’ll only spend 30 to 45 minutes in the air on a flight from Bali to Lombok.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Bali to Lombok?
The least expensive way to get between the islands is a public ferry. It’s only a few dollars, but it’ll take several hours to cross the strait between Bali and Lombok.
The fast boat ferries are much quicker, and still reasonably priced.
How many Gili Islands are there on on Lombok?
It’s hard to pinpoint a number, but there are dozens of Gili Islands.
Which Gili Island is best for turtles?
Sea turtles can be spotted around the Gili Islands year-round.
Gili Trawangan is probably the most popular spot for turtles. Turtle Point is known to attract turtles to feed on the seagrass close to shore. The island is also home to a turtle hatchery, where baby turtles are raised and released into the sea!
Are there sharks around the Gili Islands?
Yes, but they aren’t a danger to people swimming or snorkeling. The three most common sharks around the Gili Islands are:
- Blacktip Reef Sharks: These sharks are relatively small, usually around 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, and are known for their distinctive black-tipped fins.
- Whitetip Reef Sharks: Similar to the blacktips, but with (you guessed it) white-tipped fins.
- Nurse Sharks: Nurse sharks are docile and pose no threat to humans.
