Route planning
Bali to the Gili Islands: Padang Bai vs Serangan vs Sanur
Padang Bai has the shortest crossing, Serangan the shortest drive from south Bali, and Sanur lets you stop at Nusa Penida on the way. Door-to-door times, boarding and fees compared.
The team, Fast Boat MatePublished
Photo: Danny de GrootFast boats to the Gili Islands leave from three Bali harbours. The boat ride is only half the story: what matters is the total time from your hotel to the beach on Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno. Here is how the three compare.
Which harbour is fastest door to door?
It depends on where you are staying. Rough totals for Gili Trawangan, outside rush hour:
| Leaving from | Drive from Seminyak | Drive from Ubud | Boat to Gili T | Total from Seminyak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padang Bai (east Bali) | 1.5–2 h | 1–1.25 h | about 1.5 h | 3–3.5 h |
| Serangan (south Bali) | 30–45 min | 60–75 min | about 2¼–2½ h | about 3–3.25 h |
| Sanur (south Bali) | 40–60 min | 45–60 min | about 3–3.5 h, with stops | 4–4.5 h |
From Ubud, Padang Bai usually wins. From Seminyak, Kuta or Canggu, Serangan and Padang Bai end up close, and Serangan saves you the long drive. From Sanur, the Sanur boats are simplest even though they take longer at sea.
Why choose Padang Bai?
It has the shortest sea crossing to the Gilis, about 1.5 hours, and the most choice of operators and fares. Some fares include hotel pickup from south Bali, which helps with the 1.5–2 hour drive.
Things to know:
- The harbour is busy and has touts. Buy only at your operator's counter.
- A harbour fee of about IDR 10,000 per person is paid in cash.
- Boats board from a jetty.
See the Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan timetable and the Padang Bai Harbour guide.
Why choose Serangan?
Serangan is 20–30 minutes from Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur outside rush hour, and boats board from a jetty. Gili Getaway and BlueWater Express sail from here; BlueWater has an air-conditioned cabin. Fares are higher than from Padang Bai, but pickup in central south Bali is often included. See Serangan to Gili Trawangan.
Why choose Sanur?
Sanur boats to the Gilis stop at Nusa Penida or Lembongan on the way, so the crossing takes 3–3.5 hours. That is slower, but useful if you are staying in Sanur, or if you want to spend a few days on Nusa Penida first and then sail on. Boarding at Sanur is often from the beach. See Sanur to Gili Trawangan.
Can I go from Nusa Penida straight to the Gilis?
Yes. Direct boats from Banjar Nyuh or Buyuk on Nusa Penida reach Gili Trawangan in about 1¾–2¾ hours, so you don't need to go back to Bali. There is also a boat from Mushroom Bay on Lembongan. See Nusa Penida to Gili Trawangan.
Which Gili does my boat stop at?
Almost every boat stops at Gili Trawangan first. Many continue to Gili Air and some to Bangsal or Teluk Nare on Lombok. Gili Meno has very few direct fast boats: most travellers take the public island-hopping boat from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, which takes 10–20 minutes. Gili Air and Gili Meno are beach landings, so expect wet ankles.
Is the Gili crossing rough?
It can be. The Lombok Strait is deeper and more exposed than the Badung Strait between Bali and Nusa Penida, so expect more swell, especially in the windy months. If you get seasick, take a tablet 30–60 minutes before departure and choose a morning boat. Our sea conditions guide has a month-by-month table.
What fees should I budget?
Cash harbour fees of about IDR 10,000 at Padang Bai and about IDR 20,000 on the Gilis (some guides still quote IDR 10,000, and the amount may change). If you fly home from Bali, you will already have paid the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy on arrival. Sources disagree on whether you pay it again when you come back from the Gilis, so check lovebali.baliprov.go.id.
Our pick
- Staying in Ubud or east Bali: Padang Bai.
- Staying in Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu or the Bukit, and you want dry feet: Serangan.
- Staying in Sanur, or doing Nusa Penida first: Sanur or the direct Penida boat.
