Gili Islands
No cars, all sea turtles
The liveliest of the three Gilis: sunset swings, turtle snorkelling and bicycles instead of cars. Fast boats from Padang Bai take about 1.5 hours; from Sanur or Serangan 2–3.5 hours with stops. Boats land on the beach or a floating jetty on the east coast.
Photo: Danny de GrootGetting there
3h–3h 30m · 3 boats a day · 07:55–09:00
1h 30m · 2 boats a day · 08:30–09:30
2h 15m–2h 30m · 2 boats a day · 09:00
1h 45m–2h 35m · 3 boats a day · 08:30–13:00
2h 15m · 1 boat a day · 09:45
Times and fares are sample data until the operator confirms them. We show the live price before you pay.
Harbours
east coast main strip
No motor vehicles on the island: walk, cycle or take a cidomo (horse cart). Boats land on the beach or a floating jetty depending on the tide.
Check-in guideOn the island
East and north coast
Turtles are often seen just off the beach. Snorkel gear can be hired along the main strip.
Gear hire is paid locally.
West coast
Swings in the water and a clear view of Mount Agung on Bali at sunset.
Free.
Coastal path
There are no cars or scooters. A loop of the island takes about an hour by bike.
Bike hire is paid locally.
By the harbour
Food stalls open in the evening next to the boat landing.
Free entry.
Not part of your boat ticket. Bring some cash in small notes for harbour fees.
IDR 150,000
Paid once per entry to Bali by every foreign visitor, online at lovebali.baliprov.go.id (beware of lookalike sites). Not part of your boat ticket.
Paid locally, not to usCheck locally, amounts can changeSource
IDR 20,000
Paid in cash. Some guides quote IDR 10,000; the amount may change.
Paid locally, not to usCheck locally, amounts can changeSource
Moving on
1h 30m · 1 boat a day · 11:00
2h 15m · 1 boat a day · 13:30
2h 30m · 1 boat a day · 09:00
3h · 1 boat a day · 11:30
Guides
Harbour guides
Sanur has the most boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan, often with a wet beach boarding. Serangan is quieter, boards from a jetty and is faster to the Gilis. Here is how to choose.
Updated
Route planning
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.
Updated
Weather & sea
The Badung Strait to Nusa Penida is usually calmer than the Lombok Strait to the Gilis. A month-by-month guide, what happens when boats are cancelled, and how to avoid feeling sick.
Updated
FAQ
About 40 minutes (30–45 depending on the operator and the sea). Sanur to Nusa Lembongan is about 35 minutes. Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan takes about 1.5 hours, and Sanur or Serangan to the Gilis 2¼–3½ hours with stops.
Yes. Operators such as Eka Jaya, BlueWater Express, Semaya One and The Tanis run direct island-to-island boats in about 1¾–2¾ hours, so you don't need to go back to Bali.
Probably. Sanur's new harbour (opened 2022) has a jetty, but many Penida and Lembongan boats still load from the beach depending on the operator and the tide. Expect to wade ankle- to knee-deep: wear shorts and sandals and keep your phone in a dry bag. Jungut Batu (Lembongan) and Gili Air are beach landings too. Serangan uses a jetty.
Take seasickness tablets 30–60 minutes before departure, sit in the middle or rear of the lower deck, look at the horizon and skip a heavy meal. Morning crossings are usually calmer. The Lombok Strait (Gili routes) is rougher than the Badung Strait (Penida and Lembongan).
No — they are paid locally, not to us. Budget for the Bali tourist levy IDR 150,000 (pay at lovebali.baliprov.go.id), the Nusa Penida / Lembongan island fee IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child (cashless), about IDR 25,000 per major Penida attraction, and harbour fees of about IDR 10,000–20,000 in cash at Padang Bai, the Gilis and Bangsal.
Yes, bring some. ATMs on Nusa Penida, Lembongan and the Gilis are few and sometimes run out of cash. Harbour fees are usually cash-only, while the Klungkung island fee is cashless (card or QR). Your booking with us is paid online, by bank transfer, on WhatsApp or at our Sanur office.
Sanur → Gili Trawangan
The next boat to Gili Trawangan leaves Sanur on 19 Oct 2026 at 07:55.