Getting here

The Gilis: Just a Short Trip From Bali or Lombok

THE BEAUTY OF THE GILIS is, that in just a short trip from Bali or Lombok, you can be throwing out your beach towel, sipping on a tropical drink and getting prepared for your diving adventure with Blue Marlin. It’s so quick and easy – nobody should miss out on a trip to the Gilis! Here’s the lowdown on how to reach us. Please be aware that this information is subject to change due to weather conditions, so make sure to check outside sources for current schedules and conditions. We are also happy to help arrange all domestic flights, fast boats and interisland transfers for all of our guests.

How Do I Get There?

Where Should I Fly Into?

We advise guests fly into Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) or Lombok’s Praya International Airport (LOP). Bali’s Airport is easily accessed via most international destinations. Lombok can be accessed with direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Perth, Australia.

If you prefer to minimise boat travel and are already located in Bali, we suggest the 20-minute flight from Bali to Lombok.

How Do I Get to the Gilis from Bali?

Speedboat

Several speedboat companies operate from various ports in Bali (Amed, Padang Bai, Sanur, Serangan and Benoa) and provide free transfers from hotels to the harbour. Most companies offer two departures per day – the first leaving around 9am and the second at 1pm. Crossing time depends on weather and sea conditions but typically takes between 1.5 – 3 hours. Please note that most speedboats only drop off at Gili Trawangan or Gili Air. Blue Marlin Dive recommends using Gili Getaways as the most reliable and comfortable option. The price is approximately $60 USD per person one way. If you want to ensure you can be dropped off directly on the Gilis, the Ekajaya Speedboat runs direct trips from Padang Bai to the Gilis.

Ferry

The ferry leaves Padang Bai in Bali at 8am and arrives in Lembar, Lombok about 5 to 6 hours later. The ferry leaves every hour, 24 hours a day and the crossing takes 4 to 5 hours. From Lembar, you can arrange a taxi or shuttle bus to get to Bangsal (another 2 hours) and then hop on a local boat to the Gilis (20min).

Helicopter

Air Bali offers to fly you directly to Gili Trawangan. The heliport is based in the south of Bali, at the port town of Benoa and Air Bali offers pick-up services from hotels. The flight takes roughly 45 minutes. Please contact Air Bali directly for up to date information on prices and departure times.

How Do I Get to the Gilis from Lombok?

Airport Transfer

If you arrive at Praya International Airport, we can arrange to have you picked up in our air-conditioned car and transferred via speedboat to the Gilis. The journey is roughly 2 hours by car and approximately 15 minutes by speedboat. Contact us to know more about the prices.

Public Boat

Public boats make daily trips between Bangsal Harbour and the Gilis twice a day (10 a.m. and 5 p.m). This generally takes about 20- 30 minutes. Make sure you purchase your ticket in the harbour office to avoid local touts charging you extra. The ticket office is open from 8am to 5pm and the last boat of the day departs from Bangsal at 5pm.

Private Charter Speedboat

Should you miss the last local boat you can also charter a private boat in Bangsal. At around USD20-30 this is relatively cheap, especially if a group of you get together and share the cost.

How Do I Get From Trawangan to Meno?

Island Hopper

If you are already on one of the other Gilis or arrive on Gili Trawangan first, you can hop from island to island using the island hoppers and public speedboats. Between the two options, boats generally leave once an hour from 8am-5pm. Here’s the rough timetable for the public slow boat: Gili Air 8:30 to Gili Meno: 8:45 to Gili Trawangan: 9:00 and back. Gili Trawangan: 9:30 to Gili Meno: 9:45 to Gili Air: 10:00. Gili Air: 15:00 to Gili Meno: 15:15 to Gili Trawangan: 15:30 and back. Gili Trawangan: 16:00 to Gili Meno: 16:15 to Gili Air: 16:30.

Swimming

As tempting as it may seem, please don’t attempt to swim between the islands, no matter your skill level. The islands are exposed to the open ocean and sometimes strong currents run between and around them.