A Gili Islands sailing package from Lombok is a guided boat trip that leaves from Lombok’s northwest coast, sails to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, stops at two or three snorkeling sites, and includes lunch on board before returning the same afternoon. Lombok Sailing Journeys arranges these trips as a shared departure or a private charter, with the route adjusted on the day for wind, current and what you most want to see.
What is included in a Gili Islands sailing tour from Lombok?
The three Gili islands sit in a cluster off Lombok’s northwest coast, close enough together that a boat can reach all of them within a single daylight window. A standard package covers the boat with its crew, fuel, snorkeling equipment in your size, drinking water and soft drinks, a cooked lunch, and a briefing before you enter the water. Hotel pickup along the Senggigi and Mangsit stretch is normally bundled in; pickups from south Lombok are added on request because the drive is much longer.
What is not included is stated in writing before you confirm, so there are no surprises at the jetty: alcohol, locally collected island or environmental contributions, land activities on the islands, and any diving. Ask for an underwater camera, a paddleboard or a particular lunch and we price it into the quote rather than asking for cash on the day.
Which islands and snorkeling stops does the route cover?
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands, Gili Meno the smallest and quietest, and Gili Air the closest to the Lombok mainland. A typical package touches at least two of them and snorkels between them, because the best reef lies in the channels rather than off the busiest beaches. Green turtles are commonly seen grazing on the shallow seagrass around Gili Meno and Gili Air, so most itineraries put a turtle stop in the middle of the day when the light is strongest.
Itineraries often add a shallow lagoon for swimming and time ashore. The Gilis do not use cars as everyday transport, so anything on land happens on foot, by bicycle or by horse cart. We run no business on the islands and do not quote other people’s prices; if you want a specific beach club or dive shop, we drop you close and you deal with them directly.
Where do the boats leave from?
Most Gili sailing departures use the harbours on Lombok’s northwest coast, north of Senggigi, because the crossing from there is short and sheltered in the morning. From Lombok International Airport in Praya the drive takes roughly two hours depending on traffic, so guests arriving on a morning flight normally sail the following day. Guests staying in Senggigi, Mangsit or Sire are on the water within about forty-five minutes of leaving their hotel.
How does a full sailing day actually run?
Departures are early because the sea on this coast is calmer before midday and firms up as the afternoon breeze builds. The table below shows a standard day; exact timings shift with the season and your own pace.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Pickup | Collection from your hotel on the northwest coast and short transfer to the harbour |
| Boarding | Safety briefing, fitting of snorkel gear and life vests, boat departs |
| First stop | Reef snorkeling in a sheltered channel between the islands |
| Second stop | Turtle and seagrass area, usually the highlight of the day for families |
| Lunch | Meal served on board at anchor or on a quiet stretch of beach |
| Island time | Optional landing for a walk, swim or drink ashore |
| Return | Sail back across to Lombok and transfer to your hotel |
Is this trip suitable for children and non-swimmers?
Every guest is given a life vest, and the stops are chosen so non-swimmers can float comfortably holding a ring or staying beside a crew member. Children join regularly, and on private departures the crew will shorten a stop or skip a deeper site. Tell us in the enquiry if anyone is nervous in open water so the first stop is a shallow one.
Should you book a shared boat or a private charter?
The difference is control, not quality: both formats visit the same reefs with the same gear. A shared departure runs to a fixed schedule and is the cheaper way to see them. A private charter lets you set the departure time, reorder the stops and eat when you want. Couples celebrating something, families with small children and photographers take the private option; solo travellers and pairs on a tighter budget take the shared one.
If you want to compare the wider range first, the lombok sailing tour packages overview lists every departure style we run. For a day that leans on reef time rather than island time, look at the sailing and snorkeling package lombok, and for an exclusive boat with a set start time see the private sailing charter lombok option.
What should you bring on the day?
Boats provide gear and shade, but sun on an open deck from morning to late afternoon is what most guests underestimate. Bring a quick-dry towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a light long-sleeved top, a dry bag for phone and cash, and motion sickness tablets if you are prone to it.
How is the package quoted and confirmed?
Pricing depends on the boat, guest numbers, season and pickup point, so every quote is written for the specific trip rather than pulled from a fixed rate card. Send your dates, group size and hotel area, and you receive a written breakdown covering the boat, the route and every inclusion and exclusion before anything is charged.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Gili Islands sailing trip take?
Plan on a full day from door to door. Pickup on the northwest coast is usually in the morning, the boat is on the water for roughly six to seven hours including snorkeling stops and lunch, and you are back at your hotel in the late afternoon. Half-day versions exist and cover two islands instead of three; they suit guests with a flight later that evening.
Can we visit all three Gili islands in one day?
Yes, the three islands lie close enough together for a single-day route, but a trip that lands on all three leaves less time in the water. Most guests get more out of the day by snorkeling two or three sites and going ashore once. On a private charter you decide the balance, and the crew will tell you honestly what fits the conditions on the day.
What is the best time of year for this trip?
Sailing runs year-round. The drier months from around May to October generally bring lighter seas and better underwater visibility, while the wetter months from November to March can bring afternoon squalls and shorter windows of flat water. Mornings are calmer than afternoons in every season, which is why departures are early. We will tell you if conditions look poor for your date.
Do you provide snorkeling equipment?
Mask, snorkel and fins are provided in a range of sizes, along with life vests for every guest on board. Tell us in advance if anyone needs a prescription mask or a child-sized set so the right gear is loaded before departure. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer the fit, and there is rinse water on board at the end of the day.
Reserve your Gili Islands sailing package
Tell us your travel dates, the number of guests and where you are staying in Lombok, and we will send a written itinerary and quote for a shared departure or a private charter. Message the team on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/6281139414563 or email bd@juaraholding.com and we will confirm boat availability for your date.