A luxury catamaran charter in Lombok is the hire of a twin-hulled sailing yacht with crew for a day or several days, sailing from Lombok’s west coast to the Gili islands, the Sekotong bays or further east, with the whole vessel reserved for one group. Lombok Sailing Journeys arranges these charters as an independent booking service, matching your dates and group to a suitable catamaran and confirming the route, crew and inclusions in writing before anything is paid.
Why choose a catamaran over a monohull or speedboat?
A catamaran sits on two hulls, which means it heels far less than a single-hulled sailing yacht and stays flatter at anchor. In practice that changes the whole feel of a day at sea: drinks stay on the table, guests who are usually uneasy on boats are comfortable, and the wide deck between the hulls gives you lounging space that a monohull of the same length simply cannot offer. It is the reason catamarans dominate the premium day-charter market across Indonesia’s island waters.
Shallow draft is the second advantage: a catamaran anchors closer to a reef edge than a deep-keeled yacht, so you swim straight off the steps. Against that, it costs more per day than a speedboat of similar capacity and is slower point to point. If your priority is covering distance, take the fast boat; if it is spending the day well, take the catamaran.
What does a premium sailing charter include?
Charters are quoted as a whole-boat rate covering the vessel, its crew, fuel for the agreed route and the equipment on board. The specification varies by yacht, but a premium day charter normally includes the following.
- Skipper and crew, including someone dedicated to service on board
- Snorkeling equipment in adult and child sizes, plus life vests for all guests
- Shaded saloon or bimini, sun deck and swim platform or ladder
- Freshwater rinse shower and at least one interior bathroom
- Drinking water, soft drinks and a prepared lunch or barbecue
- Towels and a sound system on board
Anything outside that list appears in the quote as an extra: alcohol, a private chef upgrade, water toys, land transfers from outside the west coast, and locally collected environmental or mooring contributions. We are an independent charter service and do not represent any yacht manufacturer or brand; a model named in a proposal only describes the vessel available for your dates.
Where can a Lombok catamaran charter sail?
Lombok’s west coast faces the Lombok Strait, and the cruising ground splits neatly into three directions from there. Which one suits you depends far more on wind and swell on your date than on preference, and the skipper will say so honestly at the briefing.
| Direction | Typical waters | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| North-west | Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air and the channels between them | Reef snorkeling and turtle sightings |
| South-west | Sekotong bays and the smaller southwestern gilis | Quiet anchorages and few other boats |
| Coastal | Senggigi, Mangsit and the bays along the west shoreline | Short outings and sunset sailing |
Multi-day charters can extend east towards Sumbawa and beyond, which is a different kind of trip requiring provisioning, overnight anchorages and a longer weather window. Those are planned individually rather than sold as a fixed package.
How many guests fit comfortably on board?
Deck space rather than maximum capacity determines comfort on a catamaran, and the two numbers are rarely the same. A yacht rated for twenty day guests feels generous with twelve once towels, bags and snorkel gear are spread across the trampolines. For overnight charters the limit is cabins instead, so a catamaran that hosts a large day group may sleep only eight or ten.
Is a catamaran charter worth it for a couple?
Two guests on a large catamaran is the most private way to spend a day on the water in Lombok, and couples book it regularly for anniversaries and proposals. Cost per person is high because you pay for the whole yacht, so the honest comparison is a small private speedboat: the catamaran gives more space, shade and comfort at anchor, the speedboat gives more stops for less money. Couples who value the boat itself choose the catamaran; those who mainly want to snorkel choose the speedboat.
For a romantic outing built around the light rather than the vessel, see the lombok sunset sailing cruise. Couples travelling for a honeymoon usually compare this page with the honeymoon sailing package lombok, and those wanting the highest specification available on the date should look at the vip luxury yacht tour lombok.
When is the best season for catamaran sailing in Lombok?
The drier months from roughly May to October bring steadier trade winds and better underwater visibility, which is why they are the busiest period for charters. The wetter months from November to March bring variable wind and afternoon squalls, but also lower demand and greater availability. In every season the sea here is flattest in the morning, so departures are early and sunset sailing stays close to shore.
How the booking process works
Catamaran availability in Lombok is limited and moves quickly in peak months, so the process starts with a check rather than a price. Send your dates, guest numbers, preferred cruising direction and whether you want a day or overnight charter. We confirm which suitable yachts are actually free, send a written proposal with the specification, route, crew and full list of inclusions and exclusions, and hold the boat once you approve it. Pricing is always quoted for your specific charter because it moves with the yacht, the season and the length of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do we actually sail, or does the boat motor everywhere?
Both, depending on the wind. Catamarans in Lombok waters sail well when the breeze fills in, typically from late morning onwards on the west coast, and motor when it is light or when a schedule has to be met. If sailing under canvas matters to you, say so when booking and the skipper will plan the route and timing to give you the best chance of real sailing rather than a motoring day.
Can the charter start or end somewhere other than the west coast?
Alternative pickup points can often be arranged, but they add transit time that comes out of your day on the water. Most charters start from the west coast because it is closest to the main cruising grounds. If you are staying in south Lombok or arriving by air, allow around two hours of road travel to the coast and plan a later departure, or discuss a one-way route with us instead.
Is food included and can you handle dietary requirements?
A prepared lunch or barbecue is normally part of a full-day charter, and the menu is agreed in advance rather than chosen on board. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and allergy requirements are handled when you tell us at the enquiry stage so provisioning is done correctly. Alcohol is quoted separately, and some guests prefer to bring their own; confirm that with us before the day.
How far in advance should we book a catamaran?
In the busy dry-season months, suitable catamarans in Lombok are often committed weeks ahead, so early enquiry is the difference between choosing a yacht and taking whatever is left. Outside those months, shorter notice is usually workable. Either way, send your dates as soon as they are firm and we will tell you straight away what is genuinely available rather than holding a boat that is not.
Check catamaran availability for your dates
Send your dates, guest numbers and preferred cruising area and we will confirm which catamarans are free and send a written specification and quote. Message the team on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/6281139414563 or email bd@juaraholding.com.