Most visitors think of the Gilis as the three islands off the northwest tip of Lombok, but the southwest coast around Sekotong has its own scatter of small islands, and they are far quieter. This boat trip visits Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis, a trio that is popular with Lombok residents on weekends and with travelers who want the island-hopping feel without the party scene. Gili Nanggu is the best known, a small island ringed by a pale sand beach with shallow, clear water that makes it a gentle place to swim and snorkel. Gili Sudak is a small stop with its own beach and reef, and Gili Kedis is a tiny islet, little more than a patch of sand and a few trees, that is memorable mostly for how small it is. The day usually starts with a road transfer to a harbor on the Sekotong coast, then a short boat ride between stops with time to snorkel, swim and relax on the sand. Snorkeling gear is normally part of such trips, but check what your booking covers.
Why choose the southwest
The northern Gilis are the famous ones, but they can feel busy, with many boats on the same reefs. The southwest islands are smaller and more laid back, with fewer restaurants and almost no nightlife, so the day is simple: boat, beach, snorkel, lunch. The reefs are pleasant rather than spectacular, with healthy patches of coral and plenty of small fish in the shallows, and sea turtles are occasionally seen but never guaranteed. It suits families, beginners and anyone who prefers a calm day over a lively one.
How the day works
The drive from Kuta or Mataram to the Sekotong coast takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours, and from Senggigi it is a little shorter or longer depending on traffic, so an early start matters. Boats are small and wooden and run between the islands in short hops.
Sea conditions are usually calmest in the morning, and the afternoon wind can add chop, so most trips head out early and return mid to late afternoon. Facilities on the islands are basic: expect simple warungs for drinks and meals and limited shade away from the trees.
Practical tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest, a hat, a towel and cash for food and drink on the islands, since card machines are rare. Wear water shoes if you have them, as there can be coral rubble in the shallows. Never stand on the reef or touch the marine life, and take your rubbish back with you.
Weekends and Indonesian holidays are busier, so a weekday is the better choice if you can choose. This trip works well as a counterpoint to a Gili Trawangan snorkeling morning, because it shows how different the quieter side of the island chain feels.
Choosing between the Gilis
If you only have time for one boat day, the northern Gilis offer the more famous turtles and statues, while the southwest islands offer calmer water, lighter crowds and a more rustic feel. Travelers staying on the south coast around Kuta or Mandalika or in the west around Sekotong will find the southwest trip easier to reach, and families with small children often prefer its shallow, sheltered water. Ask your operator which islands you will actually land on, since boats sometimes adjust the order or the stops to suit the sea conditions on the day.
What to expect
The experience
A boat day trip with a road transfer to the Sekotong coast, hops between Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis, and time to swim, snorkel and relax on the beaches.
Best time
Weekday mornings in the dry season, when the sea is calmest and the islands are least busy.
How long
A full day, usually from an early morning pickup to a mid or late afternoon return.
Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest, a hat and cash for food on the islands, and check what snorkeling gear and lunch your booking includes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travelers who want calm, beginner-friendly island hopping away from the busier northern Gilis.
- Families
- A good choice for families, with shallow water, sandy beaches and short boat hops; bring life jackets for small children if the operator does not supply them.
- Couples
- Quiet beaches, clear water and an unhurried day make this a relaxed outing for two.
- Pair with
- A Gili Trawangan snorkeling morning on another day, or a surf lesson and a sunset at Kuta.
- Time needed
- A full day, including the drive to and from the harbor.
Good questions
Where are these islands?+
They are off the Sekotong coast in southwest Lombok, a different group from the Gilis near Senggigi. Boats usually leave from a harbor on the Sekotong peninsula.
Is the snorkeling good?+
It is pleasant and easy, with shallow reefs and plenty of small fish, but less dramatic than the best sites elsewhere in Indonesia. Turtles are sometimes seen but never guaranteed.
How long is the transfer from Kuta or Senggigi?+
Expect roughly an hour and a half to two hours each way by road, so most trips start early in the morning.
Are there places to eat on the islands?+
Facilities are simple. Expect small warungs for drinks and meals, and bring cash because card payment is rare.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, the water is shallow and the boat hops are short, which suits families. Check minimum ages and life jacket availability when you book.
