Lombok is the island east of Bali, and the three Gili Islands sit just off its northwest tip. It is quieter, less developed and cheaper than Bali, with a volcano, waterfalls, long south-coast beaches, traditional Sasak villages and some of the easiest turtle snorkeling in Indonesia.
How the boats work
There are two different journeys, and they are often confused. The first is the fast boat from Bali. Fast boats leave from Padang Bai, Serangan and Sanur on Bali and run to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, with a few also calling at Gili Meno. Padang Bai is the most common departure point, with crossings of about one to two and a half hours, while Serangan and Sanur take longer. Tickets are sold by many operators, the sea can be rough, and boarding and delays can stretch the day, so give yourself a buffer. The second journey is the short hop between Lombok and the Gilis, from Bangsal harbor. Public boats are the cheapest option: they have no fixed timetable and leave when they fill, so you may wait up to an hour, and the crossing to Trawangan takes roughly half an hour. Shared fast boats run roughly hourly through the day and cost a little more. Between the islands, small public boats run on a limited daily schedule. Schedules and prices change, and weather can cancel crossings, so confirm with the operator.
Gili Air, Meno or Trawangan
Trawangan is the largest and liveliest, with restaurants, bars and nightlife. Air is closest to Lombok and has a village feel. Meno is the smallest and quietest. None allows cars or motorbikes, so you walk, cycle or take a horse cart called a cidomo.
What to book ahead
In the dry season, book your fast boat, your Gili accommodation and any Rinjani trek in advance. A guided Gili day trip, a Pink Beach boat trip and a private surf lesson are easy to book a few days ahead. Rinjani routes close each year for the wet season and can close at short notice, so check the status before you plan a trek. The Rinjani day trek page explains how seasonal and short-notice closures work on the Senaru route.
How to get around
Lombok is larger than it looks, and distances are long. Hiring a driver for the day is the simplest way to see the island, and taxis and airport transfers are widely available. Scooters are common but risky on busy roads, so rent one only if you are experienced. On the Gilis, bicycles are the best way to get around.
How many days
Three days lets you see the Gilis and one side of Lombok. Five days allows a Gili stay, the Senggigi coast and a day at the waterfalls. A week lets you add the south coast, with Kuta, Tanjung Aan and a surf lesson, plus Sade village and the Pink Beach boat trip.
Where the highlights fit
Base on the west coast around Senggigi or Tanjung for the Gilis and the waterfalls, and on the south coast near Kuta for beaches and surf. The Gili day trip and snorkeling trips suit the coast, while the waterfalls and Rinjani trek are best from the north. The south coast and Pink Beach are far from the north, so group your days by area.
Season
The dry season, roughly from April to October, brings calmer seas and clearer water, while the wet season brings showers and rougher crossings. Conditions change from year to year and from island to island, so treat these months as a guide rather than a promise. Whatever the month, bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest, cash for small purchases and a light layer for boats.
