Lombok Secret Gili: Island Hopping & Snorkelling Trip

The best part of this Lombok day is the feeling of having your own little sea route. You ride from your hotel or cruise port to a private harbor, then sail between Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis, stopping for clear water, coral, white sand, and a locally prepared lunch. I especially like the private boat and the freedom to set the pace, rather than being pushed through a fixed group schedule.

I also like the balance of the three stops. Gili Nanggu is the main snorkeling stop, Gili Sudak gives you time for lunch and a proper beach break, and tiny Gili Kedis is ideal for photos and a final swim. The main caution is equipment quality: one report found leaking snorkels and no spare available, so bringing your own mask and snorkel is sensible if you have them.

Quick reasons to choose this island day

• Three very different islands: Snorkel at Gili Nanggu, relax over lunch on Gili Sudak, and finish at miniature Gili Kedis.
• A genuinely private setup: Your vehicle, boat, and group are private, with an English-speaking guide accompanying you.
• Good family flexibility: The guide can adjust the pace and respond to your wishes, which matters when a five-year-old is in the group.
• Lunch beside the water: A simple Lombok meal is served at a local restaurant or arranged on the beach, depending on the day’s setup.
• Southwest Lombok views: The boat ride opens views toward the coast, with less of the busy feel associated with larger island hubs.
• Bring backup snorkeling gear if possible: The supplied equipment is included, but quality may vary.

A private route through Lombok’s quieter Gilis

This is not the famous Gili Trawangan party circuit. The route heads toward three smaller islands southwest of Lombok, where the focus is water, sand, and open views rather than nightlife or a long list of attractions.

You begin with pickup at your hotel or cruise ship port. The listed pickup areas are Praya Barat, Praya Barat Daya, Kuta, Senggigi, and Pujut. From there, a private vehicle takes you to the harbor, where you change to a private boat.

That transfer matters more than it may sound. You are not carrying your day bag through a large shared group or waiting for a full boat to fill. The guide stays with you, helps organize the changeover, and sets up the day around your group.

The full outing lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours. That gives you enough time for three island stops without turning each one into a rushed photo pause. You should still expect an early start or a long day, depending on the departure time available for your date.

Gili Nanggu: start with the strongest snorkeling stop

Gili Nanggu is the first island and the main underwater introduction. The planned stop lasts about an hour and a half, with time for a walk, swimming, snorkeling, and sailing.

The water is described as crystal clear, with fish and coral reefs close enough to make this an accessible first stop. A snorkeling guide is included, which is useful if you want help finding the better patches rather than simply floating near the beach.

I would treat this stop as your best chance to settle into the water. Test the mask before swimming far, check that the snorkel seals properly, and tell the guide what you want to see. The guide can point out suitable places and help keep the outing comfortable for less confident swimmers.

The underwater scenery is the reason to book this route, but conditions can affect visibility. The provided information does not promise a particular number of fish, coral condition, or guaranteed turtle sightings. You might see turtles, fish, and clownfish, as one family did, but sea conditions and timing always matter.

The guide named Paul, also written as Pol in the supplied booking details, has been described as staying with the group for the entire day. That kind of continuity is useful here. You do not need to explain your preferences to a new person at every stop.

Gili Sudak: a useful pause, not just another swim

The second stop is Gili Sudak, with about two hours allocated. This is the longest island visit, and that extra time gives the day a better rhythm.

You can snorkel again, swim, walk along the white beach, or simply sit back and look across toward the southwest coast of Lombok. If you have children or a mixed-ability group, this flexibility is important. Not everyone needs to be in the water at the same time.

Lunch is served during this stop. The meal is a Lombok-style dish at a local restaurant, and the available feedback describes it as simple, tasty, generous, and well cared for. On one outing, a table was set up on the island, creating a private picnic-like setting. You should not assume the exact arrangement will be identical every day, but the lunch is designed to be part of the island experience rather than a hurried snack back at the harbor.

I like the way this stop breaks up the snorkeling. Eight and a half hours in salt water can become tiring, especially in strong sun. Gili Sudak gives you room to dry off, eat, and decide how much more swimming you want.

Lunch is included, as are mineral water and entrance fees. Cold beer is not included, and personal expenses are extra. If you want anything beyond the supplied meal and water, bring money for it.

Gili Kedis: the tiny final island

The final stop is listed once as Gili Kedis and once as Gili Bedis. This appears to refer to the same small island, so check the exact spelling with the operator if you need it for a port schedule or personal records.

This is the shortest island visit, at about an hour and a half. The emphasis shifts from a long snorkeling session to swimming, relaxing, walking, and taking pictures. It is the smallest and most photogenic stop in the route, making it a natural place to finish.

Small islands can be better for a final break than for a full afternoon. You get a strong sense of the setting quickly, and the compact size means you can walk around, take photos, and return to the boat without using up the whole day.

The boat then returns to the harbor, followed by private transport to your hotel or cruise ship port. Since the tour includes return transport, you avoid arranging a separate ride from the harbor at the end of a tiring beach day.

What the private format really adds

The price is $147 per group of up to two people, not per person. For a couple, that makes the value easier to understand: you are paying for private road transport, a private boat, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling guide, lunch, mineral water, and entrance fees.

For two people, the price can compare well with booking separate transport, boat hire, meals, and island access on your own. It also buys convenience. You are not piecing together a vehicle, harbor transfer, boat, and return ride while trying to keep track of three island stops.

The value is less obvious for a solo visitor because the charge is still based on a group of up to two. It may make more sense if you want the privacy and flexibility, or if you are joining with a second person.

A private group also helps families. One family with a five-year-old was able to use its own pace, and the guide adjusted to the group’s wishes. That does not turn the excursion into a dedicated children’s program, but it does make the day less rigid than a large shared boat trip.

The tour’s best quality is not luxury. It is control. You can spend longer in the water, take a slower lunch, or relax on the beach without feeling that a large party is waiting for you.

Snorkeling equipment: the one point to manage carefully

Masks, snorkels, and other snorkeling equipment are included. A guide is also available to show you the better spots.

Still, equipment quality deserves attention. One snorkel was reported to leak, and there was no spare available at the time. The guide solved part of the problem by lending personal equipment, but one person still had to use a faulty snorkel.

That is a small issue with a big effect. A leaking mask or snorkel can make clear water frustrating, particularly for a child or a first-time swimmer. If you own a comfortable mask and snorkel, pack them. At minimum, test the supplied equipment beside the boat before heading out.

You may also want to bring a dry bag, sun protection, a change of clothes, and a towel, but only the included items are confirmed here. Keep personal items secure during swimming and follow the boat crew’s instructions.

The guide and boat crew

The English-speaking guide is with you from pickup through the return drive. Paul, also referred to as Pol, has been specifically identified as a guide who explains Lombok during the road journey and stays involved once you reach the harbor.

That combination is useful. The road ride is not just dead time between your hotel and the sea. You can ask questions about Lombok, confirm the plan, and make requests before the boat leaves.

The boat crew has also been described as attentive and willing to help. An optional extra-cost filming service was arranged on one day, including footage with turtles and clownfish. This is not listed as an inclusion, so treat it as a possible extra rather than part of the standard package.

Do not expect a polished resort operation. The attraction is the straightforward island day, supported by a small crew that can respond to a private group. The quality of the day will depend partly on the sea, the boat, and the condition of the gear.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this trip if you want several small islands in one day without managing the details yourself. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private boat and a relaxed pace.

It is especially good for:

• People staying in Kuta, Senggigi, Pujut, or the listed Praya Barat areas
• Cruise passengers who need pickup and return to the port
• Couples who want a private day rather than a shared excursion
• Families who need freedom to stop snorkeling and rest
• Visitors who want coral, fish, beaches, and sea views rather than nightlife
• Anyone who wants lunch and transport included in one booking

It may be less suitable if your priority is high-end food, premium snorkeling equipment, or a very short outing. The day lasts about eight and a half hours, and the meal is local and simple rather than a resort lunch.

You should also be comfortable with swimming and boat travel. The route includes repeated swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and sailing. Non-swimmers may enjoy the boat and island scenery, but the central activity is being in and around the water.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date carefully before booking.

Pickup is included, but you should wait in your hotel lobby or the agreed cruise port meeting area. Confirm the exact pickup point, especially if your accommodation has more than one entrance.

The group is private, and the listed tour language is English. The price covers up to two people, so check the total before assuming it is a per-person rate.

Included items are:

• Private pickup and return vehicle
• Private boat
• Snorkeling equipment
• Snorkeling guide
• Lunch
• Entrance ticket
• Mineral water

Cold beer and personal expenses are not included.

Should you book the Secret Gili day?

Book it if you want a private, flexible water day with three island stops, included lunch, and transport from your hotel or cruise port. The route gives you more than a single beach stop, while the private setup lets you slow down when your group needs a break.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to a couple or family that can bring its own snorkeling gear. That removes the main practical concern and lets you focus on the excellent parts: clear water, fish and coral, quiet beaches, a local meal, and the chance to explore Lombok’s smaller Gilis at your own pace.

If you prefer luxury service or guaranteed top-grade equipment, ask about the boat and gear before paying. For everyone else, $147 for up to two people is a fair package for a full day that combines road transport, boat travel, three islands, guiding, lunch, and return service.

FAQ

How long does the Lombok Secret Gili tour last?

The tour lasts 510 minutes, which is about eight and a half hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis. Gili Kedis is also written as Gili Bedis in the tour details.

Is hotel or cruise port pickup included?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are included from listed areas including Praya Barat, Praya Barat Daya, Kuta, Senggigi, and Pujut. Cruise ship port pickup is also available.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour includes a private vehicle, private boat, and private group arrangement for up to two people at the listed price.

What is included in the price?

The package includes transport, a private boat, snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling guide, lunch, an entrance ticket, and mineral water.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying on the day of reservation.