With so many options, booking your Gili Trawangan snorkeling tour can be a little overwhelming. So here’s our guide to help with snorkeling Gili Trawangan.
HOW TO GET FROM LOMBOK TO GILI TRAWANGAN
The easiest way to get from Lombok to Gili Trawangan is via Bangsal ferry port.
Simply head to Bangsal ferry port and ask for directions to whichever boat you want to take below.
Public boat – 15,000IDR – Takes roughly 30 minutes and leaves every time there are 40 people ready. Which usually isn’t long as there as lots of locals!
Fast boat – 85,000 IDR – Takes roughly 15 minutes and leaves every hour, on the hour.
All ferries from Bangsal run daily starting at 9am and finishing at 6pm.
Gili Trawangan Snorkeling Tour Costs
Booking is available at nearly every shop along the main strip of Gili T and of course all prices are negotiable.
We booked our Gili Trawangan snorkeling tour with the guys from the turtle sanctuary, although we wouldn’t recommend them as the drivers were cocky and not very helpful throughout the trip.
Public Boat – 100,000 IDR per person
Private Boat – 250,000 IDR per person
Up to 25 people can fit on the boats and usually they will pack out the public boats to the maximum. We opted for a private boat for the 4 of us, paying 250,000 IDR each.
Lola and Lauren jumping off our snorkeling boat
What To Expect When Snorkeling Gili Trawangan
Gili Meno Underwater Statues
Definitely one of the most popular spots on the Gili Trawangan snorkeling tour and possibly the creepiest.
Located just off the shore of Gili Meno, these 48 life size human sculptures are formed in a circle and are a big photo spot for visitors. The artwork named Nest, was commissioned by BASK and produced by the world-renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.
The famous underwater statues at Gili Meno
Gili Meno Island
Slightly underwhelming although still worthy of a visit.
With it’s most popular attraction being the Gili Meno Lake, we spent an hour walking around the island of Gili Meno. We found a bird sanctuary, an over populated turtle sanctuary and a lot of run down restaurants.
Hopefully your visit will be better than ours!
Charlie strolling around the Gili Meno Lake
Snorkeling With Turtles
A moment we’d been waiting for and thankfully this DIDN’T disappoint!
We jumped off the boat with our snorkels and fins in the middle of the ocean and one of our drivers guided us to the wild turtles. There were other crowds of tourists nearby but we were lucky enough to find a couple of big boys and follow them at distance.
Snorkeling with turtles was definitely the highlight of snorkeling Gili Trawangan!
Snorkeling Gili Trawangan with the turtles
Shipwreck
The shipwreck was the final stop of our Gili Trawangan snorkeling tour and although it was impressive, it’s better seen whilst diving.
We could just about make out the old Japanese WW2 shipwreck from the surface, but to get amongst it you’ll need a tank to reach the full 45m depth.
Playing around whilst snorkeling Gili Trawangan
WHERE TO STAY ON GILI TRAWANGAN
Luxury – Kelapa Villas – A range of luxury private villas, each with it’s own swimming pool, Kelapa Villas is definitely the top place to stay on the island!
Mid-Budget – White Coconut Cottage – An affordable night of luxury on a paradise island. White coconut cottage is situated just peacefully outside of the main strip.
Budget – Flipside Bungalows – A Cheap and cheerful accommodation with everything you need. Ideal for backpackers!
For other places to stay in Gili T you can check the latest prices here.
MORE LOMBOK
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Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls
Things To Do In Lombok + Our Lombok Itinerary
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