Gili Nanggu,Gili Kedis & Gili Sudak Hopping island & Snorkeling Tour

The best part of this Lombok day trip is its simple rhythm: a scenic drive to Sekotong, a wooden outrigger boat, clear water, coral gardens, and three small islands with different personalities. Gili Nanggu offers the main swimming and snorkeling stop, while tiny Gili Kedis gives you a quiet place for photos and a short rest.

I like the private boat, since you can enjoy the islands at your own pace instead of keeping up with a large mixed group. I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, lunch, drinking water, snorkeling equipment, and a guide are covered. The main consideration is the long road transfer, plus the fact that lunch is described at different islands in the tour details, so confirm the exact lunch stop before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Gili Nanggu is the main snorkeling stop, with clear water, white sand, coral, and colorful fish.
• The 1.5-hour drive to Sekotong matters, especially if you are staying outside Senggigi or Mataram.
• A private wooden boat carries up to 10 people, but only your own group takes part in the tour.
• Gili Kedis is extremely small, about 200 square meters, and is best for photos, quiet time, and a short swim.
• Lunch, water, equipment, and a guide are included, helping keep the day simple.
• Pickup from Kuta, Mandalika, Lembar, Sembalun, or Tanjung Bloam costs extra, with a stated surcharge of about $8 to $15 per car from several areas.

Why this three-island route works well

Lombok has several island-hopping options, but this route keeps the plan manageable. You are not trying to squeeze in a long list of beaches. Instead, you get three compact stops south-west of Lombok, each reached by the same private boat.

That makes this a good choice if you want a full day on the water without arranging a car, port transfer, boat hire, snorkeling gear, lunch, and return transport yourself. I find that convenience especially useful in Lombok, where distances between resort areas and boat ports can make a short island visit take more planning than expected.

The tour begins around 8:00 am with pickup from a hotel around Senggigi, Mataram, or nearby areas. The included car transfer to Sekotong takes about 1.5 hours. That road time is not a minor detail. With roughly eight hours for the full experience, part of your day is spent getting to and from the coast.

Still, the early start gives you a useful full-day schedule. You can reach the port, board the boat, visit all three islands, and return to your hotel without arranging a second night near Sekotong.

The drive to Sekotong and the boat departure

The driver collects you in the morning and takes you west to Sekotong, the departure port for this route. The vehicle is described as clean and air-conditioned, a welcome feature after an early start and useful in Lombok’s warm climate.

At the port, you board a wooden motorized outrigger boat with capacity for up to 10 people. The tour is private, so the boat arrangement is intended for your own group rather than a shared sightseeing crowd. That gives you more control over the pace, photo stops, and time in the water.

Before boarding, prepare the items you will want close at hand. You are asked to bring swimwear, sunblock, sandals, a towel, a change of clothes, and sunglasses. Put on a life jacket before the boat leaves, and keep sun protection available because the boat and islands offer limited shade.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied on board, along with a snorkeling guide. You do not need to rent a mask, snorkel, or fins separately, though you should still bring your own gear if you prefer a particular fit.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You leave the mainland behind and approach small islands surrounded by clear water. The trip is not presented as a luxury yacht outing, so keep your expectations grounded: this is a straightforward wooden island boat chosen for access and flexibility, not polished onboard service.

Gili Nanggu: the strongest snorkeling stop

Gili Nanggu is the first island and likely the main reason to choose this trip. The approach brings clear water and white sand into view, with colorful fish visible around the snorkeling areas.

You have about an hour here. That is enough time to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the shoreline, but it is not a long, unhurried beach day. If snorkeling is your priority, use this first stop well. Get your mask adjusted, listen to the guide, and spend your water time looking around rather than rushing from one photo spot to another.

The coral gardens are the most highly praised part of the experience. One visitor described the coral here as some of the best they had seen, which gives Gili Nanggu more weight than a simple beach stop. Conditions can change with weather and sea conditions, but the tour is built around seeing coral and fish in clear water.

Gili Nanggu has only one resort, according to the supplied details. That helps explain its quiet feel compared with a more built-up island destination. You should not expect a town, a long strip of restaurants, or a full range of facilities. The limited development is part of the attraction, but it also means you should bring the personal items you need for the day.

The private format is particularly useful here. You can focus on snorkeling at your own pace, spend less time waiting for strangers, and move on when your group is ready. The tradeoff is that the stop is still limited to about an hour, so you will need to share the time between swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.

Gili Sudak: lunch, sand, and another swim

After Gili Nanggu, the boat continues to Gili Sudak. This is described as the lunch stop, with time afterward for snorkeling and playing on the sand.

Lunch is included, which keeps the day easy and removes the need to carry a full meal from Lombok. Bottled mineral water is also included. Drinks beyond the supplied water are not covered, so bring extra money if you want anything else.

The tour gives this island about an hour. That means lunch and water activities share the same window. I would keep the meal reasonably quick if you want a proper swim, especially if the boat arrives later than planned.

There is one detail worth confirming when you book. The supplied tour details place lunch on Gili Sudak, but a description of the day also refers to lunch on Gili Kedis. Since the route includes both islands, this may simply be a wording mistake, but it is sensible to ask the operator which island will serve lunch and what meal is provided.

Gili Sudak is useful as a change of pace from Gili Nanggu. Instead of making the entire day about snorkeling, you get time for lunch, sand, and another chance to enter the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, the island stop also gives you a more relaxed part of the day, though the tour still centers on water activities.

Gili Kedis: a tiny island made for photos

The final island is Gili Kedis, described as only about 200 square meters. That is remarkably small. You can think of it less as a place for a long walk and more as a compact sandbar-style stop for photos, a short rest, and a little snorkeling.

There are no residents on Gili Kedis, only people visiting for the day. That gives your group a chance to enjoy a quieter setting, depending on how many other boats arrive. The tiny size is also the point: you are not coming here for facilities or a full afternoon of activities.

Allow about an hour. Take pictures, sit on the sand, and use the water if conditions suit you. The private tour format works well at a small island like this because you are not tied to a large group schedule. You can enjoy the stop without needing to organize a complicated transfer between islands.

The limitation is obvious too. A 200-square-meter island cannot offer much room, shade, or variety. If you prefer long beach walks or a developed island with cafés and changing facilities, Gili Kedis may feel more like a short photo stop than a major destination.

What the private format really adds

The tour is private, but the boat itself has capacity for up to 10 people. In practice, that means your own booking group participates together. This is a useful distinction: private does not mean a large personal yacht or a completely empty sea. It means you are not placed with unrelated people who may have different priorities.

I like this arrangement for families, couples, and small groups of friends. You can spend more time snorkeling if the water is good, take photos without holding up a bus-sized group, and leave an island when your group is ready.

It also gives you more personal attention from the snorkeling guide. Equipment is included, and the guide can help with the basic organization of the water stops. The information does not identify the guide by name, so do not book this expecting a specific named guide.

The private format will not solve every problem. The day still follows a route, includes fixed boat transfers, and allows about an hour at each island. If you want to stay at one beach all day, a direct beach trip may suit you better.

Price, inclusions, and the real value

At $79.49 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach a nearby beach. The value comes from what is bundled into the price: hotel, port, or airport pickup and drop-off around Senggigi and Mataram, a private boat, lunch, mineral water, snorkeling gear, and a snorkeling guide.

If you arranged each part yourself, you would need to coordinate the long drive to Sekotong, find a boat, sort out equipment, plan lunch, and arrange the return trip. The tour removes those moving parts. For a visitor who wants one easy day on the water, that convenience can justify the price.

The minimum booking is two people, so solo visitors cannot book this as a one-person experience under the stated terms. For two people, the private setup may feel more worthwhile than a basic shared boat, particularly if you value control over the schedule.

Pickup has clear limits. Included transport applies around Senggigi, Mataram, and nearby areas. Pickup from Kuta, Mandalika, Lembar, Sembalun, or Tanjung Bloam is not included, and an additional charge of about $8 to $15 per car may apply depending on the hotel area.

Also budget for personal expenses and extra drinks. Gratuities are not included but are recommended. Since the tour lasts about eight hours and includes a sizable road transfer, check your pickup point carefully before comparing the price with other island trips.

What to pack for a smoother day

The basic packing list is short, but each item matters.

• Swimwear and a change of clothes help you handle the return drive after several water stops.
• Sunblock is essential. Apply it before leaving the hotel and keep it available on the boat.
• A towel, sandals, and sunglasses make the beach stops more comfortable.
• Bring extra money for drinks, personal purchases, and a tip.
• Keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied details do not describe storage arrangements on the boat or islands.
• Put on the provided life jacket before departure, as requested by the tour instructions.

You should also expect limited facilities on the smaller islands. Gili Nanggu has one resort, while Gili Kedis has no residents. Do not assume you will find a shop, changing room, or broad choice of food at every stop.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this tour to someone staying around Senggigi or Mataram who wants a ready-made snorkeling day without spending time negotiating separate transfers. It also suits couples and small groups who prefer a private schedule and families who want their own boat arrangement.

It is a good match if your priorities are clear water, coral, colorful fish, white sand, and short visits to several small islands. The supplied equipment means you can arrive without arranging snorkeling rental in advance.

You may want a different plan if you dislike long road transfers, need more than an hour at each stop, or want a highly developed beach destination. The 1.5-hour drive each way takes real time, and the island stops are compact rather than expansive.

Weather is another practical factor. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Sea conditions also affect how pleasant snorkeling will be, so keep your schedule flexible if possible.

Should you book the Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized private day from Lombok’s Senggigi or Mataram area, with snorkeling, lunch, a guide, equipment, and transport handled in one package. The strongest reasons are Gili Nanggu’s coral and fish, the freedom of a private boat, and the unusual stop at tiny Gili Kedis.

Before paying, confirm the pickup location, the extra transport charge if you are outside the included areas, and which island will serve lunch. If you accept the long transfer and short one-hour stops, this is a practical way to see three small islands without arranging the day yourself.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except that poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to another date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is offered from hotels, the port, or the airport around Senggigi, Mataram, and nearby areas. The boat departs from Sekotong in western Lombok.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How long is the drive to Sekotong?

The included drive from the Senggigi or Mataram area to Sekotong takes about 1.5 hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your own group. The wooden boat has a capacity of 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling guide are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and mineral water are included. The tour details identify Gili Sudak as the lunch stop, though another description refers to Gili Kedis, so confirm the location before departure.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunblock, sandals, a towel, a change of clothes, and sunglasses.

Can solo visitors book the tour?

The minimum booking is two people.

Is pickup from Kuta or Mandalika included?

No. Pickup from Kuta, Mandalika, Lembar, Sembalun, and Tanjung Bloam is not included. An extra charge of about $8 to $15 per car may apply depending on the hotel area.