How to get from Bali to Lombok, the Gili islands and Nusa Penida: ferries, boats, prices and schedules

Bali is an excellent starting point for getting to know the neighboring islands. See Lombok with its Rinjani volcano and untouched beaches, the Gili islands with turtles and clear water, and Nusa Penida with cliffs and manta rays. All this is just a few hours from Bali. Find out how to get to the islands.

Depositphotos

Islands around Bali, why Lombok, the Gilis and Nusa Penida are so attractive

Bali attracts millions of tourists every year. But that is exactly why many people, after spending several holidays on the main tourist island of Indonesia, decide to travel to the nearest islands, which are no less attractive.

Lombok is Bali as it was several decades ago. Quieter, cleaner, without tourist overload. The beaches of southern Lombok are among the most beautiful in the region and at the same time remain almost deserted. Mount Rinjani, 3726 meters high, the second highest volcano in Indonesia, attracts trekking lovers. The ascent takes two or three days and offers views that make people come back here again. The local culture of the Sasak people, woven villages, traditional fabrics and their own cuisine, is completely different from Balinese culture.

The Gili islands are three small coral islands to the northwest of Lombok, and they are much closer in spirit to Caribbean postcards than to Indonesia. There are no cars or motorbikes, only bicycles and horse carts.

Nusa Penida is just 30 to 40 minutes from Sanur by speedboat. Kelingking cliff in the shape of a dinosaur with a turquoise bay below, Diamond Beach with overhanging cliffs, and Manta Point with giant manta rays, these are the photos from social media that many people fly to Bali for. At the same time, Nusa Penida remains less developed than Bali. It is easy to get there, and you can come back the same day, ideal for a day trip from Bali.

Depositphotos

How to get from Bali to Nusa Penida: boats, schedules, prices and travel time

This is the easiest route of the three. Nusa Penida lies 20 to 25 kilometers from the east coast of Bali, and the crossing takes less than an hour.

• Sanur is the main departure port. It has the most developed infrastructure, a modern pier with proper facilities and the largest number of operators. From Sanur to Nusa Penida, Toyapakeh or Sandy Bay ports, dozens of boats leave every day.
• Padang Bai in the east of Bali means a little more time on the way, but it is convenient if you are based in Amed, Ubud or the eastern part of the island and do not want to go all the way across Bali to Sanur.

Travel time: 35 to 60 minutes from Sanur, about one hour from Padang Bai.

Schedules: boats leave roughly from 7:00 to 17:00, with the peak departures from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning. Return trips are from 14:00 to 17:00. The last boats back leave at about 17:30.

Prices: from 8 to 12 euros one way on public boats, 15 to 25 euros on fast boats with air conditioning and a guaranteed seat. The difference in comfort is noticeable, budget boats are open, without air conditioning and sometimes overcrowded.

Depositphotos

Should you take a tour to Nusa Penida

If you are going to Nusa Penida for the first time, it is more convenient to take an organized day tour with a driver on the island. The roads here are mountainous, winding and rather unpredictable, and renting a scooter on unfamiliar slopes requires confidence. An organized tour usually includes the boat, a driver for the whole day and visits to three or four main places. It is cheaper and more logical than figuring everything out on your own.

If you are coming for several days, it is better to rent a scooter and explore the island yourself. The west, Kelingking, Diamond Beach and Angel's Billabong, and the east, Atuh and Tembeling, are two separate routes, and each is worth a day.

Main operators: Maruti Express, Rocky Fast Cruise, Angel Billabong Fast Boat, Semaya One. Many hotels in Sanur can help with booking right at the reception desk.

Practical tip: if you go for one day, take the morning boat at 8:00 to 9:00 and return on the 15:00 to 16:00 service. That is enough time for two or three main places.

Depositphotos

How to get from Bali to the Gili islands: all ways, prices and crossing time

The Gili islands formally belong to Lombok, but many tourists go there directly from Bali, skipping the island itself. The route is a bit longer than the one to Nusa Penida, but still quite comfortable.

• Padang Bai is the most convenient port for the route to the Gilis. From here the distance across the Lombok Strait is the shortest. Travel time to Bangsal is about 2 to 3 hours. This is the best choice for those based in Ubud, Amed or eastern Bali.
• Serangan is a good option for guests of southern Bali, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta and the airport. Travel time to Bangsal is about 3 hours. Boarding here is calmer and less hectic than in Padang Bai.
• Sanur is an option from central and southern Bali. Travel time is about 3.5 to 4 hours. Some operators, for example Scoot Cruises, stop at Nusa Lembongan on the way, which turns the transfer into a small adventure with views.

Travel time: from 1.5 hours on the Padang Bai to Bangsal route, to 4 hours on the Sanur to Bangsal route.

Schedules: most boats leave from 8:00 to 11:00. There are far fewer daytime services, and almost no evening ones. It is better to leave in the morning, the schedule is more reliable and the sea is calmer in the morning.

Prices: from 18 to 25 euros one way, depending on the operator, departure port and class of boat.

Depositphotos

Which Gili island to choose: Trawangan, Air or Meno

This is an important question, because the wrong island choice can cost you an extra two hours. All three islands are close to each other, and local boats run between them, but it is better to arrive directly where you plan to stay.

• Gili Trawangan is the biggest and most developed. Diving for every taste, restaurants, bars and beach parties. People go there for active holidays.
• Gili Air is quieter than Trawangan, but with good infrastructure. Yoga, snorkeling, cozy cafes. A great choice for couples and for those looking for balance between activity and calm.
• Gili Meno is the smallest and the quietest. A few hotels, very few people, turtles in the water right off the shore. Ideal for a honeymoon or a complete switch-off.

Small local boats run between the three islands, 5 to 10 minutes and a few euros. Island hopping around all three in one day is quite possible, but not always convenient and depends on the schedule.

Main operators: Blue Water Express, Eka Jaya Fast Ferry, D'Camel Fast Ferry, Gili Gili Fast Boat, Gili Getaway, Scoot Cruises.

Depositphotos

How to get from Bali to Lombok: speedboat, plane or ferry

Lombok is the longest route of the three, but it also offers more ways to get there. There are three main options: speedboat, plane or public ferry.

Speedboat Bali to Lombok

Routes and travel time:

• Padang Bai to Bangsal: 1.5 to 2 hours. This is the most popular route.
• Padang Bai to Senggigi: 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Serangan to Bangsal: 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Sanur to Bangsal: 3.5 to 4 hours, and part of the boats stop at Nusa Lembongan.

Schedules: the main departures are from 8:00 to 11:00. There are few daytime sailings and no evening ones. Plan a morning start.

Prices: from 18 to 25 euros one way. In the high season, July to August, it is worth booking a few days in advance.

Depositphotos

Main speedboat operators from Bali

• Scoot Cruises, a route from Sanur with a stop on Nusa Lembongan on the way to Lombok or the Gilis. Ideal for those who want to see several islands in one trip and are not in a hurry. The longest route, but also the most interesting.
• Blue Water Express, one of the most reliable and comfortable operators on the Bali to Lombok and Bali to Gili routes. Modern boats with air conditioning, several daily departures from Serangan and Padang Bai.
• Eka Jaya Fast Ferry, spacious aluminum vessels with several daily sailings. One of the most experienced operators on the route. It departs from Padang Bai and Serangan.
• D'Camel Fast Ferry, a slightly more budget-friendly alternative with a modern fleet.
• Gili Gili Fast Boat, free water and snacks on board. It departs from Padang Bai directly to Bangsal.
• Gili Getaway, small fast boats from Serangan. No air conditioning, but fast.
• Semaya One, it operates on the route to Nusa Penida and the Gilis. Several daily departures, modern vessels, and hotel transfer is available as an option.

Depositphotos

Ports for boats in Lombok

The wrong port choice can add several hours of transfer time. So it is worth understanding this in advance.

• Bangsal is the main port for most speedboats. It is located in the northwest of the island. It is convenient for those heading to the Gili islands, 5 to 10 minutes by local boat, to the north of Lombok or to Mount Rinjani. If your goal is trekking on Rinjani, Bangsal is the right choice.
• Senggigi is a resort town on the west coast with hotels, restaurants and beaches. If you plan to stay in Senggigi or go south to Kuta Mandalika, choose this arrival port. Services there mostly come from Padang Bai.
• Kuta Mandalika, south Lombok. If your goal is the southern beaches, it is more convenient to fly into Lombok airport, LOP, which is in the center of the island, and from there Kuta Mandalika is 25 to 30 minutes by car.

Depositphotos

By plane, Denpasar to Lombok

Direct flights from Denpasar (DPS) to Lombok International Airport (LOP) take 30 to 40 minutes. It may seem the fastest option, but if you include the road to the airport, check-in and baggage collection, the total time is similar to a speedboat from Padang Bai. A plane does not depend on weather and waves, so it is a good option in bad conditions.

Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, Citilink, Super Air Jet.

Prices: usually more expensive than the boat, especially when booked at the last moment. With early booking, you can sometimes find similar prices.

Depositphotos

By ferry from Padang Bai to Lombok

The ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar port runs around the clock every 1 to 2 hours. Travel time is about 4 to 6 hours, conditions on board are basic, and it is often crowded. This is the cheapest way to get to Lombok, but it requires an additional land transfer from Lembar to the part of the island you need, another hour or hour and a half. It is a good backup option in bad weather, when speedboats cancel sailings.

Depositphotos

Practical tips: what to pay attention to

1. Book in advance. In the high season, July, August and December to January, places on comfortable boats sell out several days in advance. In September it is easier, but it is still better to book 1 to 2 days ahead, especially if you have fixed plans for the departure date.
2. Arrive one hour before departure. Padang Bai and Serangan ports can be busy in the morning, with check-in, luggage drop and boarding. Late arrivals are not waited for, and the next service may be several hours later.
3. Take sea conditions into account. The Lombok Strait is one of the deepest in the region, and the waves here can be noticeable even in the dry season. In strong wind there may be rough motion. It is better to buy motion sickness tablets in advance, rather than looking for them in the port at the last moment.
4. Port fees. In some ports, a small terminal fee is charged separately from the ticket price, usually 10,000 to 20,000 rupiah. Keep cash in Indonesian rupiah with you.
5. Transfer from the hotel. Most operators offer to pick you up directly from your hotel in Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu or Sanur, and this service is often included in the price or costs very little. It is much more convenient than getting to the port by yourself with suitcases in rush hour.
6. Scammers in ports. Upon arrival at any port, ignore everyone offering transport services and "special prices". Look for the driver from your operator with your name on a sign, or arrange the meeting in advance.

Just a few hours by boat from Bali open up a completely different side of Indonesia. Visit the beautiful nearby islands.

Depositphotos