Lombok Secret Gili: Island Hopping & Snorkelling Trip

The best part of this Lombok day is the feeling of having the Secret Gilis mostly to yourself. From a private harbor, you sail to Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and the tiny Gili Kedis, stopping for clear-water swimming, snorkeling, white sand, and wide views of southwest Lombok.

I like the private format, which lets you slow down or spend longer in the water, and I like the simple beach lunch served at Gili Sudak. Guide Paul, also written as Pol in one account, stays with you from hotel pickup through the boat ride. The main drawback is practical: some snorkeling gear may need checking before you leave, since one recent outing had leaking snorkels and no spare.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different island stops: Gili Nanggu is the main snorkeling stop, Gili Sudak adds lunch and beach time, and Gili Kedis is the tiny final photo stop.
• Private from road to reef: Your vehicle, boat, guide, and schedule are reserved for your group of up to two.
• Snorkeling is the star: Expect fish and coral, with turtles and clownfish possible in the water.
• A local lunch by the beach: At Gili Sudak, you eat Lombok food at a local restaurant or a table set up on the sand.
• Long but well-filled day: The 510-minute duration works out to about eight and a half hours, including driving and sailing.
• Bring a backup plan for your face mask: Equipment is included, but inspect the snorkel and ask for a replacement if it leaks.

Why these three Secret Gilis work so well together

This is not a single-island beach visit. It is a small chain of stops, each with a different job in the day.

Gili Nanggu gives you the strongest snorkeling focus. Gili Sudak is where you combine water time with lunch and a slower stretch on the sand. Gili Kedis is the miniature island finale, suited to photographs, a final swim, and a short taste of island life before you return to Lombok.

That variety matters. If you spent the entire day at one beach, the scenery could begin to blur together. Here, the private boat keeps the pace moving without turning the outing into a race. You can swim, jump into the water, snorkel, rest, and repeat.

The setting is southwest Lombok, away from the better-known Gili islands near north Lombok. You get views back toward the coast while sailing, and the small islands feel quieter than the more developed beach areas. The word secret should not make you expect total isolation, but the route is designed around less crowded places rather than a major resort island.

Starting with pickup from Lombok hotels or the cruise port

The day begins with private vehicle pickup. Listed pickup areas include Praya Barat, Praya Barat Daya, Kuta, Senggigi, and Pujut, and pickup from a cruise ship port is also offered.

This is useful because the islands are only one part of the day. You first need to reach the private harbor, then transfer to the boat. A private car keeps that first leg simple and avoids arranging separate transport to the coast.

Wait in your hotel lobby at the agreed time. The exact start time depends on availability, so check it before booking. Since the full outing lasts 510 minutes, plan for most of a day rather than a quick morning activity.

Guide Paul has received especially warm praise for staying involved throughout the day, explaining things about Lombok during the drive, and adjusting the pace to the group. That is a real advantage on a private trip. You are not simply handed to a boat crew and left to work out the rest yourself.

Gili Nanggu: the main snorkeling session

Your first island is Gili Nanggu, reached by private boat from the harbor. The scheduled stop lasts about an hour and a half, including sailing, walking, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is where you should expect to spend your best uninterrupted stretch in the water. The outing is built around clear water, coral reefs, and large numbers of fish. Turtles and clownfish have also been seen on the route, though no wildlife sighting can be promised.

The snorkeling guide helps point out the better spots. That matters if you are not confident in the water or if you want more than a quick look from shore. A local guide can also help you stay focused on the reef instead of swimming about without a plan.

You can choose how active this stop feels. Swim and snorkel if the water is your priority, or use the island for a walk and a rest between sessions. The private format means you can tell the guide what you want to do instead of following a fixed group rhythm.

Take a moment to inspect the mask and snorkel before entering the water. The equipment is included, but one recent outing found that two snorkels leaked and there was no spare available. The guide solved part of the problem by giving up his own snorkel, but it is better to test your gear at the beach and speak up at once.

Gili Sudak: lunch, local food, and a slower beach break

The second stop, Gili Sudak, lasts about two hours. It combines lunch, free time, sightseeing, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and another stretch on the boat.

This is the most balanced stop of the three. You are not expected to spend the whole time in the sea. You can swim again, walk on the white beach, or simply sit and look across toward the southwest coast of Lombok.

Lunch is included and centers on local Lombok food. It has been described as simple, tasty, well cared for, and generous enough for the outing. One particularly nice touch is the possibility of a table arranged separately on the island, giving the meal a private, almost picnic-like feel without pretending to be a formal restaurant experience.

Expect local rather than polished resort dining. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should keep expectations sensible. This is a beach lunch designed to fuel the rest of the day, not a culinary tasting menu.

I like placing lunch in the middle of the route. After the first snorkeling stop, you have a natural chance to dry off, eat, and reset. Families may find this especially helpful, since younger children can alternate between swimming and resting instead of spending hours in the water.

The island also gives you the clearest sense of the coast beyond the reef. From the beach, you can look toward Lombok and enjoy the open view before the boat carries you to the smallest stop.

Gili Kedis, or Gili Bedis: a tiny island finale

The final island is Gili Kedis, called Gili Bedis in part of the schedule. It is planned as a 90-minute visit with free time, walking, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and sailing.

This is the smallest and most photogenic stop. The island is well suited to taking pictures, stretching your legs, and enjoying the feeling of being on a very small patch of sand surrounded by water. It works as a relaxed finale rather than another long snorkeling session.

You may still swim and snorkel here, but the appeal is the setting. If you have been in the water all day, Gili Kedis gives you a chance to sit back and enjoy the island mood. If you want one last swim, you can make that choice with your guide.

The small size also means the stop can feel brief. Do not expect a long walk, a developed village, or a wide range of facilities. Its charm comes from its scale. You visit, take in the view, capture a few photographs, and let the boat ride home become part of the experience.

The private boat changes the pace

A private boat is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing at $147 per group of up to two. The price is not per person, so couples or two friends get the clearest value. It covers the vehicle, boat, guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, entrance ticket, and mineral water.

That package removes several small costs and decisions that can add friction to an island day. You do not need to arrange your own ride to the harbor, rent a boat separately, or search for lunch once you reach Gili Sudak.

The value is less obvious for a solo person, since the same group price applies to one or two people. For two people, though, the cost buys privacy, a dedicated vehicle, and control over the schedule. You are also paying for the long transport day, not just time in the water.

A private group does not mean the boat ride is luxurious. The supplied details do not promise a particular boat size or cabin facilities. Think of it as a practical private boat for island transfers and snorkeling, with the scenery doing most of the entertaining.

What the guides add to the day

The guide is present from pickup, through the drive, at the harbor, and during the island stops. Paul has been praised for explaining Lombok along the way and for adjusting the day to the group.

That flexibility is important here. One family with a five-year-old used the private format to keep the outing at its own pace. The guide also helped show the best snorkeling areas rather than leaving the group to search alone.

A separate snorkeling guide is available, and the boat crew has been described as attentive and willing to help. One group paid a small extra amount for underwater filming with turtles and clownfish. That filming option is not included in the listed price, so ask about any added cost before agreeing.

English is the stated tour language. The practical advantage is not a long lecture at each stop. It is having someone who can coordinate the transfers, explain what is happening, and help when gear or timing needs attention.

What to pack and what to check

Mineral water and snorkeling equipment are included, but I would still pack a few useful extras.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, dry clothing, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The tour includes walking and beach time as well as swimming, so footwear that can handle sand and wet surfaces may be useful.

Before leaving the harbor, test the mask seal and snorkel. Ask the crew to replace anything that leaks. The equipment problem reported on one outing appears to have been a supply issue rather than a problem with the whole trip, but you should not wait until you are offshore to find out.

Cold beer and personal expenses are not included. If you want a drink beyond the supplied water, budget for it separately. Lunch and entrance fees are covered, which keeps the main spending predictable.

Families, couples, and cruise passengers

This outing suits couples and friends who want a private day on the water without joining a large group. The up-to-two pricing is particularly sensible for two people who value their own timetable.

Families can also make good use of it. A five-year-old joined one outing, and the guide adapted the pace to the child. Still, the day includes boat transfers, several water sessions, and about eight and a half hours away from the starting point. You know your child best, so consider how comfortably they handle a long day around water.

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to timing. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship port are available, but the tour lasts 510 minutes, and the schedule also depends on driving and sailing. Leave a generous margin before your required return to the ship. The supplied information does not promise a ship-specific late-return guarantee, so confirm the timing before booking.

The route also suits anyone who prefers a quieter outing over a busy beach scene. If you want nightlife, shopping, or a developed resort island, this is not the right choice. If you want swimming, reef time, beach lunch, and small-island views, it is a strong match.

Is $147 good value for two people?

For two people, I consider the price reasonable because it includes nearly everything needed for the day. Private road transport, a private boat, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, a snorkeling guide, lunch, entrance tickets, and water are all part of the package.

The real value comes from flexibility. You can spend more time swimming at Gili Nanggu, slow down at Gili Sudak, or make the final Gili Kedis stop more photo-focused. A shared outing may cost less, but it usually gives you less control.

The main qualification is equipment quality. If snorkeling gear is central to your plans, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, especially if you are particular about fit. That small precaution protects the most important part of the day.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.9 from eight ratings, with strong praise for the guides, lunch, quiet island stops, and organization. One four-star account focused on the leaking snorkels, which is the only clear concern in the supplied feedback. That balance suggests a well-run experience with one practical weakness worth managing.

Booking flexibility and basic conditions

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the plan without paying on the day of booking.

Pickup is included, but you need to wait in your hotel lobby or the agreed cruise port meeting area. Drop-off is available in Praya Barat, Kuta, Senggigi, Praya Barat Daya, and Pujut.

Check the starting time when you select your date. The activity runs for 510 minutes, but the supplied information does not give one fixed departure hour.

Should you book the Secret Gilis trip?

Book it if you want a private snorkeling day with three island settings, local lunch, and transport handled from start to finish. It is especially appealing for two people who want their own boat schedule, or for a family that needs room to adjust the pace.

I would also book it if you care more about quiet beaches and water time than polished facilities. Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible, and inspect the supplied equipment before sailing.

Skip it if you want a short excursion, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a luxury boat with extensive onboard facilities. For everyone else, the combination of Gili Nanggu snorkeling, Gili Sudak lunch, and tiny Gili Kedis makes this a well-planned day from Lombok, with enough flexibility to feel personal rather than processed.

FAQ

How long does the island-hopping trip last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis. The final island is written as Gili Bedis in part of the schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to two people, with a private vehicle and private boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served at Gili Sudak, with local Lombok food at a local restaurant or beach setup.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a snorkeling guide, and mineral water are included.

Is an English-speaking guide available?

Yes. The tour provides a live English-speaking guide. Guide Paul, also written as Pol in one account, may accompany you from pickup through the island stops.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.