Port information & tips for Gili Islands
The Gili Islands represent a tropical paradise off the coast of Lombok and offer an incomparable idyll in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. These charming, car-free islands impress with their relaxed atmosphere, powdered-sugar white sand beaches, and a crystal-clear sea that invites you to dream. Travelers can explore the fascinating marine world at the famous Turtle Point, admire the artistic underwater statues Nest, or climb Gili Trawangan Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view. As cruise ships anchor in the protected waters, guests can comfortably reach the main island by tender boat at the Gili Trawangan Jetty. This central landing point is located directly in the pulsing heart of the island, making the charming waterfront promenade, cozy cafes, and first-class diving spots immediately accessible thanks to the short distances.
The Gili Islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air – are car-free paradises in Indonesia, which you can reach primarily via a combination of flight and speedboat. Since the islands themselves do not have an airport, arrival for guests from the DACH region usually occurs via the neighboring islands of Bali or Lombok, followed by a relaxed boat trip to your island destination.
Airplane & Onward Travel
The closest airport to the Gili Islands is Lombok International Airport (LOP), approximately 51.5 km away. From there, you will need an approximately 1.5- to 2-hour car ride to the ports of Bangsal or Teluk Nare, followed by a short 10- to 15-minute speedboat ride to the Gili Islands. Alternatively, Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) on Bali is a popular arrival point. Flights from Bali to Lombok take only about 25-30 minutes. From Bali, speedboats run directly to the Gili Islands, which is particularly recommended if you are staying on Bali.
Speedboats & Ferry Connections
For the crossing to the Gili Islands, various ports are available to you from Bali: Padang Bai (travel time 1.5-2.5 hours), Serangan (2-2.5 hours), and Sanur (2.5-3.5 hours). From Lombok, Bangsal and Teluk Nare are the main departure points. Private speedboats from Teluk Nare offer a fast and comfortable 10- to 15-minute crossing. From Bangsal, there are both public boats (slower and dependent on schedules) and speedboats. The Gili Islands do not have large cruise terminals, but rather landing piers for speedboats, such as the Gili Trawangan Port, which serves as the main gateway.
Pre-Cruise Hotel & Embarkation
Due to the long journey from the DACH region and the necessity of transfers between the airport and the boat landing, an overnight stay in Bali or Lombok on the day before embarkation is highly recommended. This allows for a relaxed start to your vacation and ensures that you reach the early boat connections on time. The Gili Islands themselves are car-free; getting around there is easily done on foot, by bicycle, or with a traditional horse-drawn carriage, the Cidomo. Many hotels on the islands also offer a wide range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxurious villas.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The Gili Islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air – are car-free paradises in Indonesia, which you can reach primarily via a combination of flight and speedboat. Since the islands themselves do not have an airport, arrival for guests from the DACH region usually occurs via the neighboring islands of Bali or Lombok, followed by a relaxed boat trip to your island destination.
Airplane & Onward Travel
The closest airport to the Gili Islands is Lombok International Airport (LOP), approximately 51.5 km away. From there, you will need an approximately 1.5- to 2-hour car ride to the ports of Bangsal or Teluk Nare, followed by a short 10- to 15-minute speedboat ride to the Gili Islands. Alternatively, Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) on Bali is a popular arrival point. Flights from Bali to Lombok take only about 25-30 minutes. From Bali, speedboats run directly to the Gili Islands, which is particularly recommended if you are staying on Bali.
Speedboats & Ferry Connections
For the crossing to the Gili Islands, various ports are available to you from Bali: Padang Bai (travel time 1.5-2.5 hours), Serangan (2-2.5 hours), and Sanur (2.5-3.5 hours). From Lombok, Bangsal and Teluk Nare are the main departure points. Private speedboats from Teluk Nare offer a fast and comfortable 10- to 15-minute crossing. From Bangsal, there are both public boats (slower and dependent on schedules) and speedboats. The Gili Islands do not have large cruise terminals, but rather landing piers for speedboats, such as the Gili Trawangan Port, which serves as the main gateway.
Pre-Cruise Hotel & Embarkation
Due to the long journey from the DACH region and the necessity of transfers between the airport and the boat landing, an overnight stay in Bali or Lombok on the day before embarkation is highly recommended. This allows for a relaxed start to your vacation and ensures that you reach the early boat connections on time. The Gili Islands themselves are car-free; getting around there is easily done on foot, by bicycle, or with a traditional horse-drawn carriage, the Cidomo. Many hotels on the islands also offer a wide range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxurious villas.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Arrival on the Gili Islands is usually by tender boat directly at the central landing stages, which are located immediately in the lively center of the respective island. Since the islands are completely car-free, visitors enjoy a wonderfully quiet atmosphere and easy movement directly from the pier.
On Foot
The respective island center with its charming cafes and shops is located directly at the landing stage and can be easily reached within a few minutes. The paths are flat and also invite you to take relaxed walks along the coastal paths, where you can completely circumnavigate an island like Gili Trawangan in about two hours.
Cidomo (Horse-drawn Carriages)
These traditional carriages are the official taxis of the Gili Islands and wait clearly visible for passengers right near the landing stages. They offer a comfortable way to transport luggage and at the same time allow for a cozy island tour in the shade of the carriage roofs.
Bicycles and Water Taxis
Numerous rental stations are located directly in the port area and offer bicycles for a flexible exploration of the sandy island paths. For excursions to the neighboring islands of Gili Meno or Gili Air, regularly scheduled water taxis and public boats are also available, guaranteeing a quick connection across the turquoise sea.
To experience the paradisiacal diversity of the Gili Islands to the fullest, we recommend exploring the immediate surroundings of the jetty combined with a short boat trip to the spectacular underwater hotspots of the neighboring atolls.
Gili Trawangan Center & Beach Promenade
Directly at the arrival point of the tender boats, the vibrant heart of the archipelago awaits you with its charming cafes and sandy paths, which are ideal for a leisurely exploration by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage along the turquoise coast.
The Underwater Sculptures of Gili Meno
Just a short excursion boat ride away, the famous Nest installation offers a magical snorkeling experience where life-sized statues arranged in a circle undergo a fascinating symbiosis with nature below the sea surface thanks to the settlement of corals.
Gili Air
This island impresses with its wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and the perfect mix of authentic local life and fine sandy beaches; furthermore, the crystal-clear water invites you to unforgettable nature observations directly off the coast thanks to a high density of sea turtles.
Turtle Point on Gili Trawangan
The dreamlike Turtle Point on the northeast coast of Gili Trawangan is easily accessible from the central tender pier in about ten minutes on foot or even faster with a traditional horse-drawn carriage and impresses with its crystal-clear, turquoise water. This stretch of coastline is perfectly suited for cruise guests, as it offers first-class opportunities to swim with sea turtles directly from the beach and also boasts an excellent infrastructure with upscale beach clubs such as the Pearl Beach Lounge. Thanks to the first-class combination of a fine sandy beach and high-quality gastronomy, you can enjoy excellent comfort here, including comfortable loungers and fresh local cuisine. It is best to visit Turtle Point directly after arrival in the morning to experience the gentle marine creatures with the best visibility, and plan your relaxed return to the pier about ninety minutes before the last tender boat.
The return journey to the central main pier on the Gili Islands is safe and relaxed thanks to the car-free zone and manageable distances.
Cidomos (Horse-drawn carriages)
Traditional horse-drawn carriages act as local taxis and are available at central meeting points as well as in front of larger hotel complexes such as Hotel Vila Ombak. Thanks to the flat paths, the journey to the port is quick and takes you comfortably directly to the pier, where the tender boats are waiting for pickup.
Bicycles
Rental bikes are available everywhere on the islands and can be easily returned at stations near the port or to the respective rental providers. As the ring road leads directly to the main pier, you can reach the landing stage easily and enjoy the view of the turquoise water until the very last minute.
On Foot
From the marketplace or the beachfront restaurants on Gili Trawangan, you can reach the port area in just a few minutes on foot via the busy main street. Thanks to the central location of the pier, the way is easy to find and leads you without detours directly to the meeting point for the return journey to the ship.
