Last Updated on October 31, 2025
Planning a snorkeling trip around the Gili Islands? There’s honestly no better place to experience the vibrant underwater world that makes this corner of Indonesia so special.
Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are the best islands to swim with turtles near Bali, offering incredible marine life, colorful coral reefs, and plenty of tropical fish.
A Gili Islands snorkeling trip is how I started 2025. In this post, I’m sharing the best snorkeling spots I explored during my time there (where you can easily go on your own) — plus the top-rated tours (including the one I joined) for an unforgettable island-hopping experience around the Gilis.
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Planning Your Gili Islands Snorkeling Trip
1. How To Get To The Gili Islands
You can easily reach the Gili Islands from both Bali and Lombok.
The journey from Bali to any of the Gili Islands takes around two hours, depending on the ferry you choose. Boats usually depart from Padang Bai Harbor in East Bali.
If you’re planning to book your tickets, you can check out Baliferries.com.
Just a tip — try to take a morning ferry if possible. The sea tends to get rougher in the afternoon, and since the crossing is quite long, a calmer journey makes the experience much nicer.
From Lombok, the ferry ride is much shorter — around 30 minutes from the harbor. For ferry tickets to the Gili Islands from Lombok, you can check out this website. Here, boats depart from the Teluk Nare Harbor, one of the most popular serving the Gili Islands.
2. Where To Stay: Gili Trawangan Vs. Gili Meno Vs. Gili Air
When choosing where to stay around the Gili Islands, it’s good to know that all three islands are very close to each other — you can easily hop on a fast boat and go island-hopping in just a few minutes. Each island has its own distinct vibe:
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three and often considered the party island. After staying there, I’d say that reputation depends a lot on the time of year — but it’s definitely the most popular choice among younger travelers.
If Gili Trawangan is the island for you, make sure to check out my complete guide to Gili T — from the best places to eat and stay to the experiences that made my time on the island truly unforgettable.
Gili Air is the smallest and offers a more laid-back version of Gili T, without the party scene. It’s full of charming boutique stays and white, sandy beaches, perfect if you’re after a relaxed island feel.
Gili Meno is the quietest and least developed of the three — ideal for travelers who truly want to escape the crowds. Accommodation and facilities are limited, but that’s precisely what makes it so peaceful.
When it comes to snorkeling, each island has something special to offer:
- Gili Trawangan is the best place to spot sea turtles — it’s almost guaranteed you’ll bump into a few every time you take a dip.
- Gili Air is famous for its beautiful coral gardens, easily accessible just a few meters from the shore.
- Gili Meno is home to the beautiful Nest underwater statues, one of the most photographed snorkeling sites in the Gilis.
3. Guided Tour VS DIY Snorkeling Trip
Casual snorkeling around the Gili Islands is very common — and generally very safe.
Compared to other islands, the seabed here isn’t very deep, and the currents are usually calm, making it ideal even for beginners.
However, if you don’t have much time on the islands, joining a guided snorkeling tour is a great way to experience all the best snorkeling spots around the three Gilis in just one trip.
Guided Snorkeling Tour
I’m usually not a fan of guided tours, as I love having the freedom to explore at my own pace. However, if you don’t have all the time in the world (as it was in my case), joining a snorkeling tour around the Gili Islands is the best way to make the most of your time.
The great thing about booking a tour is that it usually includes a complete snorkeling itinerary — not only the best underwater spots, but also a bit of sightseeing around the islands, giving you the chance to explore more in just one day.
If you’re short on time and want to be sure you’ll hit the top snorkeling locations and swim with turtles, a tour is definitely the way to go.
DIY Snorkeling Trip
Casual snorkeling around the Gili Islands is one of the most popular activities you can do. You can easily rent your gear from a shop along the beach or directly from your accommodation, then head straight into the water on your own.
Always ask your host or local guides for advice—they always know the best spots nearby.
The thing with DIY snorkeling is that you’re limited to the island you’re staying on, unless you hop on a ferry for the day. Plus, snorkeling on your own doesn’t always guarantee turtle meetings — it really depends on hitting the right spots.
That said, if you have plenty of time to explore, DIY snorkeling can be a great choice. You can always snorkel around Gili Trawangan, then catch a ferry to explore Gili Meno and Gili Air at your own pace.
4. Best Time To Plan Your Snorkeling Trip
The best time for a snorkeling trip around the Gili Islands is a sunny morning during the dry season (April/May to September/October).
Bright morning light improves visibility, allowing you to grasp every little detail of the underwater landscape.
Plus, in the morning, the water tends to be calmer with no currents. On our tour, as we headed back to Gili T. around 2 pm, the waves started picking up, and it began to rain.
Best Gili Islands Snorkeling Tours
In this section, you’ll find the tour I booked, plus another couple of great options.
- From Gili Trawangan | Gili Islands Snorkeling Boat Tour: This is the tour I joined: we first stopped at the Nest Underwater Statues, then headed to Turtle Point, where I spotted a few turtles munching on seagrass. We also did some sightseeing on Gili Meno, snorkeled around Gili Air, and wrapped up the day with a lunch on the island.
- From Bali | Snorkeling Tour In Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air: While the trip from Bali may be a bit long, it’s absolutely worth it — you’ll still get to enjoy the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Gilis. This tour covers the same snorkeling spots mentioned above, with many chances to spot turtles along the way.
- Island Hopping Snorkeling Trip Around The Secret Gilis (From Lombok): Did you know there are five secret Gilis that most travelers have never heard of? This unique 8-hour island-hopping tour takes you around Southwest Lombok, exploring the rich marine life surrounding Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, Gili Kedis, Gili Layar, and Gili Rengit.
5 Best Snorkeling Spots Around The Gili Islands
If you prefer snorkeling on your own, you’ll be happy to know that many of the best snorkeling spots around the Gili Islands are just a few meters from the beach.
Here are the most popular ones — they’re also the same sites usually included in the organized snorkeling tours.
1. Gili Meno: Nest Underwater Statues
Located just off Gili Meno, these life-sized sculptures of 48 people create an otherworldly underwater scene. The installation features embracing couples and other human figures on the seabed.
Swimming among vibrant blue and yellow fish and weaving among the statues was an unforgettable experience.
The Nest statues serve an important environmental purpose. The art installation was created in 2017 to help protect the coral reef and promote ocean conservation.
Now for the not-so-great part: it was packed. I bet you can tell from the photo above. Experiencing the Nest statues without the crowds would be ideal. But they’re popular for a reason—they’re truly mesmerizing.
You can easily explore the statues from the beach in front of the BASK Eco Resort on Gili Meno. The resort’s beach is open to the public, and the statues are located in shallow water about 100 meters from the shore.
2. Gili Meno: Baby Turtles Sanctuary
While it’s not exactly a snorkeling spot, if you’re hoping for a turtle encounter, you should definitely stop by the Baby Turtle Sanctuary on Gili Meno.
Located on the island’s west side, the sanctuary collects turtle eggs to protect them from predators, allows them to hatch naturally, and raises the babies for about a year — until they’re big enough to be safely released back into the ocean.
The sanctuary is free to visit, and you’ll find three small pools with baby turtles of different sizes.
There’s a tiny pool with newborns — no bigger than your hand — and two larger ones where slightly older turtles swim around. It’s both heartwarming and a little heartbreaking to watch them push against the pool walls, as if longing for the open sea.
We didn’t have time to visit it, but Gili Meno also has a nearby saltwater lake. Renting bikes and exploring the inland paths and natural side of the island is one of the best things to do in Gili Meno, especially if you want a break from the beach.
3. Gili Meno: Turtle Point Arrecife
Not far from the Nest underwater statues, there’s a popular Turtle Point off the coast of Gili Meno — and that’s where I met my first turtle.
After jumping off our boat, we spotted a green turtle munching on seagrass in less than five minutes. It was so peaceful and calm to watch!
(Important reminder: don’t touch the turtles — it can harm them and stress them out.)
Other colorful fish and marine life were swimming around, and we could explore the area quite freely. We saw a couple more turtles before heading back to the boat.
4. Gili Trawangan: Turtle Shore
The northern coast of Gili Trawangan is another great place to check if you’re hoping for one of those spontaneous turtle encounters.
The area is also rich in vibrant marine life, from colorful reef fish to curious clownfish and angelfish.
To find the perfect spot, start by swimming right in front of Wilson’s Retreat with your own snorkeling gear — it usually doesn’t take long before you spot your first turtle gliding by.
5. Gili Air: Coral Garden
Our last snorkeling stop before lunch was off the coast of Gili Air. While you can snorkel anywhere around Gili Air, one of the most beautiful spots, full of coral reefs, is on the island’s southeastern side.
Here, just a short distance from the shore, you’ll find stunning coral gardens with soft and hard corals in shades of pink, yellow, and purple. You’ll notice protective structures around the corals to prevent damage.
Our guides brought us right in front of the Santorini Resort, a great starting point for exploring these coral gardens if you’re on Gili Air.
Snorkeling Map
Other Things To Know About Snorkeling Tours
Snorkeling Gear Is Provided
Mask, fins, and snorkel are provided by the guides leading the tour—no Need to bring your own.
Bring Water
There’s nothing worse than spending hours in the ocean, swallowing salty water, and realizing you haven’t had a proper drink all day.
Make sure to bring your own water on board. With all the swimming, diving, and climbing in and out of the boat, you’ll get tired (and dehydrated) faster than you think.
Have A Light Breakfast
These tours usually take place on a jukung, a traditional Indonesian outrigger boat — small, wooden, and very characteristic of island life.
When the sea gets a little bumpy, you’ll definitely feel it! So, it’s best to avoid having a big breakfast right before the tour unless you want your stomach to do a bit of island hopping of its own.
Guides Go Underwater With You
One of the best parts about these tours is that the guides — who are also the boat drivers — actually join you in the water at every stop (and take good videos and pictures of you).
They’ll point out turtles and other interesting marine life and make sure everyone knows when it’s time to head back to the boat for the following location.
It’s a great help, especially if you’re a beginner or not super confident in deeper waters.
Use a Dry Bag
A dry bag like this one will honestly make your life so much easier. After all the ups and downs getting in and out of the boat, the floor can get pretty wet — and so can everything you bring with you.
A dry bag is perfect to keep your phone, camera, and other essentials safe and dry.
Pack a Reef-Safe SPF
While exploring the coral reefs, you’ll need reef-safe SPF more than ever. Many regular sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm corals and marine life.
Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen helps keep the underwater world as vibrant and alive as we find it.
There you go! Hopefully, you found the best way to plan your Gili Islands snorkeling trip.
Whether you book a tour or snorkel independently, the crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life of the Gilis will undoubtedly capture your heart as they did with mine.
And hey, if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to explore the Gili Islands from Gili Trawangan, don’t miss my 3-day itinerary.
I hope your time on the Gili Islands turns out to be just as magical as mine. It was truly the highlight of my first trip to Indonesia — the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Other Articles You May Find Helpful
- Bali Travel Guide: Plan Your Short Trips & Long-Term Adventures
- Bali Tips for First-Timers: 30 Important Things to Know Before You Land
- Best Places to Stay in Bali: 2025 Guide For First Timers
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