Snorkeling in Gili Trawangan is how I kicked off 2025—a wonderful start to the year! This island and its smaller neighbors, Gili Meno and Gili Air (just off the coast of Lombok), offer some of Indonesia’s most incredible snorkeling.
In this post, I share my personal experience, including a detailed review of the three-island snorkeling tour I booked and tips for those who prefer the DIY approach.
If swimming with turtles and exploring vibrant coral gardens sounds like your idea of paradise, you’ll want to keep reading. This guide will help you plan your own unforgettable snorkeling adventure around the Gili Islands.
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Snorkeling Guided Tour VS DIY Approach
The main reason we opted for this guided tour was the three-island itinerary (and that’s usually the reason people book guided snorkeling experiences). This trip allowed us to explore the waters around Gili T and included stops at Gili Meno and Gili Air. Since we were only staying on Gili T, this was the best chance to visit the other two islands (or part of them).
Plus, while you can DIY your snorkeling trip – get some gear for free (or rent some) and explore at your own pace – I only had two days. So, I wanted to maximize my time in the water, explore areas further from the shore, and have the peace of mind of being guided by a local expert.
So, the choice is yours. You may have all the time in this world and be lucky enough to spend ten days (lucky you!) around the Gili islands, sipping cocktails under the Gilis’ sun. If so, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get some gear and explore the underwater world at your own pace, with dedicated trips to Gili Air and Gili Meno.
But if you’re short on time like I was, a guided snorkeling tour that hits all three islands and takes you straight to the turtle hotspots may be the best way to go.
My Snorkeling Experience
So, there I was, kicking off 2025 with my first-ever snorkeling experience around the Gili Islands. New Year’s Eve on Gili T had been fun, but let’s say… I wasn’t exactly feeling well-rested. I had been responsible and crawled into bed at around 2 am (only to be rudely awakened at 4, but that’s a story for another time). Regardless, by 9 am, I was happy and excited enough to start my snorkeling tour departing from Gili T.
The Itinerary For The Day
The tour included three snorkeling spots: the Nest Underwater Statues, Turtle Point, and the Coral Gardens of Gili Air. We also stopped at Gili Meno to see the baby turtles’ sanctuary and at Gili Air for sightseeing and a lunch break.
The tour started from the eastern side of Gili T (close to the harbour). We quickly found our guides, who provided us with the snorkeling gear: mask, fins, and snorkel. (Even though I’m a good swimmer and can hold my breath for a while, I skipped the snorkel – it just got in my way.)
We hopped onto a traditional Indonesian outrigger boat – a small wooden one. When the sea got a little bumpy, we definitely felt it!
Especially on the way back from Gili Air to Gili T. Speaking of which… one of my friends, who hadn’t been as careful as I was on New Year’s Eve, suddenly started looking a bit green as we got close to Gili Air. Let’s say his arrival on the island provided some unexpected entertainment.
The first rule of snorkeling is to go easy on the breakfast, especially if you’re hitting the water early in the morning. (I skipped it altogether!)
Our Snorkeling Guides
The guides gave us a quick rundown of the day’s plan, and then we were off to our first stop: the Nest Statues. I’d say the guides were just the right amount present. They didn’t talk nonstop about the wildlife or the tour but were always there if we needed anything or had questions. They were a quiet, reassuring presence.
They joined us in the water at each stop and made sure everyone heard when it was time to head back to the boat for the following location. But they weren’t overly strict or hovering, which I appreciated.
On the way back from Gili Air to Gili T, I discovered the joy of sitting at the front of the boat. The guides didn’t say anything about me sitting there, even though, safety-wise, it probably wasn’t the smartest move on such a small boat.
The Nest Underwater Statues
The Nest statues were incredible! 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 weaving among the statues was an unforgettable experience. (Thanks to our guides, I have amazing videos!). Have you ever watched the Disney movie Atlantis? Swimming around those statues gave me chills, as it felt like I was exploring a lost underwater city.
While they might not be a real-life Atlantis, 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.
If you want to avoid the masses, consider hiring a private boat and guide and arriving early, around 8 am.
Turtle Point
Next is Turtle Point, a famous spot to swim with turtles just off the coast of Gili Trawangan. It’s on the island’s northeast side (look for “Turtle Shore” on your phone map). You can swim right from the shore, and it won’t be long before you see your first green turtle. The water is shallow here, so it’s a great spot for beginners.
After we jumped out of our boat, we found a green turtle munching on seagrass in less than five minutes. It was so peaceful and calm! (Important reminder: DON’T touch the turtles—it can harm them.) Other colorful fish and marine life were around, and we could explore the area quite freely.
We saw a couple more turtles before heading back to the boat. There are other turtle spots around the north side of Gili T, but that’s the advantage of a tour. The guides know exactly where to go.
Baby Turtles’ Sanctuary On Gili Meno
Back on the boat, we headed to Gili Meno. After seeing adult green turtles, we met some adorable baby turtles! On Gili Meno’s west side, there is a Baby Turtle Sanctuary.
They collect turtle eggs to protect them from predators, allow them to hatch naturally, and then raise the babies for at least a year until they’re big enough to be safely released into the ocean.
The sanctuary is free to visit, and you’ll find three pools with baby turtles of different sizes.
There’s a tiny pool with newborns, no bigger than your hand, and two other pools with larger babies swimming around. It was a little heartbreaking to see them trying to swim away, pushing against the pool walls. You could sense their longing for the open sea.
We didn’t have time to visit it, but Gili Meno also has a saltwater lake close to the Turtle Sanctuary. Renting Bikes and exploring the inland area and nature of Gili Meno is one of the best things to do on the island.
Gili Air’s Corals Garden
Our last snorkeling stop before lunch was off the coast of Gili Air, the smallest and quietest of the three Gili Islands (and the closest to Lombok). While you can snorkel anywhere around Gili Air, one of the most beautiful spots, full of coral reefs and turtles, 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 (mainly from humans).
Swimming through this underwater wonderland, surrounded by butterflyfish and other colorful species (whose names I sadly don’t know), was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of my Bali trip.
Our guides brought us right in front of the Santorini Resort, a great starting point for exploring these magnificent coral gardens if you’re on Gili Air.
Lunch Break at Gili Air
After exploring the coral gardens, we stopped for lunch at Zipp Bar, a beachside restaurant near our snorkeling spot. I grabbed half a pizza (around $10 for the entire pizza, of course), which, as an Italian, I admit, was pretty decent (not quite as good as the pizza at Malibu Beach Bar on Gili T, but it was edible). There are many other Western or Indonesian options at Zipp Bar, not only pizza.
By this point, the exhaustion from my two-hour nap (or lack thereof) was starting to hit, but that didn’t stop me from re-claiming my spot on the boat’s bow for the best ride of my life.
From my front seat, I soaked in the beauty of the Gili Islands’ coastlines (don’t ask me which island was which—I wasn’t precisely tracking our route back to Gili T). The sea was getting rougher, and the boat ride became quite bumpy, but it just added to that magical moment between the nature of the Gilis and myself.
I gazed at distant white-sand beaches, wild vegetation growing down to meet the sand, and small inland villages where life unfolded at a slower pace. That decision to grab a moment of solitude on the bow was definitely worth it.
Planning Your Snorkeling in Gili Trawangan
Why You Should Book My (or Any Other) Tour
As mentioned, one of the things I loved about this tour was the opportunity to explore all three Gili Islands (or at least parts of them) in a single day. This is the perfect solution for anyone with limited time, especially if you only have two or three days on the Gilis.
If my experience has piqued your interest, here’s the link to the tour I booked. Everything went smoothly and met expectations (which, let’s be honest, isn’t always a given in Indonesia!).
The tour offered a full refund for cancellations up to 24 hours in advance, and the price included everything except lunch on Gili Air. As a nice bonus, they even took GoPro videos and photos throughout the day and sent them to us immediately after the tour.
Things to Consider Before Booking A Tour
Beyond checking online reviews and ratings, you can often understand the quality of a tour operator by their communication. If they’re responsive, provide clear information, and seem reliable, that’s a good sign. If not, you can cancel your booking (most tours offer full refunds up to 24 hours in advance) and try a different company.
Regarding tours, the guides can make or break the experience; unfortunately, you can’t fully control that. You just have to be open and adaptable.
If you’re traveling solo or with friends, it’s helpful to know the approximate group size for the tour to manage your expectations. And timing is key, especially for popular snorkeling spots. The earlier you go, the less crowded it will be, giving you more space to enjoy swimming with the turtles.
Consider a Different Approach (If You’re Open to Adventure)
If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind a bit of uncertainty, you can try finding a snorkeling guide directly on Gili Trawangan without booking in advance.
Head down to the port area of Gili T at around 8 or 9 am, before the tour boats start departing, and see if you can find someone offering snorkeling trips.
This is Indonesia, after all, so anything is possible! Be prepared to negotiate the price (a fair price for a 4-hour tour with multiple stops would be around IDR 200,000-400,000, or roughly $15-30). Remember that with this approach, you never know exactly what you’ll get.
Snorkeling Packing List
Best Time to Snorkel
The best time for a snorkeling trip around the Gili Islands is a sunny morning during the dry season (April/May to September/October), when the weather is typically at its best.
Aim for a sunny morning, even if you’re snorkeling around the Gilis outside of the dry season. The good light enhances underwater visibility, and the water tends to be calmer. On our tour, as we headed back to Gili T around 2 pm, the waves started picking up, and it began to rain.
This is often the case in the afternoon, especially during the rainy season. Ferries usually stop running in the afternoon because of bad weather, so book your ferry in the morning to ensure a smooth arrival. (I’ve heard stories of some pretty adventurous crossings—though mine was as dull as possible!).
If you’re looking for places to rent your snorkeling gear, you’ll find plenty of open rag with snorkeling equipment on the island’s eastern side, where you can rent all you need.
Snorkeling In Gili Trawangan: DIY Approach
Best Snorkeling Spots
If you have time and prefer to explore at your own pace, here’s how to reach the exact snorkeling spots mentioned above independently. Don’t forget to check the map with all the snorkeling spots just below.
Nest Underwater Statues: These statues are easily accessible 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. You won’t have any trouble finding them.
Turtle Point: Turtle Point is on the northern side of Gili Trawangan. Check your Maps app and look for Turtle Shore – you’ll likely see turtles all along that stretch of coastline, extending east. Be cautious on the northwestern side, as currents can be stronger there (according to locals). Remember to respect the turtles: don’t touch them, and give them plenty of space to swim.
Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary: The sanctuary is near the BASK Eco Resort on Gili Meno, right in front of the saltwater lake. For the perfect day trip, combine a visit to the statues, the saltwater lake, and the sanctuary with some beach time or a bicycle ride around the island.
Gili Air Coral Gardens: These vibrant coral gardens are located on the eastern side of Gili Air, directly in front of the Santorini Resort, facing Lombok. Swim out from the shore with your snorkeling gear, and you’ll quickly spot the coral gardens and the reef drop-off. If you need help finding the exact location, ask at a beachfront restaurant or any local – they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
How to Get to Gili Menos & Gili Air from Gili Trawangan
If you plan a DIY snorkeling adventure to Gili Meno and Gili Air, you’ll need to book ferry or fast boat tickets from Gili Trawangan. Here are some helpful links for booking:
- Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno: Boats typically depart every hour from 9 am, with the last departure around 4:15 pm from Gili Meno.
- Gili Trawangan to Gili Air: Boats generally start running from Gili T around 9:45 am, and the last boat back from Gili Air is around 4 pm.
- Bali to Gili Trawang: To reach Gili Trawangan, ferries typically depart from Padang Bai harbor in Bali, starting around 8 am. I booked my ferry with Ostina Fast Boat, and the journey was fantastic (I even managed to have a glorious two-hour nap!).
There you go! Sharing my snorkeling experience in Gili Trawangan has made me want to go back already! I’m already dreaming of cycling around those beautiful islands, working on my tan, and enjoying the slow, peaceful pace of life.
Whether you book a tour or snorkel independently, the crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life of the Gilis will undoubtedly capture your heart and create lasting memories.
I hope this post has inspired you to add the Gilis to your Indonesia bucket list and encouraged you to discover the beautiful underwater world.
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