Turtle Point, off Meno
Green turtles over seagrass beds. Calm morning, high sun. 30–45 minutes in the water.
Gear included · route yours
Stay longer where the reef is good
A private, per-boat trip around Trawangan, Meno and Air that stops at turtle points, coral gardens and the underwater statues. You pay for the boat, not per head.
A Gili Islands snorkeling boat charter is a private, per-boat trip around Trawangan, Meno and Air that stops at turtle points, coral gardens and the underwater statues — gear included, route yours to set.
- Shared snorkel boats leave on a fixed loop at a fixed hour. A private charter flips that.
- Your captain, your itinerary, your call on when to jump in and when to move on.
- Wild sightings are never guaranteed — no operator controls where a turtle swims on any morning.
- A private boat improves the odds by letting the captain wait, reposition or try a second point.
Five stops on the circuit
Where the circuit actually goes
The most-marketed stops on a half-day loop are the turtle grounds off Meno, the coral gardens off Air, and the sculpture site between Meno and Trawangan.
The underwater statues
The sculpture circle on the seabed between Meno and Trawangan. Needs slack tide and low swell. 20–30 minutes.
Coral gardens, off Air
Hard and soft coral, reef fish, the occasional turtle. Mid-morning, light wind. 30–40 minutes.
Meno Wall and drop-offs
Deeper reef, larger fish and giant clams. Calm water, experienced snorkellers. 20–30 minutes.
Trawangan north reef
Shallow coral and an easy entry for beginners. Any calm window. 20–30 minutes.
Stop flexibility is the point
Why private beats a shared boat
On a shared boat you get three stops on a clock. If the turtles are shy at Meno, the group moves on anyway.
Which stop first
- Private charter
- The captain reads the tide and picks the calmest
- Shared snorkel boat
- A fixed loop, whatever the water
Found a turtle
- Private charter
- Stay as long as you like
- Shared snorkel boat
- The clock moves the boat
Nothing at the statues
- Private charter
- Skip it and try elsewhere
- Shared snorkel boat
- You stop anyway
Who is on the reef
- Private charter
- 2 to 8 of your own people
- Shared snorkel boat
- Strangers on the same patch
Pacing for beginners
- Private charter
- Start shallow, build up
- Shared snorkel boat
- One pace for everyone
Jetty logistics
- Private charter
- Coordinated pickup and drop-off
- Shared snorkel boat
- Your own walk or cidomo, with wet gear
On every snorkel charter
What comes with the boat
The right hull
Glass-bottom, speedboat or small catamaran, matched to your group and the sea state.
Snorkel gear
Mask, snorkel and fins in standard sizes. Flag child sizes when you enquire.
Your stop order
Turtle points, coral gardens and the statues, routed to your preference.
Fresh water aboard
Longer charters can add fruit or a light lunch on request.
Conditions beat the calendar
May to August brings clear skies and warm water. June and July are busy enough to book ahead.
September still has good weather with occasional showers and is the quieter, better-value month.
October to April is not recommended — regular rainfall disrupts travel and cuts underwater visibility.
Within any season, morning departures usually win for calm water and turtle activity.
Five steps
How booking works
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Message us
Your date, group size, and which stops you most want — turtles, statues, coral gardens.
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Get a per-boat quote
One price for the boat, with the hull recommended for your group and that week's sea state.
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Lock route and timing
Morning usually wins. We confirm jetty pickup on Trawangan, Meno or Air.
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Confirm and prep
Meeting point, what to bring, and gear sizing sorted before the day.
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Snorkel your way
The captain adjusts stops live so you stay longest where the water is best.
Charters are arranged via vetted licensed local boat partners. We are the concierge, not the boat owner, and we never guarantee wildlife sightings.
Straight answers
Snorkeling questions
Build your snorkel route
Tell us your date, group size and must-see stops, and we map a private turtle-and-coral itinerary with a per-boat price — no per-person surcharge, gear included.