**Chartering a boat from Gili Trawangan means booking a private vessel — glass-bottom, speedboat or small catamaran — straight from the island’s main jetty for turtle-snorkel hops to Gili Meno and Gili Air, or a private sunset cruise. Same-day departures are often available. Pricing is per boat, set by individual operators, as of 2026 and subject to change.**
Gili Trawangan is the largest and busiest of the three Gilis, with the most jetties, boat crews and tourist facilities — which makes it the easiest of the trio to launch a private charter from on short notice. If you are already staying in Trawangan and want turtles, quiet beaches and a sunset without the fixed timetable of a public shuttle, a per-boat charter is the direct route.
Why charter from Gili Trawangan instead of taking the public boat?
The public slow boat and the island-hopping shuttle both run on shared schedules and shared fares. The public slow boat from Bangsal on Lombok costs roughly USD 1 per person — a shared fare, not a private charter, and the only fixed boat price in the reliable source set. It gets you between islands, but it will not wait at a snorkel stop while your group swims with turtles, and it will not reroute for a sunset.
A private charter is the opposite. You book the whole boat, set the route, and control the timing. The three islands are close together, so a half-day is enough to string together the best of all three: Trawangan for facilities, Meno for quiet beaches plus the turtle and underwater-statue snorkelling, and Air for relaxed reefs. Nothing is guaranteed in the water — turtles and mantas are wild — but a private boat gives you the time and flexibility to look properly.
One logistics note that shapes every pickup: the Gilis are vehicle-free. Wikipedia notes there is no motorised transport apart from electric scooters, and Audley Travel notes motorised traffic is banned by local order, so on land you walk or take a cidomo (horse-drawn cart). That means charters begin and end at the jetty, and your walk or cidomo ride to the harbour is part of the plan.
What are the departure options from Trawangan’s jetty?
Boat type drives capacity, speed and price. The table below shows the common private options operators run out of Gili Trawangan. All figures are operator-set, as of 2026 and subject to change — there is no government tariff standardising Gili charter prices, so any quote comes from the operator or direct negotiation.
| Boat type | Typical capacity | Best for | Duration range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom boat | 6–15 guests | Turtle-viewing + snorkel hops, families | 3–5 hours |
| Speedboat | 4–10 guests | Fast three-island loop, tight schedules | Half day |
| Small catamaran | 8–20 guests | Sunset cruise, groups, slower cruising | 2–4 hours |
| Private snorkel charter | 2–8 guests | Custom turtle + statue route, couples | 3–6 hours |
Same-day charters are frequently possible from Trawangan because of the number of boats based here, but the calmest seas and best visibility fall in the May–September dry season. Audley Travel notes June and July are quite busy — worth booking ahead — while September is quieter and better value, and October–April is not recommended because regular rainfall can disrupt travel. Confirm your date with the concierge rather than assuming a walk-up slot in peak weeks.
Which snorkel stops are the fastest hops from Trawangan?
The three islands sit close together in the Lombok Strait, so the best snorkel sites are short hops from Trawangan’s jetty. These are the components operators commonly build a route around.
| Snorkel stop | Rough hop from Trawangan | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Point (Trawangan reef) | 5–10 minutes | Green turtles feeding on the reef edge |
| Underwater statues (Meno–Trawangan) | 10–15 minutes | The sculpture/statue site between the two islands |
| Gili Meno wall | 15–20 minutes | Quiet reefs, giant clams, best beaches |
| Gili Air reef | 20–30 minutes | Relaxed reefs, laid-back finish before sunset |
A typical private itinerary chains Turtle Point and the statues first, drops anchor off Meno for the quiet beaches, then drifts toward Air for a relaxed reef and a sunset return. Because you hold the whole boat, the crew can add, drop or linger at any stop.
How does booking a Trawangan charter work?
Booking runs through the Bali Premium Trip reservations team, who arrange the boat with vetted local operators. Here is the sequence:
- Message the concierge on WhatsApp with your date, group size and what you want — turtles, sunset, three-island loop, or a custom mix.
- Get a per-boat quote and boat type matched to your group, with the route and duration confirmed in writing.
- Lock the departure slot — same-day or next-day where boats are free, subject to weather and dry-season demand.
- Confirm the jetty meeting point and time on Gili Trawangan, factoring in your walk or cidomo ride to the harbour.
- Board and cruise your agreed route; the crew adjusts stops on the water as conditions and turtle activity allow.
Book your Gili Trawangan charter
Ready to lock a same-day or next-day private boat from Trawangan’s jetty? The Bali Premium Trip reservations team arranges the vessel, route and timing directly with vetted local operators — per-boat pricing, no per-person shuffle.
- WhatsApp: 6281128590000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
Send your date, group size and whether you want turtles, a sunset cruise or the full three-island loop, and the team will confirm the boat and a per-boat quote (operator-set, as of 2026, subject to change). Bali Premium Trip handles the booking; charters run reliably in the May–September dry season, when seas are calm and visibility is best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charter a boat from Gili Trawangan on the same day?
Often yes. Trawangan has the most boats of the three Gilis based at its jetties, so same-day private charters are frequently available — especially outside the June–July peak. Message the concierge on WhatsApp 6281128590000 with your group size and preferred time, and they will confirm whether a boat and crew are free for that day.
How much does a private boat charter from Gili Trawangan cost?
Prices are per boat, set by individual operators, as of 2026 and subject to change — there is no official government tariff for Gili charters. Cost depends on boat type, capacity and route length. The only fixed public price in the region is the shared slow boat at about USD 1 per person, which is not a private charter. Ask the concierge for a per-boat quote.
Will I definitely see turtles on a Trawangan snorkel charter?
No sighting is guaranteed — turtles, mantas and other marine life are wild. That said, the reef edge off Trawangan and the waters around Gili Meno are reliable turtle grounds, and a private charter gives you the time to linger at Turtle Point and the underwater statue site between Meno and Trawangan rather than rushing a fixed schedule.
What is the best time of year to charter from Gili Trawangan?
May to September, the dry season. Audley Travel notes clear skies from May to August with June and July quite busy, and September as a quieter, better-value month with good weather. October to April is not recommended because regular rainfall can disrupt travel. Charters run most reliably with calmer seas and better visibility in that dry window.
Where do Trawangan charters pick up if the island is vehicle-free?
At the jetty. The Gilis ban motorised traffic apart from electric scooters, so there are no cars or motorbikes — you reach the harbour on foot or by cidomo (horse-drawn cart). Your charter will meet you at an agreed jetty point at a set time, so build in a few minutes for the walk or cidomo ride from your accommodation.