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A green turtle over shallow reef

Book the first departure

Snorkel Trawangan before the wind

A private, per-boat trip from the east-side jetties through Turtle Point and the Coral Garden, then across to the underwater statues. Calm water and clear light make sightings far more likely — never certain.

A Gili Trawangan snorkeling charter is a private, per-boat trip that leaves the island's east-side jetties, threads the Turtle Point and Coral Garden reefs, then crosses to the Trawangan–Meno underwater statues.

  • The shared island-hopping boats all leave at the same hour and drop forty swimmers on one reef.
  • On your own boat you set the route, the timing and how long you linger when a turtle passes.
  • We do not own the fleet — we match you to the right captain and hull for your date's conditions.
  • Wild turtles, giant clams and reef fish are standard sightings, but no operator can promise them.

Five minutes to fifteen

The reefs worth the hop

The strongest reefs sit on Trawangan's east and north sides, within a short hop of the jetty strip. A good private loop pairs two or three with the sculpture site in the channel toward Meno.

Turtle Point

East side. Green and hawksbill turtles feeding on seagrass. Best on early morning glass.

Coral Garden

Northeast reef flat. Giant clams, hard coral and shoals of reef fish. Best on low current.

Shark Point

North point, deeper. Black-tip reef sharks and bigger fish. Slack tide, confident swimmers.

The underwater statues

Channel toward Meno. Ringed human sculptures in easy shallow water. Go before the wind.

Meno Wall

The Meno side of the channel. Turtles, clams and a sloping coral wall on clear days.

Two children snorkelling in full-face masks over shallow reef

Go first, not later

Time of day matters more than most visitors expect. The first boats out get the flattest water and the best light, before the afternoon wind ruffles the surface and stirs up sediment.

Turtles are also actively grazing the seagrass beds in the cool early hours, which is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your odds.

For the calendar: May to August brings clear skies and warm water, with June and July busy enough to book ahead. September is quieter and better value with the occasional shower.

October to April is not recommended — regular rain churns the water and disrupts boats. Morning departures beat the afternoon wind year-round.

Pick a length

Four snorkel loops

Rates are per boat, not per person, so the more of you aboard the lower the cost each. Fuel, captain and basic gear are usually bundled — confirm inclusions when you enquire.

Sunrise turtle run

Best odds

Ask for price per boat

  • 2.5–3 hours
  • Up to 6 guests
  • Turtle Point at grazing hour
  • Flattest water of the day

Half-day Trawangan loop

Ask for price per boat

  • 3–4 hours
  • Up to 6–8 guests
  • Two Trawangan-side reefs
  • Back before the wind

Full-day three reefs + statues

Ask for price per boat

  • 5–6 hours
  • Up to 8–10 guests
  • Turtle Point, Coral Garden and the statues
  • No rushing between sites

Snorkel plus Meno beach

Ask for price per boat

  • 4–5 hours
  • Up to 8 guests
  • Two reefs and a quiet beach stop
  • Long in-water time

Ask in advance

Gear worth requesting

Some of this is standard, some needs notice. Flag it when you request the quote rather than at the jetty.

Mask, snorkel and fins

Usually included, and fit-checked before boarding — which beats rental-shop leftovers.

Prescription mask

A clear reef view without contacts. Request well in advance; not every boat carries them.

Glass-bottom viewing

Non-swimmers still see the reef and the turtles. On request, and boat-dependent.

Dry bag and reef-safe sunscreen

Protects your gear and is kinder to the coral. Request in advance.

Fresh towels and water

Usually included, and it matters on the longer full-day loops.

Underwater photos

The captain or guide shoots your session. On request.

Five steps

How a snorkel charter is booked

  1. Message us

    Your date, group size, and whether you want a sunrise turtle run or a full three-reef loop.

  2. Get a per-boat quote

    A rate, a hull and a departure time matched to the tide and forecast for your day.

  3. Confirm the jetty

    Trawangan is vehicle-free, so you walk or take a cidomo to the agreed east-side jetty.

  4. Board and snorkel

    Your captain runs the route in the best order for conditions, pausing where the water is clearest.

  5. Settle as agreed

    Pay per the confirmed terms, and keep the thread open for any weather rescheduling.

Straight answers

Snorkeling questions

Take the first boat out

Skip the packed shared boats and book a private loop timed for calm morning water and turtle-grazing hours. Send your date and group size for a per-boat quote.