**Gili Air private boat hire means you charter the whole boat — not a seat — for island-hopping around Trawangan, Meno and Air, with the route, timing and stops set by you. Pricing is per boat, arranged by the operator, and confirmed when you enquire. As of 2026 there is no fixed government tariff for private Gili charters.**
Tiga Isle Charters arranges private, whole-boat day hire departing from Gili Air through Bali Premium Trip. You get the deck, the skipper and the schedule to yourself — snorkel with turtles off Meno, drift the reefs off Air, or run a slow sunset loop before dinner. No shared seats, no fixed departure clock, no strangers on board.
What does “private boat hire” from Gili Air actually include?
You are hiring the entire vessel for a block of time, so the boat does not leave until you do and does not stop anywhere you did not ask for. That is the core difference from the public slow boat from Bangsal, which costs roughly USD 1 per person as a shared fare — a transfer, not a charter.
Gili Air suits private hire well because it sits in the middle of the trio geographically and socially: more relaxed than Trawangan, livelier than Meno, with thriving reefs right off its own shore. A private boat from Air can reach the Meno turtle grounds and the underwater sculpture site (between Meno and Trawangan) in minutes, then swing back for a quiet reef stop the fast-boat crowds skip.
Remember the islands are vehicle-free. Wikipedia notes no motorised transport apart from electric scooters, and Audley Travel notes motorised traffic is banned by local order — so your skipper coordinates a walking or cidomo (horse-cart) pickup near the Gili Air jetty, and drop-off works the same way.
How much does Gili Air private boat hire cost?
The table below shows indicative, operator-set per-boat rates as of 2026. These are not an official tariff — no government price standard exists for private Gili charters — and they are subject to change and vessel availability. Your exact quote is confirmed on enquiry.
| Hire duration | Typical use | Indicative per-boat rate (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hours (half-morning) | One-stop turtle snorkel + reef | from IDR 2,500,000 |
| 4 hours (half-day) | Meno turtles + statue site | from IDR 3,200,000 |
| 6 hours (extended day) | Three-island loop, lunch stop | from IDR 4,500,000 |
| 8 hours (full day) | Full custom island-hopping | from IDR 6,000,000 |
| 2.5 hours (sunset cruise) | Golden-hour loop off Air/Meno | from IDR 2,800,000 |
Rates vary by boat type (glass-bottom, speedboat, or small catamaran), group size and fuel, and are quoted per boat rather than per person — so a family of six pays the same base as a couple.
What is usually included, and what is not
| Included in a standard hire | Not included (confirm on enquiry) |
|---|---|
| Private boat + skipper for the booked block | Gili Air accommodation |
| Fuel and basic safety equipment | Restaurant meals ashore |
| Snorkel gear and life jackets (most boats) | Alcohol / premium drinks |
| Jetty coordination on each island | Personal travel insurance |
| Drinking water on board | Gratuity for crew (optional) |
Morning or afternoon — which is better from Gili Air?
Morning hire (roughly 8–11am) gives the flattest water and best underwater visibility, which matters for the Meno turtle stops and the sculpture site. Marine life tends to be more active early, and you beat the midday day-tripper traffic clustering at the popular snorkel points.
Afternoon and late-day hire trades some visibility for atmosphere. A 2.5-hour sunset cruise off Gili Air and Meno is the signature afternoon option — calm light, quieter water, and you are back for dinner. One note: during Ramadan some shops close and beach parties pause, which makes sunset cruising quieter and more scenic, but plan post-trip dining accordingly.
Seasonally, Audley Travel rates May–August as clear and warm, with June and July “quite busy” (book ahead), September still good but quieter and better value, and October–April “not recommended” because regular rain can disrupt travel. Charters run most reliably, with calmer seas and better visibility, across the May–September dry window.
How flexible is the routing?
Fully flexible — that is the point of hiring the whole boat. Because you set the plan with your skipper, common Gili Air itineraries include:
- Turtle-first loop: straight to the Meno turtle grounds at opening light, then the underwater statues, then a relaxed Air reef to finish.
- Three-island sampler: Air reefs, Meno’s quiet beaches, and a short Trawangan facilities stop for lunch or a walk.
- Snorkel-and-swim: two or three reef stops off Air and Meno with long in-water time, no rushing.
- Sunset cruise: a slow golden-hour circuit with swim stops, timed to the light.
Wild turtle, manta and giant-clam sightings are a standard part of Gili snorkelling but are never guaranteed — your skipper knows the reliable spots, not a certainty.
How booking works
- Message the concierge. Send your dates, group size and rough plan (turtles, sunset, three-island) to the Bali Premium Trip team on WhatsApp.
- Get a per-boat quote. You receive a whole-boat rate, boat type and suggested timing for Gili Air departure — no per-person maths.
- Confirm details. Lock the duration, morning or afternoon slot, and jetty pickup point on Gili Air.
- Reserve. Follow the payment and confirmation steps the reservations team sends.
- Board on the day. Meet at the agreed Gili Air jetty; your skipper handles the route you set.
Ready to hire a private boat from Gili Air?
Tiga Isle Charters arranges your Gili Air private hire directly through the Bali Premium Trip reservations team — real people who quote a per-boat rate and tailor the route, not a booking-form lottery.
- WhatsApp: 6281128590000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
Send your dates and plan for a whole-boat quote. All rates are operator-set and, as of 2026, subject to change and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a whole boat from Gili Air just for a sunset cruise?
Yes. A private sunset cruise off Gili Air and Meno typically runs about 2.5 hours, indicatively from IDR 2,800,000 per boat as of 2026, subject to change. You set the departure time to catch golden hour, add swim stops if you want, and you are back on Air for dinner. Message the concierge on WhatsApp 6281128590000 to confirm timing.
Is Gili Air private boat hire cheaper than the public boat?
No — it is a different product. The public slow boat from Bangsal is a shared fare, roughly USD 1 per person, and follows a fixed route. Private hire is per boat, so you pay one whole-boat rate regardless of group size and control the schedule and stops. For couples it costs more; for a family of five or six it can work out competitively.
How do I get picked up if Gili Air has no cars?
Gili Air is vehicle-free — Audley Travel notes motorised traffic is banned by local order, and Wikipedia notes only electric scooters are allowed. Your skipper coordinates a meeting point at or near the Gili Air jetty, reached on foot or by cidomo (horse-drawn cart) from your accommodation. The reservations team confirms the exact pickup spot when you book.
Are turtle sightings guaranteed on a private Gili Air charter?
No responsible operator guarantees wild sightings. Turtles, mantas and giant clams are commonly seen on the Meno reefs and around the underwater sculpture site, and your skipper heads to the most reliable spots — but marine life is wild. Morning hire in the May–September dry season gives the best visibility and the strongest odds of a turtle encounter.