Public slow boat
Bangsal to Trawangan in about 20 minutes. A shared local boat at a low shared fare — the budget one-way crossing. We do not sell it.
Two different jobs
One is transport. One is a day out.
A fast boat moves you from A to B on a fixed schedule, in a seat you share. A private charter is the whole boat for your group — your route, your stops, your pace. If you only need to reach the Gilis, the transfer wins.
A fast boat transfer is scheduled point-to-point transport in a shared seat; a private charter is the whole boat for your group, with a route and pace you set. They are built for different jobs.
- A scheduled boat runs whether you are on it or not. A charter runs to the plan you agree that morning.
- Need to reach the islands and leave? A transfer wins on price and simplicity.
- Want turtles, quiet beaches and a sunset on your own clock? That is a private day charter.
- We arrange the charter portion only — not the long-haul transfer from Bali or Lombok.
At a glance
What actually differs
A scheduled fast boat is point-to-point transport with a fixed dock at each end. A private charter is yours for the window you book, and its only schedule is the one you set with the skipper.
Purpose
- Private day charter
- Island-hop, snorkel, cruise
- Fast boat transfer
- Get from A to B
Who's aboard
- Private day charter
- Your group only
- Fast boat transfer
- Shared with other passengers
Price model
- Private day charter
- Per boat, the whole vessel
- Fast boat transfer
- Per person, per seat
Schedule
- Private day charter
- You choose start and end
- Fast boat transfer
- Fixed departure times
Stops
- Private day charter
- Multiple, on your route
- Fast boat transfer
- None — a direct crossing
Route control
- Private day charter
- Full — you build it
- Fast boat transfer
- None
Typical use
- Private day charter
- A dedicated day on the water
- Fast boat transfer
- Arrival and departure days
Four things on the water
How each one is priced
Transfers are advertised per person because you buy one seat. Charters are quoted per boat because you rent the whole vessel — so the more people in your group, the lower the effective cost each.
Scheduled fast boat
Bali to the Gilis, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours from Padang Bai, Serangan or Amed. Per person, for arrival and departure days.
Private day charter
Glass-bottom or speedboat, quoted per boat on enquiry. For an island-hopping day and turtle snorkelling. Route and pace are yours.
Private sunset cruise
Quoted per boat on enquiry, timed to golden hour. An evening on the water rather than a crossing.
Pick by intent, not by price
Which one you actually need
The question is not which is cheaper. It is what the boat trip is for.
I just need to get there and check in
Fast boat transfer.
I'm leaving to catch a flight
Fast boat transfer.
I want to snorkel with turtles across several spots
Private charter.
I want all three Gilis in one flexible day
Private charter.
I want a sunset cruise on my own timing
Private charter.
I'm travelling solo on a tight budget
Fast boat, or the public slow boat.
What we do and do not run
Tiga Isle Charters arranges private day charters around the three Gili Islands only. No Bali or Labuan Bajo departures, no multi-day phinisi trips, no land tours.
If what you actually need is a one-way point-to-point ferry, a scheduled fast boat will serve you better and cheaper than a private charter. We will say so rather than upsell you.
Many guests take a scheduled fast boat to reach the islands, then book a private charter for a dedicated day on the water. We only arrange the charter portion.
There are no per-person surprises and no invented "marine-park" or "conservation" surcharges, because no such standardised fee exists for private charter here.
Four steps
How booking a charter works
-
Message us
Your date, group size, and whether you want island-hopping, turtle snorkelling, a sunset cruise or a mix.
-
Get a per-boat quote
A firm price for the whole vessel, plus a suggested route across Trawangan, Meno and Air.
-
Confirm the plan
We lock the boat type — glass-bottom, speedboat or small catamaran — the start time and the jetty pickup point.
-
Sail your day
The skipper follows your pace; adjust stops on the water if the group wants longer at a reef.
Straight answers
Transfer or charter?
Plan your private Gili day
Turtles, quiet beaches, sunset on your own clock. Send your date and group size for a per-boat quote and a suggested route — or tell us what you need and we will say if a transfer suits you better.