For a full-day private island-hopping charter covering all three Gilis — Trawangan, Meno and Air — most travellers should budget somewhere in the region of IDR 3,500,000 to IDR 9,000,000 (roughly USD 220–570 as of 2026) per boat, not per person. The wide range reflects boat type, group size, season and add-ons. These are operator-set figures, subject to change and negotiation.
That single number hides a lot. A full day usually means six to eight hours on the water, a Trawangan-to-Meno-to-Air loop, two or three snorkel stops, and time ashore for lunch. What actually moves your bill up or down is the boat, the season, and the extras you bolt on. Let’s break it down honestly, because there is no official government tariff for private Gili charters — any figure you see comes from an individual operator or direct negotiation, never an authority.
What are you actually paying for on a private charter?
The core of your budget is the boat and crew for the day. Because pricing is per-boat, a couple and a group of eight can pay the same base rate — which is exactly why private charters get cheaper per head as your group grows. Here is a rough breakdown of where the money goes on a typical full-day hop.
| Cost component | Typical share of budget | Notes (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Boat hire + crew (full day) | 60–70% | The fixed base; scales with boat size and speed |
| Fuel + captain time | usually bundled | Confirm it’s included before you book |
| Snorkel gear rental | 5–10% | Often free on premium boats; IDR 50k–100k per set elsewhere |
| Lunch / drinks | 10–15% | Usually paid ashore, not on the boat |
| Optional extras | 5–20% | Photographer, sunset extension, extra stops |
How does boat type change the price?
The biggest single lever is the vessel. A glass-bottom boat built for gentle sightseeing costs far less than a fast speedboat or a small catamaran with shade and cushions. Here is how the three common charter styles tend to sit, per boat, for a full day.
| Boat type | Typical full-day range (IDR, 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom / local boat | 3,500,000–5,000,000 | Relaxed pace, reef viewing, smaller groups |
| Speedboat | 5,000,000–7,500,000 | Covering all three islands quickly, more snorkel time |
| Small catamaran | 6,500,000–9,000,000 | Sunset cruises, comfort, larger or premium groups |
All figures above are operator-set and negotiable — treat them as a planning band, not a fixed menu. One thing they are not: the USD 1 public slow boat. That fare, roughly IDR 15,000 per person from Bangsal, is a shared local service, not a private charter, and it’s the only fixed boat price you’ll find quoted anywhere for the Gilis. If a “charter” is being sold to you at slow-boat money, you’re buying a seat on a shared boat, not the boat itself.
Where does the Trawangan-to-Meno leg fit your budget?
The short, sheltered run between Trawangan and Meno is the heart of most full-day loops, because it lands you at the quiet middle island’s best beaches plus the turtle and underwater-statue snorkel sites between the two. If you only have half a day or a tighter budget, a dedicated Trawangan to Meno private boat covers the highlight reel for less, and you can always extend to Gili Air later. For a full-day budget, assume this leg is already baked into the base rate rather than an add-on.
A sensible full-day itinerary for the money looks like this: start on Trawangan for facilities and coffee, cross to Meno for turtle-and-statue snorkelling plus the quietest beaches, then finish at Gili Air for its laid-back bars and thriving reefs. Because the islands are vehicle-free — Wikipedia notes there’s no motorised transport apart from electric scooters, and Audley Travel says motorised traffic is banned by local order — your jetty pickups and drop-offs are on foot or by cidomo, the horse-drawn cart. Build ten minutes of walking into each stop when you plan timings.
Which add-ons are worth budgeting for?
The base charter gets you the boat and the loop. These are the extras that most often nudge a budget upward, ranked by how much value they tend to return.
- Sunset-cruise extension — adding an hour or two at the end of the day for a private sunset cruise. High value, especially May–September when skies are clearest.
- Lunch ashore — budget IDR 100,000–250,000 per person at a beach restaurant; more on Trawangan, less on Meno.
- Snorkel gear + underwater photos — worth it for turtle and giant-clam stops, though sightings are never guaranteed.
- Extra snorkel stop — a fourth reef site if your group is quick in and out of the water.
How does season change what you pay?
Timing is a real budget lever. Audley Travel notes that May to August brings clear skies and warm temperatures, with June and July “quite busy” — so book ahead and expect firmer pricing. September still has good weather with the odd shower, is quieter, and is genuinely better value. October to April is “not recommended” because regular rainfall can erode roads and disrupt travel; charters run most reliably, with calmer seas and better visibility, in the May–September dry window. If your dates are flexible, a September full-day hop often buys the same experience as July for less.
One atmospheric note worth planning around: during Ramadan some shops close and beach parties pause, so the islands are quieter. That’s a plus for a peaceful sunset cruise but worth knowing before you budget for lively post-trip dining on Trawangan.
A realistic full-day budget, put together
Pulling it into one picture for a group of four sharing a speedboat in the dry season: base charter around IDR 6,000,000 per boat (IDR 1,500,000 each), lunch and drinks at roughly IDR 200,000 per person, gear often included, and an optional sunset extension. That lands most groups at IDR 1,700,000–2,000,000 per person for a genuinely private full day — before any hard negotiation. Smaller groups pay more per head; larger groups spread the fixed boat cost further. Every figure here is operator-set as of 2026 and subject to change, so confirm inclusions in writing before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full-day private Gili charter cheaper per person if we bring a bigger group?
Yes. Because Gili charters are priced per boat, not per person, splitting the same base rate across more people lowers everyone’s share. A speedboat quoted at IDR 6,000,000 costs IDR 3,000,000 each for two but only IDR 750,000 each for eight — assuming the boat’s capacity allows it. Confirm the maximum passenger count before you commit, as of 2026.
Should I budget extra for cash on the islands during a full-day hop?
Yes, carry cash. The Gilis are vehicle-free, cidomo carts and many small warungs are cash-only, and ATMs can run empty or charge high fees. Budget IDR 300,000–500,000 per person on top of your charter for lunch, drinks, tips and any gear rental, so you’re never stuck ashore between snorkel stops without small notes.
Does the day-charter budget include the fast-boat transfer from Bali or Lombok?
No. A private island-hopping charter covers only the boat and loop between Trawangan, Meno and Air — not your arrival transfer. Getting to the Gilis is separate: fast boats from Padang Bai, Serangan or Amed in Bali take about 1.5–2.5 hours, or from Bangsal near Senggigi it’s roughly 20 minutes. Budget those crossings on top, as of 2026.