Meno turtle point, west reef
Shallow sandy entry, and green turtles feed close to shore. Best on a rising or slack tide — midday sun is strong, so bring shade.
Life jackets in every child size
Turtles lead the day, not a timetable
One boat for the whole family, calm-water snorkel stops off Meno and Air, shaded seating and a swim ladder. You set the timing around naps and meals.
A private Gili Islands family boat charter puts your whole group on one boat with life jackets in every child size, calm-water snorkel stops, shaded seating and a swim ladder.
- You control the route, the speed, and when to turn back because a toddler has had enough sun.
- Pricing is per boat, so the cost is the same for two kids or a full extended family.
- Past four or five people that usually beats buying individual tour tickets.
- Not every snorkel site works with kids — the route is planned around the ones that do.
Calm, shallow, standable
Stops that suit young children
Currents run stronger in the channel between the islands, and the statue site can be deeper than nervous swimmers like. A family charter sticks to the calmer, shallower edges.
Gili Air house reef
The calm lagoon side, easy for first-time snorkellers. Avoid the exposed east side when the wind picks up.
Meno beaches
Quiet and undeveloped, with arguably the best sand of the three. Few facilities ashore, so pack your own water and snacks.
Trawangan harbour side
Facilities, toilets, lunch stops and easy jetty access. The busiest island, so the boat anchors away from the swim crowd.
Sunset cruise, no snorkel
Flat evening water and Mount Agung on the horizon. Book an earlier slot so little ones are not out past bedtime.
On board before you step on
What the boat carries for kids
Life jackets
Adult, child and infant sizes. Request infant vests when you enquire so the crew has them aboard.
Junior snorkel gear
Junior masks and fins. Bring a favourite mask if your child has one that already fits.
Shade
A canopy or covered cabin area so babies stay out of direct sun.
Swim ladder
Low and stable, for easy re-entry after a snorkel or a swim.
Fresh water
Drinking water aboard. Confirm quantities for a full-day trip.
Flexible timing
Depart, pause and return around nap and meal windows. Floats and a one-stop plan on request.
Four shapes of family day
Pick the length
Rates depend on boat size, fuel, season and how long you hold the boat, so we quote each family individually rather than publish a fixed rate.
Half-day snorkel
Most asked forAsk for price per boat
- 3–4 hours
- Speedboat or glass-bottom
- One or two calm stops
- Best for families with toddlers
Full three-island day
Ask for price per boat
- 6–8 hours
- Speedboat or small catamaran
- Trawangan, Meno and Air
- Best for older kids
Sunset cruise
Ask for price per boat
- 2–2.5 hours
- Small catamaran or speedboat
- No snorkel stop, flat evening water
- Best for all ages, ends before bedtime
Custom family day
Ask for price per boat
- Flexible hours
- Your pick of hull
- Built around naps and meals
- Best for mixed ages
When to go, and the cidomo detail
Charters run most reliably in the May to September dry season, when seas are calmer and visibility is better. June and July are quite busy, so book ahead.
September stays warm with occasional showers and is a quieter, better-value month. October to April is not recommended, with regular rainfall that can disrupt travel.
One practical detail: the islands are vehicle-free, so every on-shore leg is on foot or by cidomo, a horse-drawn cart.
Strollers are awkward on that walk. A baby carrier is the smarter choice for the stretch from the boat to a beach or a cafe.
Five steps
How booking works
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Message us
Your dates, the number of adults and children, and each child's age.
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Get a per-boat quote
Itinerary options — half-day, full-day or sunset — with a price and a hull.
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Tune the plan
Adjust stops and timing around naps, meals and how confident your kids are in the water.
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Sort jetty logistics
Confirm your pickup jetty. On-shore legs are walk or cidomo only.
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Confirm the date
A deposit locks it, and you get a written confirmation with the meeting point and skipper contact.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats, rash vests, a dry bag, water top-ups and any motion-sickness remedy your family needs.
Straight answers
Family charter questions
Plan a family day on the water
Tell us your kids' ages and the dates you have in mind, and we build a calm, shaded, flexible charter around them — with the right life jackets on board before you step on.