A Gili Islands group boat charter books the whole vessel for your party — 6 to 25-plus guests — at one per-boat rate, not per person. For groups of six or more, whole-boat pricing around the three Gilis (Trawangan, Meno, Air) almost always beats shared per-seat island-hopping tours. You control the route, the timing, and who is on board.
Tiga Isle Charters arranges these private group boats around Trawangan, Meno and Air only — no Bali or Labuan Bajo departures, no multi-day phinisi. Bookings are handled by our concierge, operated by Bali Premium Trip and run with vetted licensed local boat operators.
Why does per-boat pricing win at six or more guests?
Shared island-hopping tours charge every head. A public slow boat from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan costs about USD 1 per person — cheap, but it is a fixed shared ferry route, not a private charter, and it goes where it goes. Scale that per-seat logic up to a group and add island-hopping, and the math flips.
A whole-boat charter splits one flat vessel price across your whole party. At six people the per-head cost usually undercuts a per-person tour; at fifteen or twenty it is dramatically lower, and you keep the boat to yourselves — no strangers, no fixed departure clock, no waiting for a seat to fill.
Here are operator-set per-boat bands as of 2026 (subject to change — there is no official government tariff for Gili private charters, so every figure comes from the operator, never an authority):
| Group size | Typical vessel | Duration | Per-boat band (IDR) | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–10 guests | Glass-bottom / speedboat | Half day, ~4 hrs | 3.5M – 5.5M | ~215 – 340 |
| 11–16 guests | Larger speedboat | ~5 hrs | 5.5M – 8M | ~340 – 490 |
| 17–25 guests | Small catamaran | Full day, 6–7 hrs | 9M – 14M | ~550 – 860 |
| 25+ guests | Multi-boat convoy | Custom | Quoted per plan | On request |
Bands cover the boat, crew and fuel for a standard three-island loop. Split an 11M catamaran across 22 friends and you are near IDR 500,000 a head for a full private day — well under most per-person tour seats.
What size boat fits your group?
Vessel choice drives both comfort and price. A glass-bottom boat suits smaller family or friend groups who want reef views and turtle-snorkel stops. Larger speedboats move corporate or celebration groups quickly between islands. A small catamaran gives the biggest groups deck space to spread out for a full day.
A common private group itinerary uses Gili Trawangan for facilities and lunch, Gili Meno for the quiet beaches plus turtle and underwater-statue snorkelling between Meno and Trawangan, and Gili Air for relaxed reefs. Wild turtle or manta sightings are never guaranteed, but the Meno reefs are a reliable snorkel highlight.
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 jetty pickups run on foot or by cidomo (horse-drawn cart). For a big group, we stage the boat at the closest jetty and keep walking distances short.
What add-ons can you load onto a group charter?
Because you hold the whole boat, you set the vibe. These extras are operator-set and priced as of 2026, subject to change:
| Add-on | What you get | Typical add-on fee (IDR) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth sound system | Onboard music, your playlist | 300k – 600k |
| Iced cooler + drinks | Stocked cooler, soft drinks / beer | 500k – 1.2M |
| Onboard BBQ / grilled seafood | Crew-cooked lunch on board or beachside | 150k – 250k per head |
| Snorkel gear sets | Mask, fin and vest per guest | 50k – 100k per set |
| Photographer | Drone / in-water shots of the group | 1M – 2.5M |
Bring your own cake for a birthday, or brief us on a corporate agenda — the crew works around it. During Ramadan some island shops close and beach parties pause, which actually makes sunset cruises quieter and calmer if that suits your group.
How does group booking work?
Group charters need a little more coordination than a two-person seat. Here is the flow:
- Message the concierge. Send group size, target date and rough plan on WhatsApp 6281128590000 or sales@balipremiumtrip.com.
- Get a matched quote. We size the right vessel (or convoy) and return a per-boat price plus any add-ons — one flat figure, no per-head surprises.
- Lock the date. A deposit secures the boat and crew for your window. Peak dates in June–July fill fast.
- Confirm the run sheet. We finalise the jetty, pickup time, island order, lunch and add-ons a few days ahead.
- Board and go. Meet the crew at the agreed jetty; the boat is yours for the booked hours.
When should larger groups plan a Gili charter?
Timing matters more for groups because rebooking twenty people is hard. Audley Travel notes May to August brings clear skies and warm seas, with June and July “quite busy” — book well ahead. September still has good weather with occasional showers and is a quieter, better-value month for a group. October to April is “not recommended,” as regular rain can disrupt travel.
Charters run most reliably, with calmer seas and better snorkelling visibility, in the May–September dry window. For a corporate offsite or a big celebration, aim there and confirm your boat early.
> Ready to price your group day on the water?
> Tell our concierge your headcount, date and plan. We size the right whole boat around Trawangan, Meno and Air, quote one honest per-boat rate, and route everything through the Bali Premium Trip reservations team.
> WhatsApp: 6281128590000 · Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
> Prices are operator-set and current as of 2026, subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum group size that makes a whole-boat Gili charter worth it?
Six guests is the practical tipping point. At six or more, splitting one flat per-boat rate around Trawangan, Meno and Air usually costs less per head than shared per-person island-hopping seats — plus you get the whole boat, your own timing, and no strangers on board.
Can one boat visit all three Gili Islands in a single day?
Yes. A full-day group charter of roughly six to seven hours comfortably links Trawangan for facilities, Meno for quiet beaches and turtle-and-statue snorkelling, and Air for relaxed reefs. Half-day charters of about four hours usually cover two islands and one or two snorkel stops instead.
How does a big group get picked up if the Gilis have no cars or roads?
The islands are vehicle-free — Audley Travel notes motorised traffic is banned by local order, so there are only cidomo carts and electric scooters. We stage your charter at the nearest jetty to your accommodation and keep the walk short, then load the whole group from that single boarding point.
Can we bring our own food and drinks on a group charter?
Yes. Because you hold the entire boat, you can bring a cake, snacks or your own drinks, or add an iced cooler and crew-cooked BBQ from the add-on menu. Just flag it with the concierge in advance so the crew stages space and ice for your group.