A private boat charter to the Gili Islands comes in three main forms: a private speedboat from north-west Lombok (the fastest and most affordable option), a crewed catamaran for a full day of sailing, or a luxury motor yacht or traditional phinisi for guests who want the vessel to be part of the experience. As of 2026, indicative prices start around USD 300–500 for a private speedboat day trip and rise to USD 2,500 or more per day for a fully crewed yacht. The shortest crossings depart from Teluk Nare and Teluk Kodek on Lombok’s north-west coast, roughly 15–25 minutes from Gili Trawangan.
Below we break down each option in detail — what it costs, where it departs, how the Secret Gilis fit into the picture, and how to organise the whole trip so you are not coordinating boat crews over patchy phone signal during your holiday.
What Are Your Options for a Private Boat Charter to the Gili Islands?
There is no single “Gili charter” product. The right choice for a private boat charter to the Gili Islands depends on how much time you have, how many people are travelling, and whether the boat itself is the experience or simply a comfortable, crowd-free way to get there.
Private speedboat — fast, flexible, best value
A private speedboat is the workhorse of Gili charters. Most carry six to ten guests, depart from Teluk Nare, Teluk Kodek or Senggigi, and can island-hop all three Gilis — Trawangan, Meno and Air — in a single day. A typical itinerary includes snorkelling at the turtle-rich reefs off Gili Meno, a beach club lunch on Gili Trawangan, and a swim stop wherever conditions are best that day. Because the crossing from Teluk Nare takes under half an hour, a speedboat works even if you land at Lombok International Airport (LOP) that same morning.
Crewed catamaran — stable, social, ideal for families and groups
A sailing catamaran trades speed for space: shaded lounging areas, bow nets over the water, a crew serving lunch and drinks on board, and far more stability than a monohull — a real advantage for guests prone to seasickness or travelling with children. Catamarans suit full-day charters where the sailing is the point, not just the transfer. Guests beginning their trip in Bali can also sail across the Lombok Strait: our Bali catamaran charter options include Gili crossings and one-way routes, typically three to four hours each way depending on conditions.
Luxury yacht or phinisi — the complete experience
At the top end, a crewed motor yacht or traditional Indonesian phinisi turns the Gilis into one stop on a floating-villa itinerary: en-suite cabins, a private chef, water toys, and the option to anchor overnight off Gili Meno or continue along Lombok’s coastline. This is the natural choice for milestone celebrations, honeymoons and multi-day charters. For vessel classes, sample itineraries and what to expect on board, see our Lombok luxury yacht charter guide.
How Much Does a Private Charter to the Gilis Cost?
As of 2026, a private boat charter to the Gili Islands typically falls within the indicative ranges below. Actual quotes vary with vessel, season, fuel prices and inclusions, so treat these as planning figures rather than fixed rates.
| Charter type | Typical capacity | Indicative price (2026) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private speedboat, half day | Up to 8 guests | USD 300–500 | 3–4 hours |
| Private speedboat, full day | Up to 10 guests | USD 450–800 | 6–8 hours |
| Sunset cruise | Up to 10 guests | USD 300–600 | 2–3 hours |
| Crewed catamaran, full day | 10–15 guests | USD 1,500–3,500 | 7–9 hours |
| Luxury yacht or phinisi | Varies by vessel | From USD 2,500 per day | Full day to multi-day |
Two pricing notes worth knowing. First, always confirm what a quote includes: fuel, crew gratuities, snorkelling equipment, lunch and harbour or marine fees around the Gilis are sometimes quoted separately. Second, demand spikes sharply in July–August and around the MotoGP weekend at the Mandalika circuit, when both boats and drivers book out — expect higher rates and thinner availability in those windows.
Where Do Private Charters Depart From in Lombok?
- Teluk Nare and Teluk Kodek — the closest jetties to the Gilis, 15–25 minutes across. Roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Lombok International Airport, or 30–45 minutes from Senggigi.
- Senggigi — many charters collect guests directly from Senggigi-area resorts and cruise the scenic north-west coastline en route, adding around 45 minutes each way.
- Medana Bay — a small marina area in north-west Lombok used by yachts and sailing vessels; convenient for boarding larger charters.
- Gili Trawangan or Gili Air — if you are already staying on the islands, boats can pick you up beachside for day cruises and sunset trips.
- Bali (Serangan or Benoa) — for catamaran and yacht crossings via the Lombok Strait, best treated as a full-day sail rather than a transfer.
Guests staying at Kuta Mandalika on the south coast should budget 2.5 to 3 hours by road to the north-west jetties — very doable with an early start and a driver arranged in advance.
Can a Private Charter Visit the Secret Gilis?
Yes, but they are on a different coast. The so-called Secret Gilis — Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis, Gili Asahan and their neighbours — sit off Sekotong in south-west Lombok, and charters there depart from Tawun and other Sekotong-area jetties rather than Teluk Nare. Prices are lower: as of 2026, a private boat for a Secret Gilis day trip typically runs an indicative USD 150–350 depending on vessel and route. The atmosphere is entirely different too — no beach clubs, very few visitors, shallow calm bays and the chance of a sandbank picnic more or less to yourselves.
Combining the main Gilis and the Secret Gilis in one day is not practical given the distances involved. If you want both, plan them as two separate days — they pair beautifully as a lively day and a quiet day.
What About a Sunset Cruise Around the Gilis?
A sunset charter is the shortest and most romantic format: two to three hours on the water, departing around 4 pm from Teluk Nare, Senggigi or the islands themselves. On clear evenings you watch the sun drop behind Bali’s Mount Agung across the Lombok Strait — one of the most photographed views in the region. It pairs naturally with a dinner reservation on Gili Trawangan or back at your villa, and crews can arrange chilled drinks, canapés or a proposal setup on request. For honeymooners, this is consistently the most requested single experience we organise on Lombok.
How Do You Organise a Private Yacht Charter to the Gili Islands?
Organising a charter well comes down to sequencing. Here is the order that avoids the common problems:
- 1. Fix your dates and group size first. Vessel availability, not price, is the real constraint in the May–October dry season.
- 2. Choose the vessel class. Speedboat for time efficiency, catamaran for comfort and groups, yacht or phinisi when the boat is the destination.
- 3. Agree the route in advance. Which islands, which snorkel sites, where you stop for lunch — a fixed plan protects you from an improvised, rushed day.
- 4. Confirm inclusions in writing. Fuel, gear, meals, harbour fees and crew tips should all be itemised before you pay a deposit.
- 5. Arrange land transfers together with the boat. The airport-to-jetty drive is the step most often mishandled; the boat is only as punctual as your car.
- 6. Book two to four weeks ahead in peak season, and earlier around the Mandalika MotoGP weekend.
Or skip the checklist entirely and send us one message. We source the vessel, negotiate the rate, plan the route and align it with your villa and transfers as part of our luxury Lombok packages — one itinerary, one point of contact.
When Is the Best Time to Charter to the Gilis?
The dry season from May to October offers the calmest seas, the most reliable sunshine and snorkelling visibility often in the 15–25 metre range. The November–March wet season is not a write-off — mornings are frequently clear and boats still run daily — but afternoon squalls make flexible scheduling important, and the longer Bali–Lombok crossing is more weather-sensitive than the short hop from Teluk Nare. If your dates fall in the wet season, favour morning departures and keep a backup day where possible.
Plan Your Gili Charter With One Message
Whether you want a simple private speedboat day, a catamaran for the whole family or a multi-day yacht itinerary, we arrange every private boat charter to the Gili Islands end-to-end — vessel sourcing, route planning, villa coordination and airport transfers included. Part of Juara Holding Group, operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015, our team works with vessels and crews we have vetted ourselves.
Tell us your dates and group size on WhatsApp at +62 811 3941 4563 or email bd@juaraholding.com, and we will come back with matched vessel options and a clear, all-inclusive quote.
