Gili Islands Snorkeling Boat Trip with Turtles Lombok

The Gili Islands off Lombok

The Gili Islands are three small islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, off the north-west coast of Lombok. There are no cars or motorbikes on them, only bicycles and horse carts, and the surrounding water is clear and warm all year. A Gili Islands snorkelling trip is one of the most popular things to do in Lombok, because turtles and coral are close to the shore.

The trip is by boat, calling at several snorkelling spots around the islands. Depending on the option, you meet at a beach on Gili Trawangan or on Gili Air, so check the meeting point before you book. Hotel pickup is not included, since the islands are small and easy to reach on foot.

Turtle Point and swimming with sea turtles

Turtle Point is a shallow reef where green and hawksbill turtles graze on sea grass and rest on the bottom. It is the highlight for most travellers, and the guide brings the boat to the spot where turtles are most often seen. Sightings are very common but never guaranteed, because the turtles are wild.

Please follow the guide's instructions: do not touch, chase or feed the turtles, and keep a respectful distance. Wearing a life jacket keeps you afloat, so beginners and weaker swimmers can enjoy the swim, and you should tell the guide if you are nervous in the water. The best time for turtles is usually in the morning, when the sea is calm.

The underwater statues off Gili Meno

Off Gili Meno lies a sculpture called Nest, a circle of life-size human figures standing on the seabed in shallow water. It was placed there in 2017 as an art installation, and the statues are slowly being covered by coral and marine life. Many people search for the Gili underwater statues tour because it looks so unusual, especially when snorkelling above it.

It is included in the premium small-group option and may be visited on other options depending on the route. The statues are a popular spot and can be crowded at peak hours, so smaller groups and early departures give you more room. The water is calm and shallow enough to see them clearly.

The Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary

The Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary is a conservation project on the beach at Gili Meno. Staff raise young turtles from eggs in tanks until they are strong enough to be released into the sea, and visitors can see the turtles at different stages of growth. It helps explain why turtles are so common around the Gili Islands.

Your guide takes you to the sanctuary as part of the tour, and you can look at the tanks and learn how the project works. The visit is part of the options with this stop. It is a good stop for children and for anyone who wants to understand the turtles before swimming with them.

The Gili Air coral garden and choosing your option

Several options finish with a snorkel at the coral garden on Gili Air, where hard and soft corals attract colourful fish such as parrotfish and butterflyfish. The reef is close to the shore and suits a relaxed swim after the more active stops.

The options differ in group size, meeting point, duration and the spots visited. The small-group tours have up to eight people, the shared group is larger, and the sunset departure has two snorkelling spots. Check the option before you book, especially the meeting island, and bring a towel, because a towel is not included.