Best Snorkeling Trips from Gili Trawangan: Top Tours and Spots to Explore

Snorkelling trips are one of the best things to do from Gili Trawangan. Out of Gili Meno, Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, this is the island most travellers choose and it is the perfect base for exploring the other two by boat.

After trying plenty of tours over the years, my favourite is still the classic trip that includes Gili Meno and Gili Air. I love it because you get to hop between islands, meet locals and see so much in one day.

It can be busy at times but there is a reason everyone does it. The earliest morning tour is usually quieter and I recommend avoiding August when it becomes very crowded.

I have done enough of these trips to know which ones are worth booking and what to expect!

Map Of Gili Trawangan And Nearby Islands

Gili Trawangan (or Gili T) is the first island starting from the left side.

There are then Gili Meno and Gili Air. These 3 are not the only Gilis which are part of Lombok, there are so many others! But today I will mainly focus on those because it’s the easiest snorkeling trip from Gili Trawangan.

That being said I will also give you another option to explore other Gilis further away 🙂

Top Snorkeling Trips To Consider From Gili Trawangan

#1 Gili Islands Snorkelling Tour (Gili Trawangan, Meno, Air)

This is the tour I mentioned before. It’s a classic snorkeling tour from Gili Trawangan that has been going on for years and I love it!

It stops on the most famous spots around the islands and it includes a lunch break too (not included in the price but very affordable!).

Last time I did this tour it was with my mum. We had lunch with the group in Gili Air and had some fresh fish, it was delicious!

I really recommend this tour especially if it’s your first time to the Gilis and are curious to explore Gili Meno and Gili Air briefly too.

You’ll explore coral reefs, swim with sea turtles, and visit the famous underwater sculpture park near Gili Meno called “Bask Nest Underwater Sculptures” (check the map above if you want to see their location).

In Gili Meno, you will also visit a small turtle sanctuary which is super cute!

🕑 Experience duration: 4 hours

💰 Price: Starting at $15 per person

👉 Check tour availability here! This snorkeling trip is amazing and always get to meet other lovely travellers!

#2 Gili Islands Private Snorkeling Trip with GoPro Camera

Snorkeling trips around the Gilis can be REALLY busy. Actually if you visit in high pick months like late July and August, all you will see under water is going to be other people’s fins!

I’ve been there, not fun!

In order to avoid this, you should snorkel super early in the morning, I’m talking around 7AM and for that you need to book a private tour.

This tour offers personalised attention and the opportunity to explore the most stunning snorkeling spots at your own pace and without the crowds.

A GoPro camera is provided so you can capture every moment of your adventure, actually sometimes the snorkeling guide would actually take pictures and videos for you.

I really appreciated that and also the fact that I was able to snorkel in a peaceful and quiet environment.

When booking your trip there is an option to also include the visit to Gili Air (mainland) or not. If you decide to visit it would come with an extra fee.

I don’t recommend doing that because it’s a lot cheaper if you go on your own the day after or even the same day! Check more info on my thorough guide to Gili Trawangan.

🕑 Experience duration: 2 hours

💰 Price: Starting at $90 per group (up to 2 people) – same price if you are alone!

👉 Book your private tour here! It’s really worth doing it if you’re very passionate about snorkeling and want to avoid the crowds. I loved it!

#3 Gili Trawangan Sunset Snorkelling Small Group Tour

You guys, sunsets in Gili Trawangan are the best! And watching it from the sea it’s even better.

This small group tour allows you to snorkel during the magical golden hour, when marine life is most active.

After snorkelling, relax on the boat and watch the sky change colours as the sun dips below the horizon. That provides the perfect end to your day on the Gili Islands.

While this tour will cover the turtle point and statues, you won’t be able to explore Gili Meno and Gili Air.

So, if you are willing to explore these islands I would suggest booking the previous trips. This is quite a special one because of the sunset but it doesn’t really go that far!

🕑 Experience duration: 3 hours

💰 Price: Starting at $16 per person

👉 Find out more abuot the sunset tour here! It’s a fantastic experience considering how epic the sunsets are in Gili T!

Did You Know There Are More Gilis?

While Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air are beautiful, they are also widely known and included in most itineraries/tour guides.

But there is more! You can visit the lesser-known Gili islands: Nanggu, Sudak, and Bedis.

These islands are located towards south west in Lombok (Gili Trawangan is on the north-west of Lombok instead).

If you take this snorkeling tour, you will also have plenty of time snorkel in these fantastic spots and enjoy the beautiful, quiet beaches of these more secluded islands.

One thing to keep in mind is that this snorkelling tour starts from Sengiggi (Lombok) so make sure to plan it accordingly with your travel plans.

🕑 Experience duration: 8 hours

💰 Price: Starting at $55 per person

👉 Check tour availability here! Snorkeling in Gilis Nanggu, Sudak and Bedis is amazing and less popular than Gili Trawangan

What You Will See On Your Snorkeling Trip From Gili Trawangan

Back to our snorkeling trip to Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air.

Here below you will get a preview of what to expect to see under the water and what are the most popular spots where every tour guide would stop!

Gili Trawangan: Turtle Point

Gili Trawangan, the largest and most popular of the three islands, is home to Turtle Point, one of the best snorkelling spots in the Gili Islands.

As the name suggests, Turtle Point is famous for its resident sea turtles. This is not the only spot to swim with the turtles, I actually saw them at nearly every stop of the snorkeling trip including the 3 islands!

The area is also rich in coral gardens, where you can spot colourful fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish.

Gili Meno: The Nest

Gili Meno, the smallest and quietest of the three islands, offers a unique snorkelling experience at The Nest.

This underwater sculpture park, created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, features a collection of human figures that have become part of the marine ecosystem.

Over time, the sculptures have been colonised by corals and sponges, attracting a variety of fish and other marine life.

The Nest is located just off the western coast of Gili Meno, in shallow water, making it easily accessible for snorkelers.

However in order to really make the most out of this spot I highly recommend booking a private tour!

This is because I’ve rarely seen the statues without people’s fins on the way, which is a shame because it’s a beautiful spot. If you are lucky, you can see many turtles here too!

👉 Book your private tour here to enjoy watching the statues and turtles fully!

Gili Air: Turtles spotting close to the beach

Gili Air has many snorkeling spots right by the beach. You don’t need a snorkeling trip for it!

I lived on Gili Air for a while and I would just see them normally while going for a swim.

For this reason, Gili Air might not be included in most snorkeling tours if not for just lunch.

That being said, if you are into diving instead, this is the right place to for it! This island is famous for different diving spots like “The Wall” which is an underwater coral garden and a lot more!

👉 Find out more about diving in Gili Air here!

Gili Meno: Meno Slope and Turtle Sanctuary

Another fantastic snorkelling spot on Gili Meno is Meno Slope. Located on the eastern side of the island, this site offers a gently sloping reef that is home to a variety of coral species and marine life.

This spot is perfect for spotting schools of colourful fish, as well as the occasional turtle or stingray.

Most snorkelling trips would also include a quick stop at the turtle sanctuary!

This is a really lovely place where you can see baby turtles of different ages before being released back into the sea.

When I visited the sanctuary, there was a very knowledgeable guide who explained a lot about how they look after the turtle and support them until being reliesed again in the Ocean!

Why You Should Book Online

If you walk around Gili Trawangan, you will notice many stands providing snorkelling tours. You can even reserve your trip through your hotel.

However, if you follow that path, there won’t be reviews. It’s also hard to understand what’s included and what to expect.

As an example, I booked a snorkelling trip from a local stand recently. I paid exactly the same as other travellers who joined the same trip.

However, they were allowed to take both life jackets and fins, whilst I was supposed to choose between the two or pay extra if I wanted to get both.

When you book online, you get what’s been listed and it’s less likely to get scammed!

The service would also be more professional and you would get nicer guides because they know there will be a review from their customers afterwards.

Long story short, when booking online you know what to get and you can read other reviews to find out what to expect!

👉 Secure your snorkeling trip here

Best Time of Year to Go Snorkeling in the Gilis

The best time to go snorkelling in the Gili Islands is during the dry season, which runs from May to October.

During this period, the currents are minimal so the sea is clear and you get to see a lot more. There is also a chance to get good days during the rainy season but it’s a bit of a risk and while the sea is still warm, the visibility might be reduced considerably.

August is the peak tourist month, so if you prefer fewer crowds, consider visiting in May, June, or September. Even early July is not that bad, although it starts getting busy.

What to Bring for Your Snorkeling Trip

I have to say, most of the listed experiences would provide the basics when it comes to snorkeling equipment.

So you can use their ones unless you want to bring your own! A part from that I would recommend the following:

• Since the sun can be strong, bring a good SPF cream or a long-sleeved swim shirt for UV protection, and consider a reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and the coral reefs.

• A waterproof bag is handy for keeping your belongings dry while on a boat, and don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day!

• If you haven’t picked an experience including a Go-Pro, you can bring yours or a waterproof phone case to take pictures under the water.

FAQs

What now?

If you haven’t picked your accommodation yet, I have some really good recommendations!

👉 My favourite place to stay in Gili Trawangan is definitely Belukar Villas. It’s in a quiet location and the service is unbeatable!

It’s also my first stay on the very first time I visited the island alone and I have to say I really recommend it for solo travellers too because people are very friendly and welcoming!

If you are looking for more inspiration, check out this post on the most unique places to stay in Gili Trawangan for solo travellers!

Ciao for now,

Silvia x