Snorkeling trip on the Gili Islands – what you need to know before
A trip to the Gili Islands would never be complete without going on a snorkeling trip around the islands and explore the beauty under the water surface. Located Northwest of Lombok, the Gili Islands are a popular travel destination. Travellers from Bali or Lombok love to spend a few days on one of the three islands and get another impression of the Indonesian island paradise. And next to relaxing at the beach and having some fun at the parties, you should definitely put a snorkeling trip on your list of things to do. Here is what you need to know before doing a snorkeling trop on the Gili Islands.
Snorkeling on the Gili Islands – why is it worth it?
First, let´s answer another question: why should you even go on a snorkeling trip on the Gili Islands? What makes it worth it and why is the trip one of the best experiences to have when travelling to the small archipelago?
And of course, there are the countless colorful fishes and still some beautiful coral reefs. Going under water on the Gili Islands is more than promising. Therefore, the first thing to do when arriving at the islands, is to look out for a good offer for a snorkeling tour. You will for sure not regret it.
But still, there are a few things you need to know before booking the snorkeling trip.
Rent a go-pro or bring your own
You really want to capture these unique moments under water. Meeting a turtle for the first time or seeing the statues in front of Gili Meno are definitely moments when you will need a camera. Some of the agencies who offer the snorkeling trips also do rent go-pros for your adventure. If you are not in possession of an own underwater camera, you should definitely rent one of those.
This will allow you to film and photograph your snorkeling trip on the Gili Islands. And get ready for some of the best travel photos!
The best time for a snorkeling trip is in the morning or the late afternoon
Of course, you are not going to be the only group doing a snorkeling trip around the Gili Islands. One of the busiest times is around midday and the early afternoon, when almost every tour leaves for an underwater adventure. To avoid the crowds underwater (yes, you will see that there can be crowds under the water as well), you should opt for an early tour or book one later in the afternoon.
Especially in places like the sculptures of Gili Meno, many people can ruin the experience and the atmosphere. During the peak times of the day, you won´t be able to enjoy the place neither to get a good photograph of the unique piece of art. In other places, a crowd can scare the turtles or fishes and you will not spot any of the animals. To avoid this, make sure to book a tour where you can leave around 8 am or at around 3-4 pm.
There is no difference between a private and a shared tour
Of course, you got the option between a private snorkeling tour on the Gili Islands or a shared tour. On a shared tour, you will join others on the boat. Depending on the season or the agency you book with, the size of the group can vary between 10 to 20 people.
But is it really worth to book a private boat? Not really. The private boats mostly do choose the same route around the three islands as shared tours do. In busy places, such as in front of Gili Meno, you will not have a different experience, as there will be other boats anyway. And on quieter places, such as the turtle point, you can all snorkel in different directions.
To sum it up, the money for a private tour is (mostly) not worth it and you can save it for a great party night on Gili T.
You can book the tour directly at the beach
There is no need to book your snorkeling tour on the Gili Islands in advance. Some travellers always feel like organizing and planning a few weeks in advance. And yes, there are a few offers for snorkeling tours online and on Social Media. Yet, it is best to wait until you arrive on the islands to book your snorkeling adventure.
On Gili T or Gili Air, you can book the tours directly at the beach. During the day and especially during the evening, there will be quite some advertisement of the different agencies which assures a great deal. During the high season, it is advised to book 24 hours in advance but during the low season, you can still get on a tour on the same day.
Just walk by the beach and the main promenade and see which offer sounds most attractive to you. And do not forget about the go-pro!
The turtle point is one of the absolute highlights of snorkeling on the Gili Islands
The turtle point is located near the coast of Gili Trawangan. Of course, this is not the only chance to see turtles on the Gili Islands, but still a great place to spot the animals. Many tours decide to stop at the turtle point or in close distance to it. And yes, this is really one of the highlights of the snorkeling trip on the Gili Islands.
To spot a turtle, you need to be really calm in the water. Try to avoid splashing or hectic movements. The best chance to spot a turtle is when they are on their way to the water surface to gasp for breath. If that happens, try not to move and enjoy the moment.
Of course, the snorkeling trip is not only about the turtles, but for most travellers this is one of the special moments.
Notes-from-a-traveller´s tip:
If you did not have any luck seeing a turtle on your snorkeling trip on the Gili Islands, do not worry. If you are staying on Gili Trawangan, you can still get your turtle experience. In front of the main beach, close to the Turtle Hatchery, you can go on your own private snorkeling trip. Pack your snorkeling gear and swim until the edge of the beach where the dark hole of the ocean suddenly opens up. For turtles, this is their favorite place to be and to gasp.
With a bit of luck and patience, you will spot a turtle directly in front of the beach of Gili Trawangan. Make sure to try this spot out.
The snorkeling trip includes a stop to the other Gili Islands
You want to get to know the other islands as well? Most travellers stay either on Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, as Gili Meno is known for luxury vacation and honeymoons. Gili Trawangan is the most popular island from which most of the snorkeling tours start.
But did you know this is not only a snorkeling tour to explore the underwater world? Most of the tours as well include a stop-over at the other two islands which allows you to explore them as well. This is your chance to travel around the Gili Islands and get into the different vibe of the three islands.
While Gili Meno is a very calm and quiet island, you can enjoy the laid-back and vibrant lifestyle on Gili Air. And of course, Gili Trawangan is the party hotspot with great bars, cafés and restaurants. A snorkeling trip and some exploration combined in one tour – how could you turn that offer down?
What not to forget before going on the boat
Is there anything you should not forget before going on the boat for your snorkeling trip around the Gili Islands?
- To protect yourself from the sun, make sure to pack a sunscreen or even a hat for the time you´re on the boat.
- To be able to enjoy some food or get yourself a cold drink on the islands, bring some cash with you.
- And of course, some clothing and a towel. You can get waterproof bags on the islands or bring your own. Make sure to keep your mobile phone safe from the water at all times.
If this trip sounds like a lot of fun and you want to get even more inspiration on what you can explore from Bali, check out Breathtaking destinations to travel to from Bali.
