How to get to the Gili Islands
Many people coming to Bali just never get to see Lombok. In fact, many people don’t even know Lombok exists until they look at a map. Suddenly there is an island as big as Bali and curious minds wonder what it is like. Is it as busy a tourist destination as Bali? What kind of people live there? Are there shops, hotels, restaurants? What are the beaches like? Sometimes you may see a big cloud in the North, as in October-November 2015. That's just the local volcano Mount Rinjani, letting off steam before it go back to sleep for another 5 or 6 years.
Visit www.mydestination.com/lombokandgilis and you will see an inviting island, where people also grow rice as on Bali, some on terraces, but mostly on flat ground, because, apart from the towering Mt. Rinjani, almost always covered in cloud, and a few mountains in the south, Lombok is quite flat and well suited to agriculture. As on Bali, farmers are starting to diversify into other crops than just rice. At little stalls on the country roads, one can buy cool watermelons, rambutans and other fruit in season, picked the same morning, and at such low prices you will wonder if something is wrong.
The tourist industry on Lombok is also starting to diversify, so the question now arises: How does one get there? When you get there, where do you go? Now many people know about the 3 Gili Islands, Trawangan, Air and Meno, off the north-west coast of Lombok, but can you believe that many people go there unaware of the delights of laid-back Lombok and never go near it?
Jukungs on a Senggigi beach, Lombok
South Lombok is showing real development after a couple of false starts and years as a wilderness paradise of snowy white beaches and spectacular waves. The Bali Tourist Development Corporation which developed Nusa Dua in south-east Bali was given the mandate for the Mandalika Project. With proper plans in place, it is hoped the tourist area will develop in a sensible manner. Matters like water, electricity and other amenities are being seriously planned with eco-tourism in mind.
How to get there? If you have hired a car and want to take it over to Lombok, you will need to get to Padangbai and take the PELNI government-owned ferry across to the southern port of Lembar in Lombok – 5 hours. From there you will travel on good roads to the capital Mataram, then further north-west to the tourist coast of Senggigi, where most expats live. Or you can get to the south coast in under an hour on good roads. Ask for directions to Praya and Kuta. (Dimana Praya? will do the trick).
It is rather recommended, though, to fly to Lombok’s southern Bandara Internasional Airport near Praya, from where it is a 20 minute drive to the South Coast, where you will find a very different Kuta to the one in Bali. This one is laid-back, with thatch-roof warungs along the beachfront, a few hotels and reasonably priced restaurants and lots of surf boards for hire. Getting a hire car or a taxi from Lombok Airport is simple, but booking a hire car in advance is recommended.
Flight time to Lombok is 25 minutes, waiting time at Bali Airport about 1 hour. Flights mainly go straight over Nusa Penida and Lembongan, so there’s an added bonus, seeing these unique “Channel Islands of Bali” or you may be treated to the spectacle of Lombok’s stunning south coast bays and beaches if the landing is from the east side.
Crystal clear Gili waters off Lombok
The alternative way to get to Lombok is by “fastboat” as the locals all them. There are about 14 companies doing the route, some via Lembongan from Sanur Beach or Benoa Harbour. Others ply from Padangbai or Amed, and the road trip to these mini-ports is included in the ticket price. You will find some of the companies here.
There is a variation in pricing, however. We recently asked Russel Wilson, Australian owner of Scoot Fast Cruises and retired Captain, why his prices were higher. He came up with some surprising answers, bearing in mind a recent tragic loss of life by some Japanese divers off Nusa Penida some months back.
Scoot runs a fleet of 7 boats from Bali, some from Sanur Beach and also from Padangbai to the Gilis. Scoot claims to have the fastest boats in the local business and the best safety record. Scoot Fast Cruises service the Tropical Triangle Bali: Sanur (bottom of Jalan Hang Tuah) - Lembongan, Lombok and The Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno & Gili Air) with a stop off Senggigi Beach. From start to finish Scoot make your trip enjoyable and safe, from Hotel or Airport to your destination and return.
Scoot triangle
Why are Scoot prices higher than other companies? Russel Wilson replied: “For five years in a row Scoot Fast Cruises has been Awarded Indonesia's "Leading Cruise Boat Company" 2010 - 2011 / 2011 - 12 / 2012 - 13 / 2013-14 / 2014-15. We were recently honoured with the new prestigious Travel Award "Indonesia Leader in Business Cruise Operations".
“Our safety record since 2004 is impeccable, with fully comprehensive insurance with Lloyds of London to a maximum of US$ 500.000.000. Scoot Fast Cruises are continuously being recognized within the industry as progressive, innovative and providing a high standard of fast boat service. Many people are prepared to pay a bit more just to feel completely safe on the water."
Scoot offers a unique stop-over service ticket incorporating Sanur to Lembongan, with a stay-over at their Tropica Resort. After a relaxing time on Lembongan, passengers then produce their ticket for the daily boat to Gili Trawangan and can stay at the Scoot associate lodgings Tropica Apartments and Superior Rooms on Gili Trawangan, then return to Sanur a day or 2 later, all on the one ticket.
“Scoot are in the Bali Tourism Industry and not just a Passenger Service!” says Russel Wilson.
Reasons to Travel With Scoot Fast Cruises :
Managed by an Australian registered ship's captain.
Management has over 40 years' experience in Marine Tourism Australia-wide.
Highly trained crew all with Indonesian qualifications, always in both radio and telephone contact with Sanur Control Centre in Jalan Hang Tuah.
More convenient departure times. 7 passenger boats available.
Round Trip ticket allows stop-over in Nusa Lembongan, Gili Trawangan, Air or Meno as well as Senggigi, Lombok.
Their 7 booking offices : Sanur, Lembongan Beach, Lembongan Temple, Gili Trawangan - Gili Air and Senggigi, Lombok are open daily 8.00am - 10.00pm 7 days a week.
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Passengers at Sanur Boat Station
