Padang Bai harbor, East Bali (Bali side)
★ 4.3(567 reviews)
Eka Jaya is one of the longest-operating fast boat companies between Bali and the Gili Islands / Lombok. Daily departures from Padang Bai (also Serangan and Sanur), 1.5-2 hour crossing, around 600-900k IDR per person one way. Includes free hotel transfer in Bali. Mid-tier in price and reputation; reasonable safety record but check current reviews.
# Eka Jaya Fast Boat: Bali to Gili Islands and Lombok
Eka Jaya is one of the longest-operating fast boat companies serving the Bali-Gili-Lombok crossing — established 2003, with daily departures from Padang Bai (the main fast boat harbor in east Bali) and additional services from Serangan and Sanur on Bali's southern coast. The Padang Bai route is the most popular due to the shorter open-water crossing.
The 1.5-2 hour fast boat crossing from Bali to the Gili Islands is mostly comfortable in dry season (May-October) and can be genuinely rough in wet season (November-April). Sea conditions vary day to day even in good months. Don't expect a glassy ride — even a "calm" crossing has noticeable swell.
Boat speed: ~25-30 knots (45-55 km/h). The crossing distance is approximately 50-70 km depending on the route and destination.
From Padang Bai (East Bali, primary route):
From Serangan (South Bali):
From Sanur:
Return from Gili Trawangan:
Schedule is generally reliable in dry season. Wet season sees cancellations or schedule changes — typically announced via SMS/WhatsApp the morning of departure.
One-way (per adult):
Return (purchased together, slight discount):
Children: Half price for ages 2-12, free under 2.
Includes: Free hotel transfer in Bali (south Bali pickup zones), 1 large suitcase + carry-on, light snacks/water on board.
Does not include: Hotel transfer at Gili end (use cidomo or walk), insurance (consider separately).
Free Bali hotel transfer covers most of south Bali (Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua). The transfer leaves from your hotel 2-3 hours before boat departure to allow for multiple pickups and the 1.5-hour drive to Padang Bai harbor.
This means an 8am boat requires hotel pickup at 5:00-5:30am. The pickup vehicle is a shared minivan — comfortable but not private. Multiple hotel stops can stretch the pickup time.
If you prefer private transfer, you can arrange your own taxi to Padang Bai (200-400k IDR depending on origin) and skip the included transfer.
Eka Jaya has a generally reasonable safety record by Bali fast boat standards (which are not international maritime standards). Boats carry life jackets; distribution is inconsistent. Ask the crew for a life jacket on boarding if you want one — for children under 12 this is essential.
The bigger safety concern across the entire Bali-Gili fast boat industry: most boats run at full capacity in peak season, sea conditions can change suddenly, and several incidents have occurred over the years. Choose departure times in calmer morning hours rather than afternoon when wind picks up.
For your own peace of mind:
December through February is monsoon season. Crossings become rougher, cancellations more frequent, and some operators run boats in conditions they shouldn't. Eka Jaya is generally responsible about cancellations but other operators are not.
If traveling in wet season: book with multiple buffer days, accept that schedule changes are possible, consider the longer slow ferry option (Padang Bai to Lembar 4-5 hours, much cheaper, much rougher seas tolerance) if fast boat is canceled multiple days in a row.
Online via ekajayafastboat.com or via WhatsApp. Email confirmation is sent immediately. Print or screenshot the e-ticket for harbor check-in. Show ticket and ID at the Eka Jaya counter at Padang Bai harbor 30-45 minutes before departure.
Booking platforms (Klook, GetYourGuide, BookAway) often have the same prices with English-language customer service if you have issues. Direct booking is slightly cheaper but customer service is more limited.
Travelers wanting an established operator with track record, anyone needing the included Bali hotel transfer, dry-season visitors with flexibility on departure time, and those preferring online booking with email confirmation. Skip wet season unless you have buffer days, skip if you have specific safety concerns about Bali fast boats generally (slow ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar is the alternative), or skip if you specifically want a luxury experience (Blue Water Express is more polished at higher price).