Sekotong (southwest Lombok)
★ 4.7(89 reviews)
Sekotong Secret Gili Charter operates day-trip boats from Tawun and Pelangan harbors in southwest Lombok to the lesser-known southwest Gili Islands — Nanggu, Sudak, Kedis, and Layar. Half-day charter 600-800k IDR per boat (4-6 passengers), full-day 1.0-1.5M IDR. Quieter, less developed alternative to Trawangan/Air/Meno.
# Sekotong Secret Gili Charter: The Quiet Alternative to the Famous Three
When most travelers say "Gili Islands," they mean Trawangan, Air, and Meno — the three famous islands off northwest Lombok. But Lombok actually has dozens of small offshore islands, and the cluster off the southwest coast (Sekotong area) includes some of the quietest, least-developed Gilis in the entire region.
These southwest Gilis — Nanggu, Sudak, Kedis, Layar, and a handful of smaller satellites — are accessible only by charter boat from Sekotong's working fishing harbors. There are no fast boats, no tourist transport from Bali, and no organized ferry schedule. You charter a boat for the day, you go.
The famous three Gilis are great but increasingly busy. Trawangan in particular has become a party island with crowded beaches, packed dive schedules, and hundreds of dive students churning the water at popular sites. If you want the quiet end of the Gili experience, the southwest Gilis deliver:
Empty beaches: Often you'll be the only group on a given Gili. White sand, palm-fringed, completely undeveloped.
Better snorkeling at sites: Coral gardens between Sudak and Nanggu have been less impacted by mass tourism than Trawangan's main snorkel sites. Visibility is generally good in dry season.
Local-only feel: The Sekotong area is a working fishing region. Locals fish the same waters you'll snorkel in. The vibe is closer to "remote Indonesian coast" than "tourist island chain."
Genuine isolation: There's no internet on the smaller Gilis, no shops, no restaurants beyond simple Nanggu warungs. This is the appeal.
Gili Nanggu: The largest and most developed of the southwest Gilis. Has 1-2 simple beachfront accommodations, a few warungs, and a small dock. Day-trippers are welcome. Snorkeling off the southeast beach is good.
Gili Sudak: Mostly undeveloped, white-sand beaches. No facilities — bring your own water, food, and shade. The snorkeling channel between Sudak and Nanggu has consistent coral and fish.
Gili Kedis: Tiny single-beach island, often described as "deserted island" experience. No facilities. Wade-able lagoon with crystal water. Bring everything.
Gili Layar: Larger island with a basic eco-lodge but otherwise undeveloped. Snorkeling on the south side is good. Less commonly visited than the smaller Gilis.
Gili Goleng / Genting: Tiny satellites, mostly visited as snorkel stops between the larger Gilis.
Half-day charter (4-5 hours, 2-3 islands):
Full-day charter (7-8 hours, 4-5 islands + lunch stop):
Per-person rate (if you join a shared charter):
For groups of 4+, the per-person cost is genuinely fair — comparable to a Bangsal day-trip excursion but to much quieter destinations.
The Sekotong harbors (Tawun and Pelangan) are in southwest Lombok, accessed by road from Mataram, Senggigi, or Kuta Lombok.
Drive times:
By private driver: 500,000-700,000 IDR for round-trip transfer (driver waits while you do your boat day).
By scooter: Doable on a 125cc+ scooter. The road is paved but has some rough sections.
Combined logistics: Total day with driver + boat + lunch is typically 1.5-2.2M IDR for a couple. For 4-6 people, it scales much better.
December through February sees frequent cancellations. The seas off Sekotong are calmer than the Bali-Gili crossing but still affected by monsoon weather. Boat captains will refuse to depart in genuinely rough conditions — accept the cancellation and try again the next day.
If your trip dates overlap wet season and Sekotong is on your list, build a buffer day.
Most Sekotong charter boats are coordinated by individual captains via WhatsApp. Several work through hotel concierges in Senggigi, Mataram, and Kuta Lombok — ask your accommodation to recommend.
Direct booking via WhatsApp is cheaper but requires basic Indonesian for some captains. Hotel-arranged bookings add 10-20% commission but smooth the language barrier.
Travelers who've already done (or want to skip) the famous three Gilis, snorkelers wanting quieter coral sites, families with kids who appreciate the calm shallow lagoons at Kedis and Sudak, photographers wanting empty-beach shots, and anyone who values quiet over convenience. Skip if you want easy logistics (the famous three are simpler), if you can't tolerate the 1.5-2h drive each way to Sekotong, or if you're traveling deep wet season without buffer days.