Transport guide · How to get from Gili Trawangan to All 3 Gili Islands (circuit)
You can visit all three Gilis in one day using public boats (75,000 IDR total) or a half-day snorkel tour that stops at all three islands (200,000–300,000 IDR). The public boat circuit is cheaper but requires careful timing. Snorkel tours are simpler because the boat handles routing and stops at the best sites, not just the docks.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day snorkel tour | 3–4 hours | 200,000–300,000 IDR per person | Morning and afternoon departures daily | Most travelers wanting to experience all three islands in one go | |
| Public boat circuit (DIY) | Full day | 75,000 IDR per person (3 x 25,000 IDR) | Public boats 3x daily on loose schedule | Budget travelers on a full day with no other plans |
3–4 hours · 200,000–300,000 IDR per person
Tip: This is by far the most efficient way to 'see' all three Gilis. You visit the best snorkel sites of each instead of just the docks.
Full day · 75,000 IDR per person (3 x 25,000 IDR)
Tip: This is the budget option but you're spending more time in transit and waiting than actually enjoying each island.
Book a half-day snorkel tour (200,000–300,000 IDR) for the best 'see all three Gilis' experience. The DIY public boat circuit saves money but you visit the dock areas of each island, not the actual highlights. Tours take you to the NEST statues, Meno Wall, and turtle points — the parts you actually came to see.
# Gili Island Hopping: Three Gilis, One Day
The three Gili islands sit within a 3 km triangle and are connected by public boats. Seeing all three in a single day is a common ambition for Gili visitors, especially those with limited time. There are two ways to do it, and they're very different experiences.
This is the efficient option. A morning or afternoon snorkel tour from Gili T visits 3–5 sites in 3–4 hours, typically including:
Tours cost 200,000–300,000 IDR per person and include boat, gear, guide, and all stops. You see the actual highlights of each Gili — the things you came for — rather than just the dock areas. Half-day tours run morning (9am–12:30pm) and afternoon (1pm–4:30pm).
The budget alternative. Use public inter-Gili boats at 25,000 IDR per hop, 3 hops total = 75,000 IDR.
Day plan:
This is doable but rushed, and you visit the dock areas of each island rather than the best sights. The biggest downsides: you're on timed public boat schedules, you walk from each dock to the beach/snorkel spot eating 20 minutes per island, and you miss the offshore sites entirely (Meno Wall, NEST statues) because they require a tour boat.
For 95% of visitors, the snorkel tour is better value. You see more, do more, and waste less time on logistics for only 150,000 IDR more. The DIY public boat option only makes sense if you specifically want to stroll around each island at your own pace and you don't care about the offshore snorkel sites.
Some dive shops offer full-day "ultimate Gili" tours at 500,000–700,000 IDR including lunch and more dive/snorkel stops. These visit 6–7 sites over 6 hours. For snorkel enthusiasts, this is the best single-day Gili experience.