Transport guide · How to get from Medana Bay Marina to Gili Islands / Sailing destinations
Medana Bay Marina near Tanjung in north Lombok is the island's main yacht harbor and private boat charter hub. Used by sailing trip operators, yacht charter companies, and private speedboat services to the Gili Islands. Not for public ferry travelers — use Bangsal or Teluk Nare for budget Gili access.
| Method | Time | Cost | Comfort | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private yacht charter | Half-day to multi-day | 5-30 million IDR per day depending on yacht size | Pre-booked | Luxury sailing trips, group charters | |
| Private speedboat to Gilis | 15-25 minutes | 1.5-3 million IDR per group | On demand | Privacy-focused travelers, families with specific schedules |
Half-day to multi-day · 5-30 million IDR per day depending on yacht size
Tip: Pre-book months ahead for peak season. Charter fares vary widely by yacht type and trip length.
15-25 minutes · 1.5-3 million IDR per group
Tip: More expensive than Teluk Nare but tailored departure times.
Use Medana Bay Marina only for yacht charters or luxury private boat experiences. For standard Gili Island access, Teluk Nare (150k IDR per person) or Bangsal (20k IDR per person) are dramatically cheaper. Medana is for premium private experiences, not budget travel.
# Medana Bay Marina: North Lombok's Yacht Hub
Medana Bay Marina is a small marina near Tanjung in north Lombok, serving as the island's main hub for yacht charters, private speedboat services, and luxury sailing trips. Unlike Bangsal (public ferry chaos) or Teluk Nare (mid-tier speedboats), Medana caters to a specifically premium tourism segment — sailing enthusiasts, yacht charter clients, and travelers seeking private luxury Gili experiences.
The marina serves three main customer types:
Yacht charter clients: Multi-day sailing trips around Lombok, Gili Islands, and beyond. Private yachts with crew provide cruising experiences combining transport with luxury accommodation.
Private speedboat customers: Travelers wanting customized departure times to the Gili Islands, willing to pay premium prices for privacy and flexibility. 1.5-3 million IDR per boat charter.
Sailing trip operators: Day-sailing and multi-day sailing experiences from Medana to various Gili islands and snorkel/dive sites.
For typical budget tourists, Medana is irrelevant. For luxury travelers and sailing enthusiasts, it's the right choice.
Several operators run yacht charters from or via Medana Bay Marina:
Day sailing trips: 4-6 hour sailing experiences to nearby Gili islands and snorkel sites. 3-8 million IDR per group depending on yacht size.
Multi-day cruises: 2-7 day sailing trips covering Gili Islands, Sekotong, and sometimes extending to Sumbawa or Komodo. 15-100+ million IDR depending on duration and luxury level.
Phinisi sailing yachts: Traditional Indonesian wooden sailing yachts adapted for tourist charter. The most photogenic option for Instagram-worthy sailing experiences.
Modern catamarans and motor yachts: For travelers preferring contemporary luxury over traditional design.
For travelers wanting customized Gili Island access, Medana offers private speedboat charters:
Cost: 1.5-3 million IDR per boat (not per person), accommodating up to 6-8 passengers.
This is dramatically more expensive than Teluk Nare's scheduled speedboats (150k IDR per person, ~600-900k IDR for a family of 4-6) but provides:
Located near Tanjung in north Lombok, Medana is roughly:
Pre-book a private driver for transfers. Cost varies by origin.
For standard Gili Island access, Medana's pricing is dramatically higher than alternatives:
| Option | Cost (group of 4) | Crossing time |
|--------|-------------------|---------------|
| Bangsal slow boat | 100,000 IDR | 25 min + waiting |
| Teluk Nare speedboat | 600,000 IDR | 15 min |
| Senggigi jetty fast boat | 1,400,000 IDR | 30-45 min |
| Medana private speedboat | 1,500,000-3,000,000 IDR | 15-20 min |
| Yacht charter (day) | 3,000,000-8,000,000 IDR | Variable |
Medana costs 2-15x other options for the same or similar Gili access. Justified only for travelers who specifically value yacht/luxury experiences over efficient transport.
Three legitimate scenarios:
Luxury honeymoons or anniversaries: Private boat charter for special occasion intimacy
Sailing enthusiasts: People who specifically want sailing experiences (not just transport)
Group celebrations: Birthday parties, corporate events, multi-family trips where yacht rental cost-per-person becomes reasonable
Photography clients: Wedding photographers and influencers using yacht backdrops
Day sailing trips from Medana include:
Costs: 3-8 million IDR per group for 4-6 people, full day, with food and snorkel gear included.
For travelers who genuinely enjoy sailing as an activity (not just transport), this is a meaningful upgrade over standard tourism. For travelers who just want to reach the Gili Islands cheaply, this is over-spending on something they don't value.