Gili Islands: Private Snorkeling Tour Turtles & Underwater Statues

Summary

Snorkel with turtles and explore underwater art near Gili Trawangan

You’ll float above underwater statues off Gili Meno, swim alongside turtles at Fish Garden, and spot tropical fish swirling around a sunken Vespa near Gili Trawangan—all with a local guide who handles pickup and gear. Lunch is served island-style between swims. Expect laughter, salty hair, and moments of quiet awe beneath the surface.

What’s the experience like?

The morning started with me realizing I’d forgotten my rash guard — classic — so I had to borrow one from our guide, Adi. He just grinned and said, “No worries, happens every day.” We set off from Gili Trawangan in this little boat that smelled like salt and sunscreen, the kind of scent that sticks to your skin for hours. The water was already busy with other boats, but Adi knew a quieter spot near the Vespa statue. I didn’t expect to see an actual scooter under the sea — it looked almost ghostly down there, fish weaving around the handlebars. My mask kept fogging up but honestly, I was too distracted by everything swirling past to care much.

Next stop was Gili Meno for the underwater statues. There’s something weirdly peaceful about floating above those stone figures holding each other in a circle — Adi told us they’re meant to help coral grow back, which made me look at them differently. The sunlight cut through the water in these ribbons and you could hear nothing except your own bubbles. At Fish Garden, we got lucky: two turtles glided right by us, totally unbothered by our awkward flippers. I tried to keep up (unsuccessfully), but just being close was enough. Lunch was simple fried rice on the sand; not fancy but somehow perfect after all that swimming.

I liked that we could choose when to start — we messaged Adi on WhatsApp the night before and he picked us up right at our bungalow. He seemed to know everyone on the islands; people waved as we passed by or called out jokes in Bahasa Indonesia I couldn’t quite catch. There was this moment when I just floated on my back looking up at palm trees against the sky, salt drying on my lips, thinking how different it felt from anywhere else I’ve been. Still think about that sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private snorkeling tour around Gili Islands

• Pickup from accommodation
• Snorkel at Gili Trawangan underwater Vespa
• Snorkel at Gili Meno coral reefs and statues
• Snorkel at Fish Garden to see turtles
• Lunch on the island
• Explore the island

Top questions

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts from Gili Trawangan but includes pickup from anywhere on the three Gili Islands.

Can I see turtles during this snorkeling trip?

Yes, you have a good chance of seeing turtles at Fish Garden during the tour.

What are the main snorkeling spots included?

You’ll visit sites like Turtle Point, Blue Coral, Fish Garden, and see underwater statues off Gili Meno.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, use of mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket is included in your tour.

How do I arrange my departure time?

You can choose any departure time by messaging via WhatsApp one day before your trip.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have lunch on one of the islands during your snorkeling day trip.

Is this private or group snorkeling?

This is a private guided snorkeling experience for your group only.

Are there physical requirements for this trip?

A moderate fitness level is recommended; not suitable for pregnant travelers or those with certain health issues.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary pickup from anywhere across Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Gili Air; all snorkeling equipment like masks and fins; a friendly local guide throughout; plus lunch served right on one of the islands between swims before heading back whenever you’re ready.