Snorkeling Gili Trawangan: Turtles, Sculptures & Coral Garden

Swim with turtles and through an underwater sculpture park, then choose between grilled fish and a beach massage.

Snorkeling in the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air) with a guide, where you swim with Green and Hawksbill turtles at Turtle Point, explore an underwater sculpture park, and dive the Coral Garden reef. The activity lasts around four hours and includes all snorkeling gear, a crew, water and lunch on the beach; afterward you pick between a sunset barbecue or a traditional massage at Crab Bar & Restoran on Gili Trawangan. You can book this as a public group or private snorkeling, and the barbecue or massage is optional depending on which package you choose.

The Experience

The day starts with a glass-bottom boat ride from Gili Trawangan to the snorkeling sites. Your guide leads you into the water at Turtle Point first, where Green and Hawksbill turtles move through the shallows—you'll swim alongside them with a mask and fins, watching them graze and drift. The boat then carries the group to Gili Meno, where an underwater sculpture park sits on the seafloor; these are real carved figures you navigate around and through, a strange contrast to the living reef. All snorkeling equipment is provided, and the crew stays with you throughout.

Gili Air's Coral Garden comes next—a stretch of reef packed with colorful fish, branching corals and dense life. You'll spend time here exploring before the boat pulls back to shore for a beach break and lunch. The water, crew support and documentation of the day are all included. After you've dried off and eaten, you move to Crab Bar & Restoran on Gili Trawangan to finish the afternoon or evening: choose between a sunset barbecue (available as an afternoon feast or evening meal) or a traditional Balinese massage while the sun goes down. The barbecue and massage are optional add-ons depending on which package you book.

What’s included

• Glass-bottom boat transport between the three islands.
• experienced guide leading all snorkeling.
• full snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• bottled water throughout the day.
• lunch on the beach.
• crew support and insurance.
• optional sunset barbecue or traditional massage at Crab Bar & Restoran (depending on your package choice).

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Gili Sunset

Is this one for you?Book the public snorkeling option if you're comfortable in a group and want to meet other travelers; choose private snorkeling if you prefer the guide's attention focused on just your party. The barbecue and massage add-ons turn the afternoon into a full island experience, so pick one if you want to stay on Gili Trawangan after the water time rather than heading back right away.

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Top questions

What's the underwater sculpture park at Gili Meno actually like?

The sculpture park at Gili Meno is a collection of carved figures on the seafloor that you swim around and through while snorkeling—it's a unique underwater art installation mixed into the natural reef, and your guide will point out the pieces as you explore.

Will I definitely see turtles at Turtle Point?

Turtle Point at Gili Trawangan is where Green and Hawksbill turtles regularly feed and move through shallow water, and your guide will lead you to them; sightings are common but wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.

Is the barbecue or massage included, or do I pay extra?

The barbecue and massage are optional—they depend on which package you book at checkout; some options include one or the other, while others are snorkeling only, so you choose what you want when you reserve.

How much of the four hours is actually in the water?

The activity runs about four hours total from start to finish; most of that time is spent snorkeling at the three sites (Turtle Point, the sculpture park and Coral Garden), with the boat ride between locations and the beach lunch built into the day.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

All snorkeling equipment—mask, fins, snorkel—is provided by the crew; you just need to bring a swimsuit and towel.

What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this activity; the guide will be with you in the water, and the snorkeling sites are in shallow reef areas, but you'll be swimming independently with your own equipment.