Lombok Secret Gilis: Private Day Trip & Snorkeling Lunch

Summary

Snorkel clear waters eat fresh seafood and drift between quiet islets near Lombok

You’ll drift between five quiet islets near Lombok by private boat with a local guide, snorkeling in clear water teeming with bright fish (they’ll eat bread right from your hand). Enjoy a grilled seafood lunch on Gili Sudak and plenty of time to swim or just watch clouds drift by — it’s slow travel at its best.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment, just before the boat left Tawun Harbor, where I noticed how the water around Lombok’s southwest was almost glassy — like you could see every ripple from a passing breeze. Our guide, Pak Yudi, grinned as he handed us snorkels and a half-empty bottle stuffed with bread (I didn’t get it at first). He said, “For the fish — just wait.” The engine coughed to life and we set out for the first of the Secret Gilis. I kept glancing back at the shoreline getting smaller, thinking maybe I should’ve brought more sunscreen.

Gili Nanggu was our first stop — honestly, it’s quieter than any beach I’ve seen in Bali. The sand felt soft and cool under my feet even though the sun was already strong. When we jumped in, Pak Yudi showed us how to squirt bits of bread underwater; suddenly these wild flashes of color swarmed around my hands. Fish everywhere — some nibbled right from my fingers. I laughed so hard my mask nearly filled up. There was this tiny pipefish weaving through coral, and later on Gili Layar we spotted these red ribbon things (nudibranch eggs apparently). Still not sure how he saw them so fast.

Lunch happened on Gili Sudak — grilled fish that tasted smoky and sweet at once, rice sticky from the steam, coconut juice cold enough to make me shiver. We ate sitting cross-legged under a tree while local kids played soccer nearby. It wasn’t fancy but it felt like exactly what you want after swimming all morning. By Gili Kedis I’d stopped checking my phone completely; there’s nothing much to do there except float or nap or watch clouds shift over the mountains on Lombok’s horizon.

I don’t know if it was the salt in my hair or just being away from any crowds for once, but by the time we rode back to Tawun Harbor I felt oddly light. The sun was lower and everything smelled like seaweed and charcoal smoke from someone grilling dinner nearby. Sometimes you don’t realize how much noise you’re carrying until it gets quiet like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore five secret Gili islands

• Snorkel around Gili Nanggu
• Feed fish with bread from bottle
• Snorkel at Gili Layar
• Visit Gili Rengit for snorkeling
• Lunch on Gili Sudak with seafood
• Relax and swim at Gili Kedis
• Return to Tawun Lombok harbor
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How many islands are visited on this day trip?

The tour visits five islands: Gili Layar, Rengit, Nanggu, Tangkong, and Kedis.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is provided for all guests during the tour.

Does this tour include lunch?

Yes, a grilled seafood lunch with rice, fruit, and young coconut juice is included on Gili Sudak.

Where does the tour start?

The day trip starts at Tawun Harbor in southwest Lombok with hotel pickup included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Soda/pop and bottled water are included throughout the trip.

Is this suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; suitable for all fitness levels.

What makes snorkeling here special?

The waters are very clear with calm waves; you can feed colorful fish by hand using bread in a bottle.

How long does the day trip last?

This is a full-day private tour visiting multiple islands before returning to your hotel in Lombok.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from anywhere in Lombok’s southwest region, private transportation by motorized outrigger boat between all five Gilis, use of snorkeling gear (plus that quirky bread-in-a-bottle trick), plenty of bottled water and soda along the way, plus a grilled seafood lunch served with rice, fruit and fresh young coconut juice before heading back late afternoon.