Snorkeling Gili Islands with Sea Turtles: Private Boat & GoPro

Swim alongside sea turtles in clear water, then surface with professional underwater footage.

A 4-hour private snorkeling adventure from Gili Air aboard a glass-bottom boat, where you swim with wild sea turtles, explore vibrant coral reefs, visit underwater statues near Gili Meno, and tour Gili Meno's Turtle Sanctuary and Salt Lake with a local guide. The boat, snorkeling gear, life jacket, and complimentary GoPro Hero 13 photos and videos are included. The footage is sent to your phone after the activity.

The experience

Four hours gives you time to move between three distinct snorkeling zones without rushing. You start from Gili Air on a private glass-bottom boat with your own guide, so the pace stays yours: linger where the coral is densest or move on when you're ready. The boat itself matters: the glass bottom lets you watch the reef without constant diving, and it carries only your group, not a crowd of strangers.

The sea turtles are the draw. You'll swim in their habitat rather than watch them from a distance, and the guide knows where they're feeding and resting. From there, the route takes you to the underwater statues near Gili Meno (a deliberate placement of sculptures on the seafloor that have become a landmark), and then to Gili Meno's Turtle Sanctuary and Salt Lake. The coral itself is the third thing: tropical fish move through it in schools, and the visibility in these waters stays high enough that you see detail without fighting the current.

Every moment gets captured on a GoPro Hero 13 mounted and operated by the guide. The footage arrives on your phone after you're back on land, so you don't carry a camera or worry about keeping it dry. Snorkeling gear, life jacket, and the boat are all included. You bring only a swimsuit and the willingness to get in the water.

What’s included

• Private glass-bottom boat for your group.
• professional local snorkeling guide in English.
• full snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins).
• life jacket.
• complimentary GoPro Hero 13 underwater photos and videos sent to your phone after the activity.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to6h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bangsal Ferries

Is this one for you?The 4-hour window fits snorkeling into a half-day, leaving your morning or afternoon free for other island activities. A moderate level of fitness helps, since you're in the water for most of the time, but the guide adjusts the pace to your group's comfort and the life jacket keeps you supported throughout.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is it from Gili Air to the snorkeling sites?

The glass-bottom boat travels from Gili Air to the coral reefs and sea turtle zones, then to the underwater statues near Gili Meno and Gili Meno's Turtle Sanctuary. The distances are short enough that the boat ride itself is part of the experience rather than a commute. The 4-hour window covers the travel, the snorkeling time at each stop, and the return.

What happens if I've never snorkeled before?

The guide is trained to work with first-timers and will show you how to use the mask, snorkel, and fins before you enter the water. A life jacket is included, so you stay buoyant while you're learning. The guide stays with your group the entire time and adjusts the depth and pace to match your comfort level.

Will I actually see sea turtles, or is that not guaranteed?

Sea turtles live in these waters year-round and feed in the areas the guide takes you to, so encounters are common. The guide knows their habits and the best times to find them. There's no absolute guarantee on any given day, but the activity is built around swimming in their habitat, not chasing them.

How do I get the GoPro photos and videos after the snorkeling?

The guide captures footage throughout the 4 hours using a GoPro Hero 13. After you return, the photos and videos are transferred to your phone, so you leave with the files ready to share or edit.

What should I bring, and what's provided?

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel. Everything else is supplied. The boat provides snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins), a life jacket, and the glass-bottom boat itself. The guide is included, as is the GoPro service.