BlueWater Express pioneered the fast boat service from Bali to the Gili Islands in 2006, and is consequently the longest running operator in this field, with a 100% safety record. We put the emphasis on safety, professionalism and guest satisfaction in all our services.
From the North – Ubud
If you are travelling from Ubud to the Gili Islands or from Gili to Ubud then we suggest that you choose Padang Bai Port. Padang Bai is around one hour by car from Ubud centre and then a further 1h 30min from the Gili Islands by boat. You may also use Serangan Harbour but the total journey time will be around 1hour longer.
From the South – Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak
For all south Bali departures we recommend leaving from Serangan Port. It will take between 30mins and 1hour to reach Serangan Harbour by car depending on where exactly you are staying. After reaching Serangan you can relax in our private waiting area where we also have a small cafe serving great coffee and a selection of fresh food. The journey time from Serangan to Gili Trawangan is around 2h 30min depending on sea conditions.
The direct journey from Serangan (Bali) to Gili Trawangan is around two and a half hours but this could be longer due to weather conditions.
We recommend staying on the Gili Islands for two nights at least. Theoretically it is possible to do a Gili Islands day trip from Bali but it is definitely not recommended due to the time taken to get there.
The beautiful thing about the Gili Islands is that there is truly something for everybody.
This is the largest of the three islands and attracts the majority of the tourists, which means it has the largest selection of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels. The main development is concentrated around the harbour area on the east coast but there are quieter cafes and restaurants dotted around the whole island. The interior is mostly taken up by the local village which also has some accommodation and local restaurants serving traditional Indonesian food.
Known as the Honeymoon Island due to the fact that it is quieter than the other two. It is also less developed with only a handful of restaurants and bars.
Bluewater Express does not go directly to Gili Meno. However, our staff on Gili T will show how to take the local boat connect both islands.
If you would like to book to Gili Trawangan you can do so directly on our booking system at the top of this page. Transfers between Gili T and Gili Meno tend to cost around 50,000rp (US$3).
A mix between the other two. Much of the development on Gili Air is on the east coast, facing Lombok and the towering Mt Rinjani, which provides spectacular sunrises. Sunsets behind Mt Agung are visible from the south and western coasts.
Dining opportunities range from good quality restaurants to simple warungs on the beach and, while the bars aren’t as loud as on Gili Trawangan, there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun.
If you can’t decide, then why not visit all three? Our booking system allows you to travel from Bali to Gili Trawangan and then return from Gili Air to Bali.
The Gili Islands cater to tourists all throughout the year but the quietest time to travel is during the rainy season, December to March.
Rainy season isn’t as bad as it is made to sound; prices tend to be lower at this time of the year so if you’re looking for a good deal on a private pool villa or luxury hotel then this could be a good option.
Although the vast majority of the island’s rainfall happens in this season, the majority of days will still have long periods of sunshine with a few tropical showers each day.
The main tourist season is July to September when the weather is at its best. During this time the good hotels and boats fill up quickly so if you’re looking at traveling during this time then we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.
There is accommodation for everyone on the Gilis. From budget options like hostels or bungalows, to a high-end choice like resorts or luxury villas.
If you’re struggling to find a place to stay then send us a message. We will help you to get a great deal on fantastic hotel options.
The Gilis are mainly known for white sand beaches, diving and snorkelling. But there is much more to enjoy on the Gili Islands, we suggest the following:
- Rent a bike
- Have dinner at the Night Market
- Visit the famous swings
- Enjoy Live Music
- Watch the Sunset
- Visit the Turtle sanctuary in Gili Meno
Important Note
There are many third party websites advertising Bluewater Express tickets and not all are legitimate. Please make sure you check the terms and conditions carefully before booking to make sure the inclusions such as pickup and drop off services are included.
To avoid disappointment and to guarantee your seat we would always recommend booking your tickets from Bali to the Gili Islands directly through our website, using the booking engine above.
Please note that all departure and arrival times are estimated. Passenger safety and comfort are our first priority, so please keep in mind that the journey could be altered in order to meet safety standards.
