Bali to Gili and Lombok by boat: which company to choose?

The short answer

If you get seasick easily or feel nervous on boats, our editors recommend paying a little more for Eka Jaya: its ferries are large, carry many passengers and have an air-conditioned cabin. For confident travellers on a calm day, a cheaper fast boat can be fine – but choose with the sea in mind, not just the price. No boat can promise a smooth crossing; a bigger one simply tends to handle the swell more steadily.

Why a big boat rocks less

A small, light speedboat rides up and down on almost every wave it meets. A longer and heavier hull spans more of the wave, has more mass to move and responds more slowly, so the motion you feel is gentler and less jerky. That doesn't make waves disappear – on a rough day every boat moves – but the difference is noticeable, and it is exactly what matters for people prone to seasickness.

Cheaper crossings often use smaller boats. They can be perfectly fine on a calm morning; on a windy afternoon the ride can be hard work. Smaller operators may also have fewer boats to swap in when something goes wrong, which is one reason departures can be delayed or cancelled. That is a general pattern, not a rule about any particular company.

Our recommendation: Eka Jaya

For anyone who doesn't travel well on water or is nervous about the crossing, Eka Jaya is our first choice. The reasons are ones you can check:

• Large ferries. According to the operator, its boats are between about 34 and 40 metres long and carry roughly 180 to 260 passengers – far larger than a typical small speedboat.
• A cabin and a deck. The listing includes an air-conditioned cabin and an outdoor deck, so you can choose between shelter and fresh air.
• An established operator. Eka Jaya runs a regular network between Bali, the Nusa islands, the Gilis and Lombok.
• Only a little more expensive. The price is usually a bit higher than the cheapest fast boats; check the current fare when you book.

Departures are scheduled, but sea conditions and harbour traffic can still change timings, and the listing itself says so. Even a large boat does not guarantee a crossing without seasickness – it lowers the odds.

Tickets are sold on GetYourGuide by Giliwanders; the boat operator is Eka Jaya. You book each direction separately:

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Before you pay, check in the option you select:

• Route and port: departures are from Padang Bai or Nusa Dua on Bali, and selected options from Nusa Penida and Lembongan. On Lombok, Bangsal and Senggigi are harbours on Lombok itself, not Gili islands.
• Schedule: confirm the departure time for your date when booking.
• Fees and luggage: hotel transfers and food are not included, and the return listing also excludes the harbour tax; luggage allowance differs between the outbound and return listing.
• Lombok ↔ Gili: these tickets are for crossings to and from Bali, not for the short hop between Lombok and the Gilis.

How to choose any boat

• Size first. Look for the boat's length and passenger capacity; if a company doesn't show them, ask.
• Pick the port wisely. Padang Bai is closer to the Gilis by sea than Nusa Dua, but further by road from the south of Bali; compare total travel time, not only the boat.
• Go in the morning. Wind usually picks up during the day, so morning crossings tend to be calmer.
• Watch the season and the forecast. Swell varies through the year; check the forecast a day before and keep a buffer day before a flight.
• Sit low and in the middle. Inside, near the centre of the boat, movement is smallest. Look at the horizon, avoid reading your phone and get some fresh air if you can.
• Take motion-sickness tablets in advance. They work best taken before you board, not once you feel unwell. Ask a pharmacist which suits you.

Day trip or a few nights?

If you are still deciding whether the Gilis are worth a day trip at all, read Gili from Bali: day trip or overnight.

Tags: BaliGiliLombokEka JayaPadang Baiboatstransport