Chaining Nusa Penida with the Gili Islands and Lombok is one of the easiest island hops in this part of Indonesia: daily fast boats connect them directly, so you don’t have to go all the way back to Bali in between. This guide covers both directions — Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands and back — with the operators, schedules, prices and how to book.
At a glance
- Route: Nusa Penida (Toyapakeh/Banjar Nyuh or Buyuk) ↔ the Gili Islands (Trawangan, Meno, Air) and Lombok (Bangsal/Senggigi).
- Duration: about 1h45 on the fastest direct boat, up to ~4h on services that route via Padang Bai and Senggigi.
- Operators: Semaya One, Eka Jaya and BlueWater Express (big, air-conditioned boats), among others.
- Price: from about IDR 200,000 (~$13) for budget boats up to ~IDR 760,000 (~$47) for the big air-conditioned ones.
- Frequency: several daily departures, from around 9am through the afternoon.
Booking online ahead of time is wise in high season. I recommend 12Go, which lists most reliable companies with easy online payment and e-tickets.
Which fast boat should you choose?
This is an open-sea crossing and it can get rough, so the boat matters. After years of doing this trip, the operators I trust are the ones with big, air-conditioned boats that handle the swell well: Eka Jaya, Semaya One and BlueWater Express. The smaller, cheaper boats can make the crossing sporty — even a little scary — when the sea is up, so for this route it’s worth paying a bit more for a large boat.
Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands
Three big, air-conditioned boats serve the route. BlueWater Express has the fastest crossing; Semaya One is the cheapest. The departure port differs by operator — BlueWater Express leaves from Buyuk Harbour, while Eka Jaya, Semaya One and most other boats leave from Toyapakeh/Banjar Nyuh — so confirm yours when you book. Indicative outbound times:
| Company | Departs (Nusa Penida) | Duration | Price / adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlueWater Express ★4.7 | ~09:15 · Buyuk Harbour | 1h45 (fastest) | ~IDR 756,000 ($47) |
| Eka Jaya ★4.5 | ~08:30 · Toyapakeh/Banjar Nyuh | ~2h35 | ~IDR 777,000 ($48) |
| Semaya One ★3.9 | ~13:00–13:45 · Toyapakeh/Banjar Nyuh | ~2h30–2h45 | ~IDR 470,000 ($29) |
⚠️ Schedules are indicative and change often. Operators adjust their times with the season and the sea, and some services only run on certain days. Always check the live schedule and book for your exact travel date on the widget below.
Gili Islands to Nusa Penida (the return)
The same companies run the route in reverse — Semaya One tends to leave in the morning, BlueWater and Eka Jaya around midday and the afternoon. Indicative return times:
| Company | Departs Gili Trawangan | Duration | Price / adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaya One ★3.9 | ~09:00–09:30 | ~2h30 | ~IDR 470,000–500,000 ($29–31) |
| Eka Jaya ★4.5 | ~11:35 | ~3h55 | ~IDR 777,000 ($48) |
| BlueWater Express ★4.7 | ~14:10 → Buyuk Harbour | 2h45 | ~IDR 756,000 ($47) |
Nusa Lembongan to the Gili Islands
If you’re staying on Nusa Lembongan, you can sail to the Gilis directly too. Compare schedules and book on 12Go.
- Earliest departure: 09:00 AM
- Latest departure: 1:15 PM
- Duration: 2–4 hours depending on operator
- Frequency: ~16 daily departures
- Operators: Wanderlust, Bali Tour, The Tanis Express/Fast Cruise, Scoot, Semaya One, Eka Jaya, Buyuk Fast Cruise
- Price range: ~USD $13–27
👉 Fastest option: The Tanis Express (~2 h). 👉 Cheapest: Semaya One (from ~$13). Check live times and book on the widget below.
Nusa Penida ↔ Gili Islands FAQ
How do you get from Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands?
By fast boat. The reliable big-boat operators are Semaya One, Eka Jaya and BlueWater Express, with departures spread through the day (morning and early afternoon). The crossing takes roughly 1h45 to 3h depending on the boat and routing. Check exact times and book on the live schedule.
How long is the boat from Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands?
About 1h45 on the fastest direct boat (BlueWater Express), or up to ~3h on services that route via Padang Bai and Senggigi. It’s an open-sea crossing.
How do you get from the Gili Islands back to Nusa Penida?
The same boats run in reverse: Semaya One usually leaves the Gilis in the morning, while BlueWater Express and Eka Jaya leave around midday and into the afternoon, reaching Nusa Penida the same day. Check exact return times on the live schedule.
How much does the Nusa Penida–Gili Islands boat cost?
From about IDR 200,000 (~$13) for budget boats up to around IDR 760,000 (~$47) for the big air-conditioned ones, each way. Booking online ahead (for example on 12Go) is recommended in high season.
Can you do a day trip from Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands?
Not really — most departures are in the morning in both directions, so a same-day return doesn’t leave time on the islands. Plan at least one or two nights on the Gilis to make the trip worthwhile.
Plan the rest of your trip
Deciding between the two? See our comparison: Nusa Penida vs the Gili Islands. Coming from Bali first? Read how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali. And for everything else on the island, see our Nusa Penida travel guide.