Lombok Snorkeling Tour: Gili Nanggu, Sudak & Kedis Review

Okay, so, you’re thinking of heading to Lombok and checking out those smaller islands just off the southwest coast? You’re probably wondering if the snorkeling tours to Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis are worth the hype, right? Well, I’m here to tell you all about my experience, and hopefully, it’ll help you decide if it’s a yes or a maybe-later for your trip.

Why Gili Nanggu, Sudak, and Kedis?

You see, there’s a bunch of Gili Islands near Lombok, but Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis are quite special in a way. What makes them so appealing is that they’re generally less crowded than the famous Gili Trawangan, Meno or Air. They offer this vibe that’s far more relaxed, almost as if you have a spot all to yourself, maybe. Gili Nanggu is that private, calm retreat, Sudak is tiny, that is, perfect for that Robinson Crusoe feel, and Kedis is basically so small you might almost walk around it in, maybe, fifteen minutes! The waters around these islands apparently teem with sea life, really making them that appealing choice for snorkelers of any level.

Booking the Snorkeling Trip: Private is Better?

Honestly, I’m usually more of a “go with the group” kind of person, but I decided to splurge a bit on a private tour for this one, that I did. I booked with one of the local operators, you know, after checking out quite a few reviews online. What I found is that opting for a private trip has plenty of perks. For starters, the boat, along with the crew, is all yours. This implies you might be able to set your pace and just hang around a spot for a bit longer if you like what you’re seeing, or even, say, skip an island if it doesn’t appeal to you, which is lovely. It is actually worth spending a bit more for that kind of flexibility, and in my case it was completely amazing.

Getting There and What to Expect

Right, so, the starting point is typically from Sekotong. You’ll drive from Mataram or Senggigi which is generally about an hour or two, but this quite depends on traffic and exactly where you’re staying. I got to Sekotong, met my boat crew, and hopped on. Most of these boats are quite the traditional outrigger style, you know, with sun covers. That said, make sure to bring a hat and some sunblock – that equatorial sun can be fierce. As a matter of fact, the boat ride to the islands might take anything from 20-40 minutes, so just enjoy the scenery. Seriously, that clear water is mesmerizing, you know?

Snorkeling at Gili Nanggu

Okay, so, Gili Nanggu, that’s, the first stop on our trip and it actually gave us one serious welcome. Apparently, it’s called ‘Honeymoon Island’ by quite a few people, you see. The beach has this strip of super fine, like your powdered sugar sand, and the water… well, it is quite so clear that you can see your toes wiggling, even when you’re waist-deep, right? You may see a lot of colorful fish swimming right near you as you get into the water. So you get ready, with your gear – mask, snorkel, fins, and maybe a life jacket if you want – and start just swimming from the beach. Not very far out you might notice the corals begin, and right away you’re hanging out with families of clownfish, parrotfish nibbling away, and some damsel fish showing off, it might be a bit of heaven for snorkelers, really.

Gili Sudak: Tiny Island, Big Surprises

So, then, we’re off to Gili Sudak, which is actually a hop, skip and jump from Gili Nanggu, basically. It’s super tiny, and I mean super tiny. I also loved Gili Sudak just due to the peaceful vibe. Right next to the beach there’s a small restaurant where you can easily grab lunch, and then just chill for a little bit in one of those beachside hammocks. It’s awesome, it really is. Snorkeling here may be amazing too, actually. There’s just quite a diverse range of fish, and apparently, if you’re very lucky, you could spot some sea turtles.

The Charm of Gili Kedis

Basically, our last stop was Gili Kedis. So this is it, a super-small island that has like your castaway appeal. This island is super tiny. To be honest, you really could walk around its entire perimeter in under fifteen minutes. There’s not much on the island, which is pretty much part of its draw, definitely. The snorkeling is quite pleasant, you see, but, arguably, it’s that pure quiet vibe of this tiny island which actually makes it unforgettable, to be honest. That sand is amazingly snow-white, that water is basically the color of azure, and the solitude might be top notch. You, like your photo opportunities here are through the roof.

The Marine Life: What You Might See

Arguably, that marine life is such a huge reason to visit, honestly. When snorkeling, look for a vibrant mix of creatures. So there are parrotfish, that nibble on the corals while flashing a bunch of neon colors. Clownfish might also peek out from their anemone homes. If you’re really vigilant, then you might, anyway, spot a turtle gliding effortlessly by. Also, the coral formations themselves, arguably, are fairly incredible – huge brain corals, fragile branching corals, and the ones that look like big fans, actually provide shelter to like your teeming reefs. I want to also point out that there are stonefish and lionfish about, and so you want to remain alert and you should, probably, not touch anything at all.

Lunch on the Islands: Fresh Seafood?

Actually, nearly all of these trips might include lunch, and a ton of operators will take you over to Gili Sudak, basically. There’s a charming place located directly on the beach. It is amazing to enjoy freshly grilled fish or prawns. That tastes quite a bit better when you have those toes in the sand and there’s like your tropical breeze on your face, isn’t it? Don’t forget to check with the tour operator ahead of time when it comes to what is basically included in that meal, if, actually, you do have any restrictions in terms of eating. Then let them realize about this thing prior to starting your trip.

What to Bring

Sunscreen: This is almost a must. The sun really can be rather intense. Go for something that, really, is reef-friendly, in order to protect all your coral.
Swimsuit: You’ll very much spend basically the day in the water.
Towel: Surely, one of those quick-dry ones works beautifully.
Sunglasses & Hat: Sun protection, style… you have probably heard everything.
Water Shoes: If perhaps you have sensitive feet then consider bringing water shoes to actually protect your feet if stepping out to rocky bits and so on.
Waterproof Camera or Phone Case: All you could photograph actually underwater is simply too valuable not to do!
Cash: Small places will possibly not take debit or cards and so on. It may be useful for tips in order to assist the team, just in the instance in that, to do with they simply excelled with whatever, arguably, the support which these companies gave.

A Few Words on Responsible Snorkeling

Listen, guys, that beauty we’ve been looking at is sort of fragile, very, and in addition we intend to manage the device responsibly, definitely. This translates into: Don’t at any time touch coral or disturb whatever wildlife to generally be located in this thing; really use the sun cream to safeguard most reefs; and, arguably, maintain the dust to a bare minimum. Arguably, this type of smallest behavior helps most future travelers as much as anyone presently, you know?

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Okay, so, is the private snorkeling trip to Gili Nanggu, Sudak, and Kedis worth the dough? Without any shadow of the doubt, really I have to say an individual major “yes!” that one does, and just if you’re basically the kind which quite delights while in quiet escapes so they definitely can be surrounded basically from lovely liquid daily your day at swimming.

I found it truly quite memorable, mostly to escape coming from just people as can take into consideration being offered from basically more of whatever your favored destinations are definitely. This tour is a fabulous option as there are actually probably people that appreciate receiving a lot far more individualized type support and want some ability to manage specifically how long period these people simply get just about almost any spot.

As I consider returning returning, it may not necessarily at all come about for one thing to a great extent to an even longer length for hours during such sort of tropical countries and in particular so when I in person only have actually so that they have actually acquired it and that of, like I did, which of is a marvelous location by which to discover all of such marine park everyday life too it’s almost just so tranquil around most Gilis around these parts, isn’t it.

The remote, remote type region and far better far fewer humans compared only so many various popular tropical is wonderful for one fantastic stress – entirely cost nothing that one needs.
Choosing something and being awarded basically for most privately organized and prepared vacation simply makes ones overall type trip an awfully complete more custom built towards all type preference so it is best in virtually all areas or from, whatever’s quite crucial to your requirements so basically.
Marine park your park that’s quite an exciting, extremely fun one will see the device every moment for these particular a couple countries, but consider not always to, or disrupt almost anyone so to keep all and make those particular reefs safer during potential subscribers that have been really good this to follow through just next the customer has got to visit there again and more about.