Getting to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands from Bali (2026)

Nusa Penida's cliffs and manta rays, the Gilis' turtles and car-free lanes — Bali's two essential sea escapes. Both run on fast boats. The 2026 logistics.

Nusa Penida: from Sanur

• Fast boats leave Sanur's pier from early morning; crossing 30–45 minutes
• Return ticket roughly 250–400k rupiah, online or at the pier
• A day trip works: first boat out, evening boat back, with a pre-arranged driver on the island — Penida's roads are extreme, skip self-riding unless experienced
• Basing yourself in Sanur makes it effortless — a calm, family-friendly area covered in the area guide

The Gilis: from Padang Bai

• Fast boats to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno leave mainly from Padang Bai in east Bali; 1.5–2.5 hours
• One-way tickets roughly 300–700k rupiah depending on operator and season
• Hotel-to-port transfer is often bundled with the ticket — ask when booking
• No motor vehicles on the Gilis — bicycles and horse carts only; a perfect 2–3 night detox

Choosing a boat and surviving the crossing

• Read recent reviews — fleets and standards change
• In rainy season (November–March) swells grow and departures shift; leave buffer before international flights and watch the weather guide
• Seasickness: tablets 30 minutes before boarding, seats at the stern, eyes on the horizon
• Waterproof bag for electronics — boarding is a wet-feet affair

Planning it right

The efficient pattern: a southern or Sanur base from the catalogue, Penida as a day trip, the Gilis with a couple of overnights. More trip-building ideas — in itineraries and things to do.