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A direct charter crossing of the Lombok Strait \u2014 about 2 to 2.5 hours from Serangan, or 1.5 hours from Padang Bai.<\/strong> Your own vessel, your own schedule, with optional snorkelling stops at Nusa Penida or west Lombok on the way.<\/p>\n Both get you across the strait. They are different products:<\/p>\n The crossing traverses the Lombok Strait, a deep channel where ocean swell and tidal currents meet \u2014 this is why timing matters more here than on the short Nusa hops. The working pattern our captains plan around:<\/p>\n On a private charter a marginal forecast means adjusting the departure hour or routing in Lombok’s lee \u2014 not losing your seat to a blanket cancellation.<\/p>\n The strongest use of a private crossing is the overnight combination: cross in the morning, spend a night or two car-free on Gili Trawangan, then have the boat reposition you to Lombok’s west coast \u2014 secluded beaches the public boats never touch \u2014 before the return leg. See our Lombok destination guide<\/a> for what awaits on the big island, and our Bali boat tours<\/a> page for how this fits the wider fleet program. Guests continuing further east toward Komodo National Park can hand over seamlessly to our sister brand’s Komodo Luxury boat charter<\/a> desk.<\/p>\n Expect a real passage, not a harbour cruise. The first stretch out of Serangan runs the sheltered Badung Strait past Nusa Penida’s west coast; the middle hour crosses open water where the Indian Ocean swell rolls through; the final approach threads between Lombok’s headlands and the three Gili islands, usually the calmest water of the trip. On a good dry-season morning the ride is smooth enough for coffee on deck; on a marginal day your captain slows, adjusts heading against the swell and adds minutes rather than drama. Luggage rides secured and dry, there is shade and seating for the full group, and the crew handles Gili Trawangan’s beach-landing arrival \u2014 you step off near your hotel rather than queueing at the public jetty with two hundred fast-boat passengers.<\/p>\nPublic Fast Boat vs Private Charter<\/h2>\n
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\n \nFactor<\/th>\n Public fast boat<\/th>\n Private charter<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Departure ports<\/td>\n Padang Bai (\u00b11.5 h), Serangan (\u00b12 h 15 m \u2013 2 h 45 m), Sanur (\u00b12 h 40 m+)<\/td>\n Your choice \u2014 typically Serangan or Padang Bai<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Schedule<\/td>\n Fixed timetable, seasonal cancellations<\/td>\n You set departure; captain adjusts to the morning’s sea state<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Passengers<\/td>\n Shared cabin, often full in high season<\/td>\n Your group only, 12\u201314 guests maximum per vessel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Luggage & extras<\/td>\n Weight limits, surfboard surcharges vary by operator<\/td>\n Flexible \u2014 dive bags, boards, celebration setups arranged ahead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Stops en route<\/td>\n None, or fixed island sequence<\/td>\n Optional snorkeling or beach stops via Penida or west Lombok<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Price<\/td>\n Per-seat fares vary by operator and season<\/td>\n Per-boat tailored quote, confirmed in writing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Route & Sea Conditions<\/h2>\n
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\n \nSeason<\/th>\n Typical conditions<\/th>\n Charter guidance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n May\u2013October (dry)<\/td>\n Calm mornings; south-east trade winds raise afternoon chop, strongest June\u2013September<\/td>\n Depart early morning; smoothest rides before midday<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n November<\/td>\n Statistically among the calmest months in the strait<\/td>\n Excellent crossing window<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n December\u2013February (wet)<\/td>\n North-west monsoon; larger swell, highest cancellation risk<\/td>\n Build a flexible day; your crew confirms conditions the evening before<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n March\u2013April<\/td>\n Transition; residual swell possible<\/td>\n Morning departures, weather checked daily<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Gili + Lombok<\/h2>\n
What the Crossing Is Like<\/h2>\n
How to Book<\/h2>\n