REVIEW · INDONESIA

Diving and snorkling on gili sekotong

★ 5.0 · 4 reviews From $285 Operated by Lombok Private Trip · Bookable on Viator
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Lombok’s best moments come together in this two-day trip: waterfalls below Mount Rinjani, a night on a tiny island, and clear coastal water around Gili Nanggu. You start at 9 a.m., travel with a private group, and let a local guide such as Jay handle the road, boat connections, camp setup, and snorkeling gear.

I like the mix of inland and island scenery, and I like that transport, camping equipment, bottled water, and a guide are already covered. The main thing to consider is the long first day, listed at about 12 hours, followed by another eight-hour day. This is an active outing, not a lazy beach break.

Key points to know before booking

Diving and snorkling on gili sekotong - Key points to know before booking

  • Three very different Lombok settings: See waterfalls at the foot of Mount Rinjani, camp on Gili Kedis, and snorkel around Gili Nanggu.
  • A private two-day outing: Only your group participates, with pickup and drop-off included.
  • Guide Jay may be your local host: Previous comments praise his friendly manner, helpful attitude, English, and ability to arrange time-efficient sightseeing.
  • Camping is part of the adventure: You travel from Tawun Harbor to Gili Kedis, set up the tent, and spend the night on the small island.
  • Snorkeling equipment is supplied: You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, though personal expenses are not covered.
  • Plan for long days: The first day takes about 12 hours and the second about eight, so casual clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and a good attitude matter.

From Rinjani’s foothills to Lombok’s southern islands

Diving and snorkling on gili sekotong - From Rinjani’s foothills to Lombok’s southern islands

This trip works because it does not ask you to choose between Lombok’s mountains and its sea. In the morning, you head toward the northern end of Central Lombok and the base of Mount Rinjani. Later, you cross to the small islands off Lombok’s southwest coast.

The first stop includes two waterfall attractions known as the Stokel Thread and Mosquito Net waterfalls. The names suggest their character: water dropping in narrow strands and curtain-like sheets. The supplied information does not give a walking distance, trail grade, or swimming details, so you should treat this as a scenic nature stop rather than assume a particular hike or bathing area.

After the waterfalls, the route turns toward Tawun Harbor. From there, you continue by boat to Gili Kedis, build your tent, and spend the night. The following morning, breakfast comes before a snorkeling outing at Gili Nanggu. At the end of the program, transport takes you to your destination.

I find that sequence appealing because each part has a clear purpose. The waterfalls give you a cool mountain setting, Gili Kedis gives you an overnight island stay, and Gili Nanggu provides the main water activity. You are not simply repeating the same beach scene for two days.

The waterfall stop beneath Mount Rinjani

The waterfalls are the trip’s inland opener and give you a quick sense of Lombok beyond the coast. They sit near the northern tip of Central Lombok, under Mount Rinjani, where the surroundings shift from island beaches to mountain nature.

You should wear clothing that handles walking and water spray, even though the exact trail conditions are not supplied. Casual clothes are recommended, along with a hat and sunscreen. Bring a change of clothes if you dislike staying damp during the later transfer.

The attraction here is the setting as much as the water itself. Mount Rinjani gives the stop a dramatic backdrop, while the waterfall names point to different forms of falling water. Your local guide can help you understand the stop and keep the morning moving, which matters on a schedule that eventually reaches the harbor and the islands.

There is one practical limitation. You are not given a precise amount of time at the waterfalls, and the description does not promise swimming. If waterfall bathing is your main goal, ask about the planned stop before you pay. If you mainly want a mountain nature stop before the island portion, this fits better.

Reaching Gili Kedis from Tawun Harbor

The transition at Tawun Harbor marks the start of the island portion. The trip then continues to Gili Kedis, a small and peaceful island chosen for the overnight camp.

Gili Kedis is not presented as a resort stay. You build tents and spend the night outdoors. That is the point, but it also means you should set your expectations correctly. Camping equipment is included, yet the supplied details do not specify the tent style, bedding, toilet arrangements, shower facilities, or the exact camp location on the island.

I like this part because it offers a simple island experience instead of sending you back to a mainland hotel between activities. Once the tent is ready, the pace changes. You have a quiet base for the night, and the island setting gives the trip a sense of place that a standard day excursion cannot provide.

The tradeoff is comfort. If you need a private room, a regular bed, or clearly stated bathroom facilities, this may not be the right choice. Ask the operator what camping equipment includes and what you should bring for the night. The tour supplies the main camping setup, but the information does not list personal camping items or meals beyond breakfast.

What the overnight camp adds

The overnight stay is more than a convenient way to split the schedule. It lets you experience Gili Kedis after the day’s transport is finished, with time to settle into a very small island setting. The tour specifically frames the island as a place to camp under the stars, so the appeal is quiet outdoor time rather than nightlife or a long list of facilities.

You will need to be comfortable with a basic setup. The schedule says you build the tents after arriving, which means this is a hands-on stop. The guide can help with the arrangement, but you should not expect a full-service hotel check-in.

Pack lightly and protect anything you want to keep dry. A hat and sunscreen are already recommended for the daytime, while a small personal kit for the night will make the camp easier. Because personal expenses are excluded, carry money for anything extra you may want along the way.

The schedule gives the first day about 12 hours. That includes the waterfall visit, the transfer to Tawun Harbor, the boat trip, and setting up camp. It is a full day, so you should book it when you have the energy for a long outing, not immediately after a tiring arrival or flight.

Same water, a completely different day underwater:

Morning snorkeling around Gili Nanggu

After breakfast, you leave Gili Kedis for Gili Nanggu and use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The description calls this a snorkeling and aquatic-life experience, so you can expect the water activity to be the main focus of the second day.

Equipment is included, which keeps the packing list simple. You will still want sunscreen, casual clothing, and any personal items you prefer for a day on the water. The tour does not state whether fins, towels, wetsuits, or underwater cameras are supplied, so check those points if they matter to you.

Gili Nanggu is presented as a place with abundant aquatic life. That gives the stop clear appeal, but sea conditions and visibility can change. The tour information does not promise specific fish, coral, water depth, or time in the water. Think of it as a guided chance to see marine life rather than a guaranteed underwater checklist.

The second day lasts about eight hours, including the morning meal, boat movements, snorkeling, and final transport. The guide is there to lead the activity and help you make sense of the area. The private format is useful here because your group can ask questions and receive direct help instead of being one small party in a large crowd.

A private trip with a local guide

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That makes a real difference on a trip with several moving parts. You are not being fitted into an unknown group for the road journey, waterfall visit, camping setup, and boat outing.

The guide associated with the trip is Jay, also referred to locally as Omjay in the comments provided. His strongest qualities are friendliness, support, reliability, and useful English. One detailed account specifically says his English helped with understanding Lombok, while other comments praise his interactive style and the way he helped make a limited schedule work.

I would book this format if you want a local point of contact rather than a bare transfer. Jay’s role appears to include more than driving. He helps show you places around Lombok, explains what you are seeing, and supports the practical side of the trip.

Still, the exact guide cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed at booking. The information says a local guide is included and identifies Jay through the supplied comments, so ask who will lead your departure if that matters to you.

What the $285 price covers

The price is $285 per person, and at least two people must book. For a pair, that means a listed tour cost of $570 before any personal spending. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for separate transport, a waterfall outing, a boat transfer, camping gear, a guide, and snorkeling equipment.

Included items are the driver, pickup and drop-off, bottled water, a local guide, camping equipment, and snorkeling equipment. That is a useful bundle for a two-day route. You do not need to organize each transfer yourself, and you avoid renting the main water gear separately.

The cost does not cover personal expenses. The information also does not list every meal, so confirm what is provided beyond breakfast on the second morning. You should also ask about any extra charges connected to personal purchases or optional services.

For a private trip, the price is easier to justify if you value control over the schedule and direct help from a local host. It is less attractive if you only want a short snorkeling session or prefer to arrange a cheap public boat trip and your own overnight stay. The real value is the combination of transport, guide support, camping, and two distinct regions of Lombok.

Who will enjoy this two-day outing

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and small private groups who want a compact taste of Lombok’s mountains and islands. It is also a good fit if your time is limited and you want someone to connect the separate parts of the route.

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The description says most people can take part, though the long days and overnight camp still require reasonable comfort with walking, transfers, outdoor conditions, and water activities.

You may want a different plan if you dislike camping, need detailed accommodation information, or want a slow schedule. The first day is especially full. A private vehicle does not shorten the route, but it does make the logistics easier to manage.

The lack of detailed trail, boat, and camp specifications is the main point to clear up before booking. Ask about the waterfall walk, tent arrangements, bathroom access, meals, and the equipment supplied. Those answers will tell you if the trip matches your comfort level.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

Pickup and drop-off are included, but the exact pickup area is not stated. Confirm your pickup point and final destination when booking. The start time is 9 a.m., and booking confirmation is sent at the time of reservation.

The tour requires a minimum of two people per booking. Because it is private, your group alone takes part. Public transportation is nearby, though the included pickup service should be the simpler choice.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Keep that cutoff in mind when planning around weather, transport delays, or a change in your Lombok schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want one organized two-day route that links Rinjani-area waterfalls, a simple island camp, and snorkeling at Gili Nanggu. The local guide, private format, transport, and included equipment remove much of the planning work.

Skip it if your priority is a comfortable hotel, a short day, or highly specific snorkeling and camping conditions that are not stated here. Before booking, confirm the camp facilities, meals, waterfall walking time, and pickup details. If those basics suit you, the $285 price buys more than a single boat trip: it gives you a compact look at two very different sides of Lombok.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day is listed at about 12 hours, and the second day at about eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9 a.m.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, although you should confirm the exact pickup location and final destination when booking.

Is camping equipment provided?

Yes. Camping equipment is included, and you will set up the tents after reaching Gili Kedis.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the activity at Gili Nanggu.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. A minimum of two people is required per booking.

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