LombokBeaches / Beach Types / Island Hopping
OFF THE MAINLAND
Island Hopping
Uninhabited islands, a tide-only sandbar, and reef most divers never reach, all a short boat ride from the east and northeast coasts.
Some of Lombok's best beaches aren't on Lombok at all, they're small, mostly uninhabited islands a short boat ride off the coast, each with its own character. This is where the island's reef is at its healthiest, precisely because these spots see so few visitors compared to the mainland beaches.
The Secret Gilis off Sekotong are the most popular island-hopping circuit on this list, a scattered group of small islands on Lombok's southwest coast with far less development than the famous three Gilis further north, some with proper resorts, others little more than a stretch of sand. Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis are typically visited together in one day from Tawun Harbour, while Gili Gede and Gili Asahan sit a little further out and work well as an overnight base too.
Two other circuits round out the picture: southeast out of Sekaroh, the pink beach island-hopping route, and northeast near Sambelia, home to Gili Kondo and a genuinely separate excursion further up the coast. Bring your own snorkel gear where you can, and expect minimal to no facilities once you're on the water.
Boat access
Snorkeling
Uninhabited islands
Best island hopping
13 documented
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Nanggu
The closest of the Secret Gilis, and the snorkeling highlight of the group.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Sudak
Calm, shallow water for swimming, plus a genuine fresh seafood lunch.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Kedis
"Honeymoon island," a sandbar you can walk around in under a minute.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Gede
The largest Secret Gili, resorts, a working village, and regular turtles.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Asahan
The most secluded Secret Gili, healthy coral and horseback riding.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Layar
Named for a sail-shaped hill on its western tip, white sand and a decent house reef, just one small beach bungalow on the whole island.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Rengit
A short boat ride past Gili Layar, tiny and uninhabited, with some of the healthiest coral in this whole cluster.
SEKOTONG · SOUTHWEST
Gili Goleng
Uninhabited and undeveloped, right beside Gili Gede and Gili Asahan, no facilities at all, just sand and clear water.
SEKAROH · EAST LOMBOK
Pink Beach 1 (Tangsi)
The launch point for the southeast circuit, with boat rental on-site.
SEKAROH · EAST LOMBOK
Gili Petelu
Uninhabited island, the best snorkeling on the southeast circuit.
SEKAROH · EAST LOMBOK
Kura-Kura Beach
Named for a turtle-shaped rock, drivable or by boat.
SEKAROH · EAST LOMBOK
Gili Pasir
A sandbar that appears only at low tide, a striking quick stop.
SEKAROH · EAST LOMBOK
Gili Kondo
Lombok's other Gilis, a separate northeast circuit near Sambelia.