Gili Private Boat Charter Prices 2027: What You’ll Actually Pay
A private boat charter in the Gili islands runs from roughly USD 1,200 per day for a standard catamaran to around USD 6,000 per day for a 62-ft luxury catamaran, while private speedboats are usually quoted per hour and p…
A private boat charter in the Gili islands runs from roughly USD 1,200 per day for a standard catamaran to around USD 6,000 per day for a 62-ft luxury catamaran, while private speedboats are usually quoted per hour and per boat, on request. This guide breaks down what those numbers actually cover in Gili waters for 2027 — Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air in the north, plus the Secret Gilis of Sekotong Bay — so you can budget without surprises.
Everything below is specific to Gili waters — the boats operating there, the fees the islands charge, and the months when rates climb.
Gili Boat Charter Prices 2027: The Table
All figures below are indicative starting points from current Indonesia charter-market rates. Final quotes depend on vessel, date and route, so treat these as “from” prices, not fixed tariffs.
| Boat category | Typical size | Best for | Indicative 2027 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private speedboat | Around 12 m | Fast Gili hopping, 6–8 guests, trips of 1–8 hours | Per hour, per boat — on request |
| Standard catamaran | Approx. 45 ft | Full-day Gili loop, up to 12–16 guests | From approx. USD 1,200 per day |
| Luxury catamaran | 62 ft | Premium day or overnight charters, 6–8 guests sleeping aboard | Up to approx. USD 6,000 per day |
| Catamaran (Indonesia-wide benchmark) | 45–62 ft | Reference average across the archipelago | Approx. USD 2,215 per day |
| Motor yacht | 20–30 m | Multi-day cruising, Lombok–Komodo crossings | On request |
Notice the spread on catamarans. The Indonesia-wide average of roughly USD 2,215 per day sits well above the entry-level Lombok rate of about USD 1,200 — Gili-area day charters are still priced below the national average for comparable boats, making this one of the better-value charter zones in Indonesia right now. You can compare current availability on our Gili islands private boat charter page.
Per Boat vs Per Person: Read the Quote Carefully
Almost every private charter in Gili waters is priced per boat, not per person. That single distinction causes more confusion than anything else in the booking process.
A USD 1,200 catamaran sounds expensive next to a USD 50-per-head shared snorkelling trip — until you divide it. With 12 guests aboard, that same catamaran works out to USD 100 per person for a full private day: your own route, your own timing, no strangers, no fixed schedule. With 16 guests, the per-head figure drops further still.
Shared “join-in” boats advertise per-person prices and look cheaper on paper, but you trade away the two things people actually charter for: privacy and control of the itinerary. Always convert a per-boat quote into a per-person figure for your actual group size before comparing.
What Your Charter Rate Actually Includes
A properly quoted private charter in the Gilis should bundle the essentials into the headline rate. As a rule, expect the following to be included:
- Fuel for the agreed route — the standard 6–8 hour loop of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, or a Sekotong Secret Gilis circuit taking in Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis.
- Captain and crew, including a crew member who handles anchoring, mooring and guest safety throughout the day.
- Snorkelling gear — masks, fins and snorkels for the turtle and reef stops that make the three-Gili loop famous.
- Drinking water, and on most catamaran day charters, a light lunch or the option to add catering.
What is usually not included: alcohol, restaurant and bar stops on the islands, private dive guides, and any route extension beyond the agreed itinerary. If a quote looks unusually cheap, the first thing to check is whether fuel is genuinely included — a “boat only” rate with fuel billed separately can erase the apparent saving entirely. For shorter, faster runs, hourly speedboat pricing is covered in detail on our Lombok–Gili speedboat charter page.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Even with a well-structured charter, a few costs sit outside the boat rate. None are large, but here is the honest list:
- Island entry and retribution fees. The Gili islands and marine areas around Lombok apply small local visitor charges. These are levied per person by local authorities, not by the charter operator, and are typically paid in cash in rupiah.
- Docking, mooring and harbour charges. Depending on where you board — Teluk Nare on the northwest coast near the Gilis, Medana Bay, or Lombok Marina del Ray on Gili Gede for Sekotong departures — small harbour or mooring fees may apply. Ask whether these are inside the quote.
- Crew gratuity. Never obligatory, always appreciated. Budget a modest cash tip if the crew looked after you well.
- On-island spending. Beach clubs on Gili Trawangan and lunch stops on Gili Air are on your own account.
A transparent operator will itemise all of this before you pay a deposit. If a quote arrives as a single number with no breakdown, ask for one.
How to Pay Less: Fill the Boat
Because pricing is per boat, the single most effective way to reduce your cost is to travel with a fuller group. Practical maths on the standard catamaran, from about USD 1,200 per day:
| Group size | Indicative cost per person |
|---|---|
| 4 guests | From approx. USD 300 |
| 8 guests | From approx. USD 150 |
| 12 guests | From approx. USD 100 |
| 16 guests | From approx. USD 75 |
Two other savings levers work reliably. First, choose a half-day or hourly speedboat run instead of a full-day yacht if your goal is simply reaching the islands in style — short private trips of one to a few hours are a real product in North Lombok, not just a compromise. Second, consider the Secret Gilis of Sekotong Bay instead of the main three: quieter water, calmer snorkelling, and boats that depart from Gili Gede rather than repositioning from further away. Sailing options for both zones are listed on our Lombok catamaran charter page.
When Prices Rise: The 2027 Calendar
The prime cruising season across Lombok, the Gilis and Komodo runs May through October, when rainfall is lowest and sea conditions are at their best. Within that window, July and August are the pressure months: European summer holidays collide with the best weather, demand for private boats peaks, and the most popular catamarans are booked out weeks ahead.
What that means for your budget in 2027:
- July–August: expect quotes at the top of each range, minimum-hour requirements on speedboats, and limited last-minute availability. Book four to eight weeks ahead.
- May–June and September–October: the sweet spot — dry-season conditions with more negotiating room and better boat choice.
- November–April: softer rates and quieter islands, with a higher chance of afternoon rain; mornings are generally the safer slot for crossings.
Larger vessels heading beyond the Gilis toward Komodo National Park follow the same seasonal logic; those multi-day crossings are operated through the Komodo Luxury fleet, whose boats reposition through Lombok waters during the May–October season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private Gili boat charter cost in 2027?
Indicative rates start from around USD 1,200 per day for a standard catamaran carrying up to 12–16 guests, rising to approximately USD 6,000 per day for a 62-ft luxury catamaran. Private speedboats are quoted per hour and per boat, with final pricing on request depending on route and duration.
Is the price per boat or per person?
Per boat, in almost all cases. Divide the boat rate by your group size to get the real per-person cost — a USD 1,200 catamaran shared by 12 guests works out from roughly USD 100 each for a fully private day.
What is included in the charter price?
A properly structured quote includes fuel for the agreed route, captain and crew, snorkelling equipment and drinking water. Alcohol, island restaurant stops, local island entry fees and crew gratuities normally sit outside the boat rate.
Are there extra fees on the Gili islands themselves?
Yes — small per-person retribution and marine-area charges apply around the Gilis, paid locally in cash. Depending on your departure point, minor docking or mooring fees can also apply. Ask your operator to itemise these before you confirm.
When is the cheapest time to charter a boat to the Gilis?
Outside July and August. The May–June and September–October shoulder months combine dry-season conditions with better availability and more flexible pricing, while November to April brings the softest rates of the year.
Can I combine a Gili charter with a Komodo trip?
Yes. Multi-day itineraries route from Lombok through Sumbawa to Komodo National Park during the May–October season, typically aboard motor yachts or phinisi vessels of 20 m and up, with pricing on request.
Get an Exact Quote for Your Dates
Published ranges only take you so far — the number that matters is the quote for your group, your date and your route. Send us your travel dates and group size and we will reply with per-boat pricing, a per-person breakdown and an honest note on what is and is not included. Message us on WhatsApp for a same-day reply, or email [email protected].
