Fast boats from Bali to Nusa Penida and the Gilis

Which harbour do fast boats leave from in Bali?

Sanur is the main harbour for Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, and boats also cross from Kusamba to Sampalan on Nusa Penida. Boats for the Gili Islands and Lombok leave from Padang Bai on the east coast, or from Serangan, near Sanur.^{[1, 3, 4]}

The Serangan boat calls at islands on the way out, which is why the Gilis take most of a morning from there. Some boats advertise 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 from Bali to the Gilis or Lombok, without naming the harbour or stops. Ask which harbour your boat leaves from, and how many stops it makes, before you book.^{[1, 13]}

How much is a fast boat to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan?

A one-way fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida costs about IDR 170,000 to 215,000 booked online, and up to IDR 250,000 at some harbour ticket booths. To Nusa Lembongan, boat-only fares start from IDR 300,000 one way and IDR 450,000 return.^{[2, 4]}

A return trip to Lembongan for two adults comes to IDR 900,000 (about AUD 72) boat only, our estimate. One adult from Serangan to Nusa Penida and back pays from IDR 600,000. On that Lembongan operator's fares, children under three ride free without their own seat, and holders of a KITAS (limited stay permit) pay less. Some Lembongan tickets can't be refunded, only moved up to 48 hours ahead.^{[1, 2]}

How much is a fast boat to the Gili Islands or Lombok?

A fast boat to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Lombok starts at IDR 700,000 (about AUD 56) one way from Serangan. From Padang Bai, fares start at IDR 790,000 a person. Ask whether that is one way or return, and whether it includes pickup.^{[1, 3]}

A return from Serangan to Gili Trawangan comes to from IDR 1.4 million a person, our estimate from two one-way fares. The Serangan boat takes about 3 hours 45 out, calling at islands on the way, and about 4 hours 15 back.^[1]

What fees do you pay on Nusa Penida?

On top of the boat fare, foreign visitors pay a fee to enter the island and a ticket at each beach or viewpoint that charges one, all cashless. The Nusa Penida fees page has the amounts, who pays and how to pay.^{[6, 19]}

Are fast boats in Bali safe?

Safety standards vary between boat operators, and sea conditions in the straits can change quickly. In August 2025 a fast boat from Nusa Penida capsized in the Sanur harbour channel with 75 passengers, a full load for its certificate. Waves of 2 to 4 metres were forecast that day.^{[8, 9]}

Check the life jackets before you board, and bring one for a small child. Boats can be crowded or overloaded, and children's life jackets are not always on board.^{[8, 18]}

BMKG (Indonesia's weather and earthquake agency) issues high-wave warnings for the straits around Bali, and waves of 2.5 metres or more put boats at risk. Run through these checks on the day.^{[8, 10]}

What happens if the sea cancels your boat?

The two operators below refund the ticket when a crossing is cancelled for the weather, and one also offers another day or a slow ferry. Other fares can be non-refundable. Cancellations are most likely in the rainy season, January to March, and on high-swell days in any season. In August 2026, 2.5-metre waves held the Kusamba boats to Nusa Penida.^{[11, 12, 16, 17]}

Some fares give nothing back at all. One Lembongan operator's tickets are non-refundable and can only be moved up to 48 hours ahead.^{[2, 11, 12]}