Complete island hopping and snorkelling guide to the Secret Gili Islands off Lombok, Indonesia: Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak. Explore these hidden island gems on an island-hopping tour from Lombok and experience a true hidden paradise in Indonesia!

Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak are three spectacular southwest Lombok Islands tucked away from their frenetic island cousins in the North. Nicknamed the Secret Gili Islands of southwest Lombok, they’re known for incredible snorkelling and actually aren’t really that secret.

However, compared to the more famous “Gili Islands”, these are remarkably more peaceful and off-the-beaten-path Lombok travel destinations.

For those seeking a more authentic Lombok experience, visiting the Sekotong coastline and its island-speckled waters will be a fresh sigh of relief. Here, you’ll find epic coral reefs, tiny tropical sandbars, and palm-lined islands without a tourist in sight.

In this blog post, I’ll outline my experience on the overnight Secret Gili Islands hopping tour, visiting Gili Nanggu and Gili Sudak, and camping under the stars on the tiny island of Gili Kedis.

How to Get to the Secret Gili Islands off Lombok

Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak are located in the Sekotong region. While there is some tourist infrastructure here, it’s still very raw, and finding regular transport can be challenging.

Since there are no regular shuttle or public transport services to Sekotong, you’ll need to organise private transport. After asking around, I found that the cheapest and easiest option was to get a metered Bluebird Taxi, which cost me 27,000 IDR from Senggigi.

Once you arrive in Sekotong, there are several small boats at the main harbour that opportunistically offer island-hopping trips to Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis, and Gili Sudak. Quality for these island-hopping trips can be hit and miss, and prices will vary dramatically depending on the size of your trip.

If you don’t want to waste any time, I highly recommend booking a Secret Gili Islands tour, available from either Senggigi or Kuta Lombok, which includes transport to and from the islands. For an overnight stay on Gili Kedis, check out Feel Lombok. They run an incredible tour (the one I did) and are some of my best friends on Lombok.

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Secret Gili Islands Hopping and Camping Trip

While day trips for island hopping and snorkelling are popular, the best way to experience the Secret Gili Islands of Sekotong’s Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak is to join a camping trip.

Feel Lombok is the only tour company I know of that organises overnight trips.

Gili Nanggu Snorkeling

After arriving in Sekotong Harbour, a Secret Gili Islands and Gili Kedis Lombok island-hopping trip usually begins with snorkelling at Gili Nanggu.

Gili Nanggu is one of the largest of these islands and even has a resort at the back. The main beach is a stretch of white sand on the southern tip, which backs onto a pristine coral reef. The vibe at Gili Nanggu is extremely relaxed. There’s almost nothing going on here, a relief from the constant tourist buzz of Kuta Lombok or Gili Trawangan. It’s easy to see why they call these islands the Secret Gili Islands!

Once you strap on your mask and snorkel, you’ll find one of the most diverse snorkelling locations on Lombok. There are huge schools offish of all colours and even a bio-reef formed around a sunken berugak (traditional gazebo). If you’re lucky, you might even spot the odd turtle making its way from Gili Kedis and the other islands.

Gili Sudak

Before heading to Gili Kedis, the boat will stop at Gili Sudak. Compared to the other islands off Sekotong, Gili Sudak is probably the least impressive. However, here you’ll find an authentic Lombok Island experience. There are no resorts or tourist infrastructure, just rows of palm trees, some cows, and small local huts.

If you choose to join a camping trip, you’ll stop at Gili Sudak to get some firewood. There is a healthy supply of dry and old wood on this island. What I liked about Feel Lombok’s island camping tour is that they use resources sustainably, and they didn’t cut down any trees or leave any rubbish behind.

If you’re only here for a Secret Gili Islands snorkelling and island-hopping tour, you’ll still get to check out Gili Sudak.

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Gili Kedis Lombok Island Camping

The last island is my personal favourite, Gili Kedis. It’s a tiny sandbar island that you can walk across in about 15 seconds. There’s not much here, just a small swing, some benches, a hut, an outdoor toilet, and a few trees.

Gili Kedis is also the island sunset spot of choice. You’ll get to watch as the sun sets behind the horizon, lighting up the floating pearl farms and tiny islands that dot the Sekotong coastline.

After sunset, our tour cooked a traditional BBQ dinner of fresh fish, vegetables, rice, tempeh, and tofu. We then sat around the campfire, watched the stars, and learned some local Sasak songs from the talented guitarist and singer, Ilham.

Accommodation Near The Secret Gili Islands

Since Sekotong is a little tucked away, I’d recommend staying in this largely unexplored part of Lombok for a couple of nights to check out all the best things to do. Here are my top picks for budget accommodation:

Krisna Bungalows

Krisna Bungalows and Restaurant is located in Pelangan, not too far from Sekotong harbor. Sekotong Beach is only a step out of the room’s door. Each double room is equipped with a fan and bathroom and is conveniently located in a quiet area. You’ll also get a free breakfast and there is a motorbike rental next door to help you explore all the best things to do in Sekotong yourself!

Pelangi Homestay

Pelangi Homestay Bungalow has both a sun terrace and a garden, along with a private beach area. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property, and a free breakfast is included. Pelangi Homestay Bungalow also offers snorkelling trips to the surrounding islands. This is a great place to stay and costs $17 a night.

Silver Fern Beach Retreat

If you’re looking for a place in Lombok to escape the crowds, meet some great people, and unwind by the swimming pool, then this is it. Breakfast is included, and the owners can organise many tours and activities in Lombok.

Conclusion

The Secret Gili Islands offer an unforgettable experience for those looking to escape the more crowded tourist destinations. With pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and a serene atmosphere, Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak are perfect for island hopping, snorkelling, and camping. Whether you're staying for a day or overnight, these hidden gems of Lombok are sure to provide a unique and memorable adventure.

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