What Time Do Fast Boats to the Gili Islands Leave?

The board above shows every fast boat we currently sell between Bali and the Gili Islands, with live fares. Here is how to read it — and how to plan around it — so you pick the right departure the first time.

When do the boats actually leave?

Departures fall into two waves: a morning wave from roughly 07:30 to 10:00, and an early-afternoon wave from about 12:30 to 13:45, across four operators. There is no evening service — once the afternoon boats have gone, the next crossing is the following morning.

Most travellers still take a morning boat, and there is a good reason beyond habit. The Lombok Strait is one of the deepest, most exposed stretches of water in Indonesia, and wind and swell build through the day, so a crossing that is glassy at 08:00 can be lively by mid-afternoon. Morning boats are also the least likely to be cancelled when conditions are marginal. If you are prone to seasickness, go early — see how to avoid seasickness on the Gili fast boat.

Which harbour you leave from matters most

Your crossing time depends almost entirely on the port, not the operator:

• Padang Bai (East Bali) — the busiest gateway and by far the shortest crossing, usually around 1.5 hours. It is 1.5–2 hours by road from the south, though.
• Sanur and Nusa Dua (South Bali) — much closer by road if you are staying in Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta or Ubud, but far longer on the water — anywhere from about 3 to 5 hours depending on the route.

So the real trade-off is road time versus sea time. If you are in the south and want the quickest total journey, it is often still worth driving to Padang Bai. We compare the two properly in Padang Bai vs Sanur.

Work backwards from the boat, not the alarm

The departure time is not your start time. For an 08:00 boat from Padang Bai, a realistic morning looks like:

• 05:30–06:00 leave your hotel in south Bali
• 07:00–07:15 arrive at the harbour
• 07:30 check in and swap your e-ticket for a boarding pass
• 08:00 departure

Operators ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, and boats leave on time. Sanur and Nusa Dua are far kinder on the road transfer — often 20–40 minutes — which for many people offsets the longer crossing.

Coming back

Return departures (in the second board above) run from mid-morning to about 15:45 — the last boats of the day leave the Gilis in the mid-afternoon. Two things to hold onto:

Afternoon returns fill up. If you want a full last day on the island, the mid-afternoon boat is often the only option, and seats go early.

Never cut a flight fine. Fast boats are weather-dependent. If your international flight leaves Denpasar that evening, come back the day before. A cancelled afternoon boat and a missed flight is the most expensive mistake on this route — and no operator will cover it.

Do the times change?

Yes — treat any fixed timetable as a guide to the shape of the day, not a promise. Operators add departures in the July–August and December peak, and cancel services in bad weather, especially in the January–February wet season. That is exactly why the board on this page is drawn live from our booking system rather than typed out by hand: the times you see are the ones we are actually selling right now, and the availability at checkout for your date is the real one.

Frequently asked questions

What time do fast boats from Bali to the Gili Islands leave?

Departures run in two waves: a morning wave from about 07:30 to 10:00 and an early-afternoon wave from about 12:30 to 13:45, across four operators. Most people take a morning boat because the sea is calmer earlier in the day.

Is there an afternoon fast boat from Bali to the Gili Islands?

Yes. Several operators run early-afternoon departures, roughly 12:30 to 13:45, mostly from Padang Bai. There is no evening service, though — the last boats of the day leave in the early afternoon.

What time is the last boat back from the Gili Islands to Bali?

The last returns leave the Gilis in the mid-afternoon, around 15:45. Afternoon boats book up quickly, so reserve ahead and never rely on one before an international flight.

How long does the Bali to Gili fast boat take?

From about 1.5 hours on the short Padang Bai crossing to roughly 3–5 hours from Sanur or Nusa Dua in the south. The harbour you leave from matters far more than the operator.

How early should I arrive at the harbour?

At least 30 minutes before departure, to check in and swap your e-ticket for a boarding pass. Allow 1.5–2 hours of road time to Padang Bai from South Bali, and much less to Sanur or Nusa Dua.

Do Gili fast boat schedules change?

Yes. More departures are added in the July–August and December peak, and services are cancelled in bad weather, especially in the January–February wet season. The schedule board on this page is live, so it always reflects what we are currently selling.

Quick planning checklist

• Boats leave in two waves — morning (07:30–10:00) and early afternoon (12:30–13:45). No evening service.
• Padang Bai is the shortest crossing (~1.5 h); Sanur / Nusa Dua are longer on the water but closer by road.
• Be at the harbour 30 minutes before departure.
• The last returns leave the Gilis around 15:45.
• Never book a Gili return on the same day as an international flight.

Ready to lock in a time? Check live departures and book in a couple of minutes.