Most visitors choose between a day on the road and a day on the water. This private tour refuses to pick, stitching together the northwest coast’s best viewpoints with a boat trip out to the reefs of the Gili Islands, so you finish the day with both salt in your hair and a camera roll full of panoramas.
You are collected from your accommodation in the morning and driven north along the coastal highway. The route is part of the experience: the road climbs and falls between forested headlands, with the sea appearing suddenly below and the three Gili islands sitting offshore like stepping stones. There are several roadside viewpoints where the whole strait opens up, and your driver will stop at each one for as long as you want.
From the harbour area near Teluk Nare, you transfer to a boat kept for your group alone and head out across water that shifts from deep indigo to pale turquoise as the reef rises beneath you. Snorkeling stops are chosen according to the day’s conditions, which usually means calm water, good visibility and coral gardens patrolled by parrotfish, angelfish and clouds of small reef fish. The islands are well known for green sea turtles, and quiet mornings often bring sightings of them grazing or rising slowly to the surface.
- Private vehicle and driver for the land portion of the day
- Private boat with crew for the snorkeling portion
- Mask, snorkel and fins provided in a range of sizes
- Multiple viewpoint stops on the northwest coastal road
- Time on the water adjusted to sea conditions and your energy
Between stops there is room to relax on deck, dry off in the sun and watch the coastline of Lombok rise behind you with Rinjani’s bulk in the distance on clear days. Life jackets are available for anyone who would rather float than swim, and the crew keep the boat close so nervous swimmers can take their time getting in.
This combination suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the region, couples, families and photographers who like variety in a single day. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the water stops, and the land portion involves no real walking beyond short strolls to viewpoints.
The full day runs around eight hours, ending with the drive back to your hotel, ideally timed so the last stretch of coast road catches the late afternoon light. Let us know if you would prefer more snorkeling and fewer stops, or the other way around, and we will adjust before you set off.