Gili Kedis: Lombok’s Secret Sandbar for Camping

Tucked away off the coast of the remote Sekotong Peninsula, you will find Gili Kedis. This tiny sandbar is known for its epic overnight camping and the pristine coral reefs sitting just offshore. If your idea of a perfect trip involves raw, untouched white sand and quiet snorkeling rather than fighting for space over the statues of Gili Meno, you are in exactly the right place.

Despite feeling completely off the grid, it is surprisingly easy to reach. A quick 15 minute local boat ride from mainland. Visiting this tiny slice of paradise one of our absolute favorite things to do in Lombok.

If you are already riding with us on the Lombok Loop, the absolute best way to wrap up your 4-day adventure is to extend your itinerary with our Secret Gili Islands camping trip. You can add this overnight experience onto the end of your ride, departing the mainland with us on Sunday.

Quick Facts

• Location: Sekotong Peninsula, approximately 1.5 hours from Kuta Lombok or Senggigi.
• How to Get There: Boat trips departing from Sekotong harbor.
• Activities: Snorkeling, island hopping, camping.
• Facilities: Toilet and small warung with swinging chair
• Best time to visit: April – October

Getting to Gili Kedis

A car or moped trip down to the Sekotong Peninsula to catch a boat to Gili Kedis is very straightforward. Depending on your departure point, you can expect the driving times below to reach the harbor.

• Kuta Lombok to Sekotong Harbor (pick up area for boat) – 1.5 hours
• Senggigi to Sekotong Harbor (pick up area for boat) – 1.5 hours
• Mataram to Sekotong Harbor (pick up area for boat) – 1 hour
• Gili Nanggu to Gili Kedis – 15 mins by local boat

Driving yourself: The mainland roads all the way to Sekotong Harbor are completely sealed and easy for mopeds. Stay alert for wandering cows and dogs on the final coastal stretches. If you are coming from Senggigi, take extra care navigating the busier city traffic through Mataram.

Is it Gili Kedis or Gili Bedis? If you are chatting with the fishermen at Sekotong Harbor or looking at local maps, you might hear this island referred to as Gili Bedis. Do not let it confuse you, they are the exact same place!

Things to Do on Gili Kedis

This tiny speck of white sand surrounded by vibrant turquoise water is the ultimate secluded escape. You can literally walk across the entire island in fifteen seconds. With just a few trees providing shade and a simple wooden swing, it’s a great place to relax under the sun.

Snorkeling

The shallow waters surrounding the sandbar are glassy and calm, making it a perfect spot for floating and swimming, even if you are not a strong swimmer. Just off the shoreline, the coral reefs are incredibly healthy and teeming with life. In our experience, this offers some of the best snorkeling in Lombok.

Tip: The best time to visit is high tide as you’ll have more room to swim over the reef without touching it.

Gili Kedis Secret Camping

If visiting for the afternoon is great, spending the night is next level. Our co-founder, Dayat, was actually the first person to organize camping trips to Gili Kedis with Feel Lombok. While plenty of copycats exist these days, we still run the absolute best, authentic overnight experience every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Our Secret Gili Islands Camping Trip is honestly the most popular way to wrap up the epic Lombok Loop adventure.

For 99 USD, we handle pickups from Kuta, Senggigi, or Bangsal, take you to our founder’s village for a traditional coconut oil workshop, and set you up with tents and sleeping bags right on the sand. You will spend the evening eating a campfire BBQ, watching the sun dip below the horizon, and stargazing from your own private island with your new travel buddies.

Want to join the crew? Check out our full Secret Gili Camping itinerary here.

Exploring the Rest of the Secret Gilis

Once you’ve explored Gili Kedis it is a must to tick off the other Secret Gili Islands! They all offer something different and are only a short 10-15 minute boat trip from Gili Kedis.

Gili Nanggu
This is the undisputed snorkeling capital of the Secret Gilis. Expect schools of colorful fish to surround you the second you jump in. It is a true underwater paradise with vibrant coral reefs and a quiet white sand beach.

Gili Sudak
We usually recommend hitting Gili Sudak around lunchtime. The shallow, glassy waters make swimming completely effortless. While the coral is not as spectacular as Nanggu, you get a private stretch of powdery sand and the chance to eat fresh grilled fish from a small local warung under the trees.

Gili Tangkong
If you want the rawest island in the chain, Tangkong is it. This spot is completely undeveloped and home to a small coconut plantation tended by a single local family. Expect pristine waters, zero tourist facilities, and the guarantee of absolute peace and quiet.

That wraps up our guide to exploring Gili Kedis. If you are looking for more island hopping in the southwest, we highly recommend checking out Gili Layar or Gili Asahan. Both are just a bit further down the Sekotong coast and offer eco resorts and snorkeling.

If you want to skip the logistical headaches and dive straight into the action, come ride with us on the Lombok Loop. We kick off our epic 4-day motorcycle adventure every Thursday from Senggigi and every Friday from Kuta Lombok.

Otherwise, if you’re planning your own independent travel, check out this guide before you go on where to stay in Lombok.