Where to go Snorkeling in Lombok: Our 8 Favorite Spots

Lombok’s best reefs sit close to shore, which is the main thing it has over Bali. You can walk into the water at Tanjung Aan or on Gili Air and be over coral within minutes. Add the quiet beaches and the islands off both coasts, and there are more day trips here than you’ll fit into a week.

The reefs are in better shape than most of Bali’s day-trip sites, the water’s clear from April onwards, and you see more fish for less effort. Some of the best spots are a 15-minute boat ride from the mainland. Others need a two-hour drive first, and we’ll tell you which of those earn the trip.

We don’t cover every one of these on the Lombok Loop, and we’re happy to help you plan the rest yourself. That’s why we’ve written this guide. Below are the eight spots we send guests to, what each one costs to reach, and the months the water run clear.

Which Spot Should You Pick?

Six of the eight need a boat and two don’t. That’s usually what decides it.

What you’re after	Where we’d send you	Boat
Turtles, near enough guaranteed	Gili Meno	Yes, from Bangsal
The best coral on the island	Gili Nanggu	Yes, from Sekotong
Getting in off the sand	Tanjung Aan	No
Almost nobody else there	Gili Rengit and Gili Layar	Yes, from Sekotong
Pink sand and a reef in one trip	Pink Beach	Yes, short hop
First time in the water	Gili Air	Yes, from Bangsal
A busy island with a reef attached	Gili Trawangan	Yes, from Bangsal
Staying in Senggigi, not travelling far	Senggigi Beach	No

1. Snorkeling at the Gili Islands

• Access: Reachable via public or private boats departing from Bangsal Harbor. Boats are frequent, with options for shared or private charters.
• Location: Just off the northwest coast of Lombok, a 15-minute boat ride from Bangsal Harbor.

The Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air) are the go-to snorkeling destination for visitors to Lombok, and for good reason. These islands are surrounded by crystal-clear waters and coral reefs with plenty of fish on them. Gili Meno, in particular, is famous for its turtle population; it’s not uncommon to spot several sea turtles while snorkeling just off the shore.

Gili Air offers coral gardens with plenty of colorful fish, and Gili Trawangan combines snorkeling with a lively island vibe.

We recommend starting at Gili Meno’s Turtle Point for the best chance of spotting turtles. And, don’t miss the Gili Meno underwater statues as well!

The water here is calm, making it great for beginners, and the visibility is usually excellent. If you’re more experienced, hire a boat to take you around all three islands for a full day of exploring. Compared to Bali’s famous snorkeling spots like Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands are much easier to access and have fewer crowds. If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, we’ve compared Lombok and the Gili Islands side by side.

The public boat from Bangsal Harbour is 20,000 IDR to Gili Air, 21,000 IDR to Gili Meno and 23,000 IDR to Gili Trawangan. Add 10,000 IDR harbour tax, collected when you step onto the island rather than at Bangsal. The boats leave when they fill, which is around 35 to 40 people, and the ticket office runs roughly 07:00 to 17:00.

2. Snorkeling at Pink Beach

• Location: Southeast Lombok, near the small village of Sekaroh.
• Access: Around a 2-hour drive from Kuta Lombok, followed by a short boat ride to nearby reefs.

Pink Beach is one of the few spots on Lombok you would drive two hours for, known for its blush-colored sand created by crushed red coral mixed with white sand. The sand gets the photos, but the reef just offshore is the reason to make the drive. You’ll see clownfish, angelfish and soft corals within a short swim of the beach. Entry is 50,000 IDR per person. For the best snorkeling experience, we recommend hiring a boat from the beach to take you to nearby spots like Gili Petel or the surrounding coral gardens.

Compared to the Gili Islands, the coral here feels more pristine, and the quieter setting makes it a standout. That said, the visibility can sometimes be affected by currents, so it’s best to go on a calm day.

We personally love Pink Beach for its remote vibe and the opportunity to pair snorkeling with exploring the surrounding coastline. It’s not part of our Lombok Loop trip, but we can connect you with local guides to arrange a visit.

Book: Lombok Islands & Pink Beach Snorkeling Trip

3. Snorkeling at the Secret Gili Islands

• Location: Off the southwest coast of Lombok, near the Sekotong area.
• Access: A 1.5- to 2-hour drive from Senggigi, followed by a short boat ride from Sekotong to the islands.

The Secret Gili Islands (Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis and Gili Sudak) are the quieter alternative to the famous three. These small, unspoiled islands have clear water, healthy coral and almost nobody on them.

We recommend booking a boat trip to Gili Nanggu, where the reefs are thick with fish, including angelfish and clownfish. In fact, we’d say this is the best place in Lombok to go snorkeling! The coral here is well-preserved compared to more tourist-heavy areas, making it a top spot for exploring underwater.

Gili Kedis and Gili Sudak are smaller and the snorkelling is just as good, which makes them easy to string together in one boat trip. Gili Nanggu and Gili Kedis each charge a 5,000 IDR entrance fee, usually rolled in if you’ve booked a boat. A taxi from Senggigi down to Sekotong runs around 30,000 IDR.

Tip: While these islands aren’t part of our Lombok Loop trip, we organize 3x weekly camping trips after the loop on Gili Kedis, which is a great way to unwind after 4 long days of exploring our beautiful island.

4. Snorkeling at Gili Rengit and Gili Layar

• Location: Off the southwest coast of Lombok, near Sekotong, just beyond the Secret Gili Islands.
• Access: About a 2-hour drive from Senggigi to Sekotong, followed by a 15- to 20-minute boat ride to the islands.

Gili Rengit and Gili Layar are lesser-known snorkeling spots that offer a pristine and quiet experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path. These islands are part of the same cluster as the Secret Gili Islands but are often overlooked by visitors, making them even more tranquil.

Gili Rengit is surrounded by clear, shallow waters, making it ideal for beginners and casual snorkelers. You’ll find coral gardens and schools of colorful fish just a short swim from the beach. Gili Layar, slightly larger, has more varied coral formations with diverse coral formations and even more marine life, including occasional sightings of small reef sharks.

The reefs here are in better condition than anywhere else we take people, mostly because there’s no tourist infrastructure to speak of. In our opinion, this is an excellent alternative to busier spots like the Gilis or Pink Beach.

5. Snorkeling at Senggigi

• Location: Along the west coast of Lombok, around 30 minutes from Bangsal Harbor or 15 minutes from Mataram.
• Access: Easily reached by motorbike or taxi, with plenty of spots to park along Senggigi Beach or Kerandangan Beach.

Senggigi isn’t known for its snorkeling, but there are a few spots worth exploring if you’re staying nearby. The best access is on the north side of Senggigi Beach, near Basilico Restaurant by the Kila Senggigi Beach Hotel. You’ll find some coral here with small fish, but it’s important to visit during low tide when the water is calm. At high tide, the water can be murky, and strong currents make snorkeling challenging and potentially dangerous.

In our opinion, Senggigi isn’t the best option for snorkeling compared to places like the Gili Islands. For clearer water and healthier reefs, we recommend taking a short trip to Gili Air or Gili Meno for a much better experience. Alternatively, head south to Sekotong to catch a boat to Gili Nanggu and the smaller islands nearby, which are quieter and less impacted. If you do choose to snorkel in Senggigi, be mindful of the tides and avoid walking on the coral to help preserve what’s left.

Read: Our Favorite Places to Stay in Senggigi

6. Snorkeling at Tanjung Aan

• Location: South Lombok, 15 minutes east of Kuta by scooter.
• Access: Paved the whole way, with parking at the beach. You walk in off the sand at the eastern end, no boat needed.

South Lombok’s reefs sit further out than the Gilis and the water moves more, so pick your day. On a calm morning at mid tide, Tanjung Aan is the easiest snorkel on this coast. We send more guests here than anywhere else in the south, mostly because they’re already in Kuta for the surf and the other adventurous things to do in Lombok.

Tanjung Aan Beach, just a 15-minute drive from Kuta is the one we point people at first, with calm shallow water that suits beginners when the weather plays along. The coral is thinner than the Gilis or the Secret Islands, you’ll still spot small tropical fish and enjoy the clear water, especially in the mornings.

7. Snorkeling at Gerupuk Bay

Gerupuk is better known for its surf breaks, and the snorkelling out there needs a boat. The reefs sit further into the bay where the coral’s healthier and there’s more to look at than anywhere you can reach from the sand on this coast. Ask at the beach and someone will run you out. We don’t have a current fare for that hop, so agree the price before you get in.

8. Snorkeling at Selong Belanak

Selong Belanak Beach snorkels well at low tide on a calm day and turns murky the rest of the time. It’s a beginner surf beach first and a snorkelling spot second, so treat it as a bonus if you’re already down there rather than a reason to make the drive.

None of the three south coast spots compete with the Gilis or Pink Beach on coral. What they give you is convenience. You can get in the water between surf sessions without losing half a day to a boat, and if you’re based in Kuta that trade usually stacks up.

Read: Where to Stay in Kuta Lombok

Best Time to Snorkel in Lombok

April to November is the dry season and it’s when the water clears up. December to March brings the rain, and river run-off turns visibility to soup for days after a heavy downpour. If you asked us to pick, we’d say May, June, September or October. The water’s clear, the boats run, and the Gilis aren’t full.

Time of day counts for more than most people expect. Mornings are calmer almost everywhere on the island, and the wind gets up on the south coast by early afternoon. We tell guests to be in the water before 10am.

Local Tip: Check the tide before you ride anywhere for shore snorkelling. Low tide over shallow reef means scraped coral and cut feet. Mid to high tide on a calm morning is the window.

And that’s a wrap for our Lombok snorkeling guide! Remember to join us every Thursday in Senggigi for the Lombok Loop, our 4-day 3-night motorcycle adventure (Lombok’s very own Ha Giang Loop).

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

Snorkeling in Lombok FAQ