Fishing off Sekotong | Boat Fishing off the South Gili Islands: How to Arrange It and Rough Costs

3 October 2026

“I want to try fishing while I’m on Lombok,” “what kind of fish can you catch off Sekotong?” If you’re staying somewhere along the Sekotong coast looking out toward the South Gili islands, questions like these come up often. The short answer: fishing off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands mainly means boat-based trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing, and you can arrange it either through a dedicated fishing charter company or by adding fishing to an island-hopping boat trip.

This article is based only on what we could confirm by opening the official sites of fishing charter companies and local tour operators actually running trips around Sekotong and the South Gili islands. Prices and durations vary by operator and change with weather and group size, so we’ve kept them as rough ranges. We haven’t included any figures or rules we couldn’t confirm.

The waters off Sekotong are where the South Gili islands — Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Gede, and Gili Layar — are scattered, with coral reefs close to deep water. The South Gili islands and boat charters in Sekotong are each covered in their own article, so check those out if you’re planning to combine fishing with island-hopping.

This is written for anyone staying in Sekotong, Lombok who wants to fit in some fishing, and anyone trying to get a sense of the gear and costs involved. It covers both people with boat-fishing experience and first-timers.

Information as of September 2026

What this article covers

✓The types of fishing done off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands (trolling, jigging, popping, bait fishing)
✓How to arrange a trip (dedicated charter vs. adding fishing to an island-hopping boat) and the main fishing spots
✓Roughly what an 8–9 hour charter costs (examples from operators we could confirm)
✓Whether gear can be rented, and what to know about checking fishing tackle on a flight
✓Marine protected areas (around Gili Tangkong, Nanggu, and Sudak) and etiquette toward fishing villages

The short answer

As of September 2026, fishing off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands mainly means boat-based trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing, with Gili Gede, Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Layar, and the waters around Bangko Bangko as the main spots. You can book through a dedicated fishing charter or add it to an island-hopping boat trip. We confirmed operator examples of roughly US$60–150 per person for an 8–9 hour day trip. Most operators rent out gear, and if you’re bringing your own rod, you’ll want to check your airline’s rules.

TOC

What kind of fishing can you do off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands?

Fishing off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands generally falls into four categories: trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing. A fishing charter company based at Gili Gede describes trolling as targeting mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, tuna, and wahoo, and jigging as targeting deep-water snapper, coral trout, cobia, amberjack, and giant trevally.

Popping is described as targeting giant trevally around reefs and rocky areas, and bait fishing as targeting fish on reefs and in deeper water. Bait fishing is presented as the beginner-friendly option.

Figure: Types of fishing off Sekotong and the South Gili islands

Diagram: four types based on local fishing charter companies’ descriptions.

The spots that come up as fishing grounds are Gili Gede, Gili Layar, Gili Nanggu, and the waters around Bangko Bangko. One tour operator says a trip to Sekotong and Gili Nanggu allows for extended fishing time, and that most people spend around 8 hours fishing on average. Another operator offers a choice between two areas: Sekotong (around Gili Layar) or Mentigi Bay in northern Lombok.

How to arrange a trip: a dedicated charter, or an add-on to an island-hopping boat

There are broadly two ways to arrange a trip. One is booking directly with a dedicated fishing charter company — an operator based at a marina on Gili Gede offers charters combining trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing.

The other is adding fishing to a South Gili island-hopping boat trip. One tour describes a day that departs from Tawun Harbor (Sekotong) in the morning, fishes around Gili Gede, Gili Layar, and Bangko Bangko in the morning, then snorkels at Gili Nanggu and Gili Kedis in the afternoon.

Which suits you depends on your goal. If you’re set on a specific fishing method or target species, a dedicated charter is the better fit; if you want to enjoy both fishing and island-hopping, an add-on to an island-hopping boat works well. The overall flow of arranging a boat is broadly similar to the basics covered for Sekotong boat charters generally.

Roughly how much does it cost?

Costs vary by operator, and we couldn’t confirm a single going rate. As a reference, here are two examples we could confirm on official sites, both current as of September 2026.

← This table can be scrolled sideways

Item	Example 1: one-day tour from Tawun Harbor (Sekotong)	Example 2: fishing tour from Sekotong
Duration	About 8 hours (departs 7–8am, returns around 4pm)	About 9 hours (departs 5:30–7am, returns around 4pm)
Rough price (per person)	US$85 for 2 people, US$65 for 3–4 people, US$60 for 5 or more	Around US$150 for 2 (fishing only), around US$160 for 2 with snorkeling included (discounts for 3 or more)
Included	Fishing gear and bait, wooden boat, snorkeling gear, lunch, hotel-to-harbor transfer	Fishing gear, boat rental, snorkeling gear (if selected), lunch
Fishing spots / stops	Fishing around Gili Gede, Gili Layar, and Bangko Bangko / snorkeling at Gili Nanggu and Gili Kedis	Sekotong (around Gili Layar) or Mentigi Bay in northern Lombok

*Prices are given as operators quote them, in US dollars. They aren’t directly comparable to Rupiah-based accommodation or transfer costs. Current as of September 2026; they can change with group size and season.

Figure: rough price and duration (operator examples)

Diagram: two examples confirmed on official sites as of September 2026. Both are estimates that vary by group size and season.

There are also dedicated fishing charters based at a marina on Gili Gede. Their pricing, though, tends to be presented through photos or on an inquiry basis, and we couldn’t confirm specific figures on their official sites. If price matters to you, we’d recommend contacting several operators directly before booking.

Can you rent gear? Checking fishing tackle on a flight

A full set of fishing gear is included in the price with most operators. Tours departing from Tawun Harbor are described as providing fishing gear and bait for free, and a dedicated fishing charter based at Gili Gede says it provides high-end Shimano and Daiwa rods and reels with a full rig, plus bait. Most plans are set up for you to show up empty-handed.

If you’d rather bring your own gear, it’s worth checking how to check it on your flight. Garuda Indonesia’s official guidance says one piece of sports equipment (including fishing gear) per person can be checked for free, but any additional pieces count toward the normal checked-baggage weight limit. The free baggage allowance for domestic economy class is generally around 20kg, and anything over that incurs the usual excess-baggage fee.

Rules vary by airline, so it’s worth checking each carrier’s official site for its sports-equipment policy before you travel. It also helps to check how to get from the airport to Sekotong ahead of time, so it’s easier to plan a day when you’re carrying extra gear.

Season, sea conditions, and dealing with seasickness and sun

Lombok’s dry season runs roughly April to October, and the rainy season November to March (as of September 2026). Most fishing tours depart early — the examples we confirmed leave between 5:30 and 7am and return around 4pm. Sea conditions depend on wind and swell that day, so whether a trip runs and the standards for postponing it vary by operator. It’s worth checking the cancellation and refund policy for bad weather when you book.

If you’re worried about seasickness, taking motion-sickness medication before departure and looking at a distant island or the horizon while on board is said to help a lot of people. The sun is stronger than you’d expect, so along with long sleeves, a hat, and sunscreen, it’s worth bringing plenty of drinking water. Wearing a life jacket is standard practice with most operators, so put one on whenever you’re given one. Here’s a rough packing list.

✓Motion-sickness medication (taking it about an hour before boarding is safest)
✓Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved layer
✓Shoes or sandals you don’t mind getting wet
✓Drinking water (bring more than you think you need)
✓Cash (for tips or extra food and drinks)
✓Your phone and valuables in a waterproof pouch

Etiquette around fishing villages and protected areas

The waters off Sekotong around Gili Tangkong, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak are designated as a marine protected area called “Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Gita Nada,” managed by West Nusa Tenggara province. It covers about 21,132.82 hectares and aims to protect coral reefs and the 379 confirmed species of reef fish there. It’s managed by the regional fisheries resource management unit for Lombok Island (UPT BPSDKP Wilayah Pulau Lombok).

We couldn’t confirm the fine details of exactly which fishing methods are restricted where within this protected area from official sources. Still, given that it is a protected area, basic traveler etiquette includes not touching coral, not leaving fishing line or trash in the water, and not fishing outside the areas your charter company or captain points out. Sekotong is also a fishing village where people make their living from fishing, so avoid fishing near local boats or fixed nets, and follow your captain’s judgment.

A note from Sekotong

If you want to fit fishing into your Sekotong trip, the first thing to decide is whether fishing is the main point or an add-on to island-hopping. That choice shapes which kind of tour suits you and what gear you’ll need. Also, a lot of operators quote prices in US dollars, which aren’t directly comparable to Rupiah-based accommodation or transfer costs. When you get a quote, check both the currency and whether gear, bait, lunch, and transfer are included in the price — that way you won’t be caught off guard by extra costs on the day.

Beyond the fishing, there’s a quiet fishing village to stay in

Honestly, Sekotong isn’t the ideal destination if fishing is your only goal for the trip. There’s no direct international flight here — you’ll add travel time and cost connecting through Bali or Jakarta. The number of dedicated fishing charter companies is limited, and there aren’t enough options to easily compare prices and equipment side by side. Some days you won’t be able to go out because of weather, which is a real risk if your schedule is tight.

Some of the waters here are also designated protected areas, so you can’t necessarily cast a line wherever you’d like. For anyone focused on serious big-game fishing, this destination may compare unfavorably with other fishing grounds where it’s easier to compare equipment and track record.

That said, the waters off Sekotong sit close to the South Gili islands, and Sekotong itself is a fishing village that hasn’t been turned into a tourist destination. That suits anyone who wants to fit fishing into their stay while also enjoying the quiet of Sekotong itself. If serious fishing or a shot at a big catch is your top priority, though, you’ll do better checking out other fishing grounds where equipment and track record are easier to confirm.

FAQ

Q. Can beginners join?

Operators describe bait fishing as beginner-friendly. Trolling and jigging often have the crew handle the gear, so most plans don’t require experience to book. That said, it’s worth mentioning your experience level (or lack of it) when you book, since operators vary in how they handle this.

Q. Can I take home or eat the fish I catch?

We couldn’t confirm any consistent official guidance on whether you can take your catch home or have it cooked. Some operators appear to offer a barbecue service, but check with your operator or accommodation directly about cooking options.

Q. Can women and children join?

One tour is open to all ages, with half price for children under 5. That said, since you’ll be on the boat for a long stretch, anyone prone to seasickness or traveling with small children is better off choosing a shorter trip or a day with calmer seas.

Q. Are there fishing tours outside Sekotong too?

Some operators offer fishing tours in other areas, such as Mentigi Bay in northern Lombok. This article focuses specifically on Sekotong and the South Gili islands, so check individual operators’ listings if you’re looking at other areas.

Q. Can you do fishing tours in the rainy season?

Some operators run trips through the rainy season (November–March), but sea conditions can force a same-day cancellation or postponement. If your schedule is tight, it’s worth checking the operator’s bad-weather cancellation policy in advance.

Summary

Fishing off Sekotong and around the South Gili islands mainly means trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing, with Gili Gede, Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Layar, and the waters around Bangko Bangko as the main spots. You can book through a dedicated fishing charter or add it to an island-hopping boat trip, and we confirmed operator examples of roughly US$60–150 per person for an 8–9 hour day trip.

Most operators rent out gear, so you can join empty-handed. If you’re bringing your own rod, check your airline’s sports-equipment rules in advance. Some of the waters off Sekotong are designated marine protected areas, so following your captain’s or charter company’s guidance is a given.

Prices, durations, and covered areas vary by operator, and the examples in this article may not match your own booking exactly. We’d recommend confirming the latest pricing and what’s included directly before you book.

Watch: a fishing competition in Lombok’s waters

A fishing competition we held in Lombok. The catch was turned into sashimi and tempura on the spot (from our team’s YouTube channel, “Building a Town in Lombok”).

Our team’s YouTube channel (in a video published December 2025) describes this fishing competition as a local event our team organizes, with an entry fee of Rp50,000, rods and bait brought by each participant, and a first-place prize of Rp3,000,000. Watch the video A follow-up video published February 2026 notes that more than 100 people from around Lombok took part in the November 2025 event, that the water in front of Sakura Beach is so shallow at low tide you can walk out about 100m, and that footwear that won’t come off easily is a good idea because of the many sea urchins in the shallows. Watch the video