Island finder · Secret Gilis

Which South Gili island? A finder for the Secret Gilis

About 12 small islands lie off Sekotong, known as the South Gilis or the Secret Gilis. Choose what you want to do and how much time you have, and the islands that fit turn vermilion on the map and in the list. Tap an island for its harbour, boat time, food, places to stay and prices.

List

The eight islands, best fit first

The order changes with your choices. Tap an island name to show it on the map and in the panel above.

Gili NangguSnorkelling over healthy coral, with a chance of sea turtles (never guaranteed). The best-equipped of the South Gilis.
Gili SudakSoft white sand and shallow water, with warungs (food stalls): the lunch island.
Gili KedisA tiny sandbar you cross in about 15 seconds and walk around in about 5 minutes. Known for sunsets.
Gili TangkongAn uninhabited island with no facilities: largely undisturbed coral and reef fish such as clownfish.
Gili GedeThe largest South Gili (about 4 km long): fishing and pearl-farming hamlets, and the most places to stay.
Gili AsahanA very quiet island with electricity, for staying the night. Snorkel straight off your lodge.
Gili LayarBright sand and calm, shallow water. Known for its snorkelling; no places to stay.
Gili RengitA low, flat sandy islet you can walk around; how much beach shows depends on the tide.

Compare

Compare two or three islands

Choose up to three islands. With none chosen, the table shows all eight.

Gili Nanggu	Gili Sudak	Gili Kedis	Gili Tangkong	Gili Gede	Gili Asahan	Gili Layar	Gili Rengit
What it is like
Snorkelling over healthy coral, with a chance of sea turtles (never guaranteed). The best-equipped of the South Gilis.	Soft white sand and shallow water, with warungs (food stalls): the lunch island.	A tiny sandbar you cross in about 15 seconds and walk around in about 5 minutes. Known for sunsets. Reportedly shrinks further at high tide. Nicknamed “Honeymoon Island”.	An uninhabited island with no facilities: largely undisturbed coral and reef fish such as clownfish.	The largest South Gili (about 4 km long): fishing and pearl-farming hamlets, and the most places to stay. A day trip works, but a night lets you take in the village and the sunset.	A very quiet island with electricity, for staying the night. Snorkel straight off your lodge. Right next to Gili Gede. No roads, cars or motorbikes.	Bright sand and calm, shallow water. Known for its snorkelling; no places to stay.	A low, flat sandy islet you can walk around; how much beach shows depends on the tide.
Boats leave from
Tawun harbour (Sekotong)	Tawun harbour (Sekotong)	Tawun harbour (Sekotong)	Tawun or Lembar harbour	Tembowong harbour (Pelangan area of Sekotong)	A harbour on the Sekotong side (boats towards Gede and Asahan often leave from around Tembowong)	Charter from a harbour or beach on the Sekotong side (no scheduled boats)	Charter from a harbour or beach on the Sekotong side (no scheduled boats)
Boat time
About 15–20 min	About 15 min	10–20 min from Sudak (the three Tawun islands are about 15–40 min from Tawun)	Close to Sudak and Kedis (about 10–20 min between islands)	About 10–30 min	About 10–20 min	About 15–30 min. Under 30 min from Semelar, according to our team’s video	About 15–30 min
Staying
Just one place to stay: a simple shoreline bungalow. Most people visit for the day.	One tour operator lists a single basic guesthouse from around Rp400,000 (about US$22.50) a night, as of September 2026. Sources are limited, and another of our guides says there is basically no accommodation, so check before planning to stay.	No accommodation; some sources say camping is possible.	None (uninhabited)	Around 20 places, from homestays to villas with private pools. Power and Wi-Fi vary a lot between properties.	Mostly small eco-lodges with electricity; few rooms.	Essentially no permanent accommodation; day visits are the norm.	None
Food
Few food options. Bring a snack and water if you stay a while.	A handful of warungs are reported; whether they are open can vary day to day.	No permanent shop.	None. Bring all your food and drink.	Mostly at your accommodation’s restaurant; very few places outside.	Few eateries; you will mostly eat at your lodge.	No restaurants or shops. Bring water and food.	None. Bring water and food.
What to bring
Cash (no ATM), your own snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, water and a snack	Extra water and snacks, small cash, hat, sunscreen and rash guard, snorkel gear (rentals are limited)	Water and sun protection without fail, small cash	All food, water and snorkel gear; sun protection	Cash (no ATM), clothes that cover shoulders and knees (a Muslim community)	Cash (no ATM), any medication you need, insect repellent, sunscreen	Drinking water and snacks, sunscreen, hat, rash guard, cash, marine shoes, a waterproof case, towel and a change of clothes	Marine shoes (you wade ashore over bits of coral and sea urchins), sun protection, drinking water
Prices
Entrance fee about Rp5,000 (about US$0.30) per person. Shared or negotiated boat about Rp100,000 (about US$5.60) per person one way. Day tour of several islands about Rp290,000–300,000 (about US$16.30–16.90) per person. As of August 2026	Entrance fee not confirmed	Entrance fee about Rp5,000 (about US$0.30) per person, as of September 2026	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
With children
Calm water and plenty of shallows; often described as easy for families. The depth changes quickly a short swim out in places, so borrow a life jacket if anyone is not a confident swimmer.	Shallow water that suits beginner snorkellers.	Not covered in our guides.	Not covered in our guides. There are no facilities at all.	Staying with children is possible, but there is no hospital or pharmacy on the island. Check water safety and how you would reach the mainland in an emergency.	Not covered in our guides. There is no major hospital or clinic on the island.	The water around Layar is generally shallow and gentle. There is almost no shade, so go in the morning or late afternoon.	Landing usually means wading through shallows, where the footing can feel unsteady.
Guide
Gili Nanggu Guide The South Gilis off Sekotong	Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis, Gili Tangkong The South Gilis off Sekotong	Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis, Gili Tangkong The South Gilis off Sekotong	Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis, Gili Tangkong	Gili Gede: The South Gili Island You Can Actually Stay On The South Gilis off Sekotong	Gili Asahan Guide The South Gilis off Sekotong	Gili Layar and Gili Rengit	Gili Layar and Gili Rengit The South Gilis off Sekotong

Boats

Boats are priced per boat

There are no scheduled boats to most South Gilis: you charter a whole boat. The price is per boat, not per person, and a boat usually takes about 4 to 8 people. Booking through your accommodation the day before is the most reliable way, and morning departures are best because wind and waves tend to pick up in the afternoon.

The dry season (roughly April to October) has calmer seas. In the rainy season (roughly November to March) boats can be cancelled on rough days, so avoid crossing too close to the last day of your trip.

People	Per person
2 people	About Rp175,000–300,000 (about US$9.80–16.90)
4 people	About Rp87,500–150,000 (about US$4.90–8.40)
6 people	About Rp58,000–100,000 (about US$3.30–5.60)
8 people	About Rp43,750–75,000 (about US$2.50–4.20)

Based on Rp350,000–600,000 (about US$19.70–33.70) per boat for a half-day, three-island charter, as of August 2026, divided by the number of people. Snorkel gear (a few tens of thousands of rupiah each) and island entrance fees can be extra. Sekotong Boat Charter Guide

Packaged island-hopping day tour (often with transport, meals and gear): Rp300,000–450,000 (about US$16.90–25.30) per person
Shared or negotiated boat to Gili Nanggu: about Rp100,000 (about US$5.60) per person, one way
Island entrance fee: about Rp5,000 (about US$0.30) per person on Gili Nanggu and Gili Kedis

The sea from a boat on an island-hopping morning

Enquire

Island hopping from the village

The most reliable way to get a boat to the islands is through the place you are staying. We also help with island-hopping arrangements as part of the Semelar Beach Village stay programme.

Things to do Enquire