iDiveToday: August 2016

GETTING THERE:

Destination	Gili Trawangan, Lombok Indonesia
Airport/s	Bandar Udara a.k.a Lombok 'Praya' International Airport (Airport Code: LOP) More information about Lombok Airport More information about Bali Airport More information about Jakarta Airport Jakarta Airport CGK Terminal & Airline Guide
Routes/Flights	There are no international direct flight to Lombok. However, Garuda (Indonesia Flag Carrier) issues connecting flights. Passengers will still need to transit either from Jakarta Domestic Airport (CKG) to Lombok Airport (LOP) or from Bali Domestic Airport (DPS) to Lombok Airport (LOP) but people usually take the speed boat from Bali to Lombok or to the Gili Islands (as shown in the map below) If you are coming from Jakarta, there are direct flights from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Lombok Airport (LOP); LionAir, CitiLink, BatikAir, or Garuda. From the airport, you need to travel by land to Sengigi - here you will find the pier to the Gilis or even to Bali. At the airport arrival you will see taxi service / car rental desk, that is one option to get to Sengigi. The other option is to take the metered taxi; Blue Bird or Express taxi (note they will try to negotiate for fix fare but if you can, insist to turn on the meter). Average one way cost is Rupiah 140,000 to 160,000 from airport to Sengigi. Note that there is additional airport taxi surcharge of Rupiah 17,500. Travel time is 1 hour 10 minutes (depending on traffic). From Sengigi, take a speed boat to Gili Trawangan. Here are your options: Bali Ferry, Lombok Fast Boat, Gili Bookings, Blue Waters Express, Gili Get Away If you are coming from Bali, there are flights to Lombok (LOP); LionAir. But the distance is too short for plane (30-45mins), people normally take the speed boat. It will take about 2 hours 30 minutes travel time to Gili Trawangan (depending on weather condition). From Bali to the Gilis, you can book/buy your tickets from either of these options: Bali Ferry, Lombok Fast Boat, Gili Bookings, Blue Waters Express, Gili Get Away If you are feeling fancy, you can also take helicopter, Air Bali Other info you might need to know: Sports Equipment Check-in are available for Air Asia, LionAir & Garuda. You can purchase additional luggage weight when booking your tickets online. Garuda offers 26KG Sports Equipment free of charge (this is as of July 2016, pls visit Garuda website or call costumer service for any updates/changes in their check-in policies). Please note that if you are arriving at CGK International Terminal (Jakarta International Airport), you have to take a bus to domestic terminal to take your flight to LOP / DPS. Flight Time (Jakarta CGK to Bali DPS): 1 hour 45 mins. (Time difference: Bali is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta). Flight time (Jakarta CGK to Lombok LOP): 1 hour 55 mins. (Time difference: Lombok is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta) When flying domestic via local low cost carriers/budget airlines, delayed flights (arrival/departure) are expected, LionAir is known for this. So be prepared to wait as long as 1 hour to 2 hours at the domestic terminal. You can directly book tickets from airline websites as mentioned above or you can find and book flights through the following sites: NusaTrip.com, Tiket.com, Traveloka.com, Booking.com. Domestic Indonesia flights are usually cheaper at NusaTrip.com
Quinn's Review	I always fly direct flight from Jakarta to Lombok, I find this option more convenient considering that I have extra large luggage / sports equipment luggage. Easier and more convenient way (though not necessarily the cheapest) is to request your hotel or your dive operator to arrange the airport transfer for you. They will arrange a private van waiting for you at the airport arrival and bring you to the pier then to Gili Trawangan (and vise versa) via private speed boat. I haven't tried taking the boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan though I have 3 friends (who traveled separately and in different months) tried this route and wouldn't dare doing it again. If you are traveling with kids or if you have a weak stomach or gets easily sea sick, may I suggest flying to Lombok instead. My friends who took the boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan said that it was very wavy and felt very dizzy for the whole 2 hours and 30 minutes on the boat.
DIVE OPERATORS	Blue Marlin Dive Gili Trawangan Contact Details: Hannah Dixon - Bookings Manager \| T. +62 (0) 370 6132424 \| E. info@bluemarlindive.com W. www.bluemarlindive.com Their dive boat goes out 3 times per day (night dive is available upon request), each boat trip is a single dive trip, dive sites are 10-15 minutes away from dive center. Cost: 35USD per dive (night dive is 45USD, Nitrox tank is 10USD) - this includes all gear rental, dive boats and dive guides. If you do 5 dives and more, you'll get 10% discount, 10 dives and more, you'll get 15% discount. Plus divers need to contribute to Gili Eco Trust Fund: 50,000 Rupiah (about 13-15USD). Please check with Hannah for rates, there might be some changes/adjustment in their cost. Above are the rates I got when I dove with them 2 years ago.
Quinn's Review	Extremely professional and punctual. The dive guides and boat men takes safety seriously. Of all the dive trips that I have been to in Indonesia, they are indeed the safest and their attention to detail is impressive. Very friendly staff too, very accommodating.
ACCOMMODATION	There are 2 options. Which side of the island: Sunrise or Sunset side of the island? The sunrise side is where the pier is at, restaurants, bars/clubs, party place. The sunset side is if you want it more peaceful and enjoy the beautiful sunset. TRANSPORTATION within the island, no motorizes vehicle. There are only horse carts, bicycles and walking/jogging. I cycled around the island and took me just 45 minutes. The island is that small. Hotel Villa Ombak This is on the sunrise side, near the pier and near Blue Marlin Dive (5 minutes walk or even less). Hotel Ombak Sunset This is on the opposite side. Less noise from the pier and party place. It's only 10-15 minutes walk from/to pier (depending on how fast you walk, I enjoyed walking) Blue Marlin Dive Accommodation The dive center also have accommodation for divers. Room rates for those diving with Blue Marlin; the bungalows are $40 USD per night, and the two smaller rooms are $35 USD. All prices include tax and breakfast. And they do have a famous party night every Monday night. Please check with Hannah for rates, there might be some changes/adjustment in their cost. Above are the rates I got when I stayed with them 2 years ago. AIRPORT TRANSFER: All above 3 can arrange airport transfers but you must book in advance, one way trip will cost around 900,000 (65USD) to 1,000,000 (*75USD). This is the rate I paid 2 years ago. This includes private van who will pick you up from Airport then bring you to the pier (or vise versa),private speed boat from pier to Gili Trawangan (or vise sersa). For Hotel Ombak Sunset, it will include the horse cart from pier to the hotel (which is on the other side of the island), 5 minutes horse ride, its fun.
Quinn's Review	I have stayed in all 3 accommodations above in different months. Villa Ombak and Ombak sunset, the rooms are clean, spacious, AC are working properly, hot/cold water is fine, service is good, Wi-Fi, breakfast from western to local good. I'd give these two hotel a tumbs up. The hotel also provides bicycle for rent, in case you want to cycle around the island - I highly recommend doing it, its fun. Blue Marlin Dive Accommodation is very basic, basic needs for a diver. Space, hot/cold water, AC and internet WI-FI. Least favorite here is the breakfast, its not buffet. They have pre-set menu but not much, really basic like toast, egg and juice. But this didn't bother me a lot because there are other cafes around.