GETTING THERE:
Destination
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Gili Trawangan, Lombok
Indonesia
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Airport/s
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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
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Routes/Flights
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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:
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
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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.
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DIVE OPERATORS
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Contact Details:
Hannah Dixon - Bookings Manager | T.
+62 (0) 370 6132424 | E. info@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.
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Quinn's Review
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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.
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ACCOMMODATION
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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.
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Quinn's Review
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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.
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UNDERWATER PHOTOS/VIDEOS
Other Scuba Diving Adventures and Underwater Photos:
TOMIA ADVENTURES - Wakatobi Indonesia
BALINESE MANTA RAYS - Bali Indonesia
A CLOSE UP WITH A HAWKSBILL TURTLE - Bunaken Manado Indonesia
MY FIRST TIME TO DIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES - Anilao Batangas Philippines
MANTA RAYS DECIDED TO TAKE A DAY OFF - Manta Point & Nusa Penida Bali
UNCOVERING U.S. ARMY CARGO SHIP - Tulamben Bali)
STROLLING AROUND CORAL GARDEN - Tulamben Bali)
Underwater Videos:
UNDERWATER WORLD Video Playlist
My Beautiful Life Adventure continues at....
http://mybeautifullifeadventure.tumblr.com
https://www.youtube.com/MsDeviant
https://msdeviant.blogspot.com
http://idivetoday.blogspot.com
Follow me on INSTAGRAM: @icqnd
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