High Season Approaches as Bali-Gili Speedboat Fleet Doubles to Six

The number of speedboats operating between Bali and Gili Trawangan, as well as Senggigi Port in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has doubled. The expansion is seen as a boost for NTB’s tourism sector.

Head of NTB’s Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Ahmad Nur Aulia, stated that the number of speedboat operators has increased from three to six. The six operators are Ekajaya, Ekajaya Matra, Semaya, Virendra, Wahana, and Dharma Jaya.

‘We now have six vessels compared to the original three, doubling the fleet. This is a breath of fresh air,’ Aulia said on Tuesday (26 May 2026).

Aulia added that the additional speedboats are expected to ease tourist flow to the Three Gili Islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—especially during the high season from June to December.

‘We are now entering the high season, but visitor numbers have not yet been tallied. We will wait until May ends to assess,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the completion of Senggigi Port has significantly boosted visitor numbers to the Three Gili Islands. The port’s facilities enhance the comfort of vessels before they proceed to Gili Trawangan.

‘The Senggigi dock is now complete, which will undoubtedly drive up demand as tourism increases,’ he added.

Aulia noted that the expansion of Bali-Gili Trawangan speedboat routes may lead to additional destinations in NTB. The provincial government is also considering new routes from Trawangan to Moyo Island.

‘With cross-provincial cooperation between Bali, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and NTB, we can create more travel itineraries, boosting future tourism,’ Aulia said.

Following Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal’s directives, NTB’s destinations require improved connectivity, including those on Sumbawa Island.

‘All destinations should have access and connectivity. When discussing Moyo, distance and travel time are factors, but this is what tourists expect for accessing the island,’ Aulia said.

Aulia claimed the rising US dollar rate, now at Rp17,796 per dollar, has spurred foreign tourist interest in Bumi Gora (NTB).

‘We can be an attractive option for foreign tourists. The rupiah’s weakness presents an opportunity for us,’ he concluded.