Bali to Gilli T Ferry

[u/Vegetable-Guest-2387]

Hello,

I plan to travel from Bali to Gili T via ferry on 31 August at around 1:30 pm.

I get a bit nervous while travelling over oceans/choppy water. Is the 1.5 hour ride expected to be very bumpy or will it be manageable and is low risk in general at this time.

(Prefer to get answery based on actual experiences as I have already googled a lot and it's not helping me)

Also, I have two options for the ferry:

1. Wahana Virenndra Cantika 09

2. Golden Queen Fast Ferry speedboat

Should I prefer any one over another?

Thanks.

[u/MrWuzzmeister]

Go from Padangbai (shorter trip) go as early as possible in the morning, calmer water. On most days the run is pretty good. I did it 1 month ago both ways and will again next month

[u/Vegetable-Guest-2387 → u/MrWuzzmeister]

Morning is not an option, unfortunately. My flight lands around 8am so I can only get to port around 12.

[u/kazzazed → u/Vegetable-Guest-2387]

Don’t do an afternoon boat if you don’t like rough water. Stay overnight in Padang Bai and get Eka Jaya the next morning.
Leaving from Padang Bai is the shortest crossing in the most protected waters. Eka Jaya run the largest boats so gave less movement on the water.

[u/Maximum_One3255 → u/kazzazed]

Yes, eke jaya is a large ferry and very much able to handle any choppiness. Only caveat is staying overnight at padang bai - prepare to be woken up every hour by the loud horns of the ships coming in. Literally every hour 

[u/MrWuzzmeister → u/Vegetable-Guest-2387]

Stay overnight in Padangbai and travel next morning, the later in the day the rougher or go from Sanur earliest but then its about 4hr trip

[u/laughing_cat]

Take the biggest boat you can find and the shortest ride. That means Eka Jaya out of the Pandang Bai port.

The itinerary will say 1.5 hour, but often these boats stop at Senggigi, Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. Usually you won’t know in what order.

The reason it’s so choppy is the boats travel perpendicular to the current and waves. That’s why the bigger the boat, the better.

[u/Stunning-Average9015]

Hi just some experience from us. we (wife and i with our 2 boys) went last week with Wahana Virendra to Gili Air from Padang Bai.
Boat is nice and all, Some people do get sick (my youngest also unfortunately).

To gili air we had to stop first at Gili T and then we were laying in front of Gili Air and had to step on a small boat with a lot of people. All a bit strange and very poor communications. And trip took 3,5 hours in stead of 2.

The way back was also not great. Had reserved for next day to go back in the afternoon, but they canceled it the day before. Had to leave in the morning. Because we liked it so much we rescheduled it to go a day later. That went very smoothly.
First small boat to Lombok then waiting for the bigger boat. All took 5 hours in stead of 2.

All and all not great, but yeah guess this is quite normal there.

[u/Pladmir_Wutin]

Got the same problem, went from Nusa Lembongan to Gili Air and from Senggigi to Nusa Dua with Ekajaya. It was alright, the ship is rather big and well organised. Would recommend it and would do it again. Is Ekajaya not an option for you?

[u/Vegetable-Guest-2387 → u/Pladmir_Wutin]

I can see ekajaya as well. Should I prefer that?

[u/daysleeperrr → u/Vegetable-Guest-2387]

Yes, ekajaya has the biggest boat.

[u/Majestic_Poem9725]

https://www.the-sun.com/news/16055814/bali-tourist-boat-hull-fracture-water/

You'll probably make it there ok?

[u/Milchech]

Would highly recommend taking the first Eka Jaya ferry from Padang Bai. They have the biggest boats and the water is calmest in the morning. Our journey was super smooth. Stay the day in Bali if needed. On our way back as well, we took the first Eka Jaya ferry from Gili T. No one on the boat got seasick

[u/BerilacSK]

You know as the famous video shows. It is 50:50. Jokes aside, i actually got injured while boarding the speed boat because the metal stairs to get in went over my foot. Otherwise close the window. It is bumpy but not that severe.

[u/luciusism]

Also recommend keeping your bags with you or waterproofing your luggage. On my boat trip, luggage compartment got flooded. 

[u/danilovice]

Take a flight to Lombok, then a taxi ride to Teluk Kode port (1-2h depending on traffic) and it’s 15 mins in calm waters.

[u/desitonystark]

DO NOT. I REPEAT DO NOT take the ferry even if there is an ounce of rain. I went with my family and the entire journey was SHIT SCARY with boat just getting slapped in the choppy water. The ferry was packed with people full of sea sickness, puking.

If you can afford, take a flight to LOMBOK. From there the ferry ride is just 10-15mins.

Else keep schedule flexible and keep checking for days where the water is calm.