How to Visit & Camp on Gili Kedis Island in Lombok

Learn how to visit and camp on Gili Kedis, a tiny sandbar island in the Sekotong region of Lombok.

Nicknamed the “Honeymoon Island”, Palau Gili Gedis is roughly only the size of a football field. It features a few small trees, a hut with a resident keeper, and beautiful, white sandy shores.

I visited this island, camping with my friend Dayat way before this gained any popularity for those looking for things to do on Lombok. These days, the “Secret Gilis” are not so secret and a few operators are running island hopping and camping tours to the island.

However, not all are made equal. I recently returned to this region with Dayat and can provide up-to-date advice on how to get there, what to expect, and tips for visiting.

Overview & Things to Know

Gili Kedis is one of the closest islands of the "Secret Gilis" to the mainland near Lembar Port in Lombok. The others include Gili Sudak, Gili Tangkong, and Gili Nanggu. Out of the lot, Gili Kedis is my favorite for its laid-back vibes, crystal-clear waters, and serene atmosphere.

Here's what you need to know.

• Location: Southwest coast of Lombok near Sekotong
• Access: Via an island hopping trip, secret Gilis camping trip, or boat from Lembar or Tawun Harbour.
• Size: Approximately the size of a football field
• Best Time to Visit: May to September for dry weather and calm seas. I recommend visiting late in the afternoon to camp, since it's getting busy with day-trip island hoppers lately.
• Entrance fee: Currently 5,000 IDR, usually included on all tours and camping trips.
• Facilities: Basic permanent facilities including small shop for snacks, toilets, and hammocks.

How to Get to Gili Kedis

Visiting Gili Kedis is an adventure that can be approached in a few different ways, depending on your preference for convenience or independence. My friends from Feel Lombok run the original and best camping trip, contact them directly and let them know I sent you for a good price!

Below are some other options to consider.

Option 1: Book an Island Hopping Day Trip

The most convenient way to visit Gili Kedis is by booking a full-day island-hopping snorkeling tour from Lombok. These tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off from popular tourist areas like Senggigi or Mataram.

• Booking: Many tour operators in Senggigi, Mataram, and Kuta offer these trips. You can book in advance online or through your hotel.
• Inclusions: The tour usually covers boat transfers, snorkeling gear, lunch, and sometimes refreshments.
• Cost: Prices vary, but expect to pay around 400,000 IDR to 600,000 IDR per person.

Book: Secret Gilis Snorkeling Trip

Option 2: Public Transport Route

For a more budget-friendly and independent approach, you can make your way to Gili Kedis using public transportation and local boats.

1. Taxi to Sekotong: Take a metered Bluebird Taxi from Senggigi to Sekotong. The journey costs approximately 270,000 IDR and takes about 1.5 hours.
2. Boat from Sekotong: At the main harbor in Sekotong, you’ll find small boats offering trips to Gili Kedis, Gili Sudak, and Gili Nanggu. Prices for these boats vary, so it's wise to negotiate beforehand. Expect to pay around 300,000 IDR to 500,000 IDR for a round trip.

Option 3: Join a Lombok Loop Tour

While Gili Kedis isn’t an official stop on the famous Lombok Loop, there’s an option to include a camping trip to the island after the tour.

• Lombok Loop: The co-founder of the Lombok Loop was one of the first to offer camping trips to Gili Kedis, making it possible to join a camping night after completing the loop.
• Availability: Most Sundays, you can opt to include a Gili Kedis camping experience after the Lombok Loop. Check with tour operators for this specific add-on.

My Experience Camping at Gili Kedis

When I first arrived on Gili Kedis I was shocked at just how small it was! This island is tiny, I mean, the size of a football field, probably smaller at high tide!

The first time I visited there was very limited facilities. Now, with the help from the team at Feel Lombok, the island has been upgraded slightly with basic facilities like a toilet, small hut (with a local who lives there selling snacks and fish), a swing (for Instagram photos), and some bamboo beds to sleep on. There's also a new concrete barrier running around the length of the beach which stops erosion.

Both times, we arrived at the island late in the afternoon, which is good because it gets quite busy from people stopping on Secret Gili island day trips. As the sun descended beyond the horizon, we were the only group on the island.

We went for an afternoon swim at sunset and returned to the team having cooked us traditional fish meal with delicious tempeh, tofu, and fresh vegetables.

We then gathered around the campfire, watched the stars, and enjoyed listening to local Sasak songs performed by the talented guitarist and singer, Ilham. The tents supplied to us were basic but comfortable enough for a full night of sleep!

Snorkeling on Gili Kedis

The following morning, I woke up and flew my drone around the area. I managed to get some great shots of the islands before any of the morning boats showed up.

Shortly after, we went snorkeling from the sandy shores. Unfortunately, the water here was quite murky and there wasn't much fish at all. In my opinion, I would skip snorkeling here and just enjoy being on this slice of paradise– save the snorkeling for Gili Nanggu!

Gili Kedis Vs Gili Nanggu

If you're planning to visit the Secret Gilis then I recommend that you visit Gili Nanggu first for snorkeling (preferably in the morning before the crowds), and then camp on Gili Kedis that evening.

However, if you can only visit the region for one day, then I would suggest visiting Gili Nanggu instead of Gili Kedis. That's because the snorkeling on Gili Nanggu is much better, with healthier corals, clearer waters, and more fish.

The perk of visiting Gili Kedis really is the fact that you can camp there. In the daytime, there is very little to do, which is why on both trips we first visited the other islands (also including GIli Tangkong and Gili Sudak) for exploring and snorkeling.

Stay in Sekotong

If you don't plan to camp on GIli Kedis, then you can also stay in Sekotong to get out to the Secret Gilis earlier the next morning. Below are some of my favorite options.

1. Star and Sand Beach Resort

Offering secluded beachfront views and private luxury pet-friendly villa-styled accommodation. Located in an area perfect for diving and fishing.

2. Cocotinos Sekotong Lombok Top-Pick

The property overlooks the incredible secret Gilli islands, has a large outdoor beachfront pool, wellness center, and has its very own digital nomad video editing room. A great choice for those wanting a quiet location.

3. Krisna Bungalows and Restaurant

located in Pelangan, not too far from Sekotong Harbor. Each double room is equipped with a fan and bathroom and is conveniently located in a quiet area. You’ll also get a free breakfast.

I hope you've enjoyed this quick guide! For more Lombok travel inspiration, check out the list below!