Ferries to Bangsal

Bangsal ferry port lies in north-west Lombok and is the classic jumping-off point for the Gili Islands. You reach Gili Air in 15 minutes, Gili Trawangan in half an hour and Gili Gede in an hour. Then there are the speedboats to Bali and the islands off its coast: Padang Bai in 1.75 hours, Nusa Penida in two hours, Nusa Lembongan in 2.25 hours, Serangan in three and Sanur in 3.25 hours. Together the eight destinations account for up to 107 departures a day. 16 operators call at the port, among them Bali Eka Jaya, Bluewater Express and Dcamel Fast Ferry.

Getting there and the terminal

Bangsal belongs to the Pemenang district in the North Lombok regency. It is the island's regular port, and the public boats to the three Gilis leave from here too; the ticket office at the port is staffed daily from 8:00 to 17:00 and closes in the afternoon, with most departures in the morning. Buy your tickets only there at the counter, and do not let anyone approach you or lead you anywhere on the way.

Also check which berth is named on your ticket: not all speedboats from Bali call at Bangsal, and some tie up a few kilometres away in the bays of Teluk Nare and Teluk Kodek, which are spared the bustle of the main pier. From there it is around ten to 15 minutes to the Gilis, and Senggigi is about half an hour's drive away.