April – October
Bali and Lombok Yacht Charter
From Bali through Lombok and Sumbawa to Komodo.
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Eastbound
Bali & Lombok in a Nutshell
A Bali and Lombok yacht charter is the opening stretch of a longer Indonesian voyage. The route runs west to east from Bali’s quiet eastern coast, across the Lombok Strait, and along Sumbawa towards Komodo. It is a journey of changing water and shifting landscape, made on a private vessel that carries you the whole way.
Embarkation from Benoa or Serangan harbour in south Bali, close to the international airport
The Lombok Strait crossing — the Wallace Line, where Asian and Australasian worlds meet
Amed and Tulamben on Bali’s northeast coast, with coral gardens and the shallow USAT Liberty wreck
The three Gili Islands off Lombok, where turtles graze over gentle reefs
The Secret Gilis of Sekotong in southwest Lombok — quiet anchorages and few other boats
Mount Rinjani above Lombok and Mount Agung above Bali, two active volcanoes framing the route
Moyo Island’s Mata Jitu waterfall and Satonda’s saltwater crater lake
Pulau Banta and the Sape Strait — the threshold into Komodo National Park
Area Overview
Bali and Lombok
Charter a Yacht
Discover Bali & Lombok on a Private Yacht
A private charter is the best way to follow this route in one line, anchoring where you choose and crossing open water as they unfold before you. Usually, yacht relocate during the Komodo season for such a voyage. That is, charters from Bali to Komodo are arranged on request and planned around your dates.
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Bali & Lombok facts
Season & Getting There
The period we recommend for charters from Bali, over Lombok and Sumbawa to Komodo Islands is April to October. The ocean is calmer and the crossings are smoother. And it is also when most yachts are in Komodo and able to relocate west. The defining stretch is the Lombok Strait. It is deep and can carry strong currents, so this is a genuine open-water passage rather than a sheltered hop. Larger vessels handle it more comfortably, which is one reason they suit the route.
Most of our guests embark in Bali. Denpasar (DPS) is a major international hub with direct flights from the United States, Europe and Singapore, and the embarkation harbours, Benoa and Serangan, sit about half an hour from the airport.
Sailing East
Cruising West to East Across the Wallace Line
The itinerary is one-directional. You begin on Bali’s eastern side, cross to the Gili Islands and Lombok, then run east along Sumbawa’s north coast — Moyo, Satonda, Sangeang — before the Sape Strait opens into Komodo. Days alternate between passage and pause; the further east you go, the closer together the anchorages.
Here is a short description of most popular cruising grounds:
East Bali & the Nusa Islands: Amed’s coast and the Nusa islands off the southeast, the quiet edge of Bali away from the crowds of the south.
Lombok Strait & the Wallace Line: The deep channel dividing Asian and Australasian nature
The Gili Islands & North Lombok: Three small islands with gentle reefs, set against Mount Rinjani rising behind Lombok.
The Secret Gilis: A scatter of little-known islands off southwest Lombok, with quiet water and few other boats
Sumbawa: Moyo, Satonda, Sangeang: Moyo’s Mata Jitu waterfall, Satonda’s crater lake, and the smoking cone of Sangeang as the route nears Komodo.
Komodo: Pulau Banta and the Sape Strait, the last open water before Komodo National Park.
Our Portfolio
Yachts in Bali and Lombok
Our hand-selected fleet is organised across four tiers; Adventure, Classic, Luxury and Super. For this route, larger vessels tend to suit best: they cross the deep Lombok Strait more comfortably, and can cover the distance faster. Yacht charters for this route are usually private, and most vessels must relocate from Komodo.
Plan Your Bali and Lombok Voyage
Benefit from years of local expertise, authentic insights, and premium service on every journey.
Raja Ampat Activities
Destination Highlights
A charter on this route blends time in the water with time ashore. Most days combine a passage with an anchorage or two. Snorkelling, hiking, castaway beaches and cultural encounters are some highlights.
The shore-accessible Liberty wreck at Tulamben, the gentle reefs of the Gili Islands, the quiet bays of Moyo, and the dark-sand water off the Sangeang volcano.
Mount Agung above Bali and Mount Rinjani above Lombok frame the early legs, and the cone of Sangeang rises on the horizon as the route nears Komodo.
Moyo’s Mata Jitu waterfall and Satonda’s saltwater crater lake, each a short walk from the anchorage, are part of the eastbound voyage.
Sail east over the Lombok Strait and you cross one of nature’s invisible borders. Asian wildlife on Bali’s side; Australian on Lombok’s.
The voyage ends where Komodo begins — the dragons ashore and the manta rays in the water, the pair that draw most charters east.
Recommend Routes
Bali & Lombok Itineraries
The Week East
The journey in its most direct form: a crossing of the Wallace Line, a night under way, and the volcanoes of Sumbawa before two full days among the dragons and mantas of Komodo. The route for those who want the whole passage in a week.
Day 01: Serangan to the Gili Islands – Board at Serangan and sail east across the Lombok Strait, crossing of the Wallace Line. Anchor off the Gili Islands as the sun sets behind Lombok.
Day 02: The Gili Islands, overnight passage – A morning over the shallow Gili reefs, where turtles feed, then a long afternoon and overnight passage east towards Sumbawa.
Day 03: Moyo & Satonda, Sumbawa – Arrive at Moyo for the hike to the Mata Jitu waterfall, then a short hop to Satonda for its saltwater crater lake and the evening flight of fruit bats.
Day 04: Satonda to Gili Banta – A longer day at sea along the north Sumbawa coast passing Sangeang, then on to the empty beaches of Gili Banta for the night.
Day 05: North Komodo – A morning hike on Gili Lawa for the wide view, reefs in the shallows, and an afternoon ranger walk on Komodo Island to see the dragons.
Day 06: Pink Beach & Manta Point – rose-coloured sand of Pink Beach, and a snorkel with manta rays at Manta Point.
Day 07: Labuan Bajo – disembarkation for onward travel
*This is a sample itinerary. The final day-to-day planning is adjusted on board to match your group’s priorities and sea conditions.
East from Lombok
Beginning in Lombok skips the crossing of the Wallace Line and makes a third day in Komodo possible. During the charter, the same islands still roll past; the Gilis, Moyo, Satonda, and Sangeang.
Day 01: Lombok to the Gili Islands – Embark in Lombok and sail the short distance to the Gili Islands. An afternoon swim, a first snorkel over the reefs, and a quiet anchorage beneath Mount Rinjani.
Day 02: The Gili Islands, overnight passage – A last morning over the Gili reefs, then the long afternoon and overnight passage east to Sumbawa.
Day 03: Moyo & Satonda, Sumbawa – Hike to the Mata Jitu waterfall in the jungle of Moyo and then Satonda’s crater lake and the evening bats.
Day 04: Satonda to Gili Banta – A longer sailing day along the Sumbawa coast to the Sangeang volcano, then on to Gili Banta to anchor off its empty beaches.
Day 05: North Komodo – Enter the park. Gili Lawa for the morning hike and reef, Komodo Island for the ranger walk and the dragons.
Day 06: Padar, Pink Beach & Manta Point – Padar at sunrise, the pink sand of Pink Beach, and manta rays at Manta Point.
Day 07: Rinca & Kanawa – The dragons of Rinca at Loh Buaya, then the coral gardens of Kanawa on the way towards Labuan Bajo.
Day 08: Labuan Bajo – disembarkation for onward travel.
*This is a sample itinerary. The final day-to-day planning is adjusted onboard to match your group’s priorities and sea conditions.
The Long Way East
The unhurried version, and the most complete. It opens on Bali’s quiet east coast at Amed, crosses to the Gilis and runs the length of Sumbawa, then gives four days to Komodo — time enough to let Padar, Pink Beach and the dragons unfold at their own pace.
Day 01: Serangan to Amed – Board at Serangan and sail up Bali’s east coast to Amed. An afternoon snorkel or dive over the shallow Liberty wreck, close to shore in Tulamben.
Day 02: Amed to the Gili Islands -Cross the Wallace Line to the Gili Islands. Turtles over the reefs and a sunset beneath Mount Rinjani.
Day 03: The Gili Islands, overnight passage – A morning at the Gilis, then the long afternoon and overnight passage east to Sumbawa.
Day 04: Moyo Island, Sumbawa – The Mata Jitu waterfall and jungle walk and reefs off the island.
Day 05: Satonda Island – A short hop to Satonda for the saltwater crater lake, a quiet snorkel, and the evening flight of fruit bats.
Day 06: Satonda to Gili Banta – A longer sailing day to the Sangeang volcano, then on to Gili Banta and its empty beaches for the night.
Day 07: North Komodo – Into the park. Gili Lawa for the ridge view and reef, Komodo Island for the ranger walk and the dragons.
Day 08: Padar, Pink Beach & Manta Point – Padar at sunrise, Pink Beach, and manta rays at Manta Point, with time to slow down between stops.
Day 09: Kanawa & Kalong – The coral gardens of Kanawa, and the evening rise of flying foxes over Kalong before anchoring near Labuan Bajo.
Day 10: Labuan Bajo – disembarkation for onward travel
*This is a sample itinerary. The final day-to-day planning is adjusted onboard to match your group’s priorities and sea conditions.
Expert Insights on Raja Ampat
Barefoot’s take
“You step aboard half an hour from the plane, and by the second morning you have crossed the Wallace Line and the environment has already changed. Going from Bali to Komodo on a yacht gives a real sense of adventure.”
Sebastian
Director
Bali & Lombok Yacht Charter Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
We suggest eight nights from Bali to Labuan Bajo. Larger vessels can make the passage in about six days, though it feels rushed and requires long periods of navigation.
Most begin in Bali. A private Bali yacht charter boards at Benoa or Serangan harbour, about thirty minutes from Denpasar airport. An embarkation in Lombok can be arranged but might include more logistics from our experience.
April to October. It is the dry season, the seas are steadier for the crossing, and yachts are in Komodo, able to relocate.
The Lombok Strait is open and deep. As part of the Indonesian Throughflow passes through the small stretch between Bali and Lombok, currents can be strong. Larger vessels cross it more comfortably, which is why they suit the route.
Yes. Gentle snorkelling, quiet anchorages and land activities work well for a family yacht charter or a honeymoon at sea. However, it is a bit more adventurous than a charter with focus on Komodo only.
No, we do not organise day trips nor do we operate scheduled departures. These are private charters, arranged on request.
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