BlueWater Express - fast & comfortable way to Gili Islands

Founded in 2005, BlueWater Express is a British-owned speed boat transport service that connects Bali to Gili , providing pick-up and drop-off services in Lombok, Gili Air and Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, Lembongan, and East, Central Bali, and South Bali. BlueWater Express is a pioneer in providing fast boat service in Gili-Bali route and it holds a record for being the longest running fast boat service in this route. The operator employs a team of 80 people and the personnel are certified in their respective fields of expertise.

Boat Features and Facilities

The fleet consists of vessels of various models and build and are named BlueWater Express I, BlueWater Express III, BlueWater Express V, and BlueWater Express VII and BlueWater Express IX.

The BlueWater IX is a 70-seater vessel that demonstrates a cruising speed of 25-30 knots and is managed by a team of 5 crews. The vessel features aluminium-framed seats and is run by 1,500 hp Honda engines. The vessel features a stand-up toilet, TV screens, and coach-style ventilation systems. Blue Water Express deploys advanced security mechanisms including life rafts, Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), life jackets, throw rings, GPS Navigational system, Marine VHF ship-to-shore radio, and a complete set of distress flares as per regulatory guidelines.

BlueWater Express VII was launched in 2014 and it can accommodate 60 passengers. All other features are similar to the other models. The BlueWater Express V has a 50-seater capacity and it features an electric flushing toilet. It is managed by a team of 4 professionals. BlueWater Express I and BlueWater Express III are noted for their speeds with their top speed being 45 knots.  

Special Features: The service provider offers a medical insurance coverage of RP. 50.000.000,00 for tourists who are up to 70 years of age. 

The operator maintains a private departure facility in Serangan that features a comfortable waiting lounge with modern toilets, showers, and restaurants. This arrangement provides maximum convenience to the boarding and departing travellers before and after their trips.

The company also maintains 4 air-conditioned vehicles to pick up and drop off travellers from the airport and the hotels. The average transportation time from the harbour is just 20 minutes for tourists living in south Bali hotels.

The service is recognized for its qualified staff who can communicate professionally in English. Their drivers and other staff are appreciated for their focus and caring attitudes and polite behaviours. The crew provides safety instructions as well. There are a lot of positive reviews about the operators customer service on various travel portals.

The operator offers free water, complimentary tea/coffee and pills to prevent sea-sickness. People are also allowed the option to order food. No wonder why BlueWater charges a higher price on its services compared to other operators and travelers who seek luxury and comfort and are ready to shell out a few extra bucks for it may consider opting for this service.

Padang Bai to Gili Fast Boat Service: A Small Note on Schedules

The service remains available for 364 days a year, except Nyepi- the day of silence. Notably, the operator provides increased capacity during festivals such as Easter, Christmas, and New Year and during peak season (July- September).

During the New Year`s Eve, owing to road block and heavy traffic, guests living in Kerobokan, Legian, Seminyak, and Kuta regions are normally dropped off near the Dewa Ruci Monument. The operator reserves the right to change its schedules depending on weather conditions. The boats halt at Lembongan and Padang Bai for about 10-20 minutes. Passengers are required to reach the harbour at least 30 minutes before the departure time. People living in Ubud and opting for Padang Bai departures will need to be picked up at least 2 hours before the departure time. The boat normally takes one and half hours for Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan transfers.