BlueWater Express

BlueWater Express is a fast boat operator connecting Bali with the Gili Islands and Lombok. Established in 2006, the company was among the early operators helping transform travel between Bali and the Gilis from a lengthy day-long journey into a much faster sea crossing.

Twenty years later, BlueWater Express continues to focus on providing a safe, seamless and efficient way to travel across the Lombok Strait. While the fast boat market has grown considerably over the years, the company has maintained its focus on low-density vessels, offering passengers a more spacious and boutique-style travel experience.

A pioneer of fast boat travel to the Gili Islands

Before the introduction of regular fast boat services, travelling from South Bali to the Gili Islands could take most of the day. Although the distance between Bali and the Gilis is relatively short, the journey was considerably more complicated than it is today.

The introduction of fast boat services changed the accessibility of the islands and contributed to their development as a major destination for international travellers.

BlueWater Express began operating in 2006 and was one of the pioneers of this new era of sea travel. Its services helped create faster connections between Bali and the Gili Islands, with journeys taking approximately two hours on selected routes.

Boutique-style travel on low-density vessels

BlueWater Express has maintained its focus on lower-density vessels rather than maximising passenger capacity.

The approach is designed to provide passengers with more space and a less crowded travel experience. This creates an alternative for travellers who prefer a more relaxed journey across the Lombok Strait.

Customer care and hospitality have also remained an important part of the company’s service approach. From booking through to arrival, the aim is to provide a smooth travel experience for visitors heading to the Gili Islands or Lombok.

A focus on maritime safety

Safety has been a central focus for BlueWater Express throughout its operations. The company reports maintaining a 100% safety record since it began operating.

The fleet is operated by fully licensed and experienced crew familiar with the waters between Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.

BlueWater Express has also introduced newer maritime technology to support vessel monitoring. Through partnerships with Volvo Penta and Cetasol, the company is adopting AI-powered monitoring systems across its fleet.

These systems provide real-time vessel information and predictive warnings to support crew in monitoring the condition and performance of each boat.

Departures from Serangan and Padang Bai

BlueWater Express operates services from two Bali departure points: Serangan Harbour in South Bali and Padang Bai Harbour in East Bali.

These departure locations provide different options depending on where travellers are staying before beginning their journey to the Gili Islands.

The routes connect Bali with the Gilis, providing a practical transport option for travellers moving between Bali and Lombok’s island destinations.

Hotel pickup services in Bali

The BlueWater Express travel experience can begin before passengers reach the harbour. Selected tickets include door-to-door hotel pickup from a number of areas in Bali.

This service helps passengers travel from their accommodation to the departure point without having to arrange a separate transfer.

The combination of hotel pickup and fast boat travel is designed to make the journey to the Gili Islands more straightforward, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with Bali’s transport network.

Twenty years connecting Bali and the Gilis

From its beginnings in 2006, BlueWater Express has grown into an established marine transport company with a team of approximately 100 staff based across Bali and the Gili Islands.

After two decades of operations, the company continues to connect travellers between Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands while maintaining its focus on safety, customer care and comfortable sea travel.

For visitors planning a trip to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno, BlueWater Express provides a direct fast boat option from Bali and a streamlined way to begin an island getaway.