Questions about organizing an itinerary in Lombok

Hi there, I’m really sorry if this question has already been asked several times—I’ve been scouring blogs, forums, and various sites for a while now, but I still have some more specific questions for our trip...

First off, we’re a family of four with two kids aged 10 and 14. We’ve already been to Thailand and Laos five times with them (each trip lasting a month or six weeks), and we’re huge Thailand lovers, but this year we’d like to discover Indonesia, which we don’t know at all (for a duration of 4 or 5 weeks between late June and late July). We travel pretty "roots" style with a budget of 100 € per day and avoid touristy areas as much as possible. We get around using local transport, rent scooters, and take our time (for a one-month trip, we usually visit 4 destinations to really soak it in). So here are my upcoming questions:

For a first visit, I wanted to focus on a single island—Lombok—by taking a flight from Paris to Denpasar and then a boat to Lombok. Do you think the following route would work? - Kuta Lombok - Gili Gede - Gili Meno - Tetebatu

I saw there’s a local boat to Lombok—has anyone here taken it before? For those who’ve been there during this period, do you know if Gili Meno and Gili Gede get crowded, or should we focus more on the coasts? To get between these spots, are there buses, or do we need to take private taxis? As for accommodations, we’re used to booking triple rooms for all four of us in Thailand. For those who travel with kids, do you know if that’s doable in Indonesia, or should we book two double rooms instead?

Last (slightly silly) question: We want to go to Indonesia because our son dreams of seeing beautiful marine life while snorkeling—I think Lombok is a good choice for that. But my daughter is a huge fan of those "knick-knack" markets full of Chinese trinkets that you find all over Thailand. Do you know if Lombok has any day or night markets where we could go?

Thank you so much for your help! !

I saw there's a local boat to Lombok—has anyone taken it before?

Hi! The public ferry leaves from Padangbai and arrives in Lembar, on the southwest of Lombok, so it’s perfect for heading straight to Gili Gede. That said, if you’re arriving at the end of June, I’d suggest starting with Gili Meno before the crowds arrive. There are direct speedboats between Bali and the three northern Gilis, but they’re way more expensive than the public ferry, which docks in the south.

For those who’ve been there around this time, do you know if Gili Meno and Gili Gede get really crowded, or should we focus on the coasts instead?

Gili Gede is quiet. Meno, on the other hand, might be busier since the three northern Gilis are much more well-known and touristy (though Meno’s still my favorite of the three because it’s relatively peaceful). From what I’ve heard, there’s now a speedboat route from Gili Meno to Gili Gede (via Trawangan).

To get between different spots, are there buses, or do we have to take private taxis?

The only bus on Lombok runs from the airport to Mataram—nothing else. It’s either private taxis or scooters.

For accommodations, we’re used to booking triple rooms for the four of us in Thailand. For those traveling with kids, do you know if that’s doable in Indonesia, or should we book two double rooms instead?

I don’t have much experience with that, but extra beds are definitely an option here.

Last question—maybe a silly one—but we’re going to Indonesia because our son dreams of seeing beautiful marine life while snorkeling. I think Lombok’s the right choice, but my daughter’s a huge fan of those "cheap trinket markets" you find all over Thailand. Do you know if Lombok has any day or night markets where we could check those out?

Gili Gede is *definitely* a great choice for marine life (the best spots are Gili Layar, Ringgit, and Asahan, which you can only reach by boat from Gede). I’ve listed the best snorkeling spots here (in my opinion): https://www.lombok.fr/plus-beaux-fonds-marins/ If you have time, the southeast of Lombok is also great for diving. As for local markets, they’re mostly food-focused, but Indonesians love those same trinkets too, so you’ll find some—just not with a huge selection. I’m not a fan of shopping, so there might be better spots in Mataram or Senggigi that I don’t know about.