In Reply to: Trayden . . . info Re Gili T fast boat posted by Danger Mouse on Sunday, 15. August 2010 at 09:50 Bali Time:
I am actually thinking along the lines of Blue water express from Benoa or gili Cat from pedang bai next time. ( I want a comparison)
Eka jaya was fine and quite efficient but some safety concerns have been raised about some of the services on BTF.
And its true Eka Jaya had no safety briefing before we left,no toilet and was a bit packed and hot.
Given 40 odd people + luggage and an almost totally enclosed super fast speed boat for some reason i really didnt give it much of a thought at the time as i suppose some others didnt?
It can get quite rough and choppy on the straight even on a calm day I thought it was fine, others were looking worried though.
I get sea sick sometimes and come prepared with Travacalm which i also handed out to a few green looking people.
If your friend gets sea sick it will be best to take sea sick meds 1 hour before regardless of sea conditions. I didnt bother on the trip back as the movement is not side to side and to be honest you have no time to feel sea sick,its more like an hour odd bumpy amusement park ride :)
If you are paying the higher on line price I would cancel and buy when there. Even though there was at least one experienced skeptic of the price cheapness in another thread I can assure you that bought in Bali it will be a fraction of the price qoated from online agents and a very simple process as there are agents everywhere in Kuta.
My intention is not to worry you in any way and i would use Eka Jaya again but this is a public forum read by many and some may not be quite so adventurous or flippant as others. I wouldn't recommend it for families with small children or anyone with health problems.
The trip both ways was fine with Eka Jaya but anybody who would have major safety concerns about this sea crossing before they had tried it would be better off flying into lombok or not going at all in my opinion.
The trip across the straight is not the pleasure boat trip that many are accustomed to going to Lembongan Island thats for sure.
I can advise you in all honesty that the crossing is well worth it,dont miss a trip to the Gilis "now" as they are sure to be ruined in the near future.
I have been told by friend who have been before to keep it quiet lol
These islands are fantastic and many want them kept a big secret,and for good reason.