Stay in Sanur before your island trip
A relaxed Bali base for Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Gili Trawangan.
BOOK NOWSanur is one of the easiest bases in Bali for island hopping, because the fast boats leave from Sanur Harbour itself. From there it is about 30–45 minutes to Nusa Penida, 30–40 minutes to Nusa Lembongan and about 2.5–4 hours to Gili Trawangan, depending on the operator and stops. For many travellers 3–4 nights in Sanur works well: time for the beach and the restaurants, plus a Nusa Penida day trip or an onward boat, without crossing Bali to another port.
Oasis Residences lets you combine a few easy days in Sanur with one of Bali's most convenient travel moves: taking a fast boat from Sanur Harbour to the islands. Enjoy the beach, the restaurants and your own private pool first, then continue the trip without a long drive to another harbour.
Sanur is more than somewhere to sleep before a boat. It is one of Bali's calmest places to spend a few days, on the sheltered east coast, and the harbour is around ten minutes by car from the villa. This page is about using it as your base. For operators, fares and check-in times, see the fast boat guide linked below.
Sanur and the islands at a glance
3–4 nights in Sanur
Nusa Penida in about 30–45 min
Nusa Lembongan in about 30–40 min
Gili Trawangan in about 2.5–4 h
Harbour about 10 minutes away
The full boat guide
Why is Sanur a good base for island hopping?
Because it is a beach town and a departure point in one. The fast boats to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands leave from Sanur Harbour, around ten minutes by car from the villa, so the journey to the pier is a short hop rather than a drive across the island.
That changes how the trip feels. Instead of a pre-dawn transfer from Canggu, Seminyak or Ubud, you sleep properly, have breakfast and take a short ride to the boat. And when the island day is over, the shortest possible journey back to a shower and a pool is worth a lot.
How many nights should you stay in Sanur?
For many travellers 3–4 nights is the sweet spot. It gives you time to enjoy Sanur itself and to add a Nusa day trip or continue to an island afterwards, without the trip turning into a timetable.
Arriving late or flying straight on? Even one night between the flight and the boat helps; our Bali stopover page covers first and last nights. Staying longer works too: Sanur's beach, promenade and restaurants are made for slow days between island trips.
Which island should you pick from Sanur?
Nusa Penida for dramatic scenery, Nusa Lembongan for easy island life, and Gili Trawangan for an onward stay of a few nights. Penida and Lembongan both work as day trips from Sanur; Gili Trawangan does not.
Where to go next
Three islands, three different kinds of escape, all by fast boat from the same harbour.
Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, Broken Beach and manta-ray trips make Nusa Penida the big-name island excursion from Sanur. The short crossing makes it practical as a day trip, although one or two nights gives you a far less rushed visit: the island is bigger and its roads slower than the photos suggest.
Nusa Lembongan
Smaller and easier to explore than Penida, Lembongan suits travellers who want beaches, snorkelling, cafés and a slower pace. It works well as a relaxed day trip, and one or two nights gives you time to actually enjoy the island.
Gili Trawangan
White-sand beaches, diving, snorkelling, bicycles and a much livelier evening scene make Gili Trawangan a natural next stop for travellers continuing east from Bali. The crossing is longer, so plan it as part of the itinerary rather than a same-day outing.
Land in Bali. Slow down in Sanur. Then take the boat.
- Day 1Arrive in Bali and settle into Oasis Residences, about 25–30 minutes from the airport in normal traffic.
- Day 2Beach, promenade, cafés and dinner in Sanur.
- Day 3Relax in Sanur, or take a Nusa Penida day trip and be back for dinner.
- Day 4Check out and continue by fast boat to Lembongan, Penida or Gili Trawangan.
You can also reverse the idea: come back from the islands to Sanur, spend your final nights at Oasis Residences and keep the airport transfer short. Boats occasionally run late or are cancelled in rough seas, so leave a night between your return crossing and your flight home.
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Book before you reach the harbour
Schedules and sea conditions change, especially between seasons. It is easiest to compare operators online first, then follow your operator's own check-in instructions on the day.
Operators, 2026 fares, the new pier and how early to arrive are all in our detailed Sanur fast boat guide.
Back from the boat, your own pool
A salty, sun-soaked island day ends a short ride from a rain shower, a private pool and a quiet lane.
Why Oasis Residences fits an island-hopping itinerary
Oasis Residences gives you a comfortable place to slow down before or after a boat journey. Each villa has three en-suite bedrooms, a private pool, fibre Wi-Fi measured at 400 Mbps in the villas, a fully equipped kitchen, free covered parking behind the gate and daily housekeeping. The beach is less than a 10-minute walk, restaurants and cafés are a few minutes away, and the concierge can arrange transport to Sanur Harbour or the airport. One villa sleeps up to six; both villas, side by side behind one gate, take up to twelve. It works whether Sanur is the beginning, the middle or the final stop of your Bali trip.
EXPLORE OASIS RESIDENCES
Start your island trip from Sanur
Enjoy a few relaxed days at Oasis Residences, then continue by fast boat to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or Gili Trawangan. One villa (up to 6 guests) or both villas (7 to 12) book and pay securely online.
RATED 9.3 / 10 · 47 GUEST REVIEWS
“The communications were fantastic. The villa was perfect for our three generation holiday. It was clean, well set up and had everything we needed. Getting transport was easy, but it was also an easy walk to the Main Street. The staff responded immediately to any concern, checking if it was ok for them to clean and always keeping our water full.”
Start your island trip from Sanur
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