In Reply to: Transfer to Gili T posted by Bagusbali on Sunday, 12. October 2014 at 15:15 Bali Time:
I've never traveled by fast boat, but flew to Lombok from Bali in May. Our first port of call in Lombok was Senggigi, so not quite as far as Gili T if flying.
We didn't like the idea of fast-boating as my wife suffers from motion sickness (boats in particular) and apparently the crossing can be quite rough if not downright dangerous from what I've heard. I've read stories of inexperienced crew overcrowding the boats and setting of in just about any weather. Morning crossings are calmer apparently. If you ask me there's potential for it to be a headline one day. A few ferries/passenger boats have capsized/sunk across Asia in the past few years.
I think it's cheaper to fly also ($80-90 vs $120-130 return).
It would certainly be quicker to get to Gili T by fastboat as I believe some boats make Gili T their first port of call (after a 2 hour voyage) which would mean first off the boat.
By the time you get to the airport, take the 25 minute flight, fluff around the airport at each end checking in etc, the two hour drive to Bangsal/Teluk Nare from Praya, and then the boat ride to Gili T it would have eaten into most of your day.
I'm sure others will say take the boat and that they've done it many times without incident. If I was going directly to Gili T I might try to convince my wife to dose up on quells, make sure we're clinging on to a life vest and chance it, but if my final destination in Lombok was Senggigi or anything south I'd take the plane.
Hope this helps.