Gili Island Swim information

• We will swim around the house reef on each of the islands. We do not swim between the islands.

• The distance and time for each swim varies a lot depending on the tides and current; during November the weather is generally more overcast although we rarely hove much rain and, so far, never any lightening.

• We start at sunrise on each day with the aim to complete by midday.

• We are rarely more than 300m from the shoreline and sometimes as close as 5m - although there are reefs where is it not easy to reach the beach. On Gili Air, we might be up to 1km from the shore on the southern reef.

• The safety boats will be with us at all times, travelling at a safe distance.

• Swimmers will be grouped by swimming pace and the spotters will ensure each pod stays close together. This is not a race and the idea is for each pod to stay together, particularly when swimming past each island's harbour.

• Occasionally, depending on other boat traffic or water and weather conditions, you will be required to board the boat for safety reasons.

• I have personally organised and performed this swim six times now. We have used the same boat crew for all these swims and they are not only familiar with the island's tides & currents, but also with our planning for these events.

• Everyone must swim with a safety tow buoy. We recommend a swim skin rather than rash vest.

• If you are feeling tired or unwell, you must get back into the safety boat.

• Each safety boat will have at least 1 spotter and you will be able to store you water/ hydration and snacks on the boat.

• We aim to stop for hydration and taking carbohydrates every 20-30 minutes.

General

• If you plan to do all three islands - without putting fins on or getting into a boat - you will need to be swimming regularly, be generally fit and will need to have some previous endurance swimming experience - although if you start in July 2025 you will have time to prepare.

• I can help put together a training programme for you. For those in Singapore, I can arrange for some open water swimming sessions at Tanjong or Palawan Beaches on Sentosa.

• As a guide, you should be able to complete 6km in 2 hours in a 50m pool split into 4 x 1500m each in 30 mins.

• If this is more than you can manage, you will still be welcome on the swim, but for the safety of all the swimmers, you may need to re-board the boat to catch up with the others in your pod.

• You will need to be training between 15 & 20km per week in the weeks/months before the event. That's between 5 & 7 hours of swimming per week split over 3 to 5 sessions.

Training

Logistics

• You will need to book your own flights. From Singapore, the best flights to catch for the shortest possible swim weekend are

  • Friday 14th Nov: Scoot TR258@ 0735h

  • Monday 17th Nov: TR261@ 1655h

• If flying from elsewhere, please let me know as we might need to extend your accommodation at the start or the end to fit in with your flight plans.