Ekajaya Fast Ferry

Head office in Legian, boats in Padang Bai
Ekajaya Fast Ferry runs its main office on Jl. Nakula No.18 A–B in Legian, Kuta, but the actual departures most people use are from Padang Bai, and sometimes Serangan. Several reviewers mention sailing from Padang Bai, Nusa Penida, Lembongan and on to Gili T, Gili Air and Lombok, so it’s worth double‑checking your departure port when you book.

Their website (www.ekajayafastferry.com) has a live booking engine with schedules and prices, and the office reportedly keeps 09h00–18h00 hours for reservations, while check‑in at the port usually starts around 07h30–08h00.

Big aluminium ferries and smoother rides
Online analysis highlights Ekajaya’s larger 34‑metre aluminium boats as a key selling point, and many recent reviewers agree. Travellers describe the vessels as “big”, “spacious” and “sturdier” than small speedboats, with a sun deck, clean toilets and clearly printed safety instructions on the seats.

Multiple reviews mention feeling safe even in big swell or high winds, and one family crossing from Nusa Penida to Gili Air barely felt the rough sea. Air‑conditioned cabins are generally praised, though a few people found it hot and cramped when the boat was full.

On board: AC, music and helpful crew
Inside, you can expect working AC, individual seats and an upper deck where music plays throughout the trip. Some passengers loved sitting on top from Padang Bai to the Gilis with music “the whole way”, while others felt the deck soundtrack got a bit too loud or “went downhill” after a while.

Crew come up repeatedly in comments: staff are described as friendly, professional and plentiful, from helping a sick passenger with medicine to tracking down lost glasses and returning them later in the Lombok office. Several travellers mention smooth operations and punctual departures; one even called the timetable “so punctual it’s crazy”.

Ports, crowds and “Bali time”
The weak spot is rarely the boat itself but everything around it. The independent market report underlines chaotic check‑in at Padang Bai, with heat, crowds and noise; travellers echo this, calling the harbour “chaotic” but stressing that Ekajaya staff are present in the crowd and easy to ask for help.

Retards and last‑minute changes appear regularly in online feedback. Check‑in is typically one hour before departure, and reviewers advise sticking to that and pre‑booking to avoid stress at the harbour. When seas turn rough, crossings can be cancelled in the name of safety; one traveller appreciated how the crew stayed on standby and boarded everyone quickly once the harbour master cleared a late departure.

Price, value and shuttles
Ekajaya tends to sit at the higher end of the price range: one traveller paid about £100 for a Padang Bai–Gili return for two, and several others describe the fares as “a bit more expensive” than competitors. Many feel the extra cost is worth it for a bigger, more stable boat, decent AC and a generally smoother experience.

Shuttle services and after‑sales support are more mixed. The market analysis notes complaints about pick‑up delays, extra charges for remote areas and slow communication on refunds after weather cancellations. One recent review describes arriving in Bali to find their Gili T trip cancelled due to weather, with no refund or help rebooking and no practical advice on where to stay instead.

Digital presence and how to book smart
According to the analysis, Ekajaya’s Instagram and Facebook accounts are active, with many reposts of traveller photos from the sun deck and official updates about schedule changes due to weather or religious ceremonies. Some passengers also praise quick, accommodating responses via WhatsApp when they needed to change bookings because of illness.

At the harbour, reviewers warn against random street agents and suggest buying tickets directly from official Ekajaya staff to avoid overpaying. Snacks and water are sold on board but can be pricey, so several travellers recommend stocking up before departure.

Who it suits
If you value a larger, sturdier boat, working AC and generally professional crew more than a perfectly calm, well‑organised port experience, Ekajaya Fast Ferry comes across as a reliable “safe bet” for hops between Bali, the Gilis and Lombok, as long as you budget for higher fares and stay flexible when the weather closes in.