Gili Islands Guide – Best Things to Do on the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands, situated off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia, are a set of three distinct islands: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan—aka Gili T. Each island offers a unique experience, making them popular destinations from Bali or Lombok. This guide covers the best things to on the Gili Islands, which island to visit, and tips on where to stay and how to get there.

Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are known for their pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life.

With no motor vehicles on any of the islands, the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried. Whether you’re looking to dive, snorkel, or relax on a beautiful beach, the Gili Islands offer something for everyone.

Which is The Best Gili Island to Visit?

Deciding which Gili Island to visit depends on what you’re looking for in your vacation. Each island has its own character:

• Gili Trawangan: Known for its lively atmosphere, nightlife, and diverse activities. It’s the largest and most developed of the three islands.
• Gili Meno: The quietest and most tranquil of the islands, ideal for a peaceful escape from the crowds.
• Gili Air: Offers a balance between the party vibe of Gili T and the serenity of Gili Meno. It’s perfect for those looking for a mix of relaxation and activity.

Best Things to Do on the Gili Islands

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is the absolute highlight of the Gili Islands. Very few places around the world offer the perfect combination of warm water, excellent visibility, and vast marine life that you can find here. The underwater world in the Gilis is teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and colorful coral reefs.

Which island? Both Gili Air and Gili Trawangan have Blue Marlin dive shops, offering a range of diving locations for all levels. Gili T is especially popular for its dive sites like Shark Point and Turtle Heaven.

Snorkelling

If diving is a bit much, or you just want to spend even more time exploring the water, the snorkelling is also out of this world in the Gilis. We’ve never seen this many turtles anywhere else on earth and you can see so much just along the shore.

Which island? All three islands have excellent snorkelling spots. There are plenty of places to rent snorkelling gear on each of the islands or you can take a boat trip to some snorkelling spots—more on these later.

Rent a Bike

Since the Gili Islands are free of cars, cycling is a great way to explore. You can get around the islands in around an hour and each has different things to see.

Which island? You can rent bikes on all three islands. Gili T’s bike paths take you past various beaches and attractions, while Gili Air and Gili Meno offer more scenic rides away from the more built-up areas.

Underwater Statues

The underwater statues are a unique attraction on the Gilis and an incredibly photogenic spot. They were created by a British sculpture artist and have quickly attracted plenty of marine life.

Which island? The best island is definitely Gili Meno because you can swim from the shore in the morning and avoid the crowds. But you can also visit as part of a trips from the other islands like this Gili T snorkelling trip or this Gili Air snorkelling trip.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Kayaking and paddleboarding are a relaxing way to explore the coastline and get away from the crowds. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles coming to the surface to breathe.

Which island? The east side of Gili T is ideal for these activities. They offer stand-up paddleboards and kayaks that fit two people. For an extra special experience, head out in the late evening to watch the sun setting behind the island.

Cooking Class

Cooking classes are a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can learn to cook local dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice), peanut sauce, yellow curry, and gado-gado. And the best part, of course, is you get to enjoy the delicious dishes at the end.

Which island? The best classes are Gili Cooking Class on Gili Air and Sweet and Spicy on Gili T.

Outdoor Cinema

The beachside outdoor cinemas are a cool way to spend the evening. Grab some drinks, snacks, and a beanbag and watch a classic movie or two beneath the stars.

Which island? The best cinemas are on Gili Trawangan, there are two pretty close to each other that post their schedule for the next few days, so you can plan the best night to go.

Chill on the Beaches

The beaches on the Gili Islands are some of the best in Indonesia. Pure white sand, crystal clear waters, and plenty of areas without crowds.

Which island? There are stunning beaches on every Gili Island, from the busier shores of Gili Trawangan to the more serene stretches on Gili Air and Gili Meno.

Full Moon Party

If you’re in Indonesia around a full moon, you could try to time your trip to the Gilis for The Full Moon Party. They have live DJs on the beach and the party goes on long into the night!

Which island? The Full Moon Party on Gili Trawangan is one of the island’s main attractions.

Turtle Sanctuary

Visiting a turtle sanctuary offers a chance to learn about sea turtle conservation and see some amazing baby turtles up close. The sanctuary helps promote turtle numbers locally by protecting newly hatched youngsters as well as rehabilitating injured adults.

Which island? There are two turtle sanctuaries is on Gili Meno. If you decide not to stay the night there, you can still visit one of them on some of the snorkelling trips.

For a more in-depth look at each island, check out our Gili T Guide, Gili Meno Guide, and Gili Air Guide.

Where to Stay on the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands offer a good range of accommodation, from high-end luxury to good value budget properties. Here are a few suggestions for each island and budget:

Gili Trawangan: Kuno Villas for a luxury stay with private pool, Gili Amor Boutique Resort for style and comfort without breaking the bank, or Green Banana for a budget stay.

Gili Air: For the ultimate luxury on the Gilis there’s Atoll Haven Villas that come with private pool. The bright and colorful PinkCoco Gili Air is a popular mid-range choice, or Captain Coconuts Gili Air for a good budget option.

Gili Meno: The luxury beachfront resort Mahamaya Boutique Resort with stunning villas, the charming Le Pirate Meno for a mid-range stay, and Sasak Island Bungalows for an affordable option.

How to Get to the Gili Islands

To reach the Gili Islands, you can take a speedboat or ferry from Bali or Lombok.

From Bali: Speedboats from Padangbai take about 1.5 to 2 hours.

From Lombok: Boats from Bangsal Harbor to the islands take approximately 30 minutes.

How to Get Between the Gili Islands

Traveling between the Gili Islands is straightforward with frequent boat services connecting them.

Public boats operate between the islands, though they might be slower and less comfortable.

For a faster option, you can book a speedboat between the Gilis if you’re island hopping.

Gili Islands FAQs

What is the Best Month to Visit Gili Islands?

The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September, when you can expect sunny weather and calm seas. July and August are the peak season, so to avoid the crowds, May, June, or September are the best options.

How Many Days Do You Need on the Gili Islands?

A stay of 2 to 3 days is ideal to explore one island. If you plan to visit multiple islands, a week or more would be great.

Are the Gili Islands Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Gili Islands are absolutely worth visiting! The islands offer stunning natural beauty, incredible diving and snorkelling, and a range of activities to suit all types of travelers.

Are the Gili Islands Expensive?

No, the Gili Islands are fairly inexpensive for what you get. A trip here can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. There are many affordable guesthouses, and restaurants as well as high-end resorts with a la carte dining.

The activities are good value for money when you compare the Gilis to other places around the world.

Are the Gili Islands Safe for Tourists?

Yes, the Gili Islands are generally very safe for tourists. Of the three islands, Gili Air has the party atmosphere, so probably a little more crime, but it’s still extremely low.

As always with places you don’t know, take basic precautions like securing your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.

Gili Islands Guide – Best Things to Do on the Gili Islands

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