Things to do on Gili Air: Which Gili Island is the best for you?

The Gili Islands are a small group of three islands located to the north of Lombok. These islands are well known for their relaxing vibes and crystal clear waters perfect for snorkelling. The three Gili Islands all have their own unique charm so depending on what type of stay you’re looking for there is an island for you.

How to get to the Gili Islands?

To get to the Gili Islands from Lombok International Airport you will need to arrange a private transfer to Bansal Harbour which is around a 1 hour and 30 minute drive. From Bangsal you can then organise a private boat which leaves regularly from the harbour. There is also the option to get the public boat which is slightly cheaper however they wait for the boat to fill up before departing from the harbour.

From Bali you can get to the Gili Islands in around 3 hours, these boat depart from Padang Bai or Sanur harbours. You can also get a boat from either Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands. We would recommend looking up the routes and times in advance and choosing which one suits you, you can then send the companies a message on WhatsApp to confirm your space. In peak season boats do book up so make sure to keep and eye on this.

For day trips and snorkelling tours from Senggigi and Mataram on Viator or you can check out Viator’s Top 5 Gili Island snorkelling tours.

Which Gili Island is best to visit?

Each different island though so close to each other all have their own uniqueness.

Gili Trawangan

Gili T has a reputation for being the party island of the three. This island is recommended for solo travellers and backpackers as it is the busiest island and also has the most options for food and accommodation.

Gili Meno

This island is the smallest and quietest of the three islands. Located in the middle of the other two islands Gili Meno has a reputation for being a turtle heaven. Make sure if you don’t stay at this island you at least head over to enjoy the peace and quiet and to snorkel around to find some turtles.

Gili Air

Gili Air is surprisingly close to Lombok however once you escape across the water you are met with the tranquility and relaxed vibe that you were looking for. Though not as busy as Gili T, Gili Air still provides lots of options for accomodation and food while also still maintaining the local culture on the island. Our favourite part of Gili Air was walking straight off the beach and snorkelling to find turtles and thousands of beautiful fish!

Please also remember that as these island are part of Lombok which is a muslim county it is asked that you do not ride around the town in bikinis to respect their culture.

Where to eat?

The Orange’s

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If you are after a cheap dinner with massive portions make sure to check out The Orange. We had the fried chicken and curry which are both of their speciality items off the menu and both were amazing.

Barefoot Blondie

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For coffee we recommend heading to Barefoot Blondie. The cafe has great chilled vibes and a lot of space which is also great if you’re looking for a space to do some work.

Aura Bowls

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Aura Bowls is a small family run cafe located down a side street in Gili Air. We came for breakfast and were not disappointed with their smoothie bowls and pancakes. They also offer a small menu for lunch and dinner.

Juju Zero Waste Store & Vegan Cafe

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This was our favourite place to eat on Gili Air. It has a vegan menu and they also have a fabulous zero waste concept that continues into their shop attached to the kitchen.

Where to stay?

There are lots of different types of hotels in Gili Island. Whether you’re looking for a small boutique retreat or a luxurious hotel there is something for you.

Slow Villas

Captain Coconuts

B52 Hotel & Villas

Looking to head to Kuta Lombok? Make sure to check out Our Guide to Kuta Lombok!

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