Things to Do in Gili Islands: Travel Guide from Bali
Explore all the things to do in the Gili Islands
The trio of Gili Islands is like three siblings with different personalities but oozes the same charm. Gili T, Gili Air, and Gili Meno give the island experiences you can’t get on Bali Island. Though there are plenty of what to do in Bali, the Gilis give the best excuse to get you away from the crazy traffic.
Gili Tourist Map
Discover the best tourist attractions and activities to do in the Gili Islands.
Upcoming Events in Gili
Don’t miss all these events and free things to do in the Gili Islands.
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Gili Islands
Catch-of-the-day seafood, local flavors, and fresh ingredients are the trifecta of the dining scene in the Gili Islands. You can have the simplest grilled fish in a local warung, have a feast at an upscale dining, or pick your morning coffee from a beachside cafe; you’ll never run out of places to have delicious meals at the Gilis.
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Overview of the Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan
Don’t call yourself a partygoer if Gili T is absent from your must-visit list. The biggest island among the trio, the map of Gili Trawangan is full of a never-ending bar hopping, dancing, and cocktails. Wherever you walk, you will stumble upon crowded and lively beach bars, ready to rock your night. But Gili T is not just about killer cocktails or sipping beer under the stars.
Source: unsplash.com
Source: unsplash.com
While your night always includes the dance floor, you should spend the day underwater. Put on the oxygen tank at Manta Point to get the sightings of mantas or Halik, where every spot is adorned with giant barrel sponges and sea fans. Another great thing about Gili T is you can find the most bougie accommodations, from private pools to budget hostels with basic amenities.
Gili Meno
If Gili T is your happy-go-lucky sibling, Gili Meno is the quiet one. Known as the honeymoon island where lovebirds can walk along the white sand beaches with turquoise waters in the background, the tiniest Gili doesn’t bar a single traveler from visiting. Yes, you’ll feel like the third wheel, but the island has other things on its sleeve other than the obvious romantic vibe.
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Source: commons.wikimedia.org
The saltwater lake is a prominent trait of Gili Meno. Surrounded by mangrove forests, it’s the only one in the Gili Islands, giving you a nice break from any beach activity. However, you cannot miss snorkeling to see “Nest,” the 48 life-size underwater statues created by Jason deCaires Taylor, taking the romantic vibe of Gili Meno even further near BASK, an eco-resort worth staying in.
Gili Air
If you think Gili T has too much of a party vibe and Gili Meno is a tad too quiet, then Gili Air acts like the bridge between the other two Gilis. Choose the western part of Gili Air, where the night parties, themed events, and cocktail bars will fill up your evening activities. If peace is what you’re after, check the east and south parts, where many secluded beaches will take your breath away.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Snorkeling and diving in Gili Air island have become the must-do activities. The coral gardens showcase colors like you’ve never seen before. The steep wall dive in Air Wall gives plenty of pygmy seahorses and octopuses to see. And if you’re looking for something to surprise you, head into the night market, where you can try the local foods for less than US$3.
How to Get to the Gili Islands from Bali
Now you have general ideas about the Gili in your pocket, we’ve got you covered on how to get to the Gili Islands from Bali.
Fast boat. By far the most popular way to reach the Gili Islands from Bali, it takes about 1.5-2 hours to reach Gili T from Padang Bai Harbor. You can depart from Sanur or Serangan, but the journey time is double with fewer schedules. The average ticket price is US$ 25-45.
Flight. Flying to Lombok takes only 30 minutes. But you need 90 minutes to travel from the airport to the port, and another 15 minutes to Gili T. The flight costs around US$ 60.
FFerry. Perfect if your main purpose is to explore Lombok and not the Gili Islands, since you will embark on the main island. The trip takes approximately six hours from Padang Bai harbor to Lembar in Lombok, and the cost is around US$ 5.
Booking tips:
Always book in advance. Since you need to arrange transport to Padang Bai, last-minute booking is not recommended.
Go in the low season. It means don’t go during the end-of-the-year holiday or before the Silent Day, as these times can be hectic.
Best Time to Visit the Gili Islands
So, when should you start planning to visit the Gili Islands when traveling to Bali? Similar to the best time to visit Bali, the dry season remains the best. April to October gives you plenty of sun with occasional rain without messing up your sea activities. The calm sea conditions also play a part in your boat leaving on time and having smooth sailing.
We don’t recommend traveling in the rainy season, which occurs from November to March. Aside from the heavy rainfall, the sea surfaces can be rough with big waves. The condition can lead to the cancellation of your boat schedule. But if your main goal is seeing manta rays, diving in the rainy season is the best since the giant fish eats plankton, which is abundant during the wet season.
Activities and Attractions in the Gili Islands
Diving and Snorkeling
The question of what to do in the Gili Islands depends on how much time you have. But you can’t miss exploring some of the best diving and snorkeling spots around the Gilis.
Simon’s Reef. The 35-meter seamounts are the perfect place for corals to thrive. You can find hard and soft corals, from staghorn to plate corals.
Deep Turbo. Deep Turbo can compete with the best diving spots in Bali as the dive spot is full of barracudas, stingrays, and macro creatures.
Turtle Point. Seeing turtles while snorkeling in Bali is a rarity, but at Turtle Point, get ready to see Hawksbill and green turtles, which are abundant around the Gili Islands.
Meno Bounty. Just south of NEST underwater statues, there’s a large 30-meter sunken platform. The hard corals and fish, like angelfish and scorpion fish, will greet you around Meno Bounty.
Source: @gilisharkconservation
Source: @bluemarlindivetech
Island Hopping
You know how to go from Bali to the Gili Islands. But if you look at the Gili Islands map, no bridge connects the three islands. So, how do you do island hopping?
Ferry. The ferry is running twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. It costs only around US$ 3, and it’s the most economical choice to get to the Gili Islands.
Fast boat. Run every 30 minutes from 8 AM to 5 PM, it takes only 5-10 minutes. If you’re looking to do island hopping in a day, this is the best choice. It costs around US$ 5/one way.
Water taxi. Similar to a fast boat, the difference is the water taxi operates until midnight. If you crave nightlife in Gili T but are staying in Gili Meno, the water taxi will solve your problem.
Source: flic.kr
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Yoga and Wellness Retreats
Imagine having a morning Vinyasa yoga session as the sun rises, together with the breaking waves and the solitude of the beach in the Gili Islands. There are a few yoga studios in Gili Trawangan and Gili Air with open-air shalas, where the relaxing Yin takes on a new meaning as you practice yoga and meditation in front of the ocean. The wellness retreats in the Gilis extend beyond just the yoga and meditation.
Some yoga studios come with restaurants offering healthy meals and spa treatments to complete your wellness experience. And if you’re into pilates, don’t worry, as the exercise has made its way to Gili Trawangan to complement yoga and meditation.
Source: @flowersandfireyoga
Source: @flowersandfireyoga
Sunset Watching and Photography
Certainly, there’s no better way to spend your afternoon than watching a sunset in the Gili Islands. The western beaches in Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno make the best spot to see the sun go down. Take a seat at a beachside cafe with your cocktail, and your afternoon is sorted.
And if you’re hunting for photography spots in the Gili Islands, just aim your camera at the famous Gili swings with sunset and ocean as the background, and you get yourself a killer composition. You can also go underwater to photograph the stunning man-made statues at Nest Underwater Statues or explore the southern beaches for a rugged landscape with the colorful fishermen’s boats.
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Source: @mantadivegiliair
Turtle Conservation and Eco-Tours
What else to do in the Gili Islands besides snorkeling and having fun? You can participate in the turtle conservation programs at the Gili Islands. Turtles have become the icons of the Gilis, and some establishments have initiated programs to save the turtles, especially during the hatching season.
You can book eco tours in the Gili Islands, which often consist of eco-snorkeling, releasing hatchlings into the ocean, and protecting eggs from predators. You can also volunteer at the beach and underwater clean-ups as a way to remove plastics from the ocean. Who says you can’t make a difference while visiting the Gili Islands?
Source: unsplash.com
Source: unsplash.com
FAQ
Which Gili Island is the best for families?
Which Gili island is the best if you’re taking your kids? The best Gili island for a family getaway is Gili Air. It has nightlife spots for parents, but it is not as busy as Gili T. Gili Air is where most local people live, with accommodations catering to solo travelers, couples, and families.
Are the Gili Islands safe for solo travelers?
Absolutely! Similar to Bali, you can meet people through snorkeling or diving tours in the Gili Islands. The bar, dining, and party scene in Gili T can become a potential place to meet travel buddies or share experiences. The only tip is to say no when someone offers you a magic mushroom in Gili T, unless you have someone else with you!
Can I visit the Gili Islands during the rainy season?
You can technically visit the Gilis in the rainy season, as long as you’re prepared for the heavy rainfall and the risk of cancellation due to rough sea conditions. We know how tempting it is to book cheaper deals compared to the high season, but like Bali, visiting the Gili Islands during the dry season remains your best bet.
Is there Wi-Fi available in the Gili Islands?
Most accommodations will have Wi-Fi available, but don’t expect a fast connection. Once you leave the hotel, Wi-Fi is available mainly in restaurants/cafes. The Wi-Fi should work fine if you simply want to update your social media.
Do I need a visa to visit the Gili Islands?
The Gili Islands may not be your leading destination upon landing in Indonesia. But once you obtain your visa in Bali, you don’t need to apply for another one to go to the Gili Islands, as it’s still part of the Republic of Indonesia, as long as your visa is still valid.
What currency is used in the Gili Islands?
The currency used in the Gili Islands is the Indonesian Rupiah. Binging enough cash will save you time and headache as finding ATMs in three Gilis can get quite challenging.
Are there medical facilities on the Gili Islands?
The Gili Islands don’t have hospitals, but small clinics can handle minor injuries and provide access to a pharmacy. Always make sure your insurance covers any medical emergency while visiting the Gili Islands, as the evacuation to the main hospitals in Lombok/Bali can be costly.
Can I rent bicycles on the Gili Islands?
Yes, you can! You can rent bicycles to explore the islands if you don’t want to hop on a cidomo (horse-drawn carriage). The rent costs around US$3 to US$5 per day, depending on the model and condition. Always check the brakes before renting to make sure they work!
What marine life can I expect to see while snorkeling?
Think of hard and soft corals in various colors and shapes, from brain and table to leather and gorgonians. Look for reef fish such as damselfish, triggerfish, angelfish, and scorpion fish. Don’t forget the Hawksbill and green turtles!
Are there any cultural events or festivals on the Gili Islands?
Full Moon Party in Gili T is a regular monthly event coinciding with a full moon. The Slow Food and Yoga Festival is a four-day event held annually in March/April (dates vary) on Gili Air, focusing on local cuisine, yoga, and conscious living.
Expert Opinion
The three Gilis have become favorite spots to take a break from exploring waterfalls in Bali. Whether you want to have fun on the dance floor or prefer a quiet night on the beach, you have Gili T, Gili Meno, and Gili Air to choose from.
While volcanoes in Bali give you stunning sunrises, you can lean on the Gili Islands to deliver breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. Size doesn’t matter in the Gili Islands because they offer beauty on the surface and underwater in such tiny islands. Don’t think twice, and book your fast boat to Gili ASAP!
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