Top Beaches on Gili Air — Best Spots for Sun, Swim & Snorkel

The best thing about the Gili Air beaches is that you can get to each by walking. Forget about the traffic as you move from one beach to paddleboard to another beach to dive on foot, by cidomo, or on bicycles. The best beaches in Gili Air also give you the most stunning vantage points for sunset and sunrise. Get your sunscreen, sunnies, and hats ready for a beach-hopping day!

The name doesn’t do Sunset Beach justice. First, you get the sunset over one of the best volcanoes in Bali, Mount Agung, and with the ocean at the forefront, it makes a picturesque background. And second, the iconic Gili Air’s swing, where you don’t actually have to pay to take photos with it (though there’s a donation box for the local school).

Feeling hungry after walking around the island? Sunset Beach is dotted with beach bars and restaurants for you to relish the day’s beauty of Gili Air. Save your swimsuit at Sunset Beach because the water’s too shallow for you to swim. But when you have sunset and a margarita, who needs swimming, right?

Get your snorkel gear ready because on Turtle Beach, your chance of seeing the green and Hawksbill turtles is 99.9%! The calm and clear water make Turtle Beach an ideal spot for snorkeling. And you only need to go 10 meters from the beach before spotting the turtles. The beach is one of the best shore-based snorkeling spots in the whole Gili Islands, not only on Gili Air.

Didn’t bring the snorkeling gear with you? Worry not. You can rent it from the nearby rentals for IDR 50K ($3) per day. Go for an early morning or late afternoon snorkel, and you’ll find more marine life, such as colorful reef fish and corals. If you’re a diver, then be prepared to see manta rays, reef sharks, moray eels, and small critters.

To find Mango Bay Beach, first you need to locate Blue Marlin Dive, because the beach in front of it is the one you’re looking for. Though you’re free to sunbathe or swim here, Mango Bay Beach is more for divers. The reason? It has one of the most stunning marine creatures in Gili Air, especially if you’re a coral garden and macro aficionado.

The best time to swim is around 8 AM to 11 PM (the hottest hours, I know), but that’s when you see fewer boats in this part of Gili Air. You can rent snorkel rentals for IDR 50K/day, SUP for around IDR 150K ($10) per hour, or if you feel like having a fun dive, it’ll cost you around IDR 650K ($40) per dive.

You won’t find the name Paradiso Beach on the map. That’s because the name Paradiso is how locals refer to the beach. Paradiso Beach is relatively short (only around 300 meters), and it’s close to the main harbor. While the blaring sound of the boats can be a turn-off, the beachside cafes make Paradiso a lively spot for a hangout in Gili Air.

Though I don’t recommend swimming here for safety reasons, it doesn’t mean you can only gaze at the water. Paddleboarding and kayaking are two sports you can do on Paradiso Beach. Nearby, you can rent a SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) for about IDR 150K per hour ($10). As for kayaking, the rental price is around IDR 155K ($10) for a half-day. Some local rentals offer deals if you book the boats through them, so it’s always worth checking out!

The extension of Turtle Beach, the Southeast Beach, is where you find all the buzz in Gili Air. There’s so much to do here than just chilling at the beach. The beach becomes the playground for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Once the evening falls, the area becomes quite busy with the beachfront cafes and restaurants serving delicious food and killer cocktails.

But the Southeast Beach is every morning riser’s dream. Go here between 5.30 and 7 AM, and you will witness the sun slowly rise over Mount Rinjani, the tallest volcano in Lombok. The Southeast Beach is the all-in-one destination in Gili Air, because you get the facilities, the underwater paradise, and the variety of dining options.

Surrounded by waters, Gili Air is full of unnamed beaches. Wherever you turn, chances are you encounter some secluded and hidden beaches no one talks about. In the northeastern side, you can find Mangrove Beach, where the soft sand is shaded by mangrove trees, perfect for a quiet sunbath. The north part of Gili Air is generally pretty secluded, so feel free to pick your spot!

Away from the tourist hotspots, you can also find local fishing boats dotted along the beach. Come in the early morning, and if luck is on your side, you may get the chance to join fishermen in their jukung (traditional boats) for a fishing expedition! Certainly, the kind of experience you won’t get anywhere else in Gili Air.

These are some simple hacks for you to enjoy the most of Gili Air Beaches:

• Walk. The most fun way to spot a hidden, lesser-known, and less-touristy beach in Gili Air.

• Sunrise or sunset. The eastern beaches are great for watching the sunrise with a view of Mount Rinjani, while the western beaches bring the sunset glory over Mount Agung.

• Bargain. Especially if you take a cidomo. The rate is usually IDR 50K for a single destination.

• Check meticulously. If you rent snorkel gear, make sure it functions properly before use.

• Bring a hat/umbrella. The lack of shade on many beaches means you need to be prepared for intense heat.

Unlike Bali, the most fun way to explore the beaches in Gili Air is by walking. You can explore the whole island in 1-2 hours! And with IDR 50K per day, you can rent a bicycle and enjoy a leisurely exploration. Taking Cidomo is the last resort, as it’s quite pricey, and if you care about animal welfare. The single destination can cost up to IDR 100K ($6) while the island tour can set you up to IDR 200K ($13).

As with any tropical destination, the dry season (April to October) is the best season to explore Gili Air. The low rain intensity, the frequency of sunny days, and the calm sea surface make it possible for you to maximize any beach-related activity. If you dive, the dry season gives excellent visibility. For snorkeling, morning or late afternoon brings you more action underwater as marine animals are more active during these periods.