When you visit Bali or Lombok, a trip to one of the Gili Islands is a must. On the three islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—there is no motorized transport, and life moves at a slower pace compared to the mainland. If you love crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, palm trees, and beachfront bungalows, then this is the ultimate place to relax for a few days. As if that weren’t enough, you can also enjoy great parties, diving, and snorkeling. Below, you can read all about the differences between the Gili Islands, things to do, and which restaurants and hotels come highly recommended.

Which Gili Island Is the Best?

Gili Trawangan is the largest island in the group and is naturally the liveliest one. Here, you’ll find plenty of fun bars, beach clubs, and dozens of good restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for some socializing, but you can also seek tranquility on the quieter west side. In our opinion, Gili Trawangan is the best base for exploring the Gili Islands. Gili Meno is smaller than Gili Trawangan and significantly quieter. This is primarily a place for those looking for peace and quiet, as there isn’t much to do, and prices are a bit higher. The same goes for Gili Air, the smallest island. From Gili Trawangan, you can take the morning ferry to explore one of the other islands and return in the evening. Gili Air is great if you want to snorkel in the beautiful reefs surrounding the island. You can also join a snorkeling tour from Gili Trawangan that visits all three Gili Islands.

How to Travel to the Gili Islands?

You can reach the Gili Islands from both Bali and Lombok. Sometimes the sea can be a bit rough between Bali and the Gili Islands, so it’s advisable to take a motion sickness pill for this journey.

Note: Upon arrival, you’ll pay a small entrance fee for Gili Trawangan. Keep this ticket safe; even if you take a trip to another Gili island, you won’t need to buy it again when you return.

What to Do on Gili Trawangan?

You will never be bored on Gili Trawangan. Relax on the beach, explore the beautiful underwater world, and dance the night away in one of the lively bars.

Explore Gili Trawangan by Bike

The Gili Islands have a true island vibe, especially since there are no cars or scooters. If you want to explore more of the island, biking is the perfect way to get around. As soon as you set foot on the island, you’ll see brightly colored bikes lining the roads. You can rent them all over the island for just a few euros a day. It takes about 1.5 hours to bike around Gili Trawangan, where you’ll pass by secluded white beaches. Stop along the way at one of the stalls to pick up a fun souvenir or relax at one of the beachside cafés.

Horseback Riding with Stud Horse Riding and Rescue

Since there are no motorized vehicles on the Gili Islands, the locals use horses to transport heavy items. Unfortunately, these horses are not always well cared for. Stud Horse Riding and Rescue is an initiative by two English women who help the locals maintain the horses. This ensures that the horses are better cared for across the island. You can go horseback riding along the beach and support the organization, as the proceeds help them maintain the horses. Be sure to book a few days in advance via their Instagram.

Snorkeling with Turtles

The Gili Islands are known for their crystal-clear waters and rich marine life. There are many turtles swimming close to the shores around the Gili Islands. You have the best chance of encountering turtles in the north and northeast of Gili Trawangan. You can rent a snorkel at this beach and walk into the sea to search for turtles. The best times are from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM when the turtles are more active and come to eat seaweed close to the shore.

Must-Do: Three Islands Snorkeling Tour Around the Gili Islands

Jump on the boat, put on your snorkel, and dive into the water to spot the most beautiful corals and fish! With the three islands snorkeling tour, you will visit various snorkeling spots around the waters of all three Gili Islands. The captains know exactly where the best snorkeling spots are and will gladly take you there. You’ll spend about half a day on the water and visit the underwater sculptures at Gili Meno and “Turtle Heaven.” There’s a good chance a turtle will swim by you here.

Tip: During peak season, some snorkeling spots can get quite crowded, and everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the turtles. Always maintain a respectful distance from the animals and do not touch them, so as not to disturb their natural behavior.

Try Street Food at the Night Market

Want delicious local food at a bargain? Then the night market on Gili Trawangan is the place to be! In the evening, this place comes to life, and the many stalls are filled with a variety of small snacks for you to choose from. Point out what you like, and they’ll prepare it fresh for you on the grill.

Earn Karma Points with Beach Clean Up Gili Trawangan

On the beautiful beaches of the Gili Islands, it’s a delight to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, litter often washes ashore, which disrupts the idyllic picture a bit. But efforts are being made! Every Friday at 5:00 PM, Beach Clean Up Gili Trawangan organizes a group of volunteers to clean the beach for an hour. It’s a great initiative that helps preserve the beauty of the beaches. It always attracts a friendly group of people, and afterwards, you’ll receive a free beer. Keep an eye on their Instagram for the meeting point.

Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach

A beautiful sunset never disappoints, and on the Gili Islands, they are legendary. Follow the main road from Gili Trawangan to the southwest side of the island and find a nice spot along Sunset Beach. The bright pink beanbags on the beach at Pinkcoco Beach Club are a popular place to enjoy the sunset, and The Exile Bar further down the beach is also a cozy spot. In fact, you’ll find numerous places along this entire stretch of beach where you can enjoy delicious drinks and snacks. As soon as you sit down, you’ll enjoy a view of Bali’s volcano, Mount Agung. It’s the perfect moment to end the day and get ready for even more fun evenings on the island.

Tip: Get there by 5:00 PM to secure the best spot. Don’t rush; wait a bit after the sun sets, as that’s when the sky sometimes displays the most beautiful colors.

Enjoy a Drink at Sama Sama Reggae Bar

As soon as the sun sets, Gili Trawangan truly comes to life. There’s something for everyone, from beach parties with international DJs to intimate jam sessions in local bars. On the beach, you’ll find several fun bars, with Sama Sama Reggae Bar being one of the most popular. It’s lively here every day, often featuring live music. “Sama sama” means something like “you’re welcome” in Indonesian, and you won’t forget this place after your visit to the island.

Learn to Cook Indonesian Cuisine in a Fun Cooking Class

One of the best souvenirs from traveling is the things you take home with you for a lifetime. In Indonesia, you’ll likely want to take home the cooking skills of the locals. One of the best ways to get to know Indonesian culture is by participating in a cooking class. During the cooking class on Gili Trawangan, you’ll learn the tricks of the local cuisine. You’ll prepare a delicious three-course menu that you’ll enjoy together. You’ll work on traditional dishes like nasi goreng, saté, and gado-gado. At the end, you’ll take home the recipes to recreate them often back home.

Diving on the Gili Islands

The beautiful coral reefs around the Gili Islands also offer an unforgettable experience for divers. Gili Divers is one of the best dive schools to go on an adventure with, offering courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced. If you’ve always wanted to get your diving certification, the Gili Islands are a great place to do it!

Yoga at Sunset Beach Yoga Gili Trawangan

Sunset Beach Yoga Gili Trawangan is a beautiful yoga studio located in a treetop overlooking Sunset Beach, with a view of the ocean. Two different yoga classes are offered daily. Join the morning vinyasa flow or try Fly High Yoga in the late afternoon, where you use aerial straps to assist with various poses. No experience is required, and beginners are welcome to try this unique style of yoga. It’s a super fun way to challenge yourself in a different way! The last class ends just in time for the sunset, after which you can enjoy a post-yoga drink on the beach.

Tip: Another fun and unique yoga class is offered by Marki, where you head out onto the water on a SUP board for SUP yoga during sunrise.

Watch a Movie with Your Feet in the Sand

After an active day of snorkeling, do you feel like a relaxed movie night? Then Gili Trawangan is the perfect spot! There are several open-air cinemas on Sunset Beach, such as Open Air Cinema and Aston Movie Night. Here you can enjoy fun films on comfortable beanbags under a sky full of stars. Every night, two films are screened back-to-back, ranging from classics to new blockbusters, so there’s something for everyone. You can find the week’s schedule on the boards with movie posters along the road, and admission is completely free! Order a drink and a bucket of popcorn while you lean back and enjoy the stories on the big screen.

Kayaking or SUPing to Gili Meno

Want to hit the water yourself? Grab a kayak or a SUP board to experience the beautiful waters around the Gili Islands from a different perspective. At Sup Gili, you can rent one of the colorful boards or kayaks and paddle out to Gili Meno. The distance between Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles).

Take a Day Trip to Gili Air

Gili Air is much smaller and quieter than Gili Trawangan. While some people choose to stay on that island for just that reason, you can also easily explore Gili Air on a day trip. When you arrive on the island, rent a bike to easily explore.

You can join a yoga class at the beautiful location of Flowers & Fire, or treat yourself to a massage at The Slow Spa. In the sea, you’ll spot swings in the water at various locations where you can cool off and snap a fun photo. Gili Lumbung Beach Club is a super cozy place to relax by the water, often bustling with activity during sunset, where you can enjoy live music. At the end of this article, you’ll find a list of my favorite restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food during your visit to Gili Air.

Note: The first boats from Gili Trawangan leave around 9:30 AM, and you should take the last boat back no later than 4:00 PM, but always check the current times at the harbor. Keep your entrance ticket you received upon arrival at Gili Trawangan safe, as it’s valid when you return.

What NOT to Do on the Gili Islands

On the Gili Islands, you’ll see many donkeys and horses used for transporting tourists and carrying heavy luggage and building materials. Unfortunately, these donkeys and horses are often not well cared for and even mistreated. When they are put to work, they have to carry much more than they can manage, and when they are ‘resting,’ they are tied to a high branch, preventing them from lowering their heads. This is done so they don’t kick when they’re hitched back to the cart, as kicking is their way of resisting the heavy load. Therefore, never use donkeys or horses on the Gili Islands. Hopefully, we can change this together because once the locals realize that tourists no longer accept this, it should stop quickly. If you’re on the other side of the island, consider renting a boat or a bike to reach your accommodation with your luggage.

Restaurant Recommendations on Gili Trawangan

• Casa Vintage Beach – A lovely beachfront spot offering delicious Jamaican dishes.
• Taste – A cozy little place serving a mix of international and local dishes. Great for a tasty breakfast.
• La Cala Beach Club – A stylish beachfront restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
• Jiggy Beach Club – A beautiful beach club with international dishes and a nice pool.
• Bliss Casa – A fun spot with healthy vegetarian and vegan Indonesian tapas and good music.
• Coco Cafe & Ice Cream – Delicious breakfasts, banana bread, and great coffee. Head upstairs for a peaceful atmosphere.
• Coffee & Thyme Gili Trawangan – A great coffee shop with a nice menu. A good spot to head to for breakfast.
• Francesco’s Pizza – As the name suggests, it’s the delicious pizzas that bring you here.

Restaurant Recommendations on Gili Air

• Pituq Café – At this cafe, you can order the tastiest vegetarian and vegan dishes while overlooking the sea.
• Radiant Beach Gym and Fitness – A beach gym where you can also enjoy delicious food and drinks.
• Gili Bliss Gili Air – A charming restaurant with vegan and vegetarian dishes full of vitamins.
• Mama Pizza Gili Air – For the best pizzas on the island.
• Barefoot Blondie – Great coffee, smoothies, bagels, and other healthy munchies.
• Kopi Susu Gili Air – A beautiful coffee shop with some tasty snacks.
• JUJU Zero Waste Store & Vegan Cafe – From smoothie bowls to sandwiches, with a lovely little store included.

Restaurant Recommendations on Gili Meno

• Jizzy Warung – Indonesian food at low prices, served by very friendly staff.
• Bask Beach Club and Restaurant – A luxurious beach club to hang out all day on the comfortable loungers or in the giant pool.
• Tip of the Tongue Warung – A great local spot where you must try the freshly caught fish.

Which Gili Island is the Best Base?

If you ask us, Gili Trawangan is the best base for a visit to the Gili Islands. There’s the most to do here, and you’ll find the largest selection of cafes, restaurants, and accommodations. The west side is wonderfully quiet with nice places to stay, while the east side has more restaurants and bars among the accommodations. You can easily get around the island by bike. Gili Air and Gili Meno are also very beautiful but offer less in terms of activities and can easily be visited as a day trip. If you’re purely looking for relaxation and not so much for activities or socializing, Gili Air or Gili Meno might also be great for you.

Our Favorite Spots on the Gili Islands

The best places on the Gili Islands are often fully booked months in advance, so it’s advisable to arrange your stay in good time, especially during the high season between June and September. Below you’ll find our recommendations for the best accommodations on the Gili Islands.

Gili Trawangan

For a cozy stay, you can’t go wrong with Mango Tree House. There’s a courtyard where the staff plays music in the evenings, and travelers gather for a fun night. The people who work here are incredibly friendly, making it the perfect place to meet other travelers. You’ll stay in a comfortable double room with air conditioning. For more luxury, Gili Tenda is perfect. Here, you can enjoy a large pool under the palm trees while lounging on a comfortable sunbed. You’ll sleep in a luxury ‘tent’ featuring air conditioning, an outdoor modern bathroom, and a king-size bed. At PinkCoco Gili Trawangan, you can also expect a fantastic stay. This hotel is entirely painted pink, and great attention has been given to the decor. It’s located right on the beach, features a large pool, and has a lovely atmosphere. The staff is also super friendly and attentive, and nothing is too much trouble for them.

Mango Tree House More Information

Gili Tenda More Information

PinkCoco Gili Trawangan More Information

Gili Meno

If you’re staying on Gili Meno, Les Villas Ottalia Gili Meno is a wonderful place to spend your days. There are bungalows in various price ranges, some even featuring a private pool! The only downside is that it’s not located on the beach, but there is a large pool with nice sun loungers. Ora Villas Gili Meno is a similar accommodation but is located right on the beach. It’s on the right side of the island to spot turtles, so make sure to jump into the sea frequently to see if you can catch a glimpse of them. You’ll stay in a villa with a private pool, but there is also a large communal pool overlooking the beach.

Les Villas Ottalia Gili Meno More Information

Ora Villas Gili Meno More Information

Gili Air

Mowies Gili Air is definitely one of the best accommodations on Gili Air. The first thing you’ll want to do when you wake up is take a dip in the sea since it’s located right on a pristine white beach with crystal-clear blue water. There are loungers on the beach reserved for guests, so you can easily spend hours relaxing there. Plus, you won’t have to leave the property for great food, as the restaurant serves delicious dishes. There are bungalows and villas in all shapes and sizes, so choose one that fits your budget and preferences. A more affordable option is to stay at Gili Air Bungalows. The bungalows are equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator, a cozy king-size bed, and an outdoor shower. There’s also a nice pool with comfortable loungers here.

 

Mowies Gili Air More Information

Gili Air Bungalows More Information