The Gili Islands are three small islands northwest of Lombok, which rise just a few meters out of the turquoise blue sea. They are surrounded by bright sandy beaches, a fantastic underwater world, tall coconut trees and cozy cafés and bars. It is particularly fascinating that each of the three Gili Islands has its very own charm, meaning that there is the perfect Gili Island for every holidaymaker.
Gili Meno is the quietest of the Gili Islands. Here you'll find secluded beaches and fantastic spots for snorkeling. From here you have a wonderful view of the neighboring islands and can really get away from the hustle and bustle. This island captivated us immediately upon arrival. Few people, few hotels and simply surrounded by beautiful beaches, sea and nature. There isn't much going on, no loud music or a lot of hustle and bustle. This is the right place for you if you love listening to the sound of the sea and enjoy the silence.
A special highlight here are the underwater sculptures, which you can explore from Gili Meno. Several sculptures form an underwater work of art that you can snorkel to from the beach. However, you should go to the beach really early for your visit, or rather around the afternoon, as this attraction is included in every snorkeling boat tour on the Gili Islands and tourists are brought here en masse on boats. We also saw some colorful fish, starfish and even turtles on our snorkeling trip here.
The Northern Beaches of Gili Meno offer numerous secluded sections where you can enjoy the beach all to yourself. If you're looking for some comfort, you can relax in one of the beach bars, enjoy a refreshing coconut and use the sun loungers provided while exploring the breathtaking underwater world with your snorkel. Along this coast, we not only discovered many fascinating turtles, but also an amazing variety of colorful corals that are rarely found at other snorkeling spots on Gili Meno.
The Turtle Breeding Center is located in the Southeast of Gili Meno, where you can watch young turtles in various water basins. The main task of the breeding station is probably to collect turtle eggs for protection, raise the animals safely and then release them into the freedom of the sea. Although the complex may seem a bit simple, it serves its purpose in view of the many sea turtles in the surrounding water.
A few coffees right on the beach provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable sunset on Gili Meno. While the sky is bathed in red colors and the sun slowly disappears behind the neighboring island of Gili Trawangan, you can enjoy a wonderful view of Mount Agung — the Breathtaking Volcano of Bali!
Gilli Air is the smallest of the Gili Islands, it is a successful mix of Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. If you are planning a slightly longer vacation in which you want a mix of peace and beautiful bars and restaurants, then you are in good hands here. Gili Air was simply the perfect mix for us.
Since the island is so small, it is great to walk around it and discover the various corners. In the morning, when it isn't so hot yet, walking barefoot on the beach past all the sweet restaurants and coffees, was simply balm for the soul.
The Underwater World is also simply amazing on this island. The most colorful fish and other sea creatures swim just a few meters from the beach. The Coral Beds provide an ideal habitat and a breathtaking backdrop for marine life. If you don't have your own mask and snorkel with you, you can also rent snorkeling equipment right on the beach for 70,000 rupiah a day. And it's worth it! The Lively Fish Go Their Tracks, Sea Urchins Hide in the Narrow Crevices and with a Bit of Luck, You Can Even Watch a Majestic Sea Turtle Gliding Calmly Through the Water.
In the very west of the island, you'll meet one of the most famous sights: the Gili Air Water Swing. Similar to the Statue of Liberty for New York and the Brandenburg Gate for Berlin, the water swing is a landmark on the island. Located just a few inches above the water, it offers the perfect subject for impressive photos to make family and friends at home envious. However, it is only recommended to pass by at high tide, as at low tide the sea recedes far at this point and the swing is in the brown mud interspersed with algae instead of in the blue ocean.
Lumbung Beach Club is right next to the water swing. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset with a refreshing drink. Soft chillout sounds accompany the spectacular view and impressively highlight the beauty of Indonesia.
Gili Trwangan is the largest and wildest of the Gili Islands. There are plenty of bars and clubs here that turn night into day. If you're looking for new contacts and other travelers, then you should definitely spend a few days here. On this island too, however, you can also enjoy peace, beaches and nature, especially in the North.
Our favorite place to relax is Turtle Point in the East of the Island. Walk a bit north of the main road, past the boats. There you can expect a wonderful view and a wide selection of bean bags, which are perfect for a relaxing day with a cold coconut in your hand.
PS: From here, you can also be lucky enough to spot turtles while snorkeling.
If you're on a budget, the night market is the best place to have dinner. It is open every evening and offers affordable seafood, skewers and traditional Indonesian dishes. Sit at one of the benches on the beach next to the market and get to know other travelers and locals.
Be sure to make your way to the viewpoint on Gili Trawangan to get a different perspective of the island. It's just a 15-minute hike through lush greenery and you'll be rewarded with amazing ocean views. The best time of day to visit is sunrise or sunset, when the sky is colored with vivid colors.
With the size of the island, exploring the island by bike definitely makes sense to get around quickly. In many places, you can rent a bike for little money. You can go around the island (with some sections in the north where you have to push your bike through the sand) or through the middle, where you'll pass cows and goats under coconut trees.
PS: The Roads in the Middle of the Island can be pretty bumpy, as you'll mostly drive over unpaved terrain and rocks (and through big puddles when it's the rainy season).
Gili Trawangan is famous among backpackers for its nightlife. Every evening, you can enjoy drink specials and live music at one of the bars on the island. Start your evening on the West Side, where you can enjoy an epic sunset with live music and a campfire. Then head to the East Side, known for its party scene, where you'll find shots for 15,000 IDR ($1), 2-for-1 cocktails, and crowded dance floors with music for every taste. Every night, at least one bar will be open until after midnight, guaranteed to be busy.
Gili Air liked it best for a slightly longer stay, as the combination of peace and beautiful bars and restaurants right on the beach was simply perfect for us. But we would also spend a few days on Gili Meno again at any time, especially if you are in the mood for snorkeling adventures, but after a certain period of time, you can get a bit lonely. Gili Trawangan was just a bit too loud and full for our taste. Here we had the feeling that party tourism had destroyed the island's charm a bit, but this is definitely a dream for party lovers.
Lifestyle and trash: On all Gili Islands, it was sometimes frightening to see how the locals live on this island. Nice accommodation on the beaches and in the middle of the islands, lots of rubbish and dilapidated houses. It was also very dirty on certain sections of the beach.
Muslim songs: In addition, you should be aware that the Gili Islands are Muslim and you will hear Muslim singing from time to time.
Horse-drawn carriages: Since there is no car traffic on the Gili Islands, horses and carriages are mostly used as means of transportation. When the locals use it to transport their belongings, that's one thing, when lazy tourists use the sometimes very skinny horses with their heavy luggage, it's a really terrible thing and really hurt our hearts as animal lovers.
Transportation: Small boats regularly travel back and forth from each of the Gili Islands, which are also the perfect way to make a day trip to the other islands.
