Discover Gili Islands: Highlights & Adventure Tips
The Gili Islands are a group of islands consisting of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These islands are often associated with Bali but actually belong to Lombok. This is clearly reflected in the culture and religion: while Bali is predominantly Hindu, the Gili Islands are Muslim. A second special feature is that apart from boats, there are no motorized vehicles on the islands. This means you are completely self sufficient without cars or scooters.
Each island has its own character. Gili Trawangan is the largest and most touristy island with many parties and bars. Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest island with about 400 inhabitants and Gili Air lies somewhere in between. Since we unfortunately did not have time for all three islands, we chose to stay on Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. We were particularly looking forward to the Gili Islands because we had seen many pictures of paradisiacal dream beaches beforehand. Our disappointment was all the greater when we arrived on Gili Trawangan.
The Untold Truth
Arriving on Gili Trawangan, we unfortunately experienced a reality shock. Since there are no motorized vehicles, animals, especially horses, are used for transport and other tourist activities. Under very poor conditions, the often emaciated animals have to transport the heavy luggage of tourists. At the same time, the cracks of whips can be heard from many meters away, which makes the situation even more depressing. We are not moralists, but we did not want to support the whole thing and therefore walked for about half an hour in over 30 degrees to our accommodation, the Belukar Villa.
Especially on the way there, we could experience firsthand the effects of mass tourism, lack of infrastructure, and poor waste separation. Undeveloped spots looked more like huge trash dumps full of plastic, it smells unpleasant, and the surroundings felt dirty and unfriendly. Furthermore, the so called dream beaches are often just a graveyard for dead, colorless corals. Without water shoes, you can only get into the water with a lot of pain.
In addition, we were particularly disappointed by the behavior of many tourists who treat nature disrespectfully and simply leave their trash behind. Overall, we perceived Gili T as a cheap party island where many tourists come to celebrate, visit bars, and enjoy the nightlife. We would not visit Gili Trawangan again and would rather use our time differently
All the more, we were looking forward to our stay on the much quieter island of Gili Meno. While similar issues exist here as on Gili Trawangan, the island is far less crowded and much more relaxed overall. We can highly recommend staying on the west side of the island at Le Pirate, as it’s much calmer and more beautiful than the rest of the island. We found the beaches on Gili Meno far more beautiful overall, even though they are really only accessible at high tide, and there are still a few scattered dirty spots. Fortunately, while snorkeling, we had the chance to see a few sea turtles, which made the experience even more memorable.
What to do on the Gili Islands?
On the Gili Islands, you can enjoy true island life. Each island offers different activities depending on its size and atmosphere, which we have summarized here for you. You can fully embrace the tranquility and explore the surroundings completely without the noise of engines.
Things to do on Gili T
Things to do on Gili M
Restaurants on Gili T & Gili M
We can recommend the following restaurants on Gili Trawangan:
There is not quite as much choice on Gili Meno. The few restaurants are mainly located in the north and west of the island. We usually had breakfast and lunch directly at our hotel while we almost always went for a walk in the evening to try something else:
Where to Stay on the Gilis?
Our stay on Gili T
On Gili Trawangan we stayed at the Belukar Villa. At around 38 euros per night and person the accommodation is in the middle price range. The rooms are relatively large and nicely furnished. Also there is a huge communal pool and an on site restaurant. The only downside is the distance to the harbor which takes about 30 minutes to walk. If you have heavy luggage and want to avoid the horse carriages the location is therefore not ideal. In return it is much quieter and you are very close to the beaches in the west. Also you can rent bicycles directly at the accommodation which makes getting around the island much easier.
Unfortunately there were a few minor issues during our stay. For example there were delays in the organization of our snorkeling tour and once the wrong food was served in the restaurant. In both cases the hosts were very helpful in finding a solution and were very accommodating.
Since there are many accommodations on Gili T you should think about what is important to you beforehand. Near the harbor on the east side are most of the bars and restaurants though it can get a bit louder there in the evening. The same applies to the west coast but at least you have the sunset right outside your door there. The north and south of the island are rather quiet but the paths to the harbor are the longest from there.
budget-friendly $
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Our stay on Gili M
On Gili Meno, we stayed at the Le Pirate Hotel. For about 20 euros per night and person, it is a truly affordable option. The small bungalows consist of a bedroom with an outdoor bathroom. There is also a large communal pool, a restaurant, and a small beach area with loungers and a bar at the beach. The accommodation is kept rather simple but convinces with its location in the west of the island. You have a perfect view of the sunset and the price is unbeatable. Also, the beach is right outside your door.
To get to the island, we simply talked to a local fisherman on the beach of Gili Trawangan. He took us directly to the beach of Le Pirate on his boat for about 5 euros. Since the small bungalows are very popular and often booked out long in advance, we have selected a few other accommodations for you below.
Besides the Le Pirate Hotel, you will find several other places to stay on Gili Meno for any budget. Especially in the west of the island, where the sunsets are beautiful, there are many small hotels, bungalows, and guesthouses. The choice on the island is manageable, but there is something for every taste, often even with a private pool or direct beach access.
budget-friendly $
mid-range $$
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How to get there & around
To get from Sanur to the Gili Islands, we first took a Grab taxi to the harbor in Padang Bai. The ride takes about one to one and a half hours depending on traffic, so you should plan enough time. At the harbor, you will find various providers. Depending on whether you choose a speedboat or a regular ferry, the crossing takes about one and a half to three hours.
We chose a speedboat from Wijaya Buyuk and booked the tickets online in advance via 12go. The tickets cost between 17 and 30 euros per person. The crossing was pleasant and quite fast. It is pretty hectic right at the harbor. Even if you booked your tickets online, you have to pick them up at the counter of your provider on site. Therefore, you should plan for some extra buffer time. On the boats themselves, there are drinks for sale during the crossing. Depending on whether you get a seat in the cabin or on the deck, you should definitely remember your sunscreen.
There are also direct ferries from Sanur, but they take much longer. Going via the harbor in Padang Bai is usually faster and easier. For more tips on our route, feel free to check out our post about the Bali round trip.