The Gili Islands Travel Guide
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Lombok or Bali for a few days, look no further than the Gili Islands. The Gili Islands are a trio of islets that lie off the West coast of Lombok. I’ve rounded up a 2-day itinerary for your perfect adventure in the Gilis, listed the must visit food places and b. Gear up and embark with me on an adventure full of white sandy beaches, crystal waters, and amazing underwater treasures. Let’s go!
The 3 Gili Islands: Which one should I visit?
The Gili Islands, comprised of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, offer unique experiences within a short boat ride of each other. Each island has its own distinct charm, making it an exciting choice for travelers. Let's explore the pros of each island so you can decide which one suits your preferences best.
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, the most popular of the three, has a lot to offer. Here are some of the island's highlights:
Diverse Accommodations: Gili Trawangan caters to all types of travelers, from budget-conscious backpackers to those seeking luxury villas.
Beachfront Dining: Enjoy beachfront restaurants where you can savor fresh seafood and a variety of cuisines.
Lively Nightlife: The island boasts vibrant nightlife, perfect for those who love to party.
Activities and Facilities: Gili Trawangan is the most developed with a wide range of facilities and activities.
Recommended Food Places:
Night Market for delicious, fresh seafood.
Jali Kitchen for Asian fusion and Western dishes.
Kayu Cafe for the best healthy food options and good coffee
Helocapitano Lifestyle cafe for the best smoothie bowls
The Banyan Tree for amazing healthy western food options
Pink Coco for the best sunset drinks
Recommended Hotels:
Ombak Sunset: This beachfront resort is known for its stunning sunset views and comfortable, spacious rooms. It's a great place to relax and unwind. The resort offers a variety of room options, from garden bungalows to ocean view suites. With an on-site spa, beachfront restaurant, and a beautiful pool, Ombak Sunset provides a luxurious and tranquil experience.
Pearl of Trawangan: If you're looking for a boutique-style resort with a touch of luxury, Pearl of Trawangan is an excellent choice. The resort features beautifully designed rooms and villas, a lovely pool area, and a restaurant with a diverse menu. It's located in a quieter part of the island, offering a peaceful retreat while still being close to the action.
Ponte Villas: Ponte Villas is a boutique hotel that offers modern, well-appointed rooms and villas. With a chic and stylish design, it provides a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The property boasts a beautiful pool, a restaurant serving a variety of cuisines, and a convenient location on the island.
These recommended hotels and resorts offer a range of options to cater to different preferences and budgets. Whether you're seeking a beachfront paradise, a boutique experience, or a stylish and comfortable stay, you can find the perfect accommodation for your Gili Trawangan visit. Be sure to check availability and book in advance, especially during busy travel seasons.
Gili Meno & Gili Air
Gili Meno and Gili Air are known to be more of a quiet escape. Both are popular amongst travellers who don’t seek the party life and honeymooners for their romantic suites, tranquil vibes, and underwater wonders.
Gili Meno:
Tranquil Vibes: Enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Romantic Suites: Ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Underwater Wonders: Explore the beautiful underwater world while snorkeling or diving.
Gili Air:
Relaxing Environment: Gili Air offers a laid-back atmosphere.
Snorkeling and Diving: Discover vibrant corals, fish, and the chance to encounter large schools of turtles.
A Balance of Peace and Activities: Experience a blend of relaxation and fun.
Recommended Food Places:
Night Market for delicious, fresh seafood.
Jali Kitchen for Asian fusion and Western dishes.
Kayu Cafe for the best healthy food options and good coffee
Helocapitano Lifestyle cafe for the best smoothie bowls
The Banyan Tree for amazing healthy western food options
Pink Coco for the best sunset drinks
Recommended Hotels:
Gili Air:
The Koho Air Hotel: This beautiful serene hotel is extremely high rated by it’s guests and offers clean and spacious rooms for an affordable price.
PinkCoco Gili Air: A stylish and colorful boutique hotel with comfortable rooms and a beachfront location. The hotel has a welcoming pool and an excellent restaurant.
Manta Dive Gili Air Resort: Ideal for divers and snorkelers, this resort provides easy access to underwater adventures. The rooms are comfortable, and the resort offers dive packages and lessons.
Gili Meno:
Meno Dream Resort: A beachfront resort offering a range of comfortable accommodations. The resort is known for its friendly staff, peaceful location, and easy access to snorkeling spots.
Meno House - Adults only: Exceptional location, clean rooms, adults only and extremely highly rated on booking.com. What else do you want?
Mahamaya Gili Meno: This upscale boutique resort offers beautifully designed beachfront bungalows and a fantastic restaurant. It's a romantic destination with a serene atmosphere.
To make it easier I wrote this itinerary based on your visit to Gili Trawangan. Please note that if you are visiting the other islands your travel route and itinerary will be almost identical.
How to get to Gili Trawangan?
Your journey will begin on a scenic boat ride. I’ve rounded up the best way to travel from Bali and Lombok.
From Bali
The Gili Islands are approximately a 2-hour fast boat ride away from Bali. There are also slow boats making stops at every Gili Island, for a cheaper price. But for a faster journey to Gili Trawangan, I recommend spending the extra bucks to get on a direct fast boat ride.
Two of the most popular routes visitors from Bali embark on are from the Padang Bai, conveniently located for those in Ubud and its surroundings or from Serangan for those located in the Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu areas.
The boat ride will take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Gili Trawangan. The fast boat companies I recommend for this journey are Gili Getaway, Wahana Virendra, or Gili Gili Fastboat one-way ticket prices ranging from approximately 255,000-790,000 IDR (€15 to €48/US$16 to USD$50).
It’s recommended to purchase your fast boat tickets in advance. My go-to site is 12GO, so make sure to visit their page for up-to-date information on prices, fast boat companies, schedules, and reviews.
My last tip is to book the earliest boat ride to arrive at Gili Trawangan before noon to have ample time to explore the rest of the day.
From Lombok
If you are coming in from Lombok, you are conveniently located only 20 minutes away from Gili Trawangan.
You can embark on public ferries from Bangsal for approximately 10,000-20,000 IDR (less than €2/US$2). Alternatively, you can go on a shared shuttle boat ranging from 85,000-150,000 IDR (€6-10/US$6-10). Your last and most expensive option is to hire a private boat for approximately 350,000-500,000 IDR (€22-31/US$23-32).
2-Day Itinerary in the Gili Islands
Welcome to Gili Trawangan! I’m excited to share with you all my recommendations for your little getaway. We only have two days so let’s get to exploring!
Day 1 – Arriving at Gili Trawangan
Taking the earliest boat will ensure that you are all checked in at your accommodation before noon and have time to start exploring straight away.
A little fun fact for you: gili means “small island”, but how small are we talking? Well, Gili Trawangan is only 6km2and you can stroll around the island in under 3 hours.
You may have also noticed that there are no motorbikes on the island which is a nice break from the busy streets of Bali or Lombok. To explore the island, you can either rent a bicycle or go on foot. You can easily rent bicycles at your accommodation or on every street corner.
How to spend your day at Gili Trawangan
After checking in and settling in your accommodation, rent a bike or walk around to explore Gili Trawangan’s many shops, white sand beaches, and delicious local and international eateries. Like I said before, the island is not extremely big. Most of the ‘hot spots’ can be found around the harbour area.
How to spend the night at Gili Trawangan
End the afternoon at ‘turtle beach or turtle point’ ask your local restaurant or accomodation where you can find turtles swimming during the afternoon and they will point you intro the right direction! Enjoy an amazing afternoon swimming with turtles.
After this go to sunset Beach for a breathtaking and vibrant sunset and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the island while sipping coconuts or your favourite tropical drink.
For dinner, I recommend going to the Night Market and trying the delicious and fresh seafood by the beach. This is a good destination to try local flavours and a variety of other local delicacies. Visit local warungs such as Warung Jaman Now or Warung Suci to try delicious curries and other cheap eats.
Don’t worry, if you’re craving international cuisines, there are plenty of delicious eateries throughout the island such as Jali Kitchen for Asian fusion and Western dishes, or My House for Italian goodness.
After this good food, the party people amongst us can prepare for a party night. Gili Trawangan, known for its lively nightlife, offers several party cafes and bars where you can enjoy great drinks, music, and a vibrant atmosphere. Here are some popular party cafes and bars on Gili Trawangan:
Sama Sama Reggae Bar: This iconic reggae bar is known for its laid-back atmosphere, live music, and excellent cocktails. It's a great place to chill and enjoy reggae tunes.
Evolution Bar: Evolution is famous for its full moon parties and beachside location. It's a go-to spot for dancing under the stars and enjoying fire shows.
Blue Marlin Bar: Located at the Blue Marlin Dive Resort, this bar is perfect for those who want to enjoy drinks, dancing, and live DJs. They often host themed parties and events.
Tir Na Nog Irish Bar: If you're in the mood for a lively Irish pub, Tir Na Nog is the place to be. It has a good selection of beers and a friendly atmosphere.
Ombak Sunset: This beachfront bar is known for its spectacular sunset views and live music. It's a great place to relax with a cocktail and enjoy the beach ambiance.
Horizontal Lounge: A popular spot for sunset sessions, Horizontal Lounge offers chill vibes, comfy bean bags, and a great view of the ocean. They often have live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Please note that the nightlife scene on Gili Trawangan may change, so it's a good idea to ask locals or fellow travelers for the latest recommendations during your visit.
Day 2 – Exploring the Underwater Wonders & Going Home
Gear up! We’re exploring the underwater wonders at Gili Meno and Gili Air.
Snorkelling/Diving Tour
Start the day early for a snorkelling or diving day tour. Pack your snorkelling/diving equipment if you have your own or you rent with your tour company. You can book your snorkelling tour at every street corner. Most of the tour operators bring you to the same spots and the prices don’t differ that much! You can expect tour prices to range from 150,000-350,000 IDR (€10-22/US$10-23).
You’ll embark on a boat and go island hopping to the other two Gilis. The Gili Islands are widely known for their crystal-clear waters, allowing you to see the vibrant coral reefs, fishes, and other beautiful sea creatures. Mesmerising!
One of your destinations will be the famous Gili Meno Statues. These statues are a project by renowned underwater sculptor and photographer Jason deCaires.
What I find beautiful about this project, is its environmental efforts. As our ecosystems are affected by climate change and other human impacts, these statues are saving marine biodiversity from decay by providing a new home for new corals to flourish.
Your next destination will be Gili Air. Here you’ll find more corals, more fishes and a bonus encounter with large schools of turtles as well if you’re lucky.
Overall, you’ll be so captivated by the colourful fishes, cute turtles, and vibrant corals that you won’t realize that you’ve spent hours underwater. Something about this experience that is so relaxing and enchanting.
Heading Back to Gili Trawangan to Head Home
Your tour has come to an end and the boat will take you back to Gili Trawangan.
Head back to your accommodation to grab your belongings and head back to the port to bid farewell to the Gili Islands.
Catch the afternoon ride back to Bali or Lombok and reminisce about the unforgettable trip you’ve just experienced on your way home.
Goodbye for now!
Sounds like a getaway you’d like to experience? The Gili Islands are waiting for you!
I hope you found this guide useful to see all the activities and beautiful gems that the Gili Islands have to offer in just two days.
If you’re looking for another getaway destination, read my guide on Nusa Penida here.
For more tips for your Gili Islands trip, keep reading below.
Tips for your Gili Islands Trip
I’ve rounded up for you some tips that could be useful to prepare before your trip and ensure a smooth and safe experience.
Travel Insurance
Never underestimate the importance of good travel insurance. It’s your safety net, quite literally! Before heading to the Gili Islands, ensure that you have your insurance prepared in case of any unforeseen events. My go-to travel insurance is Safety Wing, perfect for any type of trip.
Travel Card
My go-to card as a traveller. Keep multiple currencies in one account with a low upfront conversion fee. Learn more about it here.
Packing Light
I highly recommend packing light. Avoid bringing carry-ons with wheels are there may not be enough space on the boat and carrying it to the harbour may be a hassle.
Bringing a backpack will be the most effective way to travel. This is my favourite waterproof bag that I carry with me everywhere.
eSIM CARD
Staying connected is quite essential for using maps, ordering rides, and everyday communication.
I highly recommend pre-purchasing an eSIM card from Holafly before your trip for a hassle-free process. Learn more about it here and enjoy a 5% discount.
What else should I pack?
Lightweight, breathable clothing
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Toiletries
Motion sickness medicine (!)
Personal snorkelling or diving equipment if you prefer to have your own
Underwater cameras to catch the underwater treasures during your snorkelling/diving experience
Boat Tickets
While you can purchase your fast boat tickets at the harbour, I highly recommend purchasing them ahead of time. My go-to site is 12Go for up-to-date information on prices, fast boat companies, schedules, and reviews.
Tickets are only one-way so be sure to purchase your return ticket as well.
The Hospitality
The locals are super friendly! Don’t be afraid to make new connections with locals about their favourite places. You’ll instantly feel their warm hospitality.
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links! If you purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. As always, thanks for the support!
