The Gili Islands are a group of three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. Each island has its own unique charm and this Gili Island article will focus on the uniqueness of each.
Given that you are reading this, we will assume that you have recently decided on visiting the Gili Islands but are struggling to settle on which Gili Island is the best choice for you.
Well, look no further as we have all the information you need to make that decision with confidence.
This Gili Islands article describes what to expect from each island so you can make an informed decision, while still having the opportunity to experience all three of the Gili Islands.
Sound good? Before we get to which Gili island is the best and what each island offers, let’s find out how to get to the Gili Islands shall we.
How Do I Get to The Gili Islands From Bali?
The Gili Islands are located off the northwest coast of Lombok, and the most common way to reach the Gili Islands from Bali is by taking a combination of land and sea transport.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get to the Gili Islands:
Getting to the Gili Islands: Travel from Padang Bai:
- By Car/Bus: If you’re in southern Bali (e.g., Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud), you can hire a taxi or catch a Grab to reach Padang Bai, which is a port town on the east coast of Bali.
- Alternatively Sanur port is a departure option (albeit less popular). Nonetheless, make sure to read the fine print of your booking carefully to prevent you from travelling to the incorrect port.
Getting to the Gili Islands: Direct Fast Boat Services:
- Fast Boat from Bali to Gili Islands: Numerous fast boat companies operate between Bali and the Gili Islands. Fast boats offer a quicker, more comfortable journey of 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- The price for this journey can vary drastically depending on the operator, the same journey can cost you $11 or $26 so keep an eye out for the best deal.
- Tickets for the Direct Fast Boat can be booked online on 12go. This service can be booked out early, especially in peak season, so it is advisable to book your tickets in advance.
Alternatively, you can book your one-way speed boat transfer.
An Alternative Route of Getting to the Gili Islands: Bali to Lombok
Did you know that the Gili Islands are part of the Lombok regency? Lombok is a less crowded island compared to Bali but just as beautiful. Before you head straight for the paradise islands of the Gilis why not incorporate a visit to Lombok for an an off-the-beaten-track addition to your Indonesia holiday?
Here’s how to get to Lombok from Bali and then visit the Gili Islands from Lombok:
- Ferry or Fast Boat to Lombok:
- Speedboat: There are numerous operators transferring passengers daily from Bali to Bangsal in Lombok. Tickets can once be purchased from 12go and prices range from $12 per person depending on your departure location in Bali.
- Continue to Gili Islands:
- From Lombok: From the northwest coast of Lombok (Bangsal or Teluk Nare), you can take a local boat or speedboat to the Gili Islands. The boat ride from Lombok to the Gilis typically takes around 15-30 minutes.
*It’s essential to check the schedules and book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel times. Weather conditions can affect boat services, so it’s advisable to be flexible with your travel plans.
For an even greater Indonesian adventure check out our Bali/Lombok/Gilis itinerary for your ultimate Indonesia experience.
Now that we have found how to get to the Gili Islands, let’s find out what each Gili island has to offer.
What are the Main Differences Between the Gili Islands?
Let’s be honest, each of the Gili islands are a paradise in it’s own unique way. There are many overlaps in what each island offers and there are Gili Island day trips from each island to another, so, really you can’t go too wrong in this decision.
We visited and stayed on each individual Gili island during our Indonesia trip so we could get a feel for each place and we will explain our preferences and reasons for this choice with a fairy-tale comparison at the end.
Ultimately, deciding which Gili Island is the best for you depends on your preferences and what you’re looking for in an Indonesia holiday. However, we are here to help with that after all so below are some factors to consider when determining which Gili Island is the best.
Which Gili Island is the Best: Gili Trawangan
Lively Atmosphere: Known as the party island, Gili Trawangan offers a lively atmosphere with a greater range of bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Greater choice of Accommodation: You will have a lot more accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury resorts.
Authentic Local Cuisine: Gili Trawangan offers local street food stalls and even a night food market. This food market offers budget-friendly prices, as well as a cultural experience, allowing visitors to interact with locals and immerse themselves in the island’s atmosphere.
Outdoor Cinema: Many beachfront resorts offer nightly screening of popular movies. The cinema allows visitors to watch movies under the open sky, creating a magical and relaxed atmosphere.
Extensive Choice of Live Music – As you walk passed the bars and restaurants in Gili Trawangan you will hear an array of different genres and styles of live music and you are sure to find a match that suits your preference.
Viewpoints: Given that Gili Trawangan is the largest of the islands, there is more of it to walk. It is 8km to walk around the island’s coastline. Don’t forget to wander inland to discover some amazing viewpoints of the neighbouring islands whilst passing through some of the local villages along the way.
Water Activities (Diving): Popular for snorkeling, diving, and water sports. Explore popular dive sites like Shark Point and Halik Reef.
You can book your snorkelling day tour and your sunset snorkelling tour.
Which Gili Island is the Best: Gili Meno
Secluded and Tranquil: Gili Meno is the quietest and most peaceful of the three islands, making it ideal for couples seeking a relaxing getaway.
Romantic Setting: Known for its romantic feel, it’s a popular choice for honeymooners – often referred to as “Honeymoon Island”.
Snorkelling: Among the Gili Islands, Gili Meno is often considered the best for snorkeling. The more peaceful and less crowded atmosphere enhances the overall snorkeling experience, making it feel like a hidden paradise. It is here you can swim 50 metres from the beach and explore the famous Under Water Statues at your own luxury.
Turtle Conservation: Visit turtle hatcheries and learn about conservation efforts.
Accommodation: Gili Meno still has all the range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly homestays to beach front luxury resorts, however a lot less choice than the other two Gili islands. Needless to say, with less choice comes a higher price range. It is a good idea to book in advance if there is a particular accommodation of interest, especially during peak season.
Everything within walking distance: The approximate distance to walk around the entire coastline of Gili Meno is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). This makes it easy to explore its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and scenic landscapes on foot – we are happy Irish WANDERERS after all!
Which Gili Island is the Best: Gili Air
Balanced Atmosphere: Gili Air strikes a balance between the liveliness of Gili Trawangan and the tranquility of Gili Meno.
Snorkeling and Diving: Offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities with vibrant coral reefs.
Cultural Activities: Some cultural activities are available, such as traditional dance, cooking classes and workshops, providing a more authentic experience compared to the busier Gili Trawangan.
Family Friendly: We definitely noticed more families with young children on Gili Air. Given its more calm, laid-back feel we can understand why families would choose this island option.
Accommodation: Gili Air still has all the range of accommodation options, from buget-friendly options to beach front luxury resorts, however not as an extensive choice as Gili Trawangan.
Outdoor Cinema: Some establishments offer nightly screening of popular movies. Guests often have the option to lounge on bean bags or other comfortable seating arrangements while enjoying the movie under the stars.
Yoga and Wellness: Although yoga and wellness classes are available on each island, Gili Air is often considered the best among the Gili Islands for yoga classes and retreats.
Everything within walking distance: Similiar to Gili Meno, it is possible to walk around the entirety of the island in 5km (3.1miles), whereas, Gili Trawangan places were just that little further away (8km to walk around the coastline).
Additional Things to Know When Deciding Which Gili Island is the Best
Currency: The official currency on the Gili Islands is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Credit cards are accepted in many places, but we recommend to carry some cash, especially for small shops and local vendors.
ATMs: Gili Trawangan, being the largest and most developed of the Gili Islands, has the most ATMs, often located near the harbour or in central areas with only one on the west coast. Gili Air has four ATMs and Gili Meno has one ATM.
No Motorized Vehicles: Did you know there are no cars on the Gili Islands? Transportation on the islands is mainly by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carts (cidomos).
Diving Schools: The Gili Islands offer excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. However, If you’re not a certified diver, you can find reputable diving schools on the islands offering courses for beginners.
*Please be careful while snorkeling/diving and take precautions as there can be strong currents.
Get A Free Quote – World Nomads Travel Insurance
Eco-Friendly Practices: The Gili Islands are making efforts to be more eco-friendly. Be mindful of your waste, and dispose of it responsibly in designated areas.
Respect Local Culture: While the islands have a laid-back atmosphere, it’s important to respect the local culture and traditions. Dress modestly when visiting local villages and religious sites.
Weather and Seasons: Dry Season: The dry season in Indonesia is generally from May to September, with less rainfall and more favorable weather for outdoor activities. Wet Season: The wet season runs from October to April, with higher chances of rain.
Find out more about Indonesia weather and best time for an Indonesia Holiday
Be aware of potential price increases during peak season, as high demand and limited availability may result in elevated costs for accommodations, flights, and other services.
Health and Safety: Health Facilities: There are clinics on the Gili islands, but for more serious medical issues, you may need to go to Lombok or Bali.
Make sure to read about everything you will need for your Gili Island Holiday so you are feeling prepared.
What are the Similarities of the Gili Islands?
Motorized vehicles are not present on any of the islands, but each offers bicycle rentals and horse-drawn cart (cidomo) rides; all the Gili islands provide picturesque sunset views and opportunities for island hopping.
While all three islands offer snorkeling and diving, Gili Meno stands out for its higher likelihood of encountering turtles.
In our opinion, the main distinction lies in Gili Trawangan’s livelier atmosphere and greater accommodation, bar, and restaurant options compared to the other two islands.
Why not book a Three-Island Snorkelling Trip to discover the beauty of each island.
Are The Gili Islands Worth Visiting?
So are the Gili islands worth visiting? Let’s explain it this way:
Are you familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Well this is exactly how we explain the Gili islands.
Put simply, for us, Gili Trawangan was a little too busy, Gili Meno was a little too quiet and Gili Air was the perfect balance between the two – just right!
We have put together a reel for each individual island and our summary of all three so make sure to check out our socials for more visual information.
Are the Gili Islands worth visiting? Absolutely. It is simply deciding which Gili Island is the best for you, but we honestly don’t think you will be disappointed whichever one you choose.
While your at it while not read our honest review as we answer the question “Is Bali Worth Visiting?”
Ultimately, each Gili Island has its own charm, and the best one for you depends on your personal preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking.
So which Gili Island is the best? This is an extremely personal preference and as we mentioned earlier, we are pretty sure you can’t go wrong. And remember you can always get day trips to visit each island from whichever one you choose to stay on.
Or like us who couldn’t decide which Gili Island is the best, just stay on them all!
We truly hope this article has offered some guidance in deciding which Gili Island is the best for you. Now all that is left to do is enjoy your time on some of the most tropical paradise islands in the world!
We would love to hear your thoughts. Why not let us know which Gili Island is the best for you? Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
Slán go fóil
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links to make a purchase, we will earn a small commission. This is at NO EXTRA COST to you. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring adventure travel guides.
