Gili Air

Gili Air is the nearest Gili to Lombok. It is also the most populated and you will find more trees there than the other Gili’s. The local inhabitants are: Sasak, Mandar, Bugis and Makassar. You can find their unique culture that is different from Lombok and wonderful beaches. Many of the older generation still make their living as boatmen, fisherman and farming coconuts.

There are only a few number of 2 stars hotels (rooms with air conditioning, swimming pool, TV etc) on Gili Air. Most of places to stay are located in south, west and east side of the island. You can find many homestays or budget accommodation on this island. The island remains quiet and relaxing.

Most accommodations are locally owned and managed, while a few of the upmarket hotels own and managed by foreign investors. You can go from one island to another by joining the gili island’s hoping boat (depart twice a day). People here are more friendly than on Gili Trawangan.

Activities
Snorkeling and diving are the highlight of the activities. Snorkeling area are located in the south east (opposite-facing the Lombok Golf Kosaido) and along to the north east). You can just jump into the water to see the colorful fishes and coral reef. In the western part of Gili Air you can’t snorkel off the beaches. When the moon is high (low tide), you can’t swim off the beach. You need to walk to the south or east side.

There are few quality scuba diving operations on all the islands.
While the island is busiest from May through August, the quieter off-season from January to April provides a better opportunity to enjoy all the islet has to offer, with accommodation prices at their lowest level.

To get around the isle, the only means of transport are Cidomos, horse drawn carriages. Bicycle rentals are available too. Expect higher prices for most things there since all food and goods must be brought over from the mainland.

Gili Meno

Gili Meno, the middle island, the smallest of the three Gili’s and it is the quietest with fewer tourists. A great escape for honeymooners or someone who wants to get away from it all.

Special features of the island is the salt lake and spectacular dive sites such as, Meno Wall, Sea Turtle Point, and Blue Coral Point. The beach on eastern part of the island is very nice and there’s snorkeling just offshore and further north.

In the past Meno was known to have lots of mosquitoes but steps have been taken to control it. Still the best time to visit the island is during dry season.

MENO’S BIRD PARK
On the island of Gili Meno, a new tourist attraction introduced by an Australian businessman who live in Bali, with hundreds of various tropical birds from many different rain forests of Indonesia. Bring over your camera to shoot some spectacular moment.
Humidity on Gili Meno is higher than two other Gilis. Equipped yourself with sun protection and mosquito repellent.

Access to Gili Meno from Bangsal Harbour:
Public boat from Bangsal Harbour to gili Meno could be a problem, because passenger list at the ticket counter must reach at least 20 pax, otherwise you must charter the boat. If you meet other travellers, try ask them to share the price of boat charter. Most likely Public Boat goes often to Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. If you have no choice, rather than charter the boat yourself, try stay for a night in Gili Air or Gili Trawangan, then in the next morning take Island Hopping Boat that regularly leaves twice a day daily at around 9 - 10AM and 14:00 - 15:00PM.

Facilities on Gili Meno
Electricity supply is now available on Gili Meno. The electrical voltage in Indonesia is 220 Volt, if you bring any devices which require recharged at lower voltage (110 Volt) bring an electrical voltage converter or ask the hotel where you stay for STAVOLT. Money changers are available in most Tourist Information, but usually give you a lower rate than changing on the mainland of Lombok. Internet rental are available in all the islands. Possible to make int’l phone calls on all islands.

A Health center (PUSKESMAS) is being developed on Gili Meno under funding of contributions from local businesses. Bring along some important medication kits just in case, because there’s no doctor available on the island.

For your own safety, deposit valuable items at the reception where you’re staying at. Carry only small cash and necessary items.

Activities
There are many options for an enjoyable holiday on the islands. You can rent snorkeling equipment, join a diving course, or just snorkeling off-the-shore to see the magnificent coral reefs and fishes.

There are few quality scuba diving operations on all the islands. The blue coral garden around the north east of gili meno can be reached by snorkeling off-the-beach. Turtle point and meno wall located in the north west of Gili Meno and can be reached only by boat. Join any of the boat dive trips available.

While the island is busiest from May through August, the quieter off-season from January to April provides a better opportunity to enjoy all the islet has to offer, with accommodation prices at their lowest level. To get around the isle, the only means of transport are Cidomos, horse drawn carriages. Bicycle rentals are available too. Expect higher prices for most things there since all food and goods must be brought over from the mainland.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, the most popular among the three Gili’s. Just kick back and enjoy the sun, nightly beach parties and sea. The main stripe is full of accommodations, restaurants, and dive shops. If you are seeking a quieter place to stay there are bungalows in the north. This Island is also known as “Party Island”, where mostly young European find themselves “Lost In Paradise”. If you come during the Peak Season (July-August, December-January), most places are full and prices are doubled. An advanced reservation is a must.

With spectacular sunrises over Lombok’s Mount Rinjani volcano and breathtaking sunsets that illuminate Bali’s towering Mount Agung volcano, together with warm hospitality of the Gili Trawangan residents, it’s not surprising that most visitors end up staying longer than originally plan.

Accommodation on Gili Trawangan
Most of the accommodation centrally located on south east of Gili Trawangan. A few new establishments of bungalows with a better facilities are now available. Places in the front (beach line) are more expensive. The upmarket accommodation is no longer dominated by Villa Ombak and Villa Almarik. There are many new quality boutique resorts are now available (see places to stay, updated recently). Gili Trawangan is more developed than other Gilis for the last few years. There are also a few places to stay around the north and south west coast in more quiet atmosphere.

Activities
Snorkeling off-the-shore, sunbathing, swimming, or join any dive trips with any dive operators which colored the lines. There are quality dive schools available to cater the needs of tourists, offering complete range of PADI courses, as well as Fun Dives for those already certified.

By night, the waterfront comes to life as various foreign and locally restaurants and bars start to fire up, with fresh snapper, grouper and tuna, cooked over charcoal flames, readily available.

Nightlife
Although the island once had a reputation among the back-packing community as wicked party destination, many establishments which once laid claim to hosting wild dance parties today trade on their reputations.

By a tradition that continuous today, only one establishment per night can play music and host dance party until 4 am. Of the seven weekly venues hosting parties, the one most anticipated by tourists and locals alike are the funk house and hard music parties with local DJ’s in spinning disks.

If wild dance parties are not to your liking, many restaurants and bars, including the Tirnanog - Irish bar, provide a range of more sedate and social gathering point for Al fresco dinning and drinking by the water’s edge.

About Gili Islands

Gili means small island in local language. Located about 20 km north of Senggigi, Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan are paradise to divers or marine activities and marine life lovers. There are many dive shops and schools on any of the 3 Gilis. Either you are novice divers or certified ones, you can explore the underwater magnificence of the Gilis no matter on which island you base yourself. You can choose the dive spots you want to experience based on the information provided by your dive master. Or if you don’t dive, simply enjoy your swimming or snorkeling time there. Each of the 3 Gili has beautiful beach and crystal clear water.

To get to the island, just head to Bangsal harbor and buy public boat ticket at the booking clerk at fixed prices. If waiting long for sufficient other passengers is inconvenience for you, then take a chartered boat at higher rate but it sails you promptly on private arrangement.

Gili Air is the closet island from the harbor thus sailing to the island takes only 20 to 25 minutes and Gili Trawangan is the furthest, the biggest and the busiest one. Located across Gili Meno – the less developed and visited – it takes no less than 45minutes to get to the island of Trawangan and there is an opportunity to experience a bumpy sea ride on certain time or seasons.

All of the 3 Gilis offer various ranges of accommodation, restaurants and dive shops meeting your taste and budget. Nevertheless, Gili Trawangan seems to have more to offer since Trawangan magnetizes more visitors a long the year. While, Gili Meno is least developed and visited and is, therefore, less exploited or spoilt. There is quite large variety of choice for dining or staying, though. Gili Meno is good for relaxing.

GILI TRAWANGAN
Now appear to head the list as the most popular island – it has long had a reputation as the the “ Party Island”. Mainly through a concentrated and central foreshore area of restaurants, café, diving company and hotels including some luxuries boutiques and villas choice.

GILI MENO
Still the quietest island is a place to escape and although it has a smaller list of accommodation option those that it has are tending towards a more up-market clientele. Snorkeling off beaches of pure white sand the coral is superb.

GILI AIR
Has the largest local population and while it has more of lived – in feeling that the other two island for some that is quite possibly its attraction. On Gili Air it’s possible to like wide enjoy the marine possibilities but also one can absorb some of the local culture missing on the other island.

GILI GEDE AND GILI NANGGU
These two island off the north coast of the peninsula are now becoming popular for those seeking retreat from the more popular luxurious holiday spots. Accommodation is comfortable, through fairly basic, and entertainment and food is mostly left up to one’s own devices. Popular for those seeking a more alternate holiday life style with the freedom to do as one wishes without restriction both island can be reached by small skiff from Lembar or by other skiff departing from near Tawun.