Lombok's #1 Tourism Magazine
BEACHES
Being small islands, there are fabulous sandy beaches for sunbathing and swimming on each of the Gilis. The water is calm and clear, and it’s easy to wade in from the shore.
Best of all, there are cafés all along the beachfront with many of them providing sun lounges, tables and bean bags on the beach so it’s easy to spend the day relaxing and sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling, and ordering up drinks and meals right from the shore!
Most of the beaches are quite protected and therefore safe for children.
Please don’t try to swim between the islands though – although they look to be quite close, the depth between the islands drops off sharply and the currents are treacherous. Unfortunately, there have been deaths in the past when people have attempted to swim from one island to another.
SNORKELLING
If you are not a diver, discovering the magical underwater world is still easy, with good snorkelling just off-shore on each of the Gilis.
Wade in from the shore and you’ll find a fantastic variety of corals, schools of colourful fish and turtles. Water visibility is very good and you can often drift with a gentle current along the drop-offs, watching the underwater world drift past below. Masks and fins are available to rent at stalls along the beachfront.
Local tour agencies on the islands offer snorkelling tours around the islands, with a guide to help you find the best spots and identify the many wonderful sights, including turtles, underwater statues, artificial reefs, and many different varieties of colourful fish.
YOGA
Surrounded by natural beauty and immersed in the slower pace of island life, holidays are the perfect time to restore body and mind with yoga. Beginner yoga classes are readily available on the islands and many resorts also offer yoga classes for their guests.
H2O Yoga and Meditation Centre on Gili Air offer daily yoga classes, introductory meditation, workshops, massage, and a variety of holistic healing treatments, in addition to hosting retreats throughout the year.
Flowers and Fire Yoga Garden, also on Gili Air, offers daily yoga classes, workshops, retreats and creative events hosted by renowned teachers.
Sunset Beach Yoga on Gili Trawangan is housed in a purpose-built treetop yoga studio with amazing views and, in addition to daily yoga classes, offers Fly High Yoga – aerial yoga using slings to support the body as you move through the air!
Blue Marine Dive on Gili Air offers early morning yoga on the beachfront and in the late afternoons, in addition to diving and Stand Up Paddle (SUP). For something different, they also combine Yoga with SUP, which enhances strength and balance while enjoying the beautiful views from the water!
JOIN A BEACH CLEANUP
Unfortunately, these little islands cop a trashing during rainy season when the tides bring in all sorts of rubbish dumped into the ocean (or after beach parties by irresponsible hosts).
Fortunately, caring Gili businesses organise regular beach cleanups, usually in the afternoons. Some include a free beer to reward your efforts!
Look for cleanups organised by Gili Eco Trust on Gili T, Trash Hero on Gili Meno and Oceans 5 on Gili Air – they’re a great way to meet other people and do your bit for a half hour or so to give back to this beautiful environment.
BIKE AROUND THE ISLAND
As there are no cars on any of the Gilis, riding a bicycle is a popular way to get around.
All three islands have a good ring road that follows the shore and there are smaller roads branching off to inland destinations to explore. There are beachfront bars and cafés to stop at whenever you get hungry or thirsty, or grab an ice cream or frozen yoghurt while you stop to admire the views.
Many of the hotels provide bikes for their guests to use or you can hire one at the many stalls offering bike hire by the day. Make sure the brakes work, the tyres are good and it has a working bell.
Riding a bike allows you to explore more of the island and stop off wherever looks interesting. Hop on a bike and see where the road takes you!
PARTY
You’re on holiday – no need to go to the office tomorrow, plenty of time for sleeping in, now is the time to party!
Parties and Gili T go hand-in-hand, and the island has a weekly party roster with live bands or DJs (and late closing) at a different location every night:
Monday – Blue Marlin
Tuesday – Tequila Sunrise
Wednesday – Tir Na Nog (The Irish Bar)
Thursday – Pesona Resort
Friday – Sand Bar
Saturday – Sama Sama Reggae Bar
Sunday – Evolution Bar
That’s not to say there isn’t plenty happening at the other bars too, and pre-party drinks are popular. Walk along the beachfront to see what the different bars are offering, and choose what type of nightlife appeals to you.
Savindia on the beachfront is always lively, with a great line up of entertainment, delicious and well-priced meals, and lots of drinks specials. There’s a bonfire on the beach every night (and free marshmallows to toast)!
Tir Na Nog (or the Irish Bar, as everyone calls it) is buzzing every night and to top it off, they host a big pub crawl every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday night visiting the best bars on the island. This is a great idea if you’re travelling solo or want to get to know other travellers.
Gili Meno isn’t the place you come to party but you’ll still find a lively bar scene, especially at places like The Irish Bar on the north shore, which hosts live music every Friday nights and has a great vibe at any time.
BASK is the place to hang on, especially on weekends, with top DJs visiting from Bali and a chic beachfront crowd. The newly opened Rosalee lounge in the resort offers a smooth and sophisticated option for something special.
Otherwise, Meno offers a quieter alternative to the other Gilis, with romantic nights dining on the beachfront, and low-key bars offering sunset cocktails and acoustic music.
While Gili Air doesn’t have a party roster, the island still knows how to let loose – especially during its famous full moon parties! Full Moon parties are eagerly anticipated by both locals and tourists alike, offering a unique opportunity to dance the night away under the moonlit sky.
Lucky’s Bar, with its beachfront location and lively vibe, is a popular haunt for those looking to groove to the latest beats and mingle with fellow partygoers, while Zipp Bar’s unique atmosphere and excellent cocktails make it a must-visit during full moon celebrations. Dance to the tunes of talented DJs and let the party spirit take over.
Other popular places include Cheeky Monkey, Legend Bar and Bedagang – who also host weekly pub crawls every Wednesday.
Wander along the beachfront and you’ll find everything from reggae bands to acoustic music to techno – Gili Air has something to suit everyone.