GILI ISLANDS FAST FACTS

Internet is readily available on the islands and all three islands have ATM machines so you don’t need to carry a lot of cash. Credit cards are accepted at most dive shops, and larger hotels and restaurants.

Useful Tip: WhatsApp is the most popular messaging service in Indonesia. Download the app to your phone for convenient messaging and phone calls to Gili businesses wherever there is internet available.

Boats and Island Hopping: Gili Air, Meno and Trawangan are grouped together off the northwest coast of Lombok and only a short distance apart, so it is easy to move between the three islands.

You may want to explore each island, staying on each for a couple of days or base yourself on one island and take day trips to the others.

DIVING THE GILIS … Underwater Paradise

Travellers come to the Gilis for the sun, the sea and the laid back charm of these three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, but by far the greatest numbers of visitors from around the world are attracted by the Gilis reputation as one of the best dive locations in South East Asia.

With around 25% of the world’s reefs located in Indonesia, and with over 3,500 marine species living in Indonesian waters, we have one of the richest diversities of marine life in the Indo-Pacific region. In comparison, the Great Barrier Reef has just 1,500 species and the Red Sea only 600.

Lombok’s drop-offs, plateaus and slopes reflect a good cross-section of what Indonesia has to offer. There are currently more than 20 dive sites around the Gilis and more reefs are being explored all the time.

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.

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

ISLAND HOPPING

Discover the Gilis with an island-hopping tour on a traditional outrigger boat. Whichever Gili you are staying on, you can organise with the boat owners on the beachfront to take you to the other islands to discover the unique charms of each Gili.

From Gili T you might want to cruise over to Gili Meno in the morning for some snorkelling and lunch, then on to Gili Air to explore the island by bicycle and have a swim, before returning to Gili T.

Tour operators and boat owners are happy to customise trips to suit you and to suggest itineraries depending on the tides and best places to see.

It’s even possible to island-hop using a glass bottomed boat. These outriggers have been fitted with an acrylic base in the bottom of the boat, allowing passengers to see the underwater world beneath them without ever having to get wet!

Glass bottom boats are especially good if you are travelling with young children – allowing them to safely discover the wonders under the sea. Fun for parents too!

HORSE RIDING

Beginners through to experienced riders will enjoy the magical experience of riding a horse along the beach at sunset.

Rides usually take place in the cooler hours of early morning or late afternoon and some even include a swim with the horses.

On Gili T, check out: Stud Horse Riding and Rescue and Horses of Gili. Gili Meno: Gili Meno Stable Horse Riding Adventures and Kings Stable Horse Riding Tour.
Gili Air: Gili Air Horse Riding and Horse Riding of Gili Air.

SUBWING

This thrilling new adventure allows you to hold on to a special Subwing board as you are towed by a boat, creating the feeling of flying underwater!

The boat travels at a gentle pace and you can control the direction of the board, getting as adventurous as you like with turns and spins. The trip allows you to snorkel with a mask and goggles over the reefs, gliding and diving with ease. No experience is needed. subwinggiliislands.com

COOKING CLASSES

We all love eating good food and being on holiday is the perfect time to learn to cook a few dishes to wow your friends back home!

Cooking classes are a great way to meet new friends and try something different – especially if it’s one of the few occasions when it’s raining on the Gilis.

Gili Cooking Classes – with schools on both Gili T and Gili Air – offer a variety of options from 3- to 6-courses all in a fun and friendly environment with professional staff teaching you how to prepare your favourite Indonesian dishes (and some new ones to discover).

Warung Sunny on Gili Air teaches small groups how to prepare and cook authentic Indonesian dishes – and you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labour afterwards! Prices are very reasonable and the food is delicious.

Sweet and Spicy Cooking School on Gili T is another good option for learning to cook Indonesian favourites. After the class, join your new friends in sampling the dishes you’ve cooked for lunch or dinner!

TAKE AN ISLAND CRUISE

One of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the Gilis is to get out on the water and enjoy a leisurely cruise to take in the fabulous scenery of these three perfect islands

Drift past dazzling white sands and turquoise waters, with Lombok’s verdant hills and majestic mountains rising in the distance.

Whether you’re after a laid-back afternoon of snorkelling at vibrant reefs or a sunset sail complete with cocktails and dinner on deck, there’s a cruise to suit every mood.

Bali Hai Cruises offers a popular cruise which departs from Gili Trawangan and includes snorkelling stops at Gili Meno and Gili Air. Guests can enjoy a delicious BBQ on board while taking in the sunset views.