Experiences in Gili Islands
- 01
Cidomo Ride and Island Loop
A ride by cidomo, the Gilis' horse-drawn cart, or a bicycle round the island, the main way to get around where cars and motorbikes are not allowed.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours for a loop by cart
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Wikivoyage gives example cart fares of about Rp 20,000 to 50,000 per person and up to Rp 150,000 for a full circuit; these change, so agree the price first.
- 02
Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary
A small sanctuary on Gili Meno where baby turtles can be seen in pools, a gentle, short visit that suits families and older travellers.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat builds
- Tickets
- Wikivoyage describes baby turtles seen in pools on Trawangan and Meno. Check current entry or donation arrangements and opening times locally.
- 03
Gili Snorkelling Boat Trip
A glass-bottom or small-boat trip that visits three or four reef spots between the Gilis, often including turtle points, with lunch ashore.
- Time needed
- 4 to 6 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Calm mornings in the drier months
- Tickets
- Wikivoyage describes day trips of about 10:00 to 16:00 with three or four spots and a lunch stop at a price band that changes; compare operators and ask what is included.
- 04
Nest Underwater Sculpture, Gili Meno
A ring of 48 life-size human figures on the seabed off Gili Meno, installed in 2017 by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor as an artificial reef and dive attraction.
- Time needed
- Half a day with a boat or dive trip
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Calm, clear mornings in the drier months
- Tickets
- Access is through dive or snorkel operators. Ask about depth, visibility and whether the site suits snorkellers before you book.
Neighbourhoods in Gili Islands
- 05
Gili Air
The Gili closest to Lombok, with the largest local community, a ring of beachfront warungs and homestays, and turtles often seen off its east coast.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- May to October; mornings for snorkelling and sea crossings
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the island. Boat fares, island levies and snorkel trip prices change; confirm what is included before you pay.
- 06
Gili Meno
The smallest and quietest Gili, with a turtle sanctuary, a salt lake on the west side, underwater sculptures and a handful of beachfront stays.
- Time needed
- Half a day to 2 nights
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- May to October; calm mornings for boats and snorkelling
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the island. Check boat times and fares before you travel, since public boats between islands run on their own schedule.
- 07
Gili Trawangan
The largest and most developed of the three Gilis, with the main harbour strip, most dive shops, restaurants and nightlife along its east coast, and quieter lanes inland and to the west.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights as a base; a day trip from Bali is tiring
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- May to October is the drier season; mornings are calmer for boats
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the island itself. Boat tickets and any harbour or island levies change, so ask your operator what is included and keep small cash for carts and warungs.
Landmarks in Gili Islands
- 08
Gili Meno Salt Lake
A small, shallow lake on the west side of Gili Meno that produces salt in the dry season, with sunset views and a quiet footpath.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon, for light and cooler air
- Tickets
- We could not verify any entry fee. Treat it as a public viewpoint, respect any local signage and check with your accommodation.
- 09
Gili Trawangan Hill Viewpoint
A hilltop on Gili Trawangan with wide views across the three Gilis to Lombok, Mount Rinjani and, on clear days, Bali; popular around sunrise and sunset.
- Time needed
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Sunset, or sunrise for Mount Rinjani
- Tickets
- We could not verify an entry fee or an official path. Ask your accommodation for the safest route and for current conditions.
Culture in Gili Islands
- 10
Gili Eco Trust
A local non-profit that works on reef restoration, waste collection and animal welfare, and offers visitors eco-tours, cleanups and conservation courses.
- Time needed
- 1 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Friday late afternoon for the weekly cleanup
- Tickets
- Debris Free Friday is open to everyone, starting at 5 pm each Friday per the Trust's website, with the meeting point announced on social media. Eco-tours and courses are booked through the Trust.
