Before you go
Gili Islands with elderly parents: what to know
- Choose a stay close to the harbour or main strip and use horse carts for arrival and luggage.
- Cross by boat in the morning, when seas are usually calmer, and avoid late-afternoon crossings.
- Boarding small boats from the beach is wet and unsteady; ask staff for a steadying hand and keep valuables in a waterproof bag.
- There is only a simple clinic on each island. Serious cases go to Lombok or Bali, so carry travel insurance with evacuation cover and your regular medicines.
- Plan outdoor time before 10 am and after 4 pm; shade is patchy and the midday sun is strong.
- Power cuts and salty shower water are common; ask your accommodation about a generator and water supply.
Easiest first
Places in Gili Islands sorted by walking effort
Easy on the legs (9)
- Cidomo Ride and Island Loop (Places to visit · 1 to 2 hours for a loop by cart) — Carts seat up to about four, with a step up and no suspension to speak of. Pneumatic tyres soften the ride, but sandy roads can be bumpy. A cart is the easiest option for seniors.
- Gili Air (Places to visit · 2 to 3 nights) — Flat and compact, with sandy paths and no motor traffic. Shade is patchy at midday, and getting on and off boats at the beach needs steady footing. The clinics are simple, so carry your own medicines.
- Gili Eco Trust (Culture and craft · 1 to 3 hours) — The Friday cleanup is a light, flat walk on beaches with no minimum fitness. Reef tours and courses involve water and boats, so check suitability first.
- Gili Meno (Places to visit · Half a day to 2 nights) — Flat and small, with sandy paths and little shade in places. Services are limited: carry medicines and cash, and plan transfers to bigger islands for clinics.
- Gili Meno Salt Lake (Places to visit · 30 to 45 minutes) — Flat walking on sandy paths from the main beach strip; little shade and few benches. Go late afternoon and carry water.
- Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary (Places to visit · 30 to 60 minutes) — Flat, short walk from the beach path, with pools at a low height that are easy to view. Shade is limited, so bring a hat and water.
- Gili Snorkelling Boat Trip (Places to visit · 4 to 6 hours) — Boarding from the beach into small boats can be wet and unsteady. Swimmers can wear flotation vests; non-swimmers may prefer a glass-bottom boat. Currents can be strong even near shore.
- Gili Trawangan (Places to visit · 2 to 3 nights as a base; a day trip from Bali is tiring) — Flat and compact, but there are no cars: sandy or broken-paved lanes, bicycles and horse carts share the way. The harbour jetty can be busy and boarding small boats needs steady balance. Choose a stay close to the harbour or the main strip.
- Nest Underwater Sculpture, Gili Meno (Places to visit · Half a day with a boat or dive trip) — Reached by boat and swimming or diving, not on foot. Only confident swimmers should go, and currents can be strong; an older traveller should go with a guide and a flotation vest.
Some walking — plan a break (2)
- Gili Dive Sites (Shark Point and Manta Point) (Sports · Half a day per dive trip) — Diving needs good fitness and medical clearance. Beach entries and boat boardings can be unsteady, and older travellers should consult their doctor first.
- Gili Trawangan Hill Viewpoint (Places to visit · 45 to 90 minutes) — The route is uneven in places, with a short climb. Some visitors find it hard in the heat or in rain, and paths are unlit at night. Use a cart to reach the base, and go slowly.
Base yourself well
Where to stay in Gili Islands with parents
Gili Air east and south coastBest for: Families and couples who want calm with services
Gili Meno beachfrontBest for: Travellers who want silence and short stays
Gili Trawangan west and north sideBest for: Older travellers who want quieter nights
Small decisions
Practical tips for Gili Islands
- Boats and weather. Seas are usually calmest in the morning, and transport stops in the late afternoon. Fast boats can be cancelled in rough weather. Confirm the vessel and times on your ticket.
- No cars. Wikipedia confirms no cars or motorbikes on the islands. Carts, bicycles and walking are the options. Agree cart fares before you board.
- Money. Trawangan has the most ATMs. Money changers give poorer rates than the mainland, and small change is scarce, so bring small notes. Cards are often surcharged.
- Water and power. Tap water is salty and not drinkable. Use bottled water or refill stations. Power comes from local generators and outages are common, so ask about backup.
- Dress and respect. The islands are mostly Muslim. Cover up away from the beach, avoid nude or topless sunbathing and public displays of affection, and avoid eating in public by day during Ramadan.
- Safety. Petty theft is the main crime; lock doors. Avoid locally made arak, which can contain methanol, and never leave drinks unattended. Drugs carry severe penalties in Indonesia.
- Health and insurance. Each island has a simple clinic; serious cases go to Lombok or Bali. Carry travel insurance with evacuation cover. Dengue is reported in the rainy season, so use repellent.
- Reef and animals. Use reef-safe sunscreen, do not touch turtles or coral, and choose carts with healthy horses. Wikivoyage warns not to swim between islands because of strong currents.
Plan the rest of your Gili Islands trip
Want help?
Have Gili Islands planned around your parents
We build the route at their pace, book the stays, and can add a companion on the ground.