A Guide to the Gili Islands: How to Get There and Things to Do

Fancy escaping to paradise? Just off the coast of Lombok in Indonesia lie three idyllic islands, where colourful bean bags dot sugar-white sands, horse-drawn carriages trot along unpaved streets, Instagrammable cafés serve up delicious smoothie bowls, and hammocks sway over crystal-clear waters.

The Gili Islands have become one of the top destinations to visit in Indonesia, and it’s easy to see why. From the buzz of Gili Trawangan to the tranquil shores of Gili Meno and the laid-back vibe of Gili Air, the archipelago offers something for everyone.

Planning a trip to the Gili Islands? From the best things to do to how to get there, here's everything you need to know.

The Gili Islands: Trawangan, Meno and Air

The Gili Islands are located in Indonesia, just a couple of miles off the northwest coast of Lombok. The archipelago is made up of three islands; Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Although each island shares many of the same features, such as stunning beaches and colourful coral reefs, they also each have their own distinct personality.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, better known as Gili T, is the biggest of the three islands. It’s also the most popular, with a lively atmosphere and plenty of amenities. For years, Gili T has been a backpacker’s paradise with cheap hostels and a cool party scene. But with an ever-growing collection of luxury resorts and family-friendly hotels, it's become a must-visit for couples and those travelling with children too. 

The main hub is located on the eastern side of the island, where most of the action takes place. This is the heart of Gili T, where cafes, bars, boutiques and dive shops sit side by side. On the other hand, the western side of the island offers a quieter atmosphere, whilst still being just a short distance from the buzz of the east.

Best for: those who want to be in the heart of the action

Gili Meno

Gili Meno is located between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air and is the smallest of the three islands – so small that it takes about an hour to walk around the full island. It’s also the quietest and least developed, making it great for those seeking a tranquil escape away from the crowds. For this reason, it's especially popular with honeymooners.

Life on Gili Meno is all about switching off - relax on unspoiled beaches, snorkel over vibrant coral reefs and watch the sunset from a beachfront restaurant. Accommodation-wise, you can expect luxury resorts, boutique hotels and rustic beachfront bungalows.

Best for: a beautiful secluded island escape

Gili Air

Combine Gili T with Gili Meno and you get Gili Air – the best of both! It’s the second biggest of the Gili Islands and the closest to Lombok. With its laid-back atmosphere and plenty of places to eat and drink, Gili Air is a great choice if you’re looking for relaxation and convenience, without being as quiet as Gili Meno or quite as lively as Gili Trawangan. 

The western side is particularly popular for its sunset-facing bars and relaxed island vibe, whilst the east is best for beaches and snorkelling. Just like Gili T, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation here, from villas with private pools to mid-range hotels and budget hostels.

Best for: those who want the best of both worlds - a relaxed pace of life with plenty of amenities.

The best things to do in the Gili Islands

Trips to the Gili Islands are all about laid-back beachside bliss, but there are still plenty of adventures to be had - especially in the water.

Go diving

The Gili Islands are known for their amazing diving opportunities, with around 25 dive sites dotted around the coastline. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro, you’ll find loads of dive centres lining the main streets of Gili T and Gili Air where you can book trips. You can dive all year round but for the best visibility, aim for the dry season between May and October.

Some of the top dive sites on the Gili’s include:

Shark Point
Located just northwest of Gili Trawangan, this is one of the most popular dive sites across the archipelago. Not only can you see reef sharks and turtles, but there’s also the Glen Nusa Ship Wreck which has transformed into an artificial reef home to fish such as sweetlips, snappers and unicornfish.

Turtle Heaven
As the name suggests, this is the place to be if turtles are on your bucket list. Located off the northeast coast of Gili Meno, Turtle Heaven offers the chance to swim alongside both green and hawksbill turtles.

Meno Wall
For something a little more magical, head to Meno Wall - especially after dark. It’s amazing by day but at night, it really comes to life with everything from lobsters to crabs and moral eels coming out from hiding, making an unforgettable night dive.

Hans Reef
Off the north coast of Gili Air, Hans Reef is also one of the Gili Island’s best dive sites. Below your feet, you’ll find snake eels peeking out from the sand, whilst green turtles swim above. You’ll also spot everything from cuttlefish to stingrays and even the occasional harlequin shrimp.

Island hop on a boat trip

Taking a boat trip is one of the best ways to experience the Gili Islands. As they’re located so close together, it’s easy to spend a day exploring all three. You can hire a private boat and go at your own pace or join an organised tour - most run as half-day or full-day trips and include snorkelling stops along the way. Many tours visit popular spots like The Nest, the islands’ famous underwater statues, just a few metres below the surface. It’s an amazing place to snorkel, but it can get busy, so it’s worth heading here early if you can.

Explore the islands on foot or by bike

The Gili Islands are completely car-free, something which adds to their charm. So, walking or renting a bike is a great way to explore. You’ll find plenty of rental places across the islands. It takes around two hours to walk around Gili Trawangan, and about an hour for Gili Meno or Gili Air. Although, make sure to allow extra time for swims, coffee stops and to just soak up the picture-perfect scenery along the way.

Watch the sunset from a swing in the sea

The Gili Islands boast beautiful sunsets, best seen from the west coast of the islands with Mount Agung looming in the background. Enjoy them from a swing off Gili Air with your feet dipping in and out of the ocean, from a beachfront restaurant on Gili Meno or from a colourful bean bag on Gili T’s white sands - whichever way you choose to watch, the views don’t disappoint.

Sample local delights at Gili Trawangan Night Market

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants serving Western food, but if you’re looking for a taste of local life, the lively Gili Trawangan Night Market is the place to go. Located just off the main road on the eastern side of the island, it usually runs from around 6pm until 11pm or often later. Here you can try Indonesian favourites like Nasi Campur (mixed rice) and Mie Goreng (fried noodles), along with fresh seafood, grilled corn, and delicious soups.

Experience Gili Trawangan’s nightlife

Gili Trawangan is known for its nightlife, which is mainly centred around the eastern side of the island. From laid-back beach bars where you can lounge on a bean bag with a cocktail in hand to pool parties with DJ sets and live music bars (Sama Sama Reggae Bar is a personal favourite), there’s always something going on.

Unwind on white-sand beaches

A trip to the Gili Islands is all about relaxation, and there’s no better place to switch off than on a powdery white-sand beach. Although there are plenty to choose from across the islands, Gili Meno has some of the best – its southeast coast is perfect for swimming, whilst the west is great for snorkelling. On Gili Trawangan, the quieter north coast is popular for relaxing beach days, whilst the southwest of Gili Air boasts long sandy stretches ideal for unwinding.

How to get to the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are easily accessible from Bali, with ferries departing from either Padang Bai, Sanur or Serangan. Ferries to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air tend to be more common, but more operators are starting to serve Gili Meno as well. Once you're there, travelling by boat between the islands is also really easy.

How to get to the Gili Islands from Bali

From Padang Bai:

Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan
Duration: 1 hours and 30 minutes
Weekly sailings: 58

Padang Bai to Gili Air
Duration: 2 hours
Weekly sailings: 58

Padang Bai to Gili Meno
Duration: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Weekly sailings: 32

From Sanur:

Sanur to Gili Trawangan
Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Weekly sailings: 55

Sanur to Gili Air
Duration: 4 hours
Weekly sailings: 56

From Serangan:

Serangan to Gili Trawangan
Duration: 3 hours
Weekly sailings: 37

Serangan to Gili Air
Duration: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Weekly sailings: 29

Serangan to Gili Meno
Duration: 4 hours
Weekly sailings: 7

Your Indonesian adventure awaits! Book your ferry to the Gili Islands today and discover this idyllic archipelago for yourself.