With white sandy beaches, tropical coral reefs, heat inviting waves, and beautiful sceneries. It’s no wonder Gilis Islands are a tourist destination. Each of Gilis Island has a number of resorts, which often include a resort suite, a small swimming pool, and a restaurant. The Gili Islands Indonesia off the northwest coast of Lombok are simply a superb vacation spot for a tropical getaway.
Consisting of 3 main islands; Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. “Gili” means “island” in the local Sasak language. In Indonesian, plural forms are represented by repeating nouns. “Giri Giri” literally means “island”.
Gili Trawangan Bali is the largest and most popular of the three islands. The best part is the vibrant nightlife that you can enjoy even after the sun goes down. With a wide variety of restaurants and bars, there is no shortage of entertainment.
For a peaceful and quiet getaway, try Gili Meno or Gili Air.Gili Air is the closest to the mainland and the most populous of the Gili. Gili Meno is the smallest island with only a few hundred permanent residents, making it feel the most remote. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants built around the island’s homely village feel.
Visiting The Gili Islands
Source: Freepik
Once you have decided which island (or islands!) to visit, the Gili Islands offer a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets. There is a constant stream of new hotels and more luxurious establishments on the Gili Islands.
Villas are gradually being added to the list. Over the years, the quality and range of restaurants on the Gili Islands have evolved significantly, with restaurants serving everything from authentic Indonesian cuisine to sushi, pizza, and a variety of western dishes, all with imported wines.
The Gili Bali Islands are experiencing rapid progress in environmental initiatives with a focus on coral reef protection and restoration. The Gili Eco Trust was established to protect and monitor both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Through visitor donations, they have built more than a dozen artificial hard coral reefs and inspired local fishermen to adopt sustainable fishing practices.
Also read: Shopping in Bali: What to Buy and Where to Shop
Traveling Between Gili Islands
Traveling between the islands and Lombok is affordable and simple. Simply use one of the many local services available on public or charter boats. Speed Boat tickets from Bali to the Gili Islands go to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air. Once you have arrived, take a local boat from Gili T or Air Pier.
Local boats do not require pre-booking. Approximate fare in Indonesian Rupiah is around IDR 170,000. Though, if you want to set your own departing time and reach your destination as quickly and easily as possible, pre-book a dependable private speedboat service from gili-islandtransfers.com or you can make a reservation through many sites.
Travel time from Bali to Gili Islands
The time to get to Gili from Bali depends on your location in Bali. Serangan Port is recommended for hotels and airports in southern Bali. Ferry trips from Serangan Port and Gili Islands take 2-2.5 hours depending on the sea conditions and weather.
If you are planning an island hopping tour to visit Lembongan or Nusa Penida on your way to the Gili Islands, we recommend departing from Sanur Port. Travel time from Sanur Bali to Gili Islands is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. The driving time between Amed (North Bali) and the Gili Islands is just 1 hour. Departure from Amed is only recommended if staying in the North Bali area.
