Gili islands
The Gili Islands are three small islands off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, and are not far from Bali, making them easy to combine in your trip. On these islands, you’ll be immersed in the laid-back island vibe.
Forget the hustle and bustle of Bali – here, there are no motor vehicles. Everything is done on foot, by bike, or by horse.
Must-do’s at the Gili islands
- Kayaking
- Watching the sunset
- Partying on Gili T
The Gili Islands are known for their stunning sunsets. If you look closely, you can see the volcanoes of Bali in the distance. Once the sun has set, the beautiful starry sky makes its appearance.
While you can enjoy a romantic evening on Gili Air, Gili T offers a lively party scene that continues until the early hours.
And for all the cat lovers out there, the Gili Islands are true cat paradises. Pay close attention to their tails, as they are different from ours – a genetic quirk of the Gili cats.
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is a true party island and the largest of the three. You can party under the stars here, but also snorkel with sea turtles.
The island has a laid-back vibe, where you can enjoy the beach life during the day. And for those looking for something fun in the evening, there’s plenty to choose from: dancing, beer pong, or enjoying live music with a cocktail.
It’s true that there’s no police presence on the Gili Islands, so don’t be surprised if you see ads for ‘magic mushrooms’ everywhere. However, despite the relaxed atmosphere and the sense that anything goes, we never felt unsafe for a second.
Gili tip
As a tourist, please avoid using horse-drawn carts. The horses are often left out in the blazing sun all day, are underfed, and simply don’t look well.
The islands are small, so you can easily get around on foot, and there are plenty of bicycles available. The less demand there is, the less supply, and the Gili Islands would be so much more beautiful without this animal suffering.
Sunset
Around sunset, the whole island migrates to the western beaches.
With chill music in the background and a Bintang in hand, watch the sun set. Behold and enjoy. On the Gilis, you do nothing from now on. After sunset, the fire is lit and you continue to enjoy the countless stars in the sky.
Gili Air
Gili Air is the romantic island of the three, where you can totally unwind. There are some more luxurious hotels where you can enjoy a good atmosphere and tasty cocktails all evening.
Diving, supping, snorkelling, kayaking…, there’s plenty to do here too if you’re tired of hanging out on the beach!
What about Gili Meno? We skipped that little island at the time on the advice of a few locals we talked to.
Gili Air tip
Pannekoeken bij Scooperific Café
You can find Scooperific Café here.
We can also heartily recommend Warung Bambu. This is where we learned about the dish Martabak and have eaten there almost every day!
Gili tip
Don’t forget your water shoes
Don’t forget your water shoesThe underwater world must have been beautiful on the Gilis. But the fact is that many beaches are now full of dead coral. You also often – especially at low tide – have to go quite a long way into the sea before you can swim.
So water shoes are definitely not a luxury here.
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