During your trip through Indonesia or your holiday to Bali, you should not miss the Gili Islands. The three Gili Islands are about 35 kilometre from Bali. Are you in love with clear blue water, white beaches and palm trees on the beach? Then this is the ultimate place to enjoy all this beauty for a few days. Besides that, you can also have a good party, diving and snorkeling. Yes, the Gili Islands are really a paradise. It is quite touristy and not off the beaten track destination.
Differences between the 3 islands
Gili Trawangan is the largest island of the 3 and the most popular place for backpackers and party lovers but certainly for people who want to search more. You really have everything here. In the North you can find more luxury. In the North as well as in the South of Gili Trawangan you can find many bars and restaurants. Gili Meno is somewhat smaller than Gili Trawangan and a whole lot calmer. You come here when you are looking for rest and do not want to do a lot, the prices are a bit higher. The same goes for Gili Air, the smallest island. You can take the ferry from Gili Trawangan and explore one of the other islands. Gili Air is very nice if you want to snorkel or dive since there are many different types of fish.
Transport between the 3 different Gili Islands
A public ferry runs every morning between the islands, allowing you to get to the other islands cheaply. Do you want to leave later than you can take a private speedboat. But these cost a lot more than the public ferry.
What to do on the Gili Islands?
-Get familiar with the island by bicycle
On the island you can rent a bike for around 40,000 IDR (€ 2.70) per day and this is the ideal way to move yourself. You can cycle around Gili Trawangan in around 1 hour where you come along deserted white beaches and a lot of nice stalls and tents for a nice break or some shopping.
-Diving & snorkelling
Snorkelling and diving at the Gili Islands is very beautiful. For an afternoon of snorkelling you can best just book a snorkel tour where you will visit all the perfect snorkel spots. You also have the famous ‘Turtle Point’ As the name suggests, it is almost certain that you will encounter several turtles.
-Food from the night market
Do you want to eat cheap and delicious local food? The night market is the place to be. There are many stalls with all kinds of small snacks from which you can choose. You fill your plate, then ask for the price and you will be surprised how cheap it is here!
-Sunset Gili Trawangan
At Gili-T you have a beautiful sunset all year round where you can see Bali. The sunset from the other islands can be less beautiful some months because the other islands are in front of it.
-Parties on Gili Trawangan
For the best evenings and parties you should definitely be on Gili Trawangan. At the beach there are several nice bars and for fine live music you go to the reggae bar.
