A tropical island paradise, Gili Air is adorned with white sandy shores, mesmerizing blue waters, and vibrant marine life. Just offshore, sea turtles call the surrounding coral reefs home. The absence of motorized vehicles and commercialized resorts add to the tiny island’s charm. And the island is small—just three miles around. Spend your days exploring the island on bikes, swimming with sea turtles, and sipping on cocktails as the sky puts on a colorful evening show.
Set just off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, Gili Air is a part of an archipelago comprised of three islands. Gili Trawangan, also known as Gili-T, is a popular party island while Gili Meno, the smallest and quietest island, is known for its sea turtle sanctuary. Gili Air is the perfect balance of relaxation and romantic nightlife, with casual beach bars and live music alongside colorful coral reefs and some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Want to see more of the beautiful island? Check out 15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Gili Air.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. This allows me to continue to produce free content for you.
Know Before You Go
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Gili Air is May through October. These months of the dry season feature ideal weather and good water clarity. November through March is the rainy season marked by the occasional heavy rainstorm and humid weather. Peak tourist season is July and August.
- How Long to Stay: Three to four days is the perfect amount of time on Gili Air to relax and enjoy the island.
- Getting Around Gili Air: There are no motorized vehicles on Gili Air. Most people get around by bike and on foot. Small horse-drawn carriages are used for transporting heavier items. Plan to rent bikes to explore the island.
- Dress Code Etiquette: The Gili Islands are predominately Muslim. While there is no official dress code and bikinis are acceptable on beaches, it is highly recommended to put on a cover up on when walking around the village to respect the local culture.
- Currency: Cash is the best way to pay on Gili Air. The local currency on Gili Air is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Make sure to bring enough cash with you for food, activities, and transportation as not all of the ATMs on the island are reliable, and credit card readers are spotty.
How to Get to Gili Air from Bali and Lombok
From Bali
The Gili Islands are two to three hours from Bali by fast boat. Not all fast boat companies service every route. Head to Direct Ferries to determine which companies offer your desired route. Blue Water Express is generally regarded as the best fast boat company. Ticket prices typically range from $35 – $50 USD. I recommend booking the fast book tickets at least a few days in advance. Listed below are common routes to Gili Air from some of Bali’s popular destinations.
- Uluwatu – Serangan Port – Gili Islands
- Canggu – Serangan Port – Gili Islands
- Ubud – Padang Bai Harbor – Gili Islands
- Nusa Penida – Buyuk Harbor – Gili Islands
PSA: The ride over via fast boat can be rough. If you’re prone to seasickness, take something for motion sickness. Morning crossings are generally calmer than in the afternoon. During high season, the boats often have more passengers than seats available so get in line early to ensure you get a seat.
From Lombok
The Gili Islands are just a 15-minute boat ride from Lombok. Book a ferry from either the Teluk Nare or Bangsal harbor on Lombok to Gili Air.
Where to Stay
Hotels on Gili Air are small boutique properties—picture charming villas all over the island. It takes about 15 minutes to bike from one end of the island to the other so it’s easy to reach all parts of the island. We stayed on the north side of the island at the lovely Selvática and enjoyed the proximity to the snorkeling at Turtle Point while still being only a short bike ride away from the south side, which we frequented for diner and sunset drinks. Rimba Villas and Villa Tokay feature several luxury villas with private pools towards the north of the island. If you prioritize proximity to the best shops, restaurants, and beach bars, stay on the south end of the island. Jago Gili Air is a top-rated stay just off main street. Given that each property has a limited number of villas, I recommend booking Gili Air accommodation early.
What to Do
Snorkel with Turtles
The Gili Islands are a haven for sea turtles. The reefs surrounding the islands are rich in food sources and clean sandy beaches provide nesting grounds for the sea turtles. Rent a snorkel, mask, and flippers, and wade into the water. You don’t have to hop on a boat to find colorful reefs, diverse sea life, and even a sea turtle (although boating is well worthwhile – See below). The best place to see sea turtles on Gili Air is along the northeast side of the island—called Turtle Point. Make sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral reefs—Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is one of my favorites.
Watch the Sunset at a Beach Bar
The west side of Gili Air is known for its incredible sunsets. Mowie’s and Gili Lumbung Beach Club are two of the best beach bars on the island for sunset watching. Grab a bean bag and order a drink for a front row view of the color show. On the northern tip of the island, Legend Bar is another great spot for lounging while the lights fade. After the sky is finished changing colors, many of the beach bars keep the show going with excellent live music.
Snorkel (or Scuba) Boat Tour
Exploring the waters around the Gili Islands by boat was our favorite activity when visiting Gili Air. Book a snorkel tour (private or with a group) or go scuba diving to enjoy the stunning marine life around the islands. We booked a private four-hour snorkel tour that took us to several locations around Gili Air and Gili Meno, including the famous underwater statues.
Enjoy the Beaches
A trip to the tropical island would not be complete without spending some time relaxing on its beaches. Gili Air’s coastline is blanketed with soft white sand. The beaches along the north side of the island are less crowded and better for snorkeling. Turtle Point, the best area for seeing turtles, is along the northeast corner. The beaches along the southern end tend to be more crowded because of their proximity to the main street.
Indonesian Cooking Class
Learn about the local cuisine and culture through a cooking class. Spend the afternoon learning how to cook Indonesian curry and noodle dishes. Gili Cooking Classes is one of the island’s best. A great experience for those who love cooking to bring home new recipes.
Traditional Lombok or Balinese Spa Treatment
Embrace the slow pace of island life with a reinvigorating massage. Book either a traditional Lombok massage or a Balinese inspired treatment at one of Gili Air’s many spas. Slow Spa & Yoga features stunning bamboo architecture. Other top-rated spas on Gili Air include Dili Hair & Spa and PinkCoco Gili Air Spa. Many of the island’s hotels also offer spa services.
Visit Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno
From Gili Air, the neighboring islands Gili Trawangan (Gili-T) and Gili Meno are a short boat ride away (15-minute by fast boat). Both islands are also home to lovely restaurants and beaches. Gili-T is the biggest of the three islands and well known for its lively party scene. Gili Meno is quieter than its two neighbors, but just as beautiful. To visit the other Gili Islands, take the local fast boat leaving from Gili Air’s harbor. Note the local fast boats do not operate between islands in the evening. Head over for lunch and come back to Gili Air mid-afternoon.
Best Restaurants
Gili Air has a variety of delicious food. If you’re around the north end of the island stop at Pachamama Organic for a healthy lunch—truly a hidden gem with world-class dishes served inside a tranquil open-air restaurant, this was our favorite meal on Gili Air. Mama Pizza, located right next to the beach bars, was so good and convenient that we went twice. The sunset hotspot Mowie’s, known for its sunset cocktails, also serves a great burger. For delicious local Indonesian food, dine at either Warung Sasak or Warung Kampung. Most villas include breakfast service, but if you’re craving a breakfast smoothie bowl, head to Gili Bliss. Located right on main street, Kopi Susu Gili Air is a super cute café with great coffee.
Pingback: Why choose BlueWater Express? | BlueWater Express
Beautiful travel guide. Your pictures are stunning. Would love to go snorkeling and see the sunset at a beach bar.
Swimming with turtles seems like such an unique experience… and I bet the sunsets are amazing!
Sounds like a great place to relax! Love that it doesn’t have motor vehicles- must help with noise and pollution reduction.
Looks lovely! I’ve never heard of Gili Air. It’s high on my list now.
Wow, this looks really beautiful!! Looks like a perfect place to relax!