Indonesia in depth · Lombok

Gili Islands: 10 places for turtles, sunsets and car-free beaches

Three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok with no cars or motorbikes - just bikes, horse carts and bare feet. Snorkel with turtles, dive, watch the sunset and pick the island that suits your mood. Plan it with a map and a free trip planner on WhatsApp.

Plan my trip for freeSee hotels in Gili Islands
Top 10 placesMapSample tripsTrip plannerPractical tips
📷 Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
10must-see placesBeaches, reefs, island life and day trips
3islands, no motor trafficTrawangan, Meno and Air
700+hotels to choose fromFrom homestays to resorts
Freetrip planning on WhatsAppTell us your dates, we suggest a plan

Where everything is

Tap a number to see the place. Distances are rough driving times from the city centre.

  1. 1Gili Trawangan: beach and sunsetthe largest of the three Gilis
  2. 2Snorkelling with turtlesshort boat ride or from the shore
  3. 3Gili Meno: quiet beaches, salt lake and bird parkthe smallest island, in the middle
  4. 4Gili Air: the relaxed middle groundclosest island to the Lombok mainland
  5. 5Underwater statues (Nest) off Gili Menoa short boat ride from the beach
  6. 6Scuba diving and freedivingdive sites a short boat ride away
  7. 7Gili Trawangan night marketclose to the main harbour
  8. 8Cycling and cidomo horse-cart touraround each island on a sandy track
  9. 9Bangsal harbour and the boat crossingthe closest mainland harbour to the Gilis
  10. 10Gili Nanggu and Gili Gede day tripssouthwest Lombok, far from the three main Gilis

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors

The 10 places not to miss

Chosen for first-time and returning visitors. Add the ones you like to your trip - we turn them into a plan.

Gili Trawangan: beach and sunset#01Lively islandGili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan: beach and sunset

The biggest and liveliest of the three islands, with a sandy path running along the shore, beach bars, small restaurants and dive shops. The west coast is the favourite spot for sunset, with Bali's volcano sometimes visible far across the water on clear days.

  • ⏱ Half day or more
  • 🚗 the largest of the three Gilis
  • 🌅 Late afternoon, sunset
Our tipPick a quieter stretch of beach if you want calm; the harbour side is the busiest. Swim where locals and staff say it is safe, as currents and boat traffic vary.
📷 Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Snorkelling with turtles#02TurtlesOff Gili Trawangan & Gili Meno

Snorkelling with turtles

The seagrass and shallow reef around the islands are home to green turtles, and seeing one glide past is the reason many people come. Snorkelling trips by small boat usually stop at several spots around the islands, and some can also be reached by swimming from the beach.

  • ⏱ 2-3 hours
  • 🚗 short boat ride or from the shore
  • 🌅 Morning, calm seas
Our tipKeep your distance, never touch or chase a turtle, and do not stand on coral. Use reef-friendly sunscreen or a rash vest. Where the turtles are changes by the day, so we cannot promise a sighting.
📷 Hello lombok information · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Gili Meno: quiet beaches, salt lake and bird park#03Quiet islandGili Meno

Gili Meno: quiet beaches, salt lake and bird park

The smallest and calmest of the three, with long empty-feeling beaches, a handful of small hotels and a salt lake in the middle of the island. A small bird park on the island keeps birds in aviaries for visitors, and the whole island can be walked around at an easy pace.

  • ⏱ Half day or overnight
  • 🚗 the smallest island, in the middle
  • 🌅 Morning or late afternoon
Our tipGili Meno suits couples and people who want an early night. Choose it for peace, not for nightlife; restaurant choice is smaller and some places close early. We check what is open for your dates.
📷 Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Gili Air: the relaxed middle ground#04Easygoing islandGili Air

Gili Air: the relaxed middle ground

The island nearest to Lombok mixes local village life with cafes, yoga studios and small beach bars. It is livelier than Meno but calmer than Trawangan, with a relaxed shoreline, easy snorkelling and sunset on the west side.

  • ⏱ Half day or overnight
  • 🚗 closest island to the Lombok mainland
  • 🌅 Afternoon and evening
Our tipA good pick if the group has mixed tastes: some want quiet, others want a nice dinner. Stay on the east or south side for calmer water and a short walk to the harbour.
📷 MisterGrigri · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🏞️#05Underwater artOff Gili Meno

Underwater statues (Nest) off Gili Meno

An underwater sculpture installation called Nest, a ring of human figures resting on the seabed just off Gili Meno, placed there so that coral can grow on them over time. It can be seen by snorkelling or freediving, and is a favourite photo stop.

  • ⏱ 1-2 hours
  • 🚗 a short boat ride from the beach
  • 🌅 Morning, clear water
Our tipVisibility and current decide how good the view is, so it can look very different from day to day. Go with a boat or guide who knows the site, and do not touch the statues or the coral.
Scuba diving and freediving#06DivingAround the three Gilis

Scuba diving and freediving

Several dive schools on the islands offer introductory dives, certification courses and fun dives for qualified divers, with turtles, reef fish and gentle slopes that suit beginners. Freediving courses are also taught on the islands for people who prefer to dive on a single breath.

  • ⏱ Half day or a course of several days
  • 🚗 dive sites a short boat ride away
  • 🌅 Morning dives, dry season
Our tipCheck that any dive centre uses qualified instructors and well-kept gear, and tell them honestly about your health. Do not fly within the time your dive centre advises after diving.
📷 Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🏞️#07FoodNear the harbour, Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan night market

In the evening, food stalls near the harbour grill fresh fish and seafood, fry noodles and serve Indonesian favourites such as satay at friendly prices, a good break from beach-bar menus. It is an easy place to sit with locals and other travellers.

  • ⏱ 1-2 hours
  • 🚗 close to the main harbour
  • 🌅 Evening
Our tipChoose busy stalls with food cooked in front of you, and ask the price before ordering seafood sold by weight. Opening times and which stalls are there change, so treat it as a typical evening, not a promise.
Cycling and cidomo horse-cart tour#08No enginesGili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno

Cycling and cidomo horse-cart tour

There are no cars or motorbikes on the three Gilis. People get around by bicycle, on foot or by cidomo, a small horse cart, along the sandy ring road. A slow loop of an island shows beaches, village corners and viewpoints you would miss on the main strip.

  • ⏱ 1-3 hours per island
  • 🚗 around each island on a sandy track
  • 🌅 Early morning or late afternoon
Our tipSand can make cycling hard in places, so go slowly and bring water. Agree the cidomo fare before you climb in, and please be kind to the horses: avoid the hottest hours and overloaded carts.
📷 Will Kew · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Bangsal harbour and the boat crossing#09Getting therePemenang, northwest Lombok

Bangsal harbour and the boat crossing

Bangsal is the main mainland harbour for the Gilis in northwest Lombok, with public boats that sail across to the islands. Fast boats also come from Padang Bai in Bali, and the crossing itself is part of the adventure.

  • ⏱ Part of your travel day
  • 🚗 the closest mainland harbour to the Gilis
  • 🌅 Morning, calmer seas
Our tipSailings depend on weather and sea conditions, and the boat type and harbour you use change the plan. We arrange transfers on request and check the details for your dates. Pack your valuables in a dry bag.
📷 Akhdanmp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Gili Nanggu and Gili Gede day trips#10Other GilisSekotong, southwest Lombok

Gili Nanggu and Gili Gede day trips

Lombok has more 'Gilis' than the famous three. In the southwest, small Gili Nanggu has white sand and clear water for snorkelling, while larger Gili Gede has quiet villages and simple stays. They make a calmer, less crowded day out.

  • ⏱ Full day
  • 🚗 southwest Lombok, far from the three main Gilis
  • 🌅 Morning, dry season
Our tipThese islands are on the other side of Lombok, so plan them as a separate day trip by road and a short boat, not from the three main Gilis. Boats run in suitable weather only.
📷 Goldenlombok · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Sample trips

Starting points we adjust to your dates, budget and hotel choice. Prices depend on the hotel and season, so we quote them for you.

Most popular
Gili classic3 days / 2 nights

Turtles, sunset & night market

👥 First visit, couples, friends

  • Transfer and boat crossing arranged for you
  • Snorkelling trip with turtles
  • Sunset on Gili Trawangan
  • Dinner at the night market

🏨 Beachside hotel on Gili Trawangan or Gili Air

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Quiet island escape4 days / 3 nights

Gili Meno, Nest and slow days

👥 Couples, honeymooners, slow travellers

  • Transfer and boat to Gili Meno
  • Visit to the Nest underwater statues
  • Walk around the island, salt lake and bird park
  • Optional cycling day on Gili Air

🏨 Small hotel or villa on Gili Meno

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Dive & explore5 days / 4 nights

Diving or freediving plus island hopping

👥 Active travellers, divers, beginners

  • Introductory or fun dives, or a freediving course
  • Cycling or cidomo tour of an island
  • Day trip to Gili Nanggu or Gili Gede if the weather is good
  • Spare day for weather and sea conditions

🏨 Hotel on Gili Trawangan or Gili Air

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Free trip planner

Plan your Gili Islands trip

Pick the places, your dates and the kind of hotel you like. We reply on WhatsApp with a suggested plan and today's prices - no obligation.

  • Real hotel rates for your dates
  • Car with driver and guides arranged on request
  • English or Bahasa Indonesia
Places to include

Opens WhatsApp with your plan as a message - nothing is sent until you press send there.

Practical tips

Getting there

Most visitors fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP) and drive roughly 1.5-2 hours to Bangsal harbour, then take a boat to the Gilis. Fast boats also run from Padang Bai in Bali, and there are routes from other Lombok harbours. Timetables and sea conditions change, so we arrange transfers on request and check them for your dates.

Best time

The dry season, roughly May to October, usually gives calmer seas and clearer water for snorkelling and diving. The rainy season, roughly November to March, can bring rough crossings and cancelled boats, so keep a spare day. It is warm all year, and the Gilis are busiest in July and August and around holidays.

Respect & dress

The islands have local Muslim communities living alongside the tourist side. Swimwear is fine at the beach, but cover up when walking through villages and visiting mosques, and keep quiet during the call to prayer. Look after the reef and turtles: no touching, no standing on coral, and take your rubbish with you.

Getting around

There are no cars or motorbikes on Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. You walk, rent a bicycle or ride a cidomo horse cart, and you hop between islands by boat. Bring some cash, as card machines and ATMs are not everywhere, and pack light because luggage is carried by hand or cart.

Opening hours, tickets, access and rules change (for example visitor quotas, volcano or sea conditions and closures) - we check them for your dates. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each picture; map: OpenStreetMap. Last checked 10 October 2026.

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