10 THINGS TO DO IN THE GILI ISLANDS ESSENTIAL

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There's a lot things to do in the Gili Islands, one of the small paradises left on earth, perfect for relaxing a few days, after a great trip through Indonesia.
These 3 small islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, which are very close to the island of Lombok and at least two hours by speed boat from the magical Bali, can be traveled in less than two hours on foot and are surrounded by a spectacular seabed, something that makes them one of the most desired destinations for scuba divers and snorkel enthusiasts.
Gili Trawangan is the island that has more tourist infrastructure, hotels, private villas, bungalows, cafes, terraces on the beach, restaurants, pubs and diving companies, which will make you not bored at any time. Of course, it is not the most suitable island for those looking for a space in which tranquility prevails since the nights tend to be moved and in high season there are many people.
Gili Air has always been a backpackers paradise and although in recent years it is growing at a great pace, this island is a perfect option for those who want to enjoy more tranquility than in Trawangan and with amenities in the form of villas and restaurants older than in Meno.
Gili Meno, located between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, has the most beautiful beach areas and is also the quietest, so we could say that it is perfect for couples and for travelers looking for more tranquility.
On our free trip to Indonesia we spent 5 days in the Gili Islands, while on our last trip to Bali we spent a week in Gili Trawangan, based on our experience, we have made a list of the best things to do in the Gili Islands.

How to go to the Gili Islands

The fastest and most comfortable option to go to the Gili Islands, whether from the tourist Bali or the neighboring Lombok, is by fast boat. Most travelers arrive to the Gili Islands from Bali by hiring a package that includes transportation from the hotel, it has to be located in the southern and central area of Bali, to the departure area of the Padang Bay boat, plus the journey in Fast boat to the chosen island.
This system is the one we chose both times we visited it and can be hired at any Ubud agency or in the city where you stay. The price is between 70 and 90 euros, round trip, a good option is to book the ticket at a similar price in advance and with a trusted agency.
Something to keep in mind is that you have to be very attentive on the return trip in the landing area in Padang Bay, since when leaving the ship there are many places asking for the ticket and asking the city to which you are heading. Ignore, as it does not belong to fast boat companies. On the contrary, what you have to do is continue walking to the parking lot and only get into the van that bears the name of the agency with which you have contracted the package.

1. Watch the sunset

One of the best things to do in the Gili Islands It is approaching at sunset time to one of the many terraces on the beachfront for a drink while waiting for one of the best sunsets in the world.
In our case we have all seen them from Gili Trawangan, our accommodation place, which has a spectacular sunset with the Agung volcano in Bali, in the background. On each island you will see several restaurants and cafes on the beach with sun beds, sun loungers, tables on the beach and even background music, to enjoy the great moment of the day, so the only problem that you will have, will be to choose in which of them to enjoy one of the most incredible moments of the day.
The sunset area in Gili Trawangan, as in the other islands, is perfectly signposted and although you can ask to make sure, the best way to locate it is the various swings that are over the sea and in which you can not stop taking a picture of postcard while the sun goes down and a powerful red illuminates the sky.

Sunset at Gili Trawangan

2. Diving

The Gili Islands have one of the most spectacular seabed in the world, which will delight diving enthusiasts. You should keep in mind that there are many areas of the reef that cannot be enjoyed by snorkeling alone and although you can see turtles and other fish in shallow waters, the most spectacular and best preserved corals, and the largest fish, are more than depth.
This, in addition to the low prices of the diving courses, together with the good sea temperature and the clarity of the water, make the Gili Islands an ideal place to start in the world of scuba diving.
On this last trip, although I had already dived before, I took advantage of having more time to get the Open Water diving title at the Manta Dive school in Gili Trawangan.
This course that you can take in 3 days, includes 4 dives in the sea and is perfect to learn all the essentials of this world.
If you don't have much time you can do a sea christening , which includes a dive or if you are already a diver, book dives.
Another recommended option is to book this PADI Open Water diving course, dive baptism or dives, all with an instructor in Spanish.

Scuba diving, one of the best things to do in the Gili Islands

3. Go around the island completely

Gili Trawangan, the largest island of all, does not exceed 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, and it takes about 2 hours to complete the tour of the island, walking quietly. Gili Memo and Gili Air are a bit smaller and can be easily surrounded in an hour and a half.
The best thing about going around the island for the sand of the beach or the path that goes parallel to the coast, is that it allows you to see all the corners of the island, the most beautiful pieces of beach, the quietest bungalows and the Restaurants with more charm.
That's why we recommend doing it the first day to discover these places and go another day with more time to those that you liked the most. In most of the day in the Gili Islands the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, so it is advisable to go around just before sunrise and above all, bring water.
Another option is to go around with a rented bike or running.

Surround Gili Trawangan

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

4. Visit the 3 islands

Paying a visit to one or both of the remaining islands is another one of the best things to do in the Gili Islands. There are local boats that leave in the morning and return in the afternoon at a price of about 40,000 rupees (less than 3 euros) the journey, which usually takes about 20 minutes.
Another more comfortable option, and without danger of running out of space, is the fast boats that leave every hour for a price of 80000 rupees, although it must be taken into account that the last boat returns at 5 in the afternoon.
You can visit two islands at the same day, although we recommend visiting only one quietly, leaving first thing in the morning and returning in the middle of the afternoon.
If you have this time you can calmly take the full turn, have a drink in one of its terraces, snorkel and after eating in one of the charming restaurants, take the boat back.

Gili Meno

5. Sleep in a bungalow

One of the best things to do in the Gili Islands It is to stay in a thatched roof bungalow, your most typical accommodation. Most hotels, whether large resorts such as Villa Ombak in Gili Trawangan, where we stayed on our first trip, as in small accommodations, have an area of beautiful individual bungalows.
The most expensive, many with air conditioning, something almost obligatory due to the heat of the island, are located near the port and the restaurant area, the problem is that many times they lack the tranquility and silence of what you imagine would be to live in an island, especially in Gili Trawangan.
In the areas with less tourist infrastructure of the islands are the most charming bungalows, some with sea views, which allow you to relax 24 hours a day. The disadvantage of choosing this farthest lodging is the time that you lose in moving to the restaurant and local area and at the time of the return, if it is night, you must also take into account that there is almost no lighting on the road.

Search here for your ideal accommodation in the Gili Islands.

Bungalows in the Gili Islands

6. Give yourself a massage, one of the best things to do in the Gili Islands

If you come from Bali, you will appreciate that in the Gili Islands you can continue enjoying their fantastic massages. After going around the island there is nothing better than enjoying a recuperating leg massage or after a long day of snorkeling or diving, a traditional Balinese massage.
There are many massage parlors and spas in the Gili Islands, although the most recommended are the Azure Spa in Gili Trawangan and the Slow Spa in Gili Air.

7. Swing you

One of the things that have multiplied in recent years in the Gili Islands are swings over the sea, especially in Gili Trawangan.
It seems that having a restaurant or local on the seafront is not complete without putting a swing or a hammock on the sea so that the client can take a picture of a postcard, so we will not be the ones who say no to this activity that will take us back to childhood in the most paradisiacal environment.
The most famous and one of the first swings of the islands is in Gili Air and is the one that puts the name of the island in wood and that has appeared in a multitude of Instagram photos.
The best time for that photo is at sunset and something that must be taken into account is that both when approaching and when going up or down the wooden swing, you have to be very careful, since the afternoon tide rises and a slip or stepping on the shear coral, could ruin the moment.

Swings in the Gili Islands

8. Snorkel

The 3 Gili Islands have a seabed full of corals and fish that, together with the shallow depth and clarity of the water and a temperature around 30 degrees, make it one of the best places in the world to practice snorkeling.
Around the Gili Islands there are several points to enjoy snorkeling, our favorite is Turtle Point in Gili Trawangan, where in addition to seeing all kinds of tropical fish and colorful corals, you will hallucinate with the huge turtles that are usually in this area.
We recommend renting a fin, tube and mask kit for about Rs 40,000 per day (just over two euros). Above all, if you do not take the fins, you must be careful when stepping on the ground, since it is full of coral and you can take a good memory wound.
A good option is to do some of the snorkeling excursions in the best areas of the 3 islands, which usually last about 5 or 6 hours and leave for about 100,000 rupees.

Snorkeling in Gili

9. Eat seafood on the beach

One of the best things to do in the Gili Islands It is dining a good seafood or fresh fish in a beach restaurant. These charming places have tables on the sand of the beach a few meters from the water, to enjoy an unforgettable dinner.
Eating seafood and grilled fish is very popular among those who visit the island and how could it be otherwise, the star dish is grilled lobster, with a price around 100,000 rupees (6 euros) per 100 grams, It is a big claim.
We ate it two nights at the beach in the Scallywags restaurant, one of Gili Trawangan's most famous and it was delicious.
Another place you can not miss is the Gili Trawangan Night Market, a market that is mounted every night near the port, where you can try all kinds of local food, including seafood and fresh fish at the best price.

Restaurants on the beach of seafood

How to have internet in Bali?
If you want to have internet in Bali a good option is to buy one Holafly SIM card, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, several GB of data, keeping your WhatsApp number and support service in Spanish.
You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader.

10. Relax

Breakfast a good plate of fruit, take a walk on the beach, lie in a hammock, take a bath on the beach, read, snorkel, eat a bowl of salad or pasta, go to the pool, have a massage, see the sunset, go to seafood dinner, have a cocktail or a drink in a pub while listening to music, are just some of the many things what to do in the Gili Islands and that ultimately summarizes how your day to day will be, in which to relax, will be one of the maxims of each day.