When choosing the perfect place to stay in Indonesia, many people think of Bali. However, this island is not the only pearl of the country, which can conquer the traveler.
If you are looking for a quiet and secluded place, where nothing will prevent you from enjoying a truly paradisiacal atmosphere – look at the resorts of the Gili Islands. Each one is a haven from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy secluded beaches with clear blue water, intimate bars and restaurants, cozy bungalows, comfortable hotels and a lot of exotic. Just a few minutes by boat from Bali or Lombok – and you find yourself in a real kingdom of relaxation, where you want to meet the most beautiful sunsets, explore the rich underwater world, lie in hammocks and spend nights at the beach parties.
All three islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air – have their own characteristics, but each is definitely worthy of attention.
Geographic Location
The Gili Archipelago in Indonesia consists of three small islands, Gili Trawangan (3.4 km²), Gili Meno (1.88 km²) and Gili Air (1.5 km²), which bathe the waters of the Indian Ocean. They are located in the Lombok Strait, off the northwest coast of the island of the same name, and are within sight of each other. About 35 km west of Gili Trawangan is Bali. The territory of the islands and their underwater world is famous for its rich flora and fauna. There are many unique dive sites where you can watch the rare marine life.
Recreational sites in the Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan is the largest, most popular and partying island in the archipelago. Every night there are parties at local clubs and beach bars. Most such establishments are in the western part of the island. Good restaurants and hotels are not uncommon here either. Trawangan is also one of the few places in the world where it is legal to use marijuana. Despite all this, there are many picturesque places on the island where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday surrounded by natural beauty. There are dive schools on the southeast coast that teach beginners. The best places to contemplate the life of marine life are on the northern part of the island. While diving you can see the beautiful coral reefs, rare fish and even turtles. There are also some good surfing spots in this part of the coast.
Gili Meno is located in the middle between Trawangan and Eyre. This island is considered the most tranquil, cozy and sparsely built-up. Rest here will appeal to those who have long wanted to escape from the big city and all day lie on the paradisiacal deserted beaches, drinking cocktails. There are resorts and bungalows, some nice restaurants and cafes, hammocks and beautiful lounge areas on the island. On the west side of Meno is a small salt lake. There are few attractions here. Among the main ones are the mosque and the Bird Park. As entertainment on the island are popular diving, snorkeling and boating with a transparent bottom. Here, at a depth of 12 meters, there is a sunken ship Bounty, which can be seen during the dive, as well as intricate underwater statues.
Gili Air is the smallest and most authentic of the three islands. It’s where you’ll find the most locals. The island itself is incredibly green, clean and picturesque. It has an excellent choice of accommodation, many beautiful beaches, secluded bays, restaurants and bars. And – you can rent a bike and go explore the wild beauty of the local tropics. There are also dive schools here, but snorkeling is more popular. Many backpackers prefer Gili Air because they find it less expensive and less touristy than the neighboring islands.
Historical Facts
The Makassar, Buguian and Mandarin tribes were the first to settle on the Gili Islands some 200 years ago. The main reason was the large amount of fish and fresh water on Gili Air. For a long time Trawangan and Meno were unpopulated, and the inhabitants of Eyre reached there by boat to grow plantations. The settlers planted peanuts, tapioca, corn, and continued fishing, selling their produce on Lombok. For a time, during World War II, the Japanese occupiers used the islands as observation posts and prisoner camps.
In the 1970s, the hippies found out about the paradise place, mastered it and started the tourist era. And in the 1980s, the islands began to gain even more popularity among travelers. This was also influenced by the growth of tourism in neighboring Bali. Initially the most famous tourist location was Gili Air with its more developed infrastructure. However, Gili Trawangan soon surpassed it – mostly because of its proximity to the best dive sites. Throughout the 1990s the diving industry was booming – the islands became a world-class training destination.
In the 2000s, more housing and recreational activities appeared on Gili. A non-profit organization called the Gili Eco Trust was also founded to protect coral reefs and the surrounding islands.
Today the archipelago continues to grow its tourism industry and efforts are being made to preserve the marine habitat and cultural difference from Bali.
What a traveler can do on Gili
- Make time for diving and snorkeling. Here, these activities are number one on the list of things to do during your vacation. The underwater world of the archipelago is extremely interesting, unusual and diverse. That is why its depths attract many divers – both beginners and professionals.
- Spend the night at a beach party, pre-selecting a bar with a cozy atmosphere and luxurious views. It is not recommended to drink cheap alcohol because of the high risk of poisoning. It is better to prefer bottled drinks.
- Lounge on the white sand all day enjoying the beauty of local nature, clear azure waters and warm breezes.
- Take a romantic boat ride on a glass-bottom boat.
- Hire a bicycle and take a mini-trip along the scenic roads of one of the islands.
- Visit the wonderful Bird Park on Meno Island.
- Travel to all three islands (each can be reached by boat).
- Eat plenty of exotic fruits and try different delicacies in local restaurants.
- Watch the sunset lying in a hammock by the shore, listen to the sound of waves and remember the beauty.
When to visit the Gili Islands
The high tourist season on Gili lasts from April to October. The weather is most enjoyable and stable during this time, with constant sunshine and almost no rain. This season is called the “dry season. The average temperature is +30-31 ° C in spring and autumn, +29-30 ° C – in summer. The peak season is in July and August. During this period there are a lot of tourists and higher prices for accommodation and services.
From November to April the rainy season lasts, but it usually rains for a few hours at night and the weather improves during the day. At this time it is more profitable to go financially. Temperatures will be about the same as in the rest of the months.