Located a 1.5-hour ferry ride away from Bali, the Gili Islands have gained popularity among tourists of all kinds! From backpackers and party animals to quiet honeymoon couples and nature lovers, there’s a lot to do for everyone.

If you are curious about which Gili Island is the best for you, you have come to the right place! In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know before planning your trip to these three beautiful islands. Let’s get started.

About Gili Islands

Located off the west coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the Gili Islands are a beautiful trio of tropical paradises with crystal-clear water, beautiful white sand, rich marine life, and island vibes like no other! The Gili Islands consist of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno, each offering a unique experience and vibe from the other.

With no motorized vehicles on any of these islands, you are sure to have a once-in-a-lifetime island experience, but it is important to know which island matches your vibe perfectly!

So, let’s compare the unique experiences, the best and worst each has to offer, and decide which island is the best for you.

Gili Islands: Which one matches your travel style?

These three islands are located a short boat ride away from each other, still, each offers a unique vibe. Let’s see which Gili is your perfect match:

Gili Trawangan: The Vibrant Soul

Gili Trawangan stands as the largest and most developed of the three Gili Islands, earning its reputation as the Gili Islands’ vibrant soul. Known as ‘Gili T’ among travellers, this island offers the perfect mix of nature and nightlife. If you like snorkeling with turtles, cycling around on car-free streets or a vibrant nightlife, Gili Trawangan might be the destination for you! 

Let’s look at Gili Trawangan’s Pros and Cons:

Gili Trawangan Pros

Natural beauty: Gili T offers spectacular white sand beaches with clear water and marine life, including sea turtles that have become a symbol of the region. At the Sunset Point in the northwestern part of the island, you can witness a stunning sunset view with Mount Agung in the distance!

Major party destination: Gili T is the place to be if you love partying! The island has numerous beachside bars, clubs, restaurants with live music, and a night market where you can have some amazing local food and seafood. Travelers flock to Gili T with the sole purpose of partying, and the island becomes extremely vibrant after sunset.

Activities: The island offers various activities, such as snorkeling at Turtle Point, where seeing sea turtles is almost guaranteed, and PADI-certified scuba diving centers, which are suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.

Wide range of accommodation: Gili T offers the most diverse range of places to stay among the three islands, and you can find accommodation options ranging all the way from budget hostels and mid-range hotels to boutique resorts and luxury villas!

Gili Trawangan Cons

Expensive: While it is true that the island offers budget accommodation options and mid-range restaurants, the overall cost of activities and accommodations is still higher when compared with the other two Gili Islands. Partying and shopping can get especially expensive on this island, but it might be worth it if you want to experience a vibrant island lifestyle!

Can get crowded: Being the most popular destination out of the three Gili Islands, the island gets a huge influx of tourists, especially during the peak season in July and August. Due to this, some locations can get crowded, especially areas such as the Main Street. To avoid the crowd, you can visit in May, June, or September.

Gili Meno: The Remote Hideaway

Smallest of the three Gili islands, Gili Meno is the least commercial of all and is perfect to have a remote and peaceful vacation. If you are craving a little peace or a romantic getaway with your partner after a hectic trip in Bali, Gili Meno will provide you just that!

Let’s look at the pros and cons of staying in Gili Meno:

Gili Meno Pros

Secluded & relaxing: While the nightlife of Bali and Gili T is famous, the simplicity of Gili Meno is the selling point for many travelers. Year round, you will find a low crowd and high tranquility on this island.

Peaceful beaches: Gili Meno is the place where you can get a whole beach to yourself! You can spend the day sunbathing or snorkeling in the crystal clear water without any interruptions.

Snorkeling points: There are two beautiful snorkeling points just off the Meno coast where you can swim alongside sea turtles. While these snorkeling points can get crowded by the snorkeling tours, if you go to these points early in the morning, you can snorkel in peace and tranquility.

Gili Meno Cons

Expensive accommodation: Due to its small size and focus on luxury resorts and villas, Gili Meno is less affordable compared to other Gili Islands, but still cheaper than Bali overall. The accommodation options usually start at mid-range, and there are almost no budget options available.

Fewer things to do: If you are looking for a lot of things to do or see during your trip, Gili Meno might not be the best option for you. But if you want a quiet and peaceful getaway, with snorkeling, sunbathing and local Indonesian food, this island is perfect for you!

Limited nightlife: Gili Meno has almost no nightlife due to a ban on late-night partying and music, making it the quietest and the most laid-back among the three islands.

Slow wi-fi & fewer ATMs: Most hotels and cafes in Gili Meno do offer free wi-fi, however, due to the island’s smaller size and limited infrastructure, there can be speed fluctuations and sometimes no internet at all. Moreover, the island has two ATMs but they frequently run out of cash! It is recommended to withdraw any necessary cash in Bali itself before arriving at Gili Meno.

Limited restaurants & shops: Being the smallest and the least commercial among the islands, you will find fewer restaurants and shops. So, make sure if you are staying in Gili Meno, you are carrying all your essentials with you, or you can visit Gili T to shop. Additionally, research restaurants based on your dietary needs before you visit the island.

Gili Air: The Perfect Balance

Gili Air embodies the ideal middle ground among the Gili Islands, creating a blend of vibrant nightlife and a peaceful retreat! Positioned closest to Lombok Island, this island combines the conveniences and activities of Gili Trawangan with the serene atmosphere of Gili Meno.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of staying in Gili Air:

Gili Air Pros

Serene atmosphere: Gili Air offers some of the best-preserved coral reefs on its beaches, with its coastline having spectacular views. Here, you can witness a peaceful sunrise above Lombok Island and a breathtaking sunset with Mount Agung silhouetted in the skyline!

Wide range of activities: Gili Air offers all the activities that you would expect from a Gili Islands trip–snorkeling near the coral reefs available for both experienced and beginner snorkelers, PADI-certified scuba diving centers, and numerous yoga and wellness retreats!

Accommodation: Although the available accommodation options are not as many as in Gili T, you will still be able to find accommodation suitable for your budget, ranging from budget hostels to luxury villas!

Best internet connectivity: Are you even a happy nomad without good internet? Since Gili Air is the closest to mainland Lombok, it has the best internet connectivity throughout the island. Talk about doing lag-free meetings at the beach!

Authentic local experience: Gili Air distinguishes itself from the other Gili Islands through its authentic community feel, where local life continues alongside tourism. Plus, you will find a wide range of dining options- from local warungs to upscale restaurants.

Gili Air Cons

More difficult to get to: If you’re planning on visiting Gili Air after your Bali trip, you should be aware that Gili Air can get more difficult to reach, especially by speedboat since it is the farthest from Bali out of the three islands!

Not enough essential stores: While the island provides an almost perfect balance of everything, we still believe that the island could use some more pharmacies and essential stores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you want to know more about the islands, you are not alone! Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Gili Islands:

What’s the best way to travel to Gili Islands from Bali?

There are speed boats and ferries available from Bali ports going to Gili Islands every single day. Another way to reach Gili is through Lombok. You can take a flight to Lombok International Airport and then take a taxi or shuttle to the nearest port for a speedboat ride to Gili Islands.

Which Gili island is best for couples or a honeymoon?

Being a secluded island, Gili Meno is considered the best for a couple’s getaway. It has stunning beaches, fewer crowds, and a relaxed vibe, making it ideal for honeymoons.

Which Gili island is best for families?

Gili Air is considered the best for families as it offers the perfect balance of relaxation and attractions. Family-friendly accommodations, snorkeling trips, and a laid-back atmosphere make it a great location for family trips.

Which Gili island has the best snorkeling and diving?

All three islands offer great snorkeling, but Gili Meno is famous for its underwater statues and turtle sightings. Gili Trawangan and Gili Air also have great dive spots with coral reefs and marine life, so you can enjoy these activities on any of the Gili islands.

Can I visit all three Gili Islands on one trip?

Yes! If you want to experience the contrast of the islands, the best way is to spend a few days at each island and soak in the unique charm of each Gili Island.

You can island-hop and visit each island for a few days. There are local boats leaving for each island every day, making it quite easy to explore the three islands all in one trip.

Plan Your Gili Adventure

So this was our guide to the Gili Islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, and which one you need to visit! While every island offers stunning beaches, unreal marine life, and snorkeling trips, which one you should stay in is important to decide. We, at Borderline Nomad, hope that you found your answer and are all set to plan a trip to this tropical paradise