ID · West Nusa Tenggara · 8.35°S 116.06°E

gili islands

Three car-free islands off Lombok: turtles, horse carts and sunset swings.

Best time
April to October is dry and sunny. July and August are the busiest; November to March brings more rain but fewer people.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly KL to Lombok, about 3 hours, then drive about 2 hours to Bangsal harbour for a short boat across. Fast boats also run direct from Bali in about 2–3 hours.
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ID · West Nusa Tenggaragili islands8.35°S 116.06°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Three car-free islands off Lombok: turtles, horse carts and sunset swings.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGili IslandsID, West Nusa Tenggara
KLgili islands
≈ 2,042 km from KL, as the crow flies
Sunset @ Gili Trawangan

Photo: Kandoi.sid · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Three small, flat islands off Lombok's northwest coast: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. There are no cars or motorbikes, just bicycles and horse carts, and the water around them is full of turtles and coral. Trawangan is the lively one, Meno the quietest, and Air sits in between.

Makan

  1. Gili T night marketStalls near the harbour grill fresh seafood and cook Indonesian staples every evening.Map ↗
  2. Nasi campurRice with your pick of local dishes from the warungs back from the beach.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Snorkelling with turtlesGreen and hawksbill turtles feed on the reefs just off all three islands.Map ↗
  2. The underwater statues off Gili MenoA ring of life-size human sculptures on the seabed, easy to reach on a snorkelling trip.Map ↗
  3. Cycling around Gili TrawanganThe loop around the island takes about an hour, with a few sandy patches.Map ↗
  4. Sunset on Gili T's west coastBeach bars with swings in the shallows look across to Bali's Mount Agung.Map ↗
  5. DivingDive schools on all three islands run beginner courses and reef trips.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Currents between the islands are strong. Don't try to swim across; take the island-hopping boat.
  • The islands have a Muslim community. Cover up away from the beach, and expect a quieter scene during Ramadan.
  • Bring enough cash. ATMs can run out and smaller places may not take cards.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.