Insider Tips & Tricks for Your Trip to The Gili Islands

Ask anyone who has been to the Gilis how long they stayed for and they will tell you they were booked for 3 days but stayed for 2 weeks (or some variation on that). They’ll know all the staff at their hotel by name and wave at the stall holders along the main street. These are the people you want to give you all the tips and tricks for getting the most out of your trip to the Gili Islands. Thankfully, we’ve asked some of the people that know the islands like the backs of their hands to give us the scoop on what to see, do, and eat while you are in the Gili Islands.

Watch sunrise and sunset

The east side of Gili Trawangan near Villa Almarik or the east side beach of Gili Air are the best sunrise spots. On Gili Trawangan the sunsets are extraordinary around Aston Sunset, Kardia Resort, and The Exile Bar.

💡 Insider Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to get front-row beanbag seats at beach bars.

Snorkel with Sea Turtles

The Gili Islands are famous for their resident populations of green sea turtles. There are loads of spots where you can snorkel with them around all of the islands, but some are definitely better than others. Villa Almarik has arguably the best spot of them all right off the beach.

If you want to explore the other Gilis, Gili Meno has a great turtle spot off the west side. Boat trips often go from Gili T across to Meno to visit this area. The best turtle spot on Gili Air is just off the northeastern side of the island.

💡 Insider Tip: Get up early for the best turtle spotting. Between 6am and 9am there are less snorkellers out and the turtles are having their morning graze on sea grasses just off the shore.
Also, wear reef shoes to get in and out of the water comfortably. The reef is close in so your feet can get a bit of a beating.

Money & Connectivity

The Gili Islands have changed a lot in the past decade. Where there were no ATMs before at all, there are now a number that you can withdraw money from. Wi-fi has become widespread and it’s generally reliable in cafes and hotels. Internet can be a little slower than you might be used to, but If you need to work or be in contact with people, you will have no problem at all.

💡 Insider Tip: ATMs sometimes run out of cash on weekends so withdraw money before you desperately need it. As for internet, if you need a stronger signal, make sure you have a Telkomsel SIM card as this provider has the best signal.

Where to Eat Local Food

If you like to try out the local tastes when you are traveling, the Gilis have plenty of options. Try local dishes like ayam taliwang, a spicy grilled chicken flavored with garlic, shrimp paste, and plenty of fiery chillies. For veggies, plecing kangkung is a simple water spinach dish but is packed full of spice and flavor thanks to its unique sambal. As for places to eat, some of Villa Almarik’s staff favorites are Pituq Waroeng, Warung Bu Dewi, and Warung Alam Damai. The night market is also a great place to try lots of different local delicacies.

💡 Insider Tip: Eat at local warungs that are inland instead of those on the beachfront. Prices are generally half of what the beachfront restaurants charge.

Getting Around

The Gili Islands have no motorized vehicles at all, so all transport is by cidomo horse cart, bicycle, or on foot. This gives the islands a real sense of quiet and calm with no revving motorcycles or fumes from cars and buses. We love getting around by bicycle with the wind blowing in our hair. You can rent bikes for around IDR 50-75k per day.

💡 Insider Tip: Always check the brakes and tires before renting and be careful on the sandy paths. Deeper sand can send you into a wobble.

When to Travel to the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are amazing all year round but there are some reasons you might want to choose certain times over others. The best weather comes from March to June with less rain and clearer water. September to November can also be good but it depends when the rainy season decides to start. Some years it’s earlier than others.

There are fewer crowds in these months as well, as they are outside European summer, Australian summer, and the Christmas and New Year period.

💡 Insider Tip: Full Moon Parties happen monthly on Gili T so if you prefer peace and less people around, plan around the full moon.

Cultural Respect

The Gili Islands are part of Lombok, where most locals are Muslim. There are mosques on all 3 islands and it is respectful to wear more modest clothing if you are in the villages or close to the mosques. Rules are definitely quite relaxed for this tourist hotspot, but it is good to be aware of being culturally sensitive.

💡 Insider Tip: During Ramadan and Eid there will be calls to prayer 5 times a day. Some mosques have loudspeakers, so if you are sensitive to noise, it is best to avoid visiting during the holy month.

Other Unique Experiences

There are plenty of experiences in the Gilis that are unique to the islands both under and over the waves. One of the most popular is the underwater sculpture Nest at Gili Meno. You can snorkel or dive in and around the sculpture depicting 48 life-sized human figures in various poses. Also on Gili Meno, take a walk to the saltwater lake that takes up a large part of the interior of the island. Impressive for such a small island, it’s a pleasant stroll in the afternoon.

On Gili Trawangan it’s worth the trek up Gili Trawangan Hill to see the views from the highest point on the island. It’s about a 15 minute walk from Villa Almarik to the base of the hill and then another 15 minutes up the hill itself.

💡 Insider Tip: Get to the Nest statues before 9am to beat the crowds. If you get there just after sunrise you could have the whole place to yourself.

Conservation and Responsible Travel

The Gilis are much busier than they used to be, so it’s very important to travel responsibly when you visit. When you get in the water, avoid touching or stepping on coral as it takes years to regrow. You should also keep a respectful distance from marine life and never ever touch them.

Non-profits like Gili Eco Trust work hard to protect marine life like turtles and sharks around the islands. You can show your support by shopping at their eco shop located on Gili Trawangan or join one of their beach clean up events.

💡 Insider Tip: Bring your own water bottle and refill at Gili Eco Trust’s shop or many other cafes and shops around the Gilis.

That should just about cover all aspects of enjoying the Gili Islands. We can’t thank our   Resort Manager and other staff members for their great insider tips. If you have any tips that you think we missed, we’d love to hear from you!