Oh boy, the Gili Islands…by far one of the highlights of Southeast Asia. If you plan to go to Indonesia definitely set time aside to come to these islands. There are three islands Gili A, Gili T, and Gili M with Gili T being the biggest and more popular. It is known for its scuba diving resorts where you can spend time at the resort while getting your scuba certification or advanced training. It’s a lot more laid back than Bali and a very small island so expect a lot of beach, scuba, and indulging in Indonesian cuisine with your feet in the sand watching the sunset.
Getting Here
To get to and from the Gili Islands the best way is via ferry, although most of the ports are about 45-60 minutes from Kuta Beach. Be also aware that the ferry ride is very long, with stops to each island before Gili T. Total travel time is about 6 hours.
Once you arrive in Gili everything is typically within walking distance, however they do have horse carriages that can take you around. We always avoided taking these because these poor horses looked exhausted most of the time, foaming at the mouth.
Location: East side of the island
Majority of the accommodation, restaurants, ferry ports are on the east side of the island. This is where all the action is. If you want a more luxurious and quiet part of the island then head to the west side. The west side is also where the sun sets so this is a popular spot in the evening.
Accommodation
Up to You Hostel
This was about the only hostel on the island that got decent reviews however it was a bit of an older hostel with a desperate need for an update. However the owner and staff were so awesome. He invited us every day to drink his booze and just hang out. Great overall social atmosphere that makes you feel like you are a part of his family.
- Cost per night: $12
Dian’s Homestay
Homestays and resorts are much more popular on these islands so stay away from cheaper places as they tend to be more run down. This accommodation was really nice and modern rooms with good A/C. We had our own private bathroom and shower for the same price as the hostel. They provided us a cook to order breakfast every morning which included banana pancakes, fruit, and orange juice. The staff was always very nice and so relaxed, they made it extremely difficult to leave!
- Cost per night: $15
Food & Dining
As mentioned most of the resorts on the island should include cook to order breakfast with banana pancakes but there is only one street around the island which has plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from just steps from the beach.
Resto Italian
This place is actually hidden away from the main street and you may have to walk down some dark streets to get there but its worth it! It’s owned by an Italian who makes amazing pizzas and pastas from scratch. Absolutely yum Italian food and a nice change from Indonesian.
Market by the Jetty
Every night locals provide a variety of homemade Indonesian dishes down by the main jetty. Such cheap food with a variety of different dishes you can choose from and pay by the dish.
- Average cost: $3
Trawangan Dive
This place is attached to Gili Trawangan Dive Shop and was the perfect spot to enjoy a lunch on the beach right after our dive. They had great wraps and smoothies and you couldn’t beat the view and feeling the sand under your feet while enjoying your meal.
Le Petit Gili
Really cute vibe here but to be honest pretty average food. They had a lunch and drinks deal but probably made the mistake of trying to get mexican food. Here I think stay to the local dishes, except for Resto Italian which is done beautifully!
Activities
Beach and Walk the Island
You can easily spend a day walking around the entire island to see what is has to offer on all sides. There are beautiful beaches all around, just be weary of the dead coral along the beach which can make walking a bit harder in some spots. Low tide comes in the afternoon and evening which allows you to explore some of the sea life under the rocks. There are also hotels on the west side that have swings and hammocks in the water making a very popular destination for photos.
Scuba Diving
As mentioned before this island is a hot spot for scuba divers either looking to get their certification or advanced training. For us we wanted to do a fun dive and one thing to understand with these resorts is that they have all agreed to charge the same amount so don’t bother trying to find a “deal” or negotiate because you won’t find anything less. The only thing is where and which kind of dives you’d like to do.
We chose Trawangan Dive, which we loved! This place was awesome, had two pools and swim up bars you can relax in before and after your dives. They also have a nice spot for lunch afterwards right on the beach. The staff were extremely chill and relaxed, going over the basic instructions of diving beforehand but making sure everyone was having a good time. Overall a very smooth process.
The overall dive was awesome, I found it to be one of the best purely because the water was so warm. It felt like bath water! The highlights were definitely seeing all the sea turtles in their natural habitat. The only downside is the coral is dead, which is a bit sad.
- Cost per dive: $55
Snorkeling Tour around Gili Islands
This was a great little day drip around the islands, perfect for those who love to snorkel and see whats around the other islands. We stopped about 3 times in different spots and stopped for lunch on Gili Air. There were probably more people on the boat than ideal and the coral again is a bit dead, but we saw lots of sea turtles and fish which is always a cool experience.
- Cost: $10 (does not include lunch)
Nightlife
The nightlife is the best on Gili T compared to the other islands. The one street on the east side is filled with bars and extremely easy to find something for everyone. One thing that I do highly recommend is catching a sunset on the west side. Find a resort or a bar on the beach, most of them have lounge chairs for your comfort. Sit back, relax, grab a Bintang and enjoy the sunset.
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