Fun Things To Do On Gili Islands Indonesia

Gili Islands are a group of 3 small islands called Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These islands are just off the northwest coast of Lombok and are also near Bali. Gili Islands are a good alternative to Bali. The Gili Islands are less touristy and crowded than Bali but the attractions and amenities are as good as Bali. What are the fun things to do on the Gili Islands?

The Gili Islands are popular for scuba diving and free diving. You can also enjoy the long sandy beaches on the Gili Islands. The beaches are a good place to relax and go swimming or if you are interested you can go paddleboarding and kitesurfing. You can also explore the local markets or enjoy the local restaurants. The nightlife is not too busy but decent if you want a few quiet drinks and watch the sunset.

In this post, we will go through things to do in the Gili Islands. So let’s get started!

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Is It Worth Visiting The Gili Islands?

The Gili Islands are worth a visit. It is quieter than Bali but the beaches and waters on the islands are nicer than Bali. It is a good place to go scuba diving but it is not a party island.

Things To Do On Gili Islands Indonesia

Gili Islands are a collection of 3 islands near the northwest coast of Lombok in Indonesia. It is quieter than Bali, the islands have a relaxed vibe where you can relax by the beach. There are wonderful things to do on the Gili Islands that will keep you busy for a few days.

Here is our list of things to do on the Gili Islands.

Go Diving

The Gili islands are a great spot to go diving for both beginner divers and experienced divers. There are more than 20 dive sites around the islands so there’s a nice bit to explore. You can do your open water certification or go on fun dives, there is a good range of diving operators around the islands.

Many scuba divers will see sharks, sea turtles, and wrecks around the Gili Islands. To go scuba diving costs around IDR 550,000 for one fun dive, which includes equipment rental. And the PADI Open Water certification costs around IDR 6,000,000.

One important note when you are diving or snorkeling on the island is not to touch anything living in the sea and also the corals.

Try Yoga

There are plenty of yoga studios around the Gili Islands. You can do yoga in a studio or on the beach. There is no shortage of daily yoga classes, those styles range from meditation to Reiki healing.

Finding the yoga package is not a problem, however, you should know that some of the instructors and classes are just awful. That is why you need to read reviews on the style, instructor, and background before joining any particular yoga class.

Ride The Wave

Even though surfing is more popular in Bali but Gili Islands is also not a bad place to ride the waves. There are plenty of spots mainly in the southeast of Gili Trawangan but also in Gili Meno and Gili Ai where you can try to catch a few waves.

According to local people, Gili Trawangan is the most popular place for surfing. If you want to catch a wave, it is also important to never underestimate the possibility of strong currents.

Watch The Sunset

You can sit and relax by the beach waiting for sunset and sipping some drinks. That can be said that the sunset in Gili is not something that you should miss. If more interested in quiet surroundings, there is plenty of spots along the beaches to walk, sit, and watch the sunset in peace.

Go On The Swings

Several ocean swings can be found around Indonesia and you can also find one on the islands. Some resorts even build their own swings. The combination of swing and sunset is a great Instagram photo opportunity.

No wonder people are willing to stand in line to get the chance to pose on the swings. If you visit the island during peak season, you have to be ready to stand in line on the sunset swing spot.

Go, Island Hopping

The Gili Islands consist of three smaller islands which are Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. Some boats operate to the other islands, 2 times a day. You can check the schedule if you want to visit the other islands.

If you miss the public boats, you can also charter a boat at an affordable price.

Trek Up Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani may not be located in the Gili Islands but located in Lombok Island. The mountain is a famous volcano with a beautiful view. If you want to go mountain trekking, you can try hiking up Mount Rinjani.

To reach the top of the mountain, you will need to set a camp for a day or two. Plus, you need to plan your trekking accordingly. Even though trekking in Mount Rinjani is hard but the experience is definitely worth a try.

Eat Good Food At The Night Market

Starting from 6 pm, the night market will have any foodie happy. Located next to the boat pier in the Gili Trawangan, the night market is the place to eat good cheap food. The food is freshly cooked and prepared. The fresh seafood is grilled on an open fire.

There are a lot of tourists and locals eating here. There is a wide range of seafood, fresh fish, satay, noodles, rice, vegetable dishes, grilled corn, and many more options to choose from.

Party The Night Away

Compared to Bali, the nightlife on Gili Island may be a little bit more laid back and quieter. Of the three islands, Gili Trawangan is best if you want to party. There are several party spots and nightclubs available.

You can also ask the hotel for recommendations. The island may not be as busy as Bali but the nightlife is worth trying.

Wrapping Up

Finally, the Gili Islands are a great alternative to Bali. On the islands, you can also enjoy the long sandy beaches on the Gili Islands where you can relax and go swimming or if you are interested you can go scuba diving and kitesurfing. The nightlife is not too busy but decent if you want a few quiet drinks and watch the sunset.

Also, it is important to consider the right time when visiting the islands because, during peak season, the prices will be more expensive than in other periods.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in the Gili Islands Indonesia has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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