The Gili Islands are known for their pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs where you can see a variety of colorful fish and experience swimming with turtles. There are no motorised vehicles which is perfect for someone seeking a peaceful break.
As the Gili Islands are located only 2.5 hours by boat from Bali, we decided to visit during our trip to Indonesia. Despite their popularity, we heard mixed reviews. This is why we have put together an honest review of our time in the Gili Islands and answering which Gili Island is the best for you.
Jump to:
- Gili Trawangan: Lively Island with Stunning Sunsets (But Needs More Sustainable Tourism)
- Gili Meno: Popular Couple Destination Offering Amazing Snorkelling
- Gili Air: A Perfect Mix for Everyone
- Final Thoughts – Which Gili Island is The Best?
Gili Trawangan: Lively Island with Stunning Sunsets (But Needs More Sustainable Tourism)
Firstly, we visited Gili Trawangan, most commonly called Gili T. We heard that the boat ride from Bali can get bumpy but our trip was smooth. It was just very warm on the boat – something you can expect in South East Asia!
Upon arrival, the port area was very busy with fellow backpackers waiting for their boats. As soon as we got off the boat, we were greeted with a line of horse carriages (known as cidomos locally) that were competing to take tourists to their accommodation. Witnessing the horses continuously carrying passengers and their luggage in over 30 degrees heat was concerning. The animals looked tired and the carts seemed overloaded.
We therefore opted to walk to our accommodation and the 20 minute stroll offered a glimpse into the local infrastructure. The roads were mostly dirt paths turning into paved roads only near resorts. Given the island’s thriving tourism we hoped that the areas inhabited by locals would be better maintained.
Honestly, we were slightly disappointed when we arrived. However, we really liked our accommodation. We stayed in Pantai Karang, in a lovely bungalow with a private terrace and a pool view. The staff were super friendly offering us a delicious breakfast. The location was very peaceful, set amongst the local village.
In the morning we decided to hire a bicycle to fully explore the Island. Firstly, we stopped off by the main beach on the east side. The beach was lovely with clear water, however there wasn’t much sand or shade. We grabbed lunch in one of the beachfront restaurants and that allowed us to use their sunbeds.
We snorkeled right off the shore and within 10 minutes we spotted a turtle. Watching the turtle swim and graze on the grass was truly an amazing experience. Gili Islands are one of the best spots to swim with turtles. However, it was pretty busy and some people were touching and grabbing turtles. You should never do this as it will stress them out and bacteria on your hands is harmful to them.
The food options on Gili T don’t quite compare with Ubud where you can find flavorful local dishes at every corner. It was harder to find good quality local food. Slightly off the coast, Warung Suci is a chilled and affordable place offering a mix of western, Indonesian and Thai food which we would recommend.
In the evening, we headed to the western side of the Island. With its chilled bars, beanbags across the beach and spectacular sunsets it was a perfect place to unwind with a drink. We enjoyed amazing live music, each night you will be able to find it in one of the bars. If you’re into partying there also are plenty of options to experience a great night out on Gili T.
Overall, if you’re wondering which Gili Island is the best, Gili Trawangan is a great place to experience stunning beaches, picturesque sunsets and vibrant nightlife. It’s by far the liveliest of the Gili Island and great for party lovers and young backpackers. If you’re seeking peaceful vibes one of the other islands would probably be a better fit for you. Our initial experience also highlighted that the bustling tourism could better support both the environment and the local population.
Gili Meno: Popular Couple Destination Offering Amazing Snorkelling
Gili Meno is the quietest Island offering a tranquil local vibe and superb diving and snorkeling. Accommodation on the Island varies from affordable backpacker hostels, simple bungalows, and more luxury beachfront resorts. We enjoyed eating affordable and delicious food in the warungs (simple local eateries) on Gili Meno. There are also fancier restaurants on the Island if you’re looking to go out for a special meal.
We only spent one day on Gili Meno, it’s just a 20-minute boat ride located between Gili T and Gili Air. We walked from Gili Meno Port through a charming local village and enjoyed the laid-back vibe. Compared to the livelier and slightly overcrowded Gili T, the peaceful paths felt refreshing and there were fewer horse carriages passing by. The local infrastructure also felt better maintained which was a nice change.
We stopped by Gili Meno Freshwater Lake, which is a unique attraction and a great spot to relax. However, the wooden walk around it felt slightly neglected and we wouldn’t recommend swimming there.
Gili Meno is famous for its amazing diving and snorkeling spots. You will have a chance to swim with a variety of colourful fish, turtles and divers can even spot reef sharks. The Island’s crystal clear waters also offer a very unique attraction – underwater sculptures. The sculptures are located on the west side of the Island, only 100 meters from the shore. Swimming to them was relatively easy but the bottom of the sea is very rocky so acqua shoes are a good idea when visiting Gili Islands.
The sculptures were very interesting and there were many colorful fish around them. However, the site was overcrowded with dozens of boat tours. If you want to properly enjoy the experience we recommend swimming to the sculptures early in the morning or before sunset when the tours aren’t there.
In the evening it’s a great place for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner in one of the beachfront restaurants and watch the sunset together. If you’re looking for a relaxed paradise with a romantic vibe, pristine beaches and rich marine life, Gili Meno is for you! It would be a truly beautiful place for a honeymoon when considering which Gili Island is the best.
Gili Air: A Perfect Mix for Everyone
Gili Air brings the perfect balance, it’s a chilled Island that also offers some nightlife and entertainment. When we arrived the area by the port already felt inviting – well maintained, very clean and with a friendly mix of tourists and locals. The little streets were lined with craft shops and cosy cafes giving the place a great relaxed vibe and hippie-inspired energy. There were some horse carriages offering us a lift. We’d advise to consider walking to your accommodation instead as the horses have to carry people endlessly throughout the day.
We stayed at Amel House, and can truly recommend it. The bungalows are clean, comfortable and nicely decorated. We really enjoyed the peaceful garden, outdoor shower and a delicious breakfast. The location is also perfect, only 10 minutes walk from the beachfront.
We found plenty of affordable and authentic food options in local Warungs across the Island. If you’d like something more special, there are fancier restaurants too. Family Cafe Gili Air is our personal recommendation for flavourful Indonesian food and refreshing shakes at a great price. If you fancy an Indonesian cooking class, Warung Sunny would be a great choice.
The beachfront was truly stunning with crystal clear waters. At low tide, a wide stretch of soft sand was perfect for chilling. On the western coast, we found plenty of relaxed spots to grab a drink and lunch. Some of them let us use their sunbeds after we got something to eat or a drink. In the evening Gili Air was a perfect spot for socialising or simply chilling out and watching the sunset. We also found a spot with live music and a restaurant offering an outdoor cinema on the beach each night.
The east side of the Island offered great snorkeling spots and plenty of opportunities to see colorful fish and turtles. However, the water can be really shallow for quite a while and the bottom is very rocky. We would recommend wearing aqua shoes and moving carefully to avoid stepping on coral.
Gili Air was definitely our favorite Island with a perfect mix of pristine beaches, a laid-back atmosphere but still with plenty going on. We believe it’s a great place for everyone seeking a tropical paradise. It also felt like the cleanest and the best maintained Island. The food and accommodation options were amazing and we truly would love to go back. If, like us, you are wondering which Gili Island is the best of both, Gili Air is the one.
Final Thoughts – Which Gili Island is The Best?
Gili Islands offer an amazing tropical escape and we would truly recommend visiting. Stunning sunsets, crystal clear waters and great snorkelling is what all the Islands have in common. However, each Island offers something different depending on the experience you’re seeking. So which Gili Island is the best for you?
- Gili Trawangan (Gili T): Perfect for social travellers looking for vibrant nightlife and a bustling atmosphere.
- Gli Meno: A serene island ideal for a romantic getaway.
- Gili Air: A perfect mix, ideal for everyone as it offers a relaxed atmosphere but still plenty of entertainment.
We hope this guide has inspired your Gili Islands trip and helped you decide which Island is for you. As they are all easily accessible, we’d recommend seeing them all if you have the time but this should help you decide which Island to spend most of your time on.
