Mention the name “Lombok” and chances are most
people will have heard of the “Gili Islands”,
three small islands that lie just off the northwest coast
of Lombok. For many years the Gili’s have attracted
visitors from around the world for their pristine waters,
great diving opportunities, and laid-back charm.
Locally, the word “Gili” means “small island”,
(making “island” in the title redundant), and
so these islands have come to be known as “The Gili’s”
by travellers, who have long considered them to be at least
equal to the appeal of southern Thailand and India’s
south coast.
Previously the Gili’s were popular mainly with backpackers,
but tourism development over the past decade has made travelling
to, and staying on, the islands much easier. Word has gotten
around and the Gili’s now attract a diverse range of
visitors: serious diving enthusiasts, sun-seekers looking
for the perfect beach, singles, families and couples of all
ages find something to attract them to the Gili’s.
Generally the Gili’s are small, flat coral islands with
sparse vegetation and rainfall, and it can seem much hotter
there than on the mainland. This means there is sunshine most
days of the year, even when it’s raining in Lombok and
Bali. Water is mainly drawn from wells or otherwise shipped
from the mainland, so there is a need for conservation to
preserve the limited resources. Be prepared for salty showers
in most of the small hotels and home-stays, although the larger
hotels provide fresh water.
There are no cars or motorbikes on the islands, and the main
form of transport, apart from walking, is by horse and cart
(locally called cidomo). There is a good selection of restaurants,
bars and accommodation on all three islands. Telephone and
internet facilities are available, and most of the normal
tourist amenities, although there are no banks or ATM’s,
and only the larger hotels and dive operators accept credit
cards. Moneychangers exchange at a slightly lower rate than
the mainland, so it’s wise to change your money before
arriving.
The islands provide ample opportunities for visitors to swim,
sunbathe, snorkel or scuba dive with the many internationally
accredited dive operators based in Lombok. Popular dive companies
are owned and operated by westerners with PADI qualifications,
and professional standards of safety and environmental awareness.
Dream Divers and Blue Marlin Dive are probably the biggest
dive companies, with offices on the Gili’s and in Senggigi
on the mainland. Manta Dive, Big Bubble and Dive Indonesia
on Gili Trawangan also have good reputations.
Snorkelling is easy in the calm waters directly off the beaches
and, although much of the coral in the shallow waters has
been destroyed, there is still an interesting array of fish
to see. At greater depths and at specific dive locations around
the three islands, the pristine waters are home to an abundant
variety of corals, aquatic life and thousands of species of
tropical fish, at least comparable to the top dive locations
in Thailand.
All three islands have developed independently and at different
paces, giving each a different personality or style, and catering
to different types of holidaymakers and travellers. This means
that travellers have a good choice, depending on their individual
tastes and what type of island escape they prefer. Gili Trawangan
is the most developed and popular, while Gili Air has a relaxed,
simple style, and Gili Meno is the quietest of the three,
perfect for really getting away from it all. Choose the style
that suits you most, or combine an island-hopping holiday
to sample the best of all three.
Gili Air is closest to the mainland, accessed in around 15
minutes by local boat. Gili Air has the largest local population
of the three islands and combines the charm of a tropical
island, with access to the people and culture that make Lombok
so special.
Diving facilities abound and there is wonderful snorkelling
directly from the shore, particularly from the east and northeast
beaches. Accommodation is generally simple, although the Gili
Air Hotel on the north of the island has some nice rooms and
a swimming pool. There is a good variety of small restaurants
and beachside bars for enjoying the magnificent views to mainland
Lombok and Mt Rinjani volcano.
Gili Meno is the middle and smallest island of the three,
with the lowest population. It is not as developed as Trawangan
or Air, but has its own special tranquil style. The pace is
a much slower, with the laid-back charm of a true castaway
tropical island experience.
There is some good coral close to shore on the northwest coast
and it is often possible to snorkel or dive with the turtles
here. Small hotels and basic beachside huts provide accommodation
for those seeking a peaceful place in the sun, with unpopulated
beaches, clean waters and quiet walks under the star-filled
skies at night.
Gili Trawangan is the largest island and furthest from the
mainland, but easily reached in less than an hour by local
boat. This is the most famous of the three Gili’s, with
a reputation as “the party island”. While this
reputation refers to the many fun parties held at different
bars and restaurants on the island, it is a misleading description
of this lovely place.
There is a wide variety of accommodation on Gili Trawangan,
ranging from simple home-stays to up-market hotels with swimming
pools, including Villa Ombak, Vila Almarik and the recently
opened Kelapa Villas to the north. Good quality restaurants
and bars are located along the east coast, particularly toward
the southern end, known locally as “Sentral”.
Snorkelling is extremely easy just off the shore and there
is an abundant variety of tropical fish species to enjoy.
The island is famed for its vast gardens of coral and is one
of the best dive spots in Lombok.
The Gili’s are easily reached from the mainland, either
by public transport or boat charter out of Bangsal Harbour
on the northwest coast; or through the tour and dive operators
in Senggigi, who provide transfers daily. Many of the larger
hotels on the islands now provide speedboat transfers for
guests – enquire when you make your booking. Diving
on the Gili’s and staying in Senggigi is also easy,
if you want to use the mainland as your base. Most of the
dive companies offer transport from Senggigi areas out to
the Gili’s and back each day. If your time is limited,
a day trip to one of the Gili’s is a good way to sample
their unique island style.
