We recently went down to the southwest coast of Lombok to explore the many little islands that are shown just offshore on the map and were left wondering how these islands can still be one of Lombok’s best kept secrets when they have so much to offer, both to tourists and investors!
Dotted in the ocean just off the mainland, around two hours drive south of Senggigi, are the magnificent Southwest Gilis – starting with the three small gilis (meaning “islands” in local language) just south of Lembar Harbour: Gili Nanggu, Sudat and Tangkong. Of the three, only Gili Nanggu has accommodation for visitors, with Gili Nanggu Cottages providing simple cottages on the beach and a restaurant, as well as some more up-market rooms further back from the beach. You can reach Gili Nanggu by chartering a boat from the small harbour in Taun (near Sekotong) or the hotel will arrange transfers for guests. The island is small and the beach here has blindingly white, soft sand and a good reef just off the beach for snorkelling.
Slightly further south are Gili Genting and Gili Lontar, with Gili Poh forming a round white dot in the ocean slightly further offshore to the north of these two. Gili Genting sits just off the tip of a beautiful white-sand peninsula that juts into the ocean. In low tide, you can walk across the sandbar from the peninsula and explore this uninhabited island. Old volcanic rocks and stone carved from centuries of tides create small caves and alcoves, providing shelter for picnics and interesting nooks and crannies to explore.
Gili Amben is just offshore, slightly to the south, while Gili Anyaran is further out, but easily accessible by local boat. Dominating them all, located between these two islands, is the big island of Gili Gede. So large and so close to shore that it is often mistaken for part of the mainland, Gili Gede is a picturesque and sprawling island with many small coves and pretty beaches along its coast and small hills running through the centre, which afford wonderful views of the Southwest Gilis.
Secret Island Resort is located on a small hill at the southern tip of the island, providing simple and comfortable accommodation, as well as personalised snorkelling and island tours around all the Southwest Gilis. They also offer fishing trips and charters on their 9m purpose-built boat, Scorpio, with GPRS, fish finder and all equipment; although you hardly need it in these fish-laden waters. On the northern end of the island is another small resort, Via Vaccare, with quaint octagonal shaped rooms and a restaurant on the beach, offering peaceful island breaks and yoga and meditation sessions every day for those who wish to participate.
To the south of Gili Gede, the islands of Gili Renggit, Layar and Asahan are lined up like secret treasures in the calm sea. Bounty Cruises are currently constructing a boat mooring and pier on Gili Renggit and occasionally offer day trips to the island from their base in Bali.
All around these Southwest Gilis, abundant coral reefs lay just below the surface waiting to be explored, filled with thousands of brightly coloured tropical fish, huge sprawling blue starfish and magical turtles gently gliding through the water. Deserted white sand beaches call visitors from the sea to picnic on the beach and swim in the clear turquoise waters. Many of the beaches are lined with shells washed up by the tide and the temptation to take home these pretty souvenirs is irresistible. A day spent playing in the water, snorkelling above the colourful coral and beachcombing the shores is a tonic for the soul in this magical and pristine environment.
Those who wish to explore the underwater world further can join dive adventures with Dive Zone, the only diving company located in the area, on the beach at Sundancer Resort in Sekotong. Stay at Secret Island Resort or Via Vaccare, or Dive Zone can arrange accommodation on the mainland for divers. Owner-operator, George, is only too happy to show visitors these exciting and totally unspoiled dive sites, abundant with hard and soft corals and all kinds of tropical fish species. Diving amongst schools of magnificent turtles is common, as these peaceful giant creatures live undisturbed in the waters of the Southwest Gilis and do not fear man as a hunter.
There are at least four other small islands, barely dots in the ocean, as well as coral atolls raising out of the sparkling waters of the Southwest Gilis… more delightful islands in the making. But for now, the secret islands of the southwest provide more than enough opportunities for those seeking truly unspoiled and deserted tropical island paradises. With so much beauty on offer both above and below the sea, the Southwest Gilis can’t remain a secret much longer!
