West Nusa Tenggara

Gili Islands

Car-free sand tracks, turtles on the reef, and shallow turquoise water.

Best time to visit

May to September

Air gateway

Lombok (LOP) or Bali (DPS) plus a fast boat

Ideal stay

3 nights

Travel notes

Why go to Gili Islands

No cars, no scooters — the Gilis run on bicycles and horse carts. Trawangan is the social one, Air the balanced one, Meno the quiet one.

Turtles are almost guaranteed off the east shores, and the reef starts a few strokes from the sand.

DivingIslandsBudget

Watch before you go

Traveller films and destination footage for Gili Islands — a quick way to judge the pace of a place before you commit.

Gallery

Tap any photo to open the full-screen gallery.

Day by day

A starting point rather than a fixed plan — every day can be swapped, added to, or slowed down.

1
Crossing
Fast boat from Bali or Lombok, check-in and a sunset on the west shore.
2
Snorkelling trip
Three-island boat trip with turtle points and the underwater statues.
3
Island cycle
Bicycle loop, freediving or a dive course morning.
4
Departure
Morning boat back to the mainland.