Gili Islands Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go (From Someone Who Stayed Seven Months)

When I first came to the Gili Islands, I thought I’d stay for a week. Instead, I ended up on Gili Trawangan for seven months, marooned in the best possible way when the pandemic hit. 

What could have felt like being stuck turned into one of the most special times of my life—I got to know the islands beyond the postcards, beyond the backpacker bars, and I’ve been coming back ever since.

That’s the thing about the Gilis: they pull you in. These three tiny islands just off Lombok—Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno—are completely car-free, surrounded by turquoise water, and small enough to cycle around in under an hour. 

Yet each one has its own distinct personality. Gili Trawangan is the loudest and liveliest; Gili Air is the balance point between buzz and chill; Gili Meno is the quietest of the three, although it’s gained a few cool beach clubs in recent years.

If you’re deciding which Gili to visit (or if you should visit all three—spoiler alert—yes), here’s my full breakdown, from the best beaches to the vibe on each island, with a little insider perspective from someone who’s spent a lot more time here than planned.

Gili T is the island that most people know about. It’s the biggest of the three and has the reputation of being the “party island.” That label isn’t wrong, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. 

Yes, you’ll find beanbags and cocktails on the sand, beach clubs playing until late, and fire shows lighting up the night sky. But during my months here, I discovered a much softer, slower side too: sunrise yoga on the beach, dive shops that felt like family, warungs with home-cooked food, and nights that ended not with tequila shots but with stargazing on the quiet north coast.

This is where I spent most of my time. The beaches up here are quieter, with long stretches of white sand and calm, clear water. It’s also one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. I lost count of how many turtles I swam alongside just a few meters offshore. Just be warned that if you’re cycling up here from the main strip, you may have to walk your bike through super sandy parts! 

The west side is where the island comes alive in the evenings. Rows of beanbags spill onto the sand, music starts up as the sun drops, and everyone gathers to watch the sky turn neon pink and orange. There are DJs, fire shows, and cocktail specials, but you can also just grab a fresh coconut and watch the horizon.

This is the busiest part of the island—it’s where the boats come in, and where you’ll find the densest cluster of bars, dive shops, and restaurants. The beaches here aren’t the most beautiful, but they’re handy if you want to grab a swim between excursions. I recommend heading up towards the north, past the beach shacks painted with neon signs, for better options. 

Gili T is famous for its dive scene. There are wreck dives, coral gardens, and—of course—turtles everywhere. If you’ve ever thought about getting your PADI license, this is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to do it. I love Trawangan Dive Centre and Gili Divers, they’re who I did my courses with. 

No cars, no motorbikes, just bikes and horse carts. Cycling around Gili T takes about a leisurely 45 minutes and is the easiest way to explore hidden beaches and quieter corners. Head out early in the morning to avoid the tourist traffic! 

There’s a whole wellness scene here too, from beachfront yoga shalas to freediving schools that teach you how to hold your breath for minutes at a time. If you’re not sure where to start, head to Kayu Cafe or The Banyan Tree and you’ll find lots of flyers there. 

Every evening near the harbour, the night market sets up with satay skewers, fresh fish, and mountains of nasi goreng. It’s cheap, tasty, and one of the best ways to eat like a local. The dessert stands are pretty great, too! 

Even if you’re based on Gili T, you’ll want to get out on the water. Half-day snorkeling tours take you around all three Gilis, stopping at coral reefs, turtle points, and the famous underwater statues near Meno. For the best prices, speak directly with the fishermen at the main beach strip by the ferry drop off pier. 

If Gili T is the extrovert of the three, Gili Air is the balanced middle child. It’s got just enough buzz to keep things interesting, but with far more space, calm, and slow moments than Gili T. 

I’ve always thought of it as the sweet spot: a place where you can spend the day snorkeling with turtles or lazing on an almost-empty stretch of sand, then head to a beach bar with live music in the evening without ever feeling like the party is forced on you.

Whenever I’ve needed a reset after time on Trawangan, Gili Air has been my go-to. It’s quieter, calmer, but not so quiet that you feel cut off. The island has a creative, community-led vibe: yoga studios, eco cafés, boutique guesthouses. That makes it feel less like a tourist destination and more like a little village where everyone says hello as they cycle past.

This is where you’ll want to start your mornings. The sun rises directly over Lombok’s dramatic Rinjani volcano, and if you’re lucky enough to wake up early, you’ll catch the whole sky on fire. The beach itself is calm and shallow, perfect for a morning swim or snorkel.

Here you’ll find many of the island’s boutique hotels and dive shops. The beaches are sandy with great access to snorkeling reefs, and it’s one of the best spots if you want convenience without sacrificing beauty.

If you’re staying longer on Gili Air, don’t miss the sunset here. It’s quieter than Trawangan’s big beanbag scene, but you’ll still find a few laid-back bars where you can grab a Bintang and watch the sun dip down behind Bali’s Mount Agung on the horizon.

Like all the Gilis, Gili Air is surrounded by reefs, but here the vibe is more “grab a mask and swim out from the beach” than “book a full-day tour.” That said, the dive scene is thriving too with plenty of shops lining the shore, and the waters here are as clear as glass.

Air has become a wellness hub over the years. There are yoga classes at sunrise and sunset, sound healing sessions, and even retreats for those who want to stay longer. It’s one of the reasons I recommend it for people wanting something deeper than just beach time.

Like its siblings, Gili Air is car-free. But it has slightly more of a village/town vibe than Gili T, with paved streets that are much easier for cycling. There are loads of cute clothing and accessory stores dotted around the center that are well worth exploring for some unique souvenirs. 

Evenings on Gili Air are slower than on Trawangan, but they’re no less enjoyable. Many restaurants have live acoustic sets or reggae bands, and dinner is often eaten with your feet in the sand. Food here feels more creative than the other Gilis, with plenty of vegetarian and health-conscious options alongside Indonesian staples.

If Gili T is the wild one and Gili Air is the balanced creative, Gili Meno is the dreamer. It’s the smallest, quietest, and most romantic of the three—the kind of place where you’ll often hear the wind in the palms before you hear another person’s voice. Every time I’ve visited, it’s felt like stepping into a postcard and slowing life right down.

There isn’t much going on here, and that’s exactly the point. You come to Gili Meno for empty beaches, turquoise shallows, and time that stretches lazily across the day. 

For me, Meno has always been about switching off completely. When I stayed here, I read entire books in one sitting, wandered stretches of sand without seeing another soul, and snorkeled until my skin wrinkled. 

There are a few luxe hotels dotted around the island (great for honeymooners) and, if you do fancy more of a party vibe, BASK is one of the newest additions to the island with DJ sets and a huge infinity pool. 

This is Meno’s claim to fame. Come here in the late afternoon and you’ll get uninterrupted views of the sun dropping behind Gili T and Bali’s distant volcano. It’s quieter than the other islands’ sunset scenes, with hammocks and beanbags rather than bars and DJs.

One of my favorite snorkeling spots in the Gilis. The reef is shallow and colorful, and spotting turtles here is almost guaranteed. I’ve swum alongside them so many times I lost count.

This is where you’ll find the famous Nest underwater sculptures, a circle of human figures created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Snorkeling out to them is surreal, with fish darting around the statues as sunlight filters through the water. It’s one of those places that ends up on your “must-see once in a lifetime” list.

Meno might be small, but its underwater world is spectacular. You can walk in with a mask and snorkel from almost any beach, or join a boat trip that hops between the three islands. The variety of marine life here is incredible: turtles, tropical fish, and the occasional reef shark.

In the middle of the island you’ll find a quiet saltwater lake, ringed by mangroves. It’s not a big “activity” but walking around it is peaceful and gives you a different perspective of the island away from the beaches. If you come here around dusk, make sure you bring mosquito repellent.

Honestly, one of the biggest “things to do” on Gili Meno is simply nothing. It’s the kind of island where hammocks are strung up everywhere and your main decision for the day is which stretch of sand to claim.