Just a short 2 hour boat trip from Bali, on the northwest corner of Lombok, the Gili islands are three idyllic atolls where the beaches are still powdery white, the water a beautifull clear blue, with sunsets over Bali’sMt Agung and sunrise over Lombok’sMt Rinjani.
Home to the largest Irish bar on the smallest island in the world, a real Japanese sushi restaurant, 2 turtle hatcheries, 20 world class dive sites like MantaPoint and empty white sandy beaches, Lombok’s Giliislands are becoming increasingly more popular.
Gili Air
Some would say the original backpacker Gili destination , even now still relatively untouched, a few new bar shacks have appeared on the beach, with accommodation slowly catching up with the other islands.
Gili Meno
The island lies directly in line in the middle of the other Gilis of Trawangan and Air, both only separated by 1 Km or so of water, it is by far the quietest most undeveloped natural island of the 3 islands. The only Gili island with a salt water lake, a bird park with a Beatles memorabilia bar, with some cool places to stay like Shack 58
The largest of the Gilis and now by far the most popular to visit, accommodation choices start from backpacker and budget hotels, a large selection of mid range hotels, through to resort style hotels and luxury villas.
Many new international restaurants offering everything from Pizza, to Sushi to Indian food and Spanish Tapas, and of course the seafood BBQ’s all along the beach front.
The island lies directly in line in the middle of the other Gilis of Trawangan and Air, both only separated by 1 Km or so of water, it is by far the quietest most undeveloped natural island of the three. The only Gili island with a salt water lake, a bird park with a Beatles memorabilia bar and the only pool table on the entire Gili islands.
Gili meaning a small island in Bahasa Indonesia, and Air meaning water, therefore; a small island surrounded by water.
Some would say the original backpackerGili destination , even now still relatively untouched, a few new bar shacks have appeared on the beach, with the least accommodation compared with the other Giliislands of Trawangan and Meno
The Gili islands just got closer with currently 4 fast boat services operating between Bali and Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Lombok; here is some information for you;
- The Blue Water Express service run 2 boats with 24 and 30 passenger capacity boats and they run a twice daily service from Benoa harbour (15 mins from Kuta) direct to the beach on Gili Trawangan, Lombok and are the the only service to go via Nusa Lembongan. Reservationsand more information [click here]
- The Island Getawayoperate the 16 metre long fast boat ‘Narooma‘ and ‘Red Line’ boats with daily services from Benoa in south Bali to Gili Trawangan, it is the only service to Gili Air and Lombok. Both boats are custom built with unique individual comfortable seating, friendly service, A/c, TV, sun deck and full size western toilet.
- The Red Line Express is the largest aluminum purpose built 40-passenger fast ferry to the Gilis and Lombok. She comprises the most luxurious interior with aircraft style seating and is the only boat with air conditioning and onboard entertainment system with flat screen televisions giving the most comfortable crossing..
- The Gili Cat Island Express runs a twice daily service from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan on their fibreglass 30 seater Island Express. Leaving from Padang Bai harbour in East Bali at 09.00am and 14.00pm with a sea journey time of 1.5 hours, it is perfectly suited for travellers from all areas.
One of the most popular ways of getting from any where in Bali to the Gilis, (Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Padang Bai, Candidasa, Amed, Tulamben and Lovina) is with the Perama Shuttle Bus and boat. This service runs every day and leaves Kuta at 10.00am to Padang Bai, where the boat takes you direct to the Gili’s.
Travel time is approximately 8 hours but can take longer.
Silk Air fly 4 times a week from Singapore to Lombok’s Seleparang airport in Mataram, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, journey time is 2 hours 40 minutes. There are daily flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Jogjakarta and Bali. Flight time from Bali is only 25 minutes and there are currently three airlines operating this route.
Trans Nusa fly from Bali at 08.00am, 13.00pm and 16.30pm, and return from Mataram at 09.00am, 14.00pm and 16.30pm.
Price - Rp. 449,000 One/Way [more info]
Merpati Nusantara fly 3 times a day from Bali at 07.00am, 12.10pm and 17.10pm, and return from Mataram at 09.00am, 13.10am, and 17.40pm.
Price - Rp. 519,000 One/Way [more info]
Garuda Indonesiafly one time a day with a Boeing 737, leaving Bali at 18.35pm and returning from Mataram airport at 19.50pm.
Perfect for weekend breaks and a later departure option to the fast boats.
Prices from Rp. 449,000 One/Way
Business class Rp719,000One/Way [more info]
AIRPORT TRANSFERS TO / FROM THE GILI ISLANDS
We can also arrange a car and driver to meet you at arrivals and take you the
40 minutes ride either via Monkey Forest road or the spectacular coastal road
to Teluk Nara, a small secluded bay, where our speedboat will take you to any
of the three Gili islands.
Just a short 2 hour boat trip from Bali, on the northwest corner of Lombok, the Gili islands are three idyllic atolls where the beaches are still powdery white, the water a beautifull clear blue, with sunsets over Bali’s Mt Agung and sunrise over Lombok’s Mt Rinjani.
Gili Trawangan
