The word “gili” simply means “island” in Lombok’s local Sasak language. But when travelers talk about “the Gilis” or “the Gili islands,” they mean three sultry teardrops of sand off northern Lombok in Indonesia: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan (better known as party capital Gili T). Underwater attractions run from sharks and turtles to sculptures, so snorkeling tops the list of things to do in the Gili Islands, with scuba diving or freediving a close second. But you can also ride horses, practice yoga, take a cooking class, and more.
The best time to visit the Gili Islands depends on your travel style. For 24-hour party people, the December–January and July–August peaks are the times to visit, whereas divers will find sites less crowded during the April–May and October to mid-November shoulder seasons. At certain times of year (most commonly June–July and December–January), winds and high waves can lead to fast boat cancellations; leave space between your Gili trip and your onward flight when planning travel around these times.
There is no powered road transport on any of the Gili Islands. Renting bicycles or walking is kinder than taking cidomo carts: The horses that pull them are small and often badly treated. Regular public speedboats link the three islands and Bangsal Port on mainland Lombok during daylight hours. It is also possible to charter boats for island-hopping adventures or snorkeling trips.
Your Gili Islands experience will vary widely depending on where you choose to stay. Gili Trawangan’s east coast is party central, awash in magic mushrooms and bucket cocktails; the west coast, aka the “sunset side,” offers premium villas, hotels, and restaurants. Gili Meno is known as the quietest island, which is true if you stay on its east coast: The west coast faces Gili T’s party strip, and the bass can pump across the water until the wee hours.
