The perfect Gili Air guide: things to do, best restaurants, and where to stay

Welcome to Gili Air, an island paradise where time slows down and worries melt away. Nestled just off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, Gili Air offers the perfect laid-back vibes to unwind. This island charms visitors with its white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and vibrant underwater life. Spend at least two nights here to truly soak in the island’s unique charm, if possible even longer. We’ll uncover all the wonderful hotspots Gili Air has to offer in this perfect Gili Air guide.

How to get to Gili Air
How to get around on Gili Air
Gili Air guide: what to do
Gili Air guide: where to eat
Gili Air guide: where to stay

How to get to Gili Air

The easiest and fastest way to get to Gili Air is from Lombok. Just hop on a ferry from Bangsal Port to Gili Air, and you’ll be on the island in as little as 15 to 45 minutes.

There are multiple ways to get to Gili Air from Bali. You can catch a ferry from Padang Bai in the east, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Gili Air. You can also depart from Sanur Port or Serangan Pier, though these routes take a bit longer (around 3 to 4 hours). Once you arrive at the port of Gili Air, you’ll need to pay a small island entrance fee of 20,000 IDR per person (about € 1,20). But as you can see, whether you’re coming from Lombok or Bali, you can make it work!

How to get around on Gili Air

Gili Air, the second smallest of the three Gili Islands, is incredibly easy to get around. With a circumference around 5 kilometers, you can explore the entire island on foot or by bicycle. For reference, a walk from the southernmost point to the northernmost point only takes about half an hour! Since there are no cars on the island, getting around is peaceful and very relaxed. You might see horses being used for transportation, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It just doesn’t feel right, and they often look exhausted and dehydrated, too. So, pack light when you’re visiting! A backpack is much easier to carry around than a suitcase.

Gili Air guide: what to do

1. Swim with turtles at Turtle Beach

One of our favorite things to do on Gili Air is swimming with turtles at Turtle Beach. All you need is some snorkeling gear, which you can bring yourself or easily rent from one of the stalls nearby. Once that’s out of the way, you’re ready to dive in! To increase your chances of spotting turtles, try to visit early in the morning. We went around 7:30 AM and were lucky enough to see five turtles! We also recommend renting fins because the current can be quite strong. We’re not going to lie, we were pretty exhausted after our snorkeling adventure. That being said, it was absolutely worth it!

Pro tip
Wearing a surf skin or wetsuit is a good idea, as we did feel some jellyfish stings during our snorkeling session. Nothing major, though!

2. Take a cooking class at Gili Cooking Classes

Another fun experience on Gili Air is taking a cooking class, especially if you love Indonesian cuisine as much as we do! Gili Cooking Classes is the best spot on the island to learn how to cook these delicious dishes yourself. They offer several classes to suit every budget, but we highly recommend the ‘Four of a Kind’ class. It’s a 2-hour experience where you’ll make fried tempeh (Thysia’s favorite), mie goreng (Kelvin’s favorite), yellow curry, and a local dessert called kelopon. The class costs 400,000 IDR per person, which is about € 23. What we really love is that they keep the groups small, so you get to fully connect with others. It’s one of the best ways to make new friends! Check out the website of Gili Cooking Classes to book your spot.

Good to know
Gili Cooking Classes also has a location on Gili Trawangan.

3. Snorkel at the Gili Meno Statues

The Gili Islands are a snorkeling paradise, and the Gili Meno Statues are a must-see. This collection of 48 life-size human statues is known as “Nest” is more than just a stunning underwater attraction. Sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor created them to act as an artificial reef! This helps the coral grow quickly and creates a really unique habitat for marine life. The statues are both beautiful and a bit haunting, making them a popular spot for snorkeling and capturing unforgettable photos!

Check if there’s availability for a Gili Islands snorkeling boat trip, including the Gili Meno Statues.

4. Treat yourself to a spa day at Slow Spa

Gili Air is all about laid-back vibes, and there’s no better way to unwind than with a spa day at Slow Spa. This place is perfect for relaxation! They offer everything from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures. We especially recommend the aromatic massage for two, it’s incredibly relaxing! At 720,000 IDR for one hour (about € 42), it’s a bit pricier than some other spots, but it’s definitely worth it for the quality and experience!

5. Sunset at Gili Lumbung

Gili Air is famous for its magical sunsets, and no Gili Air guide is complete without mentioning the best sunset spot on the island: Gili Lumbung. Grab a cozy bean bag on the beach, order a refreshing mojito or one of their other delicious cocktails, and settle in for an unforgettable sunset. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 PM, so you can enjoy a 30% discount when you buy two cocktails. Cheers!