Discovering Gili Air and Lombok in Indonesia: Everything You Need to Know

Everyone talks about Bali when it comes to Indonesia. And don’t get me wrong, while I had fun there, I do have mixed feelings about Bali. It’s because I found it too touristy. 

Because of that, I think its neighbors, Lombok and Gili Air, deserve a lot more love and attention.

So that’s why I’m here to tell you about why they’re worth visiting too and what you need to expect when you go there.

Getting to Gili Air and Lombok

Lombok is located east of Bali, in the West Nusa Tenggara province, and is accessible via Lombok International Airport. It’s a short flight or boat ride from Bali, though there are international flights to Lombok from many major cities across the world.

Gili Air is part of the Gili Islands, which are comprised of three islands: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan. They’re located northwest of Lombok and are a 15-minute boat ride away.

Lombok: Adventure and Culture Combined

I like to call Lombok a more chill version of Bali. They have the same stunning beaches and lush jungles, as well as a great cultural scene. However, it’s less crowded and has relatively more untouched landscapes. This contributes to what I think is a warmer and more hospitable atmosphere. So if you want a more relaxed experience, Lombok might even be preferable to Bali. Although Bali does offer more things for you to do, as well as a more vibrant nightlife.

That’s not to say that there’s a lack of great activities in Lombok, though. Here are some of them.

Top Attractions in Lombok

1. Mount Rinjani: Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia. Mount Rinjani is great if you want a challenging hike (the final ascent to the peak can be particularly brutal for more novice climbers). But it’s worth it for that gorgeous, gorgeous crater lake.

2. Senggigi Beach: Located south of the Gili islands, Senggigi has great white sand beaches (though with a bit of trash, admittedly—but that’s not uncommon in Indonesia) like Nipah and Malimbu Beach. There’s also a good variety of resorts, restaurants, and nightlife places. 

3. Kuta Lombok: Kuta, on the other hand, is all the way in the south of Lombok. It has even more pristine beaches, though it is a bit less developed and has fewer establishments than Senggigi. Many surfers here, too.

4. Traditional Sasak Villages: Traditional Sasak Villages like Sade and Ende can you give a great taste of the local culture. The huts look so warm and homely and you can buy traditional weaving products and watch some cultural dances.

5. Waterfalls: Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile, which are very picturesque falls in the north of the islands! Unfortunately, though, it’s not advisable to swim in their pools.

Gili Air: A Tranquil Paradise

The three Gili islands actually exist on a spectrum: Gili Trawangan is more oriented to partying, Gili Meno is more serene and untouched (some would say barren, even)—and Gili Air is right in the middle. And that’s why it’s my personal favorite! There are places where you can relax alone with nature and there are areas where you can party it up with others. Admittedly, Gili Air is rather small though, so there are somewhat limited activities.

Things to Do on Gili Air

1. Snorkeling and Diving: The island’s coral reefs are teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. (Though the same could be said for Lombok!) The two most popular dive spots in Gili Air are Shark Point and Turtle Heaven. 

2. Beachfront Restaurants: Gili Air has no shortage of beachfront restaurants that serve fresh seafood. I didn’t get to try all the restaurants there, but Mama Pizza and Krusty Warung were my favorites.

3. Cycling: Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island (I guess it’s too small for them anyway). You can rent a bike for an hour. 

4. Sunsets: Oh, and we went biking on the western side of the island during the sunset and saw Bali’s Mount Agung in the background. It was divine!

5. Yoga and Wellness Retreats: There are also a few yoga studios here! Doing yoga surrounded by the views is particularly rejuvenating. 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is definitely in the dry season, which runs from April to October. But the very best time is during Indonesia’s summer months, June to August. The sun is out, and the waters are calm during these times (although there are also more people). If you go during the wet season, rain might spoil your trip. 

Best Places to Stay

There are a lot of options for all budgets in Lombok and Gili Air. My favorite though were the scenic lodges near Mount Rinjani.

Getting Around

In Lombok, you can rent a scooter. It’s a great way to enjoy the breeze and greenery! But for longer trips, you can opt for taxis and private drivers (which are, as to be expected, very expensive). We personally used a scooter for even our longer trips.

On Gili Air, since there are no motorized vehicles, you’ll either walk or bike around. Or you go on cidomos (horse-drawn carts, much like the kalesas in the Philippines).

Travel Tips

• Pro tip: use a VPN to change your geographic location and access local sites—you’ll get more details (and even better flight tickets sometimes). You can check out this Surfshark One review for the VPN I used.

• Cash is King: ATMs can be scarce, especially on Gili Air, so bring enough cash for your entire stay.

• Respect Local Culture: Lombok is predominantly Muslim. Don’t go strutting around in your swimsuit outside of beaches, and dress modestly, especially when visiting villages and religious sites.

• Travel Insurance: Given the adventurous activities available here (like that Mount Rinjani hike), I recommend having travel insurance.

Gili Air and Lombok are textbook tropical paradises. There’s adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, and a good bit of partying too! If you want a more relaxed—and in my opinion, more authentic—experience compared to Bali, then check out these two islands.