The best things to do on Gili Air

Visit GilisGili Air10 Jun 20263 min read

Gili Air is a small island, but doing nothing here is an activity in itself, and when you do feel like moving there is more than enough to fill a few slow days. Snorkel from the beach. The reef starts just metres off the sand on the north and west coasts, and green turtles are a near-daily sight. Rent a mask and fins from any dive shop and swim out, or join a snorkelling boat trip that loops all three islands and stops at the best turtle spots. Learn to dive, or just fun-dive. Gili Air has a friendly, low-pressure dive scene with several reputable centres. It is a lovely place to take an Open Water course in warm, forgiving water, and an easy place to log relaxed dives if you are already certified. Cycle the island. A loop of Gili Air by bicycle takes under an hour and is the best way to find your favourite stretch of beach. The paths get sandy in places, so expect to push now and then. Chase the sunset. The west coast is the island's front-row seat for sunset over Bali's Mount Agung on a clear evening. Grab a beanbag at a beach bar, order a drink, and watch the sky change. Do a yoga class or a spa hour. Several places offer drop-in yoga and massage, a natural fit for an island built around slowing down. Eat your way along the coast. Fresh seafood barbecues, smoothie bowls, wood-fired pizza and good coffee are all within a short walk. Make dinner a wander rather than a destination. Take a day trip to Meno or Trawangan. The public shuttle boat makes it easy to spend a quiet day on Meno or a lively night on Trawangan and be back on Air by the next morning. None of it is rushed, and that is the point. Gili Air rewards travellers who let the days find their own shape.

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Visit Gilis·10 Jun 2026

Gili Air travel guide: where to stay, eat and get around

Gili Air is the closest of the three Gili Islands to Lombok and, for many travellers, the easiest to love. It has the calm, swimmable beaches of Meno and a slice of Trawangan's social energy, without the crowds or the late nights of either. If you want one island that does a bit of everything, this is it. Where to stay. Accommodation on Gili Air runs from simple backpacker bungalows to a growing number of stylish boutique stays, most a short walk from the beach. The east and south coasts are the busiest, with the most restaurants and dive shops; the north and west are quieter and better for sunsets and snorkelling straight off the sand. Book ahead in the dry season, when the best places fill early. Where to eat. For its size, Gili Air eats very well. You will find beachfront warungs serving fresh grilled fish, healthy cafes with smoothie bowls and good coffee, and a handful of pizza, Indian and seafood spots. Many bars do a sunset happy hour on the west coast; dinner tends to be relaxed and barefoot rather than formal. Getting around. There are no cars or motorbikes, which is half the appeal. You walk, hire a bicycle for a few dollars a day, or flag down a cidomo, the small pony-drawn cart that doubles as the island taxi. The whole island loops in about an hour and a half on foot, so most people never need more than their own two feet. Practicalities. Gili Air has a few ATMs, but they can run dry, so bring some cash from the mainland. There is no hospital, only basic clinics, so travel sensibly. The water is warm year-round and the snorkelling, turtles included, starts just off the beach. To reach the other islands, hop on the public shuttle boat between Air, Meno and Trawangan. Come for a couple of days, and do not be surprised if you end up rebooking your boat for later in the week.

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