How to get to Gili Air
Getting to Gili Air is pretty straightforward, though it depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re elsewhere in Indonesia, your first step will be getting to Bali or Lombok. But if you’re already on the Gili Islands, there are plenty of ferries connecting them. I’ll share the ferry schedules later, though it’s always a good idea to double-check once you’re at the port.
- From Bali:
You can take a ferry to the different ports of the island: Padang Bai, Serangan, Sanur, or the Nusa Islands (Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan).
The most common route is Padang Bai-GGili Air, although it all depends on what will be the previous stop on your itinerary. Still, even if you are closer to other ports, going to the port of Padang Bai is always a good option since the ferry ride is shorter.
My recommendation is that you look for and buy your tickets on the web 12Go, the one that we used to buy our ferry from Bali to Gili T. They cost us 13€ per person (only one way).
- From Lombok:
If you are traveling in Lombok, you will have to go first to the port of Bangsal, in the northwest of the island. Once there, you have two options: take the public ferry or a speedboat. The public ferry is more affordable, but you have to wait for the boat to fill up before it leaves.
My recommendation is that if there is not much time left for the boat to fill up, take the public ferry. If, on the other hand, you think you are going to have to wait a long time, you can consider the option of going by speedboat. It costs 85,000 IDR per person and departs every hour, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- From Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno:
Finally, there is the option that you are already at the destination and have to travel from one of the other islands. In this case, you also have several options: public boat (called island hopping), speedboat, or private transport (you arrange for someone to take you yourself; this is the most expensive option).
With the public boat (island hopping), the trip departs from Gili Trawangan to Gili Air at 9:30am and 4:00pm and from Gili Meno to Gili Air at 9:50am and 4:30pm. It costs between 40,000 and 45,000 IDR per person.
The speedboat costs 85.000 IDR per person. From Gili Trawangan there are departures at 9:45h and from 11:00h to 17:00h every hour, and from Gili Meno there are departures at 10:00h and from 11:10h to 17:10h every hour.
Things to do in Gili Air
We start with the best things to do in Gili Air. Days of sun and beach, delicious food, and, above all, lots of relaxation await you. Take good note and enjoy this paradise.
🛏️ If you still do not have accommodation on this island, I recommend the hotel where we stayed: Manusia Dunia Green Lodge. Good location, quiet, nice, exquisite treatment, good breakfast…. We loved it! Below I give you other hotel recommendations.
1. Watch the sunset on Gili Air
One of the best plans on the island is, of course, to watch the sunset. How can something so simple that happens every day be so special? Sitting and watching the sunset is one of life’s little pleasures, but if you do it while sipping a cool drink on a beach on Gili Air, it becomes a real luxury. And as a luxury, you should enjoy it every day you can, so watching the sunset was the plan we repeated day in and day out during our stay on the island.
Besides, Gili Air’s sunsets are some of the most famous in the world, or haven’t you seen any pictures with the sky tinged with warm tones and a swing in the middle of the sea? I’m sure you have… And if not, all the better, so it will surprise you even more in person.
There are several places to go at this time of the afternoon to enjoy this spectacle that nature gives us, but two of the most famous are the PinkCoco and Island View bars, located next to each other. The location is the most ideal to enjoy a unique landscape, and both places have swings.
Similarly, we enjoyed the sunset at the also popular Mowie’s Gili Air and at Gili Lumbung (this place has live music, which adds even more magic to the moment). Finally, if you prefer a more local and quiet place, you can go to Why Not Bar And Bungalows, which we also visited several times.
2. Cycling around the island
As in the rest of the Gili, on Gili Air island there is no motor transport, so you have to walk or ride a bike to go from one place to another (there are also carriages but it is an option that in principle I encourage you to discard, unless you have no other alternative).
My recommendation is to rent a bicycle during your stay on the island. We rented them as soon as we arrived at the port and went with them directly to our accommodation (we had little luggage). They usually cost 50k per day but if you are going to spend several days, you can negotiate and get a better price.
Apart from how useful they are to get quickly to every corner of the island, cycling around Gili Air is a great plan. At least we had a lot of fun riding around the island and exploring each of its streets on pedals. Don’t miss it!
📝 MY GILI ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE.
3. Snorkeling with turtles and coral reefs
In a post about the best things to do in Gili Air, it is impossible not to mention snorkeling, since in Gili Air it is possible to swim with turtles (although I have to tell you that in the other two islands it is usually easier to see them). You can also take a boat trip, where they take you to other snorkeling spots (more about this activity below). This way, you will be sure to see turtles.
If you want to try your luck and try to swim with turtles in Gili Air on your own, the area where you have the best chance of seeing them is the northeast of the island. If you are going on your own, always be careful in the water and take the necessary precautions.
Beyond turtles, in Gili Air, I had the opportunity to see a beautiful coral bottom. I had never seen coral in that condition, and I was very surprised. We went to the hammocks on the beach in front of the Kaluku Gili Resort and laid down for a drink and a swim. To get to the coral, you have to swim several meters inland.
4. Swimming in the best beaches of Gili Air
With the heat in this destination, your body will always feel like cooling off with a good swim, and there are several beaches on Gili Air that are ideal for it.
On many beaches of this island and neighboring islands, there are remains of fossilized coral on the bottom that can be annoying when bathing. However, there are some beaches where the bottom is only sand. In the case of Gili Air, I recommend you go to the beach located just at the southeast end. On Google Maps, you will find it as “East Beach.” We lay down in the hammocks of a bar, ordered a drink, and were very comfortable.
Another good area for swimming on the island Gili Air is the southwest end. There is a good stretch of beach whose bottom is also only sand. In addition, some of the busiest bars and restaurants on the island are located there (some mentioned above). It is a great idea to go in the afternoon, swim, have a drink, and stay to watch the sunset.
🏥 I remind you that it is very important to have travel insurance for Indonesia if you do not have medical coverage in the destination. Without adding a lot of money to your budget, you can travel with the peace of mind that if something happens to you, your expenses will be covered and you will have a team of people to help you. I always use and recommend the company Heymondo, where I can offer you a 5% discount on your next policy.
5. Day trip to the other Gili Islands
As I mentioned above, one of the main activities to do in Gili Air is to do an island-hopping tour to the rest of the islands and to several snorkeling spots to swim with turtles.
This is a very popular tour if you are staying on only one of the islands but want to have some contact with the other islands. In fact, if you are going to visit only Gili Air, this tour is a must if you want to see the “Nest” sculpture on Gili Meno. Of course, if you can, choose to do a private tour and leave very early in the morning so that there are not too many people. Otherwise, the experience may not be as good.
Group tours usually cost around 150k IDR per person (may vary depending on the season). If you choose the private one, it will be more expensive but it will be worth it.
💡 Another good option if you want to spend the day on Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno on your own is to take the public ferry or speedboat in the morning, enjoy the island of your choice for several hours, and then return to Gili Air. This way you can visit other islands without spending the night on them. Discover the best things to do in Gili Meno and what to do in Gili Trawangan.
6. Get a good massage
After a day of being in the sun and moving from one place to another, what you will want most, besides eating, of course, is to have a massage. I tell you from experience! As surely you already know, the massages in Indonesia are extremely economical, and although they are a little more expensive than, for example, in Bali, they are still very cheap.
You will find many centers where to pamper yourself with a massage, some more local and others more exclusive. We went on a couple of occasions to Gili Blissful Spa, and we liked the massage. If you want to go to a cooler (and also expensive) place, you can go to Slow Spa or PinkCoco Gili Air Spa.
7. Enjoying the food on the island, one of the best things to do in Gili Air
Gili Air has very good cafes and restaurants with different cuisines, so enjoying the gastronomy of the island is another great plan that I propose. Below I will share some of my favorite places, but if you want to know the full list, be sure to check out my article on where to eat in Gili Air (coming soon).
- Mama Pizza Gili Air. It is an Italian very famous for its views and its pizzas, although I liked more the ones of the following place that I recommend.
- Italy Pizza & Cucina. Restaurant located in the main street with very rich pizzas.
- Warung Sunny. Local restaurant with delicious dishes.
- Pituq Café. Vegan restaurant. The food is delicious.
- H&R Resto. Very cheap food. The smoothie bowls are delicious and very cheap.
- Barefoot Blondie. Ideal for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
- Demonte “il gelato.” If you feel like good ice cream.
While I was writing this article, I discovered another local restaurant with very good reviews. What a pity I didn’t know it before! It is called Waroeng Alam Damai. I hope you will have the chance to try it.
By the way, if you want to spend less money on food, it is best to go to restaurants located in the interior of the island. The ones on the beach are always much more expensive and not better for it.
8. Sign up for a local cooking class
Indonesian cuisine is a delight, and I’m sure it would be great for you to learn a recipe to remember your trip when you return home or to bring Indonesia closer to your friends and family. So, if you want to enjoy a somewhat different experience, I suggest you sign up for an Indonesian cooking class. In addition to learning, you will surely have a good time and make some friends.
At the beginning of the main street (Jalan Mojo), there is a cooking school. You will find it by putting on the map “Gili Cooking Classes – Gili Air.”.
Where to stay in Gili Air
During our stay in Gili Air, we opted for a more unique and special experience by choosing Manusia Dunia Green Lodge, located on the western side of the island. Since it was the low season, the price was more affordable compared to the high season, but regardless of when you visit, I highly recommend this place.
The service was excellent, the rooms were cozy and comfortable, and the garden area, complete with a pool, was simply magnificent. Breakfast was generous, with the option to enjoy it on your private terrace or on the rooftop terrace, which offers stunning views. The lodge is also very peaceful, away from the noise of mosques and island parties, ensuring a restful stay.
If you’re considering other options across different budgets, these hotels are also worth a look:
- Amel House. Great value for money, with a pool.
- La Siesta Bungalows & Cuisine. Beautifully decorated, also with a pool.
- PinkCoco. One of the most renowned hotels in Gili Air, guaranteeing an excellent stay.
💡 You may come across cheaper hotels, but they’re often located near the mosque. I wouldn’t recommend these, as the early morning call to prayer, which happens around 4:30 am, can be quite loud. If you’re sensitive to noise, it’s very likely to wake you up.
More tips to visit Gili Air Island
To make your trip as smooth sailing as possible, here are some final tips for traveling to Gili Air:
- Who is Gili Air for? If you’re torn between the Gili Islands, I’d say Gili Air is a great choice. It’s not as busy as Gili Trawangan, but also not as quiet as Gili Meno. It hits that sweet spot, making it ideal for most travelers.
- For those planning a tour to other islands or snorkeling spots, I’d recommend going for a private tour and heading out early. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive and requires an early start, but you’ll get the best experience—especially at popular spots like the underwater sculpture “Nest” at Gili Meno, without the crowds.
- How long should you stay in Gili Air? I think two nights is a good starting point, but if you can manage three or more, you won’t regret it. There’s plenty to keep you entertained!
- The island has ATMs and money exchange services, so there’s no need to stress about carrying cash. You can easily get it while you’re there. As for payment options, I always rely on my N26 card during trips—it’s super handy.
- What to pack? Definitely bring sturdy sandals or water shoes, as some beaches have bits of fossilized coral that could hurt your feet. Don’t have your own snorkeling gear? No worries—you can rent it at a very reasonable price from several spots on the island.
- Just be mindful of the currents, especially when the tide’s going out. They can get pretty strong, so always snorkel carefully.
- Shopping in Gili Air If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head to Jalan Mojo, the main street near the port. You’ll find plenty of shops with clothes and souvenirs. I also recommend checking out the little store inside Pituq Café—it’s got some nice finds!
📲 If you want to have internet, you can buy a card on arrival or, something a little more expensive but more convenient, buy before your trip an Holafly eSIM with a discount code. You can book it here with a 5% discount code “comeamaviaja”. You will have internet from the moment you land!
Map of the best things to do in Gili Air
In the following map, you can see all the places mentioned in this article, the restaurants, hotels, etc., marked. This will make it easier for you to organize your visit.
💳 To get Indonesian rupees or pay by card, I recommend ordering the N26 card. With the free plan, you can withdraw money with a very low commission and pay in another currency with the best exchange rate and no commissions. In Gili Air, you will find several ATMs.
I hope this post about the best things to do in Gili Air (Indonesia) has been very useful to plan your visit to this destination. If you want to tell me about your experience or have any questions that I have not covered, feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy!
