Things to Do in Gili Island

- Circumnavigating the island:
The archipelago resides in the Lombok Strait with clear waters overlooking the cityscapes. Several cruises, including sunset cruises and barbeque cruises, circumnavigate the islands. Some of them even have underwater snorkeling as one of their activities.
Location: Jl. Bintang Laut No. 4d, Gili Indah, Pemenang, Kabupaten Lombok Utara, Nusa Tenggara Bar 83352, Indonesia
Timing: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Price: IDR 4, 21,296

- Island hopping:
Island hopping provides for an immersive Indonesian boating experience. This can be done through public/private speed boats or the Island Hopper – a ferry that runs between islands twice a day.
Location: Manta Dive, Gili Trawangan, Lombok-NTB, Indonesia
Timing: 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. 
Price: IDR 40,000. 

- Partying at Gili:
Gili Trawangan is the party paradise out of the three islands. Rumour has it that parties here last till 5:00 AM. Paradise Sunset is a popular night-time destination. In the Jiggy Boat Party, tourists dance to the rhythm of the music in the middle of the Lombok Strait. Snacks and drinks are provided on the boat.
Location: Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Timing: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Price: IDR 4, 01,234

- Enjoy Live Music and Sama-Sama Reggae Bar:
The ambience at SSRB is cherished due to its live music shows from different bands performing different genres. Even though their drinks may be a little pricey, the experience is worth it. 
Location: Kundun Road, Pemenang, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Timing: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Price: IDR 70,000 – IDR 1, 00,000

- Visit the night market:
Keep in mind that there is no night market in Gili Air. Gili Trawangan is the only island selling the exquisite Indonesian and Sasak delicacies at night. Localities selling their freshly caught fish with spicy sauces make for a mouth-watering treat.
Location: Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Timing: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: IDR 70,000 – IDR 1, 00,000

- Sunset-watching at Gili:
Be it Gili Trawangan, Air or Meno, the beaches make for an excellent sunset-watching destination. Casa Vintage Beach and Malibu Beach Club are prominent destinations as you sip on your drinks and watch the sun melt into the waves of the ocean.
Location: Sunset Side, Front Rd, Pemenang, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Timing: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: IDR 70,617 – IDR 1, 98,009

- Massages and Fish Pedicures:
Massages with aromatic candles and the gentle music playing in the background are one of the best things to do in Gili Islands. Fish pedicures are another way of a new experience, with tiny fish nibbling at your feet.
Location: Gili Meno, Indonesia
Timing: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: IDR 50,000 – IDR 90,000

- Visit Turtle Sanctuary:
Turtle sanctuaries in Gili Air and Gili Trawangan are home to baby turtles that can be set free with a donation of IDR 1,50,000. Your curious questions are patiently answered by the staff, and the adorable baby turtles are bound to put smiles on your faces.
Location: Jl. Pelabuhan Gili Meno, Pemenang, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Timing: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Price: IDR 1, 50,000

- Bike ride around the island:
Since commutation through automobiles is prohibited, most of the tourists resort to biking around the islands. Bikes can be rented from almost any hotel at low prices. Since the island is small, you can visit any place on your rented bikes.
Location: Gili Air, Indonesia
Timing: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: IDR 10,000 – IDR 80,000

- Movie night at the beach:
Movie nights are common at all three islands. One of the hotspots of this romantic or family getaway is Pearl Beach Lounge offering exotic cuisine that can be enjoyed while watching a movie. Furthermore, popcorn and drinks can be bought for IDR 50,000.
Location: Jl. Gili Trawangan, Pemenang, West Nusa Tenggara 83355, Indonesia
Timing: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: IDR 50,000 – IDR 1, 00,000

The journey from Bali to Gili Islands is made at two main docks - Padang Bai and Amed through fast boats. The boats usually depart between 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM from Padang Bai. BlueWater Express and Gili Cat are the most popular operators among all and take an approximate of 1.5 hours to reach. Tickets for the ride can be bought either on their website (IDR 70,000) or tour guides (IDR 450,000), the latter being a cheaper option. Through Amed, the Pacha Express (IDR 2, 50,000) departs at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM and takes 45 minutes due to its proximity to the islands. Other modes of commutation include public/private ferries and private sailing charters.

The best time to visit Gili Islands is during the dry season in Bali, which lasts from June to September. The crystal clear oceans provide for an amusing snorkeling and/or scuba-diving experience, and there are only a few traces of humidity in the atmosphere. The peak season when the tourists flock over here due to the festive aura is in December. The prices are high and rentals overpriced. The same is true for Eid ul Fitri, which usually embarks a festive inflow of vacationers from July – October. It is recommended to pre-book the hotels and other necessities if you plan on visiting during this time.

Being surrounded by water, the Gili Islands make for a nostalgic adventure destination. Some of the best things to do in Gili Islands underwater include:

- Gili Trawangan Sea Walker:
Ride on the boat to the coral reefs. Put on a helmet with a transparent visor attached to it and dive underwater. See the coral reefs, fish and anemones in their natural habitat.

- Gili Trawangan Snorkeling Day Trip:
The pick-up point of this snorkeling expedition is your hotel. The trip is inclusive of a glimpse of the coral reefs, romantic underwater statue and swimming with turtles.

- Subwing Gili Islands:
Swim effortlessly underwater with subwings and have a memorable experience.

Thinking about What to do in Gili Islands? Famed as the turtle capital it is swung by globetrotters all through the year. Here you will never fall short of diving spots, as there are twenty plus sites. Trawangan, Meno and Gili Air are dotted with several scuba diving sites.

With this adventure, you can take a deep look into the underwater kingdom where distinct creators like a turtle, scorpion fish, lion fish, cuttlefish, and countless other marine lives. Here you can also find different varieties of corals which will bind you in its charm.

Yes, one can always stay at Gili Island as it houses an abundance of comfortable stays. Here you find a handful of resorts as well which offer amazing views of the sunset and sunrise.

These stays are packed with all the top-notch amenities, be it alluring rooms with soft and soothing textures or enchanting resorts adorned with the beautiful nature here you can find every little thing to make your experience an everlasting one. If you are a backpacker and don’t want to burn your pockets with expensive stays you can find a number of budget stays too.

If you are wondering about what to do in GiliIslands in order to scavenge gifts for your loved ones, then here are some places to shop for yourself and them:

- Casa Vintage Store:
Casa Vintage Store sells hand-picked clothing for both men and women. They also have furniture, textiles and antiques available at great costs.

- Lizzy Darling Jewelry:
Not only jewels, but also souvenirs, body scrubs and creams are available here. Leather and pompom sandals are available a comparatively cheaper rates too.

- Kartini:
Buy Indonesian textiles, earrings and handbags here. A great place to shop for gifts for your Mom, or spouse.

Seated beautifully just 1.5 hours away from Bali, Gili Island is a must-visit holiday destination. There are numerous ferry services from Bali to Gili and only easily either opt for a fast boat or a slower one which take 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours respectively.

One needs to pay an amount of 7,90,000 IDR for one way service and can reach out to the amazing Island. You can take the boat from various points namely Serangan Harbour and Padang Bai.

With several other countries which make the traveling easier by exempting from the visa, Bali is one of them. Here one can reach out to Bali and explore the scenic splendors without a visa, but if one needs to stay for more than 30 days then they need to pay an additional amount.

Apart from this, there is no requirement of the Visa all you need is the passport and a valid government identity proof to soak in the beauty of this Indonesian Island.