7 Best Things to Do in Gili Air
Are you looking for the best things to do in Gili Air, Lombok? Gili Air is a blend of the other two islands, offering a laid-back atmosphere, stunning beaches, excellent accommodations, and great bars. It’s the perfect escape from Bali and ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
Wondering what to do in Gili Air? Snorkel with turtles, bike around the island, join a local cooking class, relax on the beaches, and take a day trip to the underwater sculptures of Gili Meno.
This ultimate guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Gili Air, Indonesia.
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Best things to do in Gili Air, Lombok
It is a popular holiday destination in Indonesia, easily accessible from Bali or Lombok, and a perfect base for visiting the other Gili Islands. This was our favorite Gili Island!
1. Explore the Island by Bike
One of the best things to do in Gili Air is to rent a bike and discover the island on your own. This is the best way to explore hidden gems, find the best restaurants and bars, or meet the locals.
We recommend renting a bright-colored bike (such as pink, yellow, or green) that will look great in your Instagram photos.
You can rent a bike almost anywhere on the island. The rental fee for a day is 50,000 IDR (3 USD).
2. Snorkel with Turtles
The Gili Islands are the perfect place to watch turtles! Gili Air is a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers, so this will be the best experience on the island.
You can easily join a group tour or book a private snorkeling tour. Another option is to rent snorkeling equipment and explore the turtle spots on your own.
You can ask your accommodation for information on where to find the best turtle spots, which can be reached without a boat tour. But usually, the eastern part of the island is the best for this activity.
TIP
If you have limited time in Indonesia, take a snorkeling tour to the Gili Islands from Lombok. We recommend booking through GetYourGuide.
3. Beach Swing at Sunset
Wondering what to do on Gili Air? One of the most popular activities on the island is watching the sunset.
The best sunset spots are Pelangi Beach and Gili Lumbung, where the swings make the experience even more fun.
There are many restaurants and beach bars around Pelangi Beach, so we recommend arriving a few hours early and relaxing on the beach.
Good to know
As this is a popular photo spot, you may have to wait a few minutes to take photos, but it’s worth it.
See also → Best Beaches in Lombok
4. Snorkel at the Underwater Statues of Gili Meno
One of the best things to do in Gili Air is to take a day trip to Gili Meno and snorkel at the underwater sculptures. Book your snorkeling tour with GetYourGuide.
Gili Meno is just a 15-20 minute boat ride away. The public boat ticket to Gili Meno costs around 40,000 IDR (2,50 USD) per person per way.
Alternatively, you can join a private boat trip or stay in Gili Meno and swim for about 5 minutes to the underwater statues.
Good to know
Currents and waves around the Gili Islands can be strong and unpredictable, so be careful when swimming or snorkeling!
Recommended post → Where to Stay in the Gili Islands
5. Join an Indonesian Cooking Class
For a fun activity, take a cooking class at Gili Cooking Classes, located close to the harbor. Since Indonesian food is heavenly, don’t miss the opportunity to learn the ingredients, learn how to prepare these traditional dishes, and make your own.
The Intro Course takes 1.5 hours and costs 350,000 IDR (21,50 USD) per person. In this cooking class, you will learn how to make Kelopon (an Indonesian dessert), Fried Tempeh with peanut sauce, and Mie Goreng (fried noodles).
There are 3 cooking classes available daily at 11:30 AM, 4 PM, and 8 PM.
At Gili Cooking Classes, vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request!
If you are not taking this cooking class, we recommend you try typical Indonesian flavors at local restaurants. Our favorite local dishes you must try are Nasi Goreng, Satay, Mie Goreng, Nasi Campur, and Gado-Gado.
6. Take a Scuba Diving Course
Are you looking for unique things to do in Gili Air? As the island is perfect for scuba diving, don’t miss this opportunity at Oceans 5 Dive Resort close to the harbor.
This activity is perfect for those who have never dived before but want to try it or for those who want to get their diving certification.
Traveling to Lombok and the Gili Islands?
Your trip just got easier! Use our handpicked private Google Maps: best beaches, waterfalls, turtle spots, to do’s, our favorite restaurants & more.
7. Enjoy your Stay
Our favorite thing to do on the island was relax, chilling on the best beaches with a cold beer/coconut. For more exciting activities, try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and Subwing, or take a snorkeling boat trip.
We were disappointed that PinkCoco no longer has pink swings, but the bench offers a good photo spot.
If you enjoyed your time in Gili Air, we recommend visiting Nusa Penida, another magical island in Indonesia.
Where to Stay in Gili Air, Lombok
Although it’s a small island, accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from cheap hostels to mid-range hotels and luxury villas.
Best hotels in Gili Air
- Luxury: Villa Tokay – Luxury Private Villas
- Mid-Range: PinkCoco Hotel (Adults Only)
- Budget: Captain Coconuts
Wondering where to stay in Lombok? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Lombok.
How to Get to Gili Air, Indonesia
The Gili Islands consist of three small islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air) located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia.
You can get to the Gili Islands from Bali by public ferry, speed boat, and helicopter, or fly into Lombok and travel by boat from there.
The fast boat is the most comfortable and quickest way to get to Gili Air. Book your ticket here.
From Bali, ferries depart from Sanur, Padang Bai, Serangan, and Amed harbors to the island. The fast ferry ride usually takes 2-6 hours, depending on the port, stops, waiting times, and sea conditions.
Read the full post → How to Get from Bali to the Gili Islands
How to Get Around
The Gili Islands are car-free, and as there are no cars, you can only get around on foot or by bicycle or electric scooter.
It’s actually a small island, and we cycled around it twice. The best paved roads are in the middle of the island. The paths on the edge of the island are through the sand, so be careful on these parts.
Horse-drawn carriages are another alternative for getting around the island, but we do not recommend this option!
Best Restaurants & Cafés
Our favorite place to eat was Captain Coconuts, but you can find several other great restaurants on the island.
- Mama Pizza (Delicious pizza)
- Warung Parida (Cheap, local dishes)
- Pachamama Organic Cafe (Healthy breakfast, vegan options)
- Ruby’s Cafe (Ideal for lunch or dinner)
- JUJU Zero Waste Store & Vegan Cafe (The best vegan restaurant with heavenly food)
Best Time to Visit Gili Air
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The Gili Islands are a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit is during the dry season, from April to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for boat tours, swimming, snorkeling, and visiting the islands.
It’s good to know that during the rainy season (from November to March) or when the sea conditions are bad, the boat schedules can change and be delayed a lot, so plan your trip to Lombok!
Gili Air has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 28°C all year round. January is the wettest month, and August is the driest.
TIP
In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, ferry tickets, and tours in advance!
Read our → Lombok and Gili Islands Itinerary
How many Days do you Need in Gili Air?
We recommend spending the first day relaxing. Then, stay at least 2-3 full days to get the most out of your trip.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Gili Air will help you plan your next trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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