Gili Islands – A Little Piece of Paradise You Must Visit from Bali

There are places you visit, and then there are places you wish you could stay a little longer.

The Gili Islands are definitely the second kind.

If you are planning a trip to Bali, I strongly recommend adding Gili Islands to your itinerary. Just a few hours away by fast boat, the Gilis feel completely different from Bali—white sandy beaches, turquoise water, amazing marine life, barefoot walks, beach parties and, most importantly, no cars and no noisy traffic.

The Gili Islands consist of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, each offering a slightly different experience. Trawangan is the liveliest and best for nightlife, Meno is quieter and romantic, while Air offers a beautiful balance of relaxed island life, beaches and snorkelling.

## Gili Trawangan – My Favourite

We stayed at Gili Trawangan (Gili T), the largest and most developed of the three islands.

What immediately surprised me was the absence of cars and regular motorbikes. You mostly get around by walking, bicycle or traditional horse-drawn carts called cidomo.

The result?

No horns.

No traffic jams.

No exhaust-filled roads.

Just bicycles, horses, beaches and the sound of the ocean.

It creates a completely different holiday atmosphere.

🚲 Explore Gili T on a Bicycle

🏖️ Beaches, Barefoot Walks & Island Life

🤿 Snorkelling – The Experience You Shouldn't Miss

Our half-day snorkelling tour was one of the highlights of the trip.

We paid around ₹1,200 per person, making it one of the best-value activities of our Gili stay.

The water around the three islands is known for coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles. Popular snorkelling areas include Turtle Point, Coral Garden and other reef sites around Trawangan.

But the real highlight for us was exploring the waters around Gili Meno and Gili Air.

🗿 The Underwater Statues

The famous underwater sculpture installation near Gili Meno is one of the most unique snorkelling experiences in the area.

The installation consists of human figures arranged underwater and has become one of the iconic attractions of the Gili Islands. The sculptures also act as an artificial reef, becoming part of the surrounding marine ecosystem. Seeing them underwater for the first time was surreal.

🐢 Look Out for Turtles

🎉 Gili T After Sunset

Gili T isn't only about beaches and snorkelling. It also has a surprisingly energetic nightlife scene.

White Rabbit was my favourite party spot. Located right by the beach, it is the kind of place where you can move from a relaxed beach evening straight into music, parties and dancing.

Depending on the night, you may find foam parties, pool parties and other beachside events.

If you enjoy nightlife, Gili T is definitely the island to choose.

If partying isn't your thing, don't worry—you can easily find quieter parts of the island too.

🎬 A Beach Movie Night – One of My Favourite Memories

One of the most unexpected experiences was the open-air movie experience by the beach.

Imagine this:

A giant screen.

The ocean just a few metres away.

A bean bag instead of a theatre seat.

Popcorn in your hand.

And a nostalgic movie playing under the night sky.

For us, this was the perfect way to end an evening in Gili.

🏡 Our Stay – Outdoor Living

The villa we stayed in was another highlight.

It had an outdoor shower and a beautiful outdoor daybed, giving the stay a very relaxed island vibe.

The accommodation was part of a small community of villas located close to the White Rabbit area.

🏝️ Which Gili Island Should You Choose?

If you have limited time, choosing the right island matters.

### Gili Trawangan

Best for: nightlife, activities, first-time visitors and a lively atmosphere.

This is the largest and most developed of the three islands, with the biggest concentration of hotels, restaurants, dive centres and beach bars.

### Gili Meno

Best for: couples, honeymooners, peaceful beaches and underwater experiences.

Meno is quieter and is famous for the underwater sculpture installation and turtle snorkelling.

### Gili Air

Best for: relaxed travellers, cafés, snorkelling and a balance between nightlife and tranquillity.

It is a great option if you want something quieter than Trawangan without being as secluded as Meno.

If you have enough time, consider visiting all three—the islands are close enough to combine through island-hopping and snorkelling trips.

🚤 How to Reach Gili from Bali

Fast boats operate from Bali to the Gili Islands, with routes commonly departing from places such as Padang Bai, Serangan and Amed. Depending on the departure point and sea conditions, the journey can take roughly 1.5–2 hours.

Our journey took around 2 hours.

One thing you should know before booking:

The sea can be rough.

If you are prone to seasickness, don't underestimate the boat journey.

We preferred Eka Jaya Fast Ferry because we found it more comfortable and reassuring, even though it can cost a little more depending on the date and fare.

My suggestion: don't choose your ferry only on the basis of the cheapest ticket.

💰 What We Spent

For our family trip, our approximate costs were:

| Experience | Approx. Cost |

| -------------------- | -----------: |

| Return Ferry Boat | ₹5,000 |

| 2 Nights Stay | ₹7,000 |

| Half-Day Snorkelling | ₹1,900 |

| Total | ₹13,900 |

That works out to an incredibly affordable island experience considering we had two nights of accommodation, return ferry and snorkelling included.

Prices naturally vary depending on season, hotel, ferry operator and the type of snorkelling tour you choose.

Browse our curated itineraries and plan your dream trip.