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    GUIDE TO PARADISE

Gili Air | Guide to paradise

Gili Air Island is one of the three Gili Islands on the Lombok coast. Caution! The danger level to fall in love with the island: extremely high. Three planned nights turned into seven nights for me. Turquoise water, fantastic sandy beaches, peaceful and relaxed island life.You should definitely put Gili Air on your list – a trip of several days is good to combine with your stay in Bali, Nusa Penida or Lombok.

Why Gili Air?

If you have a little more time you can of course just do a Gili Island hopping and visit all three islands. Gili Trawangan is just right for you if you like long party nights. Here you get the full boom of cocktails, other intoxicating plants and dancing until sunrise. The smallest island Gili Meno is also known as Honeymoon Island. Families and couples in love are particularly drawn to the pretty, expensive resorts on the island.
I wasn’t in the mood for mushroom cocktails and a honey moon vacation alone can be quite frustrating, so I chose Gili Air and drove over from Nusa Penida without great expectations. Immediately in shock love!

How to get there | from Nusa Penida to Gili Air

Getting to the island is really easy. Head straight to Nusa Penida harbor and say you would like to buy a ticket to Gili Air. If you are at the jetty before 9am in the morning, you can usually ride on the same day. Otherwise you will be put off for the next day. The crossing costs an average of 400,000 IDR (= 26 euros) — there are slight differences between the providers, but they are not particularly high. The only negative: there is no direct connection from Nusa Penida to Gili Air. The boat first goes to a port in Bali and then continues to the Gili Islands. So prepare for a trip of several hours. It took us 4 hours (with higher waves it could take a few hours longer).

How to get there | from Bali to Gili Air

You see, you can also travel directly from Bali to Gili Air. Here it’s a bit cheaper with about 300,000 IDR (= 20 euros). Of course it depends on which port you start from. But again it’s like: Just go to the port, compare providers and prices and off you go.

Accommodation | Budget hostel &. bungalows

I booked my accommodation as always in advance on booking.com. And every night I wanted to stay longer, I extended spontaneously every morning directly in the accommodation. In Oasi – Italian Pizza and Bungalow you can either sleep in a four-bed bungalow for 100,000 IDR (= 6.50 Eur0) per night or a small private bungalow with a double bed for 300,000 IDR (= 20 EUR) per night treat.
The sharing bungalows are great! They are quite small and really only suitable for sleeping BUT: there is a mosquito net over every bed! A big plus! The beds are all freshly made, comfortable and you can always get a new towel on request.

The complex itself is really well maintained with a great pool, air mattresses, sun loungers and a covered, open dining area. You really enjoy staying here — I just lay by the pool in the sun for two days.

An island without cars or scooters

If you know the scooter chaos of Bali, you will experience on Gili Air the totally opposite! There are no cars or motorized scooters. Your transportation options consist of electric scooters, bicycles or horse taxis. I would generally advise against using a carriage. Most horses are unfortunately not treated well here.
The island is very small, so you can also get by without a means of transport. I borrowed a bicycle for a few days: 60,000 IDR (= 4 euros) for 3 days at Jasmin SPA.

Warning: in the evening the island is not brightly lit everywhere during night time. Think of a flashlight or use your cell phone light.

Good to know

ATMS & card payment
Similar to Nusa Penida, you can pay by credit card in some restaurants and cafés. However, it is always advisable to have cash with you, as the card readers tend to fail or are generally not available. You definitely get cash on the island! If an ATM should fail or be empty, there is always another way to withdraw money within walking distance. If you withdraw a larger amount, you are well equipped for the days on Gili Air.

Restaurants & cafes on Gili Air

  • Coffee & Thyme — good coffee & incredibly delicious banana bread
  • Mamas Pizza — the best pizza I’ve eaten in Indonesia
  • Breadelicious — mega crossaints, bruschetta, breakfast bowls
  • Gili Lumbung Beachclub  — Cocktail Happy Hour (pay 1, get 2), Chicken-Pesto pasta (!)
  • Zipp Bar Restaurant & Bungalows — Wine Happy Hour (pay 1, get 2), great all-you-can-eat barbecue

To Do

  • Check out all the great sunsets
  • Be part of a snorkeling tour
  • Treat yourself with a massage in the Jasmin Spa
  • Bike around the whole island
  • Chill in the beanbags from Gili Lumbung Beach Club and enjoy the live mus
  • Visit a movie in the beach cinema
  • Relax at least a whole day on the beach or by the pool and just do nothing except reading a book.

Click here for the detailed To Do Guide for Gili Air.

WHERE TO STAY ON GILI AIR

Luxus — Sunrise Resort: In the Sunrise Resort you are surrounded by a beautiful tropical complex. You can get a room here from 70 euros and your own suite from 100 euros. High quality breakfast and right on the beach! If you want to treat yourself to a little more luxury on Gili Air, this is the place for you.

Value & Budget — Oasi – Italian Pizza and Bungalow: Here I spent a whole week in a multi-bed bungalow! For 100,000 IDR (= 6.40 euros) you spend one night in one of four beds, each covered by a mosquito net. A big plus!
If you want to spend time more privately, you can reserve a deluxe bungalow for 25 – 30 euros per night. Here you will find a large double bed, a private bathroom and a balcony with a dining area.
Another plus: There is a super stone oven pizza right on the location.

Lots of Love ♥

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ABOUT ME



Hi, I'm Fiona and traveled a small part of the world in 2019. I want to give you inspiration & tips and honestly share my experiences with you.

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