The Gili Islands (Indonesia) are familiar to all lovers of a beach holiday in Bali. Three tiny pieces of land, surrounded on all sides by the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, look very attractive from a bird's eye view. Well, having met with Trawangan, Meno and Air, I want to stay here forever. Many call Bali a paradise island. Yes, in many ways it is good and even wonderful. Bali is rich in historical and natural attractions. But if you are interested in the beaches and the clear turquoise sea, then the Gili Islands, which are part of the Western Lesser Sunda Archipelago, you will not find better. They are located only thirty-five kilometers from the eastern cape of Bali. But Gili cannot be reached from the air. There is no space for an airport on the tiny islands. The only way is by sea. This article will tell you about the specifics of Trawangan, Air and Meno. We will also tell you how to get to the islets and where to rent accommodation.
The 'Bounty' advertisement made real
Our idea of "heavenly delight" is often based on what we seechocolate bar video. Warm white sand, fine as powdered sugar; calm, gentle sea, reminiscent of turquoise in purity and color, and sapphire on the horizon; slender palm trees leaning towards the water itself… This is what many tourists go to Bali for. And they are surprised to learn that everything is a little different on the volcanic island. And in order to get into the advertisement of the Bounty coconut bar live, you need to go a little east - to the Gili Islands. Photos of Trawangan, Air and Meno don't lie. All three islands are different, have their own specifics. But they all have great beaches. Exactly the same as in the Bounty advertisement. For inquisitive tourists who cannot imagine a vacation without educational excursions, Gili is not suitable. But for those who crave passive relaxation on the beach, they are just right. Active divers and snorkelers will not be disappointed either.
Specificity of the Gili Islands
Trawangan is the largest of the trinity. The islands of Gili Air and Meno are much smaller. Accordingly, if you want to alternate a beach holiday during the day with a fun pastime in the evening, you are on Trawangan. This island cannot be called large, except perhaps in comparison with two neighboring tiny pieces of land. But Trawangan has a sufficient selection of hotels for every taste and fullness of a bank card, cafes, restaurants and even nightclubs. There is even a food market. And if you want to renounce civilization and feel like a kind of Robinson Crusoe on the edge of the earth, then you can go to the islands of Gili Meno and Air. Fortunately, they are only a kilometer from Trawangan. FROMfrom this island you can see mountainous Lombok. And from the opposite shore you can admire Bali. Rather, the island itself is hidden behind the horizon, but the towering peak of the Batur volcano is visible in the sky. There are few hotels on Air, and even fewer on Meno, so you need to book a hotel there in advance.
Gili (Islands): how to get there. The fastest and most expensive option
In fact, the Gili are not very far from Lombok. And that, respectively, is located very close to Bali. The Bounty Islands can only be reached by sea. But here, too, there are options. The ticket price directly affects the time spent on the road. The more you pay, the faster and with better comfort you will get to the island of Gili you need. The most expensive option is a private transfer. You are picked up from Bali, from the point you specify, driven by car to the pier of Padang Bay, put on a high-speed glider and delivered to the desired island. The price of the issue is one hundred or more US dollars per passenger. But you will be there an hour or eighty minutes after leaving the hotel in Bali.
The best option in every respect
For only thirty-five dollars round trip per person you can visit the Gili Islands. How to get from Bali to Trawangan? To do this, you need to independently drive to the pier of Padang Bay. There are other options. You can pay at the tour desks of Bali for a trip to Gili. It will cost a little more, but then you will be picked up from your hotel (if you are vacationing in Nusa Dua) or McDonald's in Jimbaran. Tickets can be bought in Kutaor directly at the box office of the pier. Speedboats (speed boats) leave Bali at nine in the morning, at noon and at three in the afternoon. What is gratifying - a return ticket is given with an open date. This will allow you to leave Gili at any time: earlier than planned, if you are not lucky with the weather; later - if you really like your stay on the "paradise island". The speedboat covers a distance of thirty-five kilometers in a little over an hour. First the boat calls at Trawangan, then at Meno (a kilometer from the larger island) and lastly at Air.
Cheapest option
Public ferries also run to the Gili Islands. "Bali - Lombok" departs from the same pier in Padang Bay. This ferry runs regularly, but slowly. It should be noted that public transport for locals does not provide air conditioning and any amenities (except for the toilet). In Lombok, you should transfer to another ferry to Gili Trawangan. Boats to the smaller islands - Meno and Air - go very rarely. They are ordinary wooden motorboats with additional boards on the sides for stability. But this whole day trip will leave a lot of impressions. The advantage of this option is the opportunity to see Lombok. Many tourists traveling in Indonesia are even advised to stay on this island for a night or two. Another advantage is the low price. Two tickets on the public ferry Bali-Lombok-Gili will cost one passenger 30,000 rupees (or 20 US dollars).
How to get around
To keep the Gili Islands clean, local authorities have banned all motorized modes of transport. So if you are traveling with a scooter, you will have to leave it in a paid parking lot in Bali or Lombok. You will definitely not be put on a ferry or boat to Gili with it. But don't get upset. Even the largest of the Gili Islands, Trawangan, is two and a half kilometers long and one and a half kilometers wide. You can get around it around the perimeter in a little over an hour. In a good hotel, you can always rent bicycles, since the flat terrain of the islands does not turn pedaling into hard labor. Another type of local transport is tuk-tuks pulled by ponies. Rather, this is another entertainment for tourists than a way to travel. Moreover, tuk-tuks are quite expensive. A carriage ride will cost eighty thousand rupees. Boats are the most popular form of transport on Gili. You can ride a regular wooden junk. For those who are terrified of diving, there are glass bottom boats. And carriers scurry between the three islands of Gili from morning to evening.
Where to stay
All Gili Islands have their own specifics. Trawangan is considered the most expensive. But this is only at first glance. Luxurious hotels, where a night costs from a hundred dollars, are on the first line of the northern and eastern coasts. But already across the road (especially in the area of the local school) there are a lot of simpler hotels. Even backpackers can rent accommodation here. A room in a guesthouse will cost tendollars per night. Housing on Gili Air is cheaper. But even there there are luxury hotels, although many tourists prefer to stay in apartments with a kitchen. Prices for a room in a guesthouse start from five dollars per night. In the center of the island there are only a mosque and government offices. All hotels, even the cheapest ones, are located on the first line. Gili Meno is also called the island of honeymooners. There are few hotels here, they need to be booked in advance. Also, do not compare Meno with the party Trawangan. To feel happy in this tropical Eden, you need to have Eve (or Adam) around.
Things to do in Gili
According to reviews, the main pastime of tourists is languid lying on the beach. And when the sun goes down to the horizon, the audience goes to the west coast, sits comfortably in the sun loungers or right on the cooling sand with a bottle of some drink and indulges in the contemplation of the sunsets. Sunset is a truly magical sight. For the sake of sunsets alone, it is worth coming to the Gili Islands. Reviews also compare the local waters with the Egyptian Ras Mohammed. The inhabitants of coral reefs are not only colorful fish, but also rays, giant manta rays, turtles and sharks. Few people know, but Trawangan and Eyre have good bays for surfers. They are located on the southern extremities of these islets. There are schools in the places of diving aria where they teach scuba diving. They even issue diplomas on Trawangan.
Gili Islands (Bali): reviews
Alltourists say that several categories of vacationers feel great here:
- newlyweds or lovers,
- very lazy people for whom relaxation is languid lying on the beach,
- divers and surfers,
- very young children whose main attraction is building sandcastles.
Gili do not indulge tourists with excursions. The only thing that tour operators can offer you is a trip on a glass bottom boat. The tour lasts about three hours and costs a thousand rupees per person. Along the way, the boat makes several stops among the reefs, and those who want to dive, and not just watch, can plunge into the gentle waters of the Indian Ocean.
