The Gili Islands is an archipelago consisting of 3 small islands situated on the northwest coast of Lombok. The three islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, have something in common: relaxing and intimate vibes, beautiful beaches, and crystal clear water.
We will list the top three kinds of activities to spend your time on these gorgeous little islands below.
1. Gili on The Land: The Journey Begins.
If you’re looking for something more cultural like experiencing local culture in general, the food or maybe just to vibe with the land, these activities are exactly what you need:
Cycling or walking through the island because motorcycles are not allowed. Whether it’s Trawangan, Meno or Air, you can explore these islands at your own pace to wind down.
Hiking the heart of Gili Trawangan, the hill viewpoint will allow you to see a broad view of the Gili Islands.
Yoga and Spa to relax your mind, body, and soul.
Trawangan Night Market also needs to be on your bucket list. Fresh seafood with a local’s touch is ready to blow your mind.
Beach horse-riding into the sunset with a mesmerizing view sounds like something that comes out from a movie. But you can actually do that at Gili Trawangan.
Hit the bar or push your boat and party! Gili Islands, especially Gili Trawangan was known as a wild party island in the 90s. Even though it is not as vigorous as it was, the youthful energy still can be felt throughout the island.
Almost crossing the shoreline, you might not want to pass on the famous ocean swing where you can feel the water up to your ankle, swing quietly and enjoy the sunset.
2. Underwater Paradise Activities.
Island life is never complete without being in the water. Gili Islands offer that breathtaking underwater landscape and above the water activities such as:
Snorkeling and diving are, we might say, a must. You can learn to snorkel or dive if you haven’t tried them before. The abundance of beautiful marine ecosystems will give you an instant serotonin boost. Or if you are a more seasoned diver, diving spots like Deep Turbo will be an excellent option for you to explore caves spreading in the area.
For thrill-seekers, behold! There are so many options for you to choose from in the extreme water sports category. Kitesurfing and full-speed sub wing are perfect because the water is just excellent for that. Or if you want to try a milder version of water sports, you can try banana boats, kayak, and stand-up paddling.
3. Conserving Our Nature.
The fun is nowhere near the end. And the adventure can’t be completed with a touch of a little action from you taking care and giving back for what you have enjoyed from nature.
You can visit the turtle sanctuary at Gili Meno. This privately-owned conservation organisation works to help hatch turtle eggs in a safe environment and nurture newborns before releasing them into the ocean and you are more than welcome to learn, observe and involve in these little turtle conservation.
Recycling and coral reef conservation/restoration can also be an option too. You can learn in-depth and hands-on participation with these conservation/restoration projects with the local community. Such a meaningful action to end your adventure, right? Having fun and helping our earth to sustain its glory is something we can do if we just put a little bit of effort into it.
Do you want to have it all?
Most people cannot choose only one type of activity, which is totally understandable. And if you want to experience a land trip, nature conservation and an underwater adventure, you can definitely check out our climate-friendly recycling & reef rehabilitation snorkeling day trip for you! You will also meet like-minded people in the group that can perhaps become your Gili stay buddies! What a catch!
Bumi Journey envisions climate positive ecotourism by providing carbon-conscious ecotourism experiences focusing on conservation, education, and community empowerment so travelers can contribute positively to the earth’s climate. Learn more about our story here.
Writer: Virda Risyad
Editor: Faiz Karim
Instagram: Bumi Journey
References:
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Indonesia's Gili Islands, 2018. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/indonesia/articles/the-ultimate-travel-guide-to-the-gili-islands-indonesia/
The Top 15 Things to Do in Indonesia's Gili Islands, 2018. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/indonesia/articles/the-best-things-to-see-and-do-in-the-gili-islands/