Gili Islands Holidays

Gili Islands

Comprising Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, the tiny Gili Islands are a tropical paradise. Located to the north-west of nearby Lombok, the islands of this pocket-sized archipelago boast irresistible tropical scenery, palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear azure waters.

Historically fishing and agriculture was the main source of employment for local communities, however, today the Gili Islands are a popular, if lesser visited, tourist destination. A place of ultimate relaxation, the Gili Islands also possess some of Asia’s most unspoilt coral reefs and thus offer first-class snorkelling and diving experiences. Days here are lazy and a perfect hideaway from the pressures of the modern world. Unwind on a soft sand beach, take a dip in the welcoming warm seas and snorkel vivid coral reefs in search of colourful tropical fish, inquisitive rays and, if lucky, turtles. The Gili Islands can only be reached by sea and there are regular fast boat services from the neighbouring islands of Bali and Lombok to most of the larger more populated towns and resorts.

Holiday Ideas for the Gili Islands

14 DAYS

Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands

from £2990 - £3300
per person

Start Planning Your Holiday

When to visit the Gili Islands

The proximity of the Gili Islands to Lombok and Bali means that the Gilis share an almost identical weather pattern to its larger neighbours. Climatically tropical, the Gili Islands benefit from warm and stable temperatures the year-round, humidity also fluctuates little as does the hours of daylight and sunshine. Similar to Lombok and Bali the Gili Islands have two distinct seasons – one which is drier and the other where more rainfall takes place – therefore it is the dry season which is considered to be the best time to visit the Gili Islands. Running from April to September, during the dry season there is a much reduced risk of rainfall, skies are nearly always clear and temperatures a little lower ranging from 26°C to 30°C. Another benefit of travelling during the dry season are calm seas which, in turn, result in better underwater visibility providing ideal conditions for diving and snorkelling. The wet, or monsoon, season occurs during the other half of the year between October and March although the heaviest rainfall materialises in December and January. Mostly, however, the weather is unpredictable with occasional heavy downpours, slightly higher temperatures, increased humidity and rougher seas. Peak season in the Gili Islands is July and August but also during Christmas and New Year although if seeking to balance good weather with fewer travellers the shoulder seasons of April, May, June and September are well worthy of consideration.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

BEST TIME

GOOD TIME

LOW SEASON

OFF SEASON

This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

What to do in the Gili Islands

For most travellers that include at stay on one of the Gili Islands, the main reason for visiting is to indulge in rest and recuperation usually after a wider tour of Lombok and Bali. There are few places that offer such an enticing mix of palm-fringed white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, coconut plantations and pristine coral reefs, and all within reach of the extraordinary cultural attractions of the nearby islands of Lombok and Bali. With no motor vehicles allowed on the three islands of the Gilis, the focus here is on pure relaxation with most days centred around a combination of sunbathing, snorkelling and eating freshly caught seafood. A major draw is the world-class diving and snorkelling and, beneath the sea’s surface, there is a whole world of vibrant coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life waiting to be discovered.