Are you wondering where to head and what to do on your next vacation? On the Gilis, you can find a wide range of vacation activities that will keep you entertained all day long with your friends and family, or even by yourself. On the Gili islands things to do are many.
Arriving to the fun island of Gili T?
These three islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air offer you a unique and tranquil location to relax and enjoy the view just the way you would imagine paradise in your dreams. Each Gili has its own unique look and all of them offer various opportunities to take time off and relax, letting you live and experience life on a tiny, tropical island.
The Archipelago of Gili Islands
On Gili islands, you can perform a variety of activities that will help you realign with yourself or simply have a fabulous time. Here are some of them that you should definitely try.
Soaking yourself in the sun
When you tour any beach, your trip is never complete until you find the perfect spot for yourself to just let everything go and absorb the rays of the sun. When most visitors come to Gili islands, they spend time on the beautiful sandy beaches sunbathing. Why? Because they are way more beautiful than most beaches in the near Bali. Some places also provide swimming pools where you can cool off from the sun.
Renting a bike
These three islands are really not that big so you can bike around the island easily while enjoying the view. Stack up on a few snacks and some sunscreen and hop on a bicycle so you can stay active on your holiday. It’s a beautiful way to discover these gorgeous islands end to end. There are many spots where you can rent a bike at a reasonable rate.
Going for a horse ride
If you do not have the energy to ride your bike, then there is a better alternative. You can ride a horse and still enjoy the view without getting tired. The Gili islands have multiple stables and instructors who will tag along so you feel safe even if you’re new to horse riding. The routes and terrain are quite easy to master especially when you are being guided by a professional. There is nothing to lose by trying.
Renting a bike is easy
Riding horses on the beach
Sun chilling on the beach
Turtle hatcheries
The turtle hatchery is a popular attraction on these islands. The sanctuary is a safe home to numerous adult and baby turtles. You do not need to pay to visit them, but donations are appreciated and it’s important for the beautiful sanctuary so that they can continue the good work.
Enjoying the local cuisine
On Gili islands, there are several restaurants and cafes which are mostly located on the beach. Visit them to enjoy a blend of Asian and Western cuisine with local delicacies. These restaurants are popular due to the fact that they offer a wide range of seafood buffets along with grilled fish which is usually served directly from the sea as a special plate.
Some cafes also have board games and books in case you want to spend some time playing after your meal. You can also visit the street stalls on the islands which offer delicious food at a lower price compared to the restaurants.
Turtle hatchery - Gili Islands
Restaurant food - Gili Islands
GiliT street food - night market
Watersports
The Gili islands give you a wonderful opportunity to try a great variety of water sports activities such as scuba diving, surfing, and kayaking.
Gili Islands offer surfing spots.
Gili Islands offer snorkeling spots.
Scuba diving
The Gilis are world renowned for their amazing plant and marine life which is best experienced while scuba diving. The three Gilis have scuba diving centers with training lessons, where drift diving is particularly popular offering visibility up to 15 to 20 meter depths. Taking a dive down the waters of the exotic archipelago offers a view of cuttlefish, lionfish, octopus, scorpion fish, and ray. Diving is much more affordable in either of the islands compared to Bali.
The popularity of the Gilis has taken a toll on the reefs over the years but recent environmental movements aim at protecting the reefs to prevent further damage. You know the saying, leave only footprints, take only memories.
Training pool at diving school.
Surfing
The waves are great for surfing all year round on these islands. There are also surf camps available offering accommodation, meals, surfing lessons, and yoga amongst other perks. If you never tried this sport but you’re thinking about it, the Gilis might just be the perfect spot for you to give it a shot because they are less crowded than the beaches in Bali.
Kayaking
You will find kayak rentals here which will allow you to go on a guided tour all over the island. Your trip will give you the opportunity to see beautiful wildlife, get a real encounter with turtles and feel the warm rays of the sun.
Experiencing the local nightlife
The party island is Gili Trawangan while Air provides the quietest experience out of the three. Party nights rotating between bars are regular on the islands, and the bars often stay open until 4 a.m. When there are a decent number of visitors on the island, they host Full Moon parties on the beaches to the south of Trawangan.
Full moon party on Gili Trawangan.
You should definitely visit the Gili islands on your next vacation to experience this for yourself. These activities will definitely make your stay fun and memorable.
When is time to party at Villa Ottalia...
Once you’re already in Bali, getting to the Gilis is really easy. You simply need to book a fast boat that will take you there in around 2 hours from the ports of Amed, Serangan Harbor, Padang Bai, Benoa Marina, and Sanur. The pick up service from your resort or villa is included in the ticket price so you don’t need to worry about organizing your transfer or missing your boat.
You can find the best fast boat deals with free pickup on our top rated booking site with free pickup services.