Picture this: no motorized vehicles, no rush, just white sand, warm turquoise water and a cold drink in hand while the sun melts into the horizon. Welcome to the Gili Islands.
Gili Trawangan (Gili T.), Gili Meno, and Gili Air make up one of Southeast Asia’s most beloved island escapes. If you’ve been traveling through Indonesia for a while, you’ll know it can be an intense country, the Gilis are the perfect place to slow down and relax. Follow this 1 week Gili Islands itinerary and I’ll show you how to make the most of every island.
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Table of Contents - The perfect Gili Islands itinerary - 1 Week in the Gili’s
How to get to the Gili Islands
These tiny islands don’t have an airport, but they’re super easily reached from nearby islands.
From Bali: There are two ways to travel between Bali and the Gilis. The first one is to travel overland to Pandai Bay and take the public ferry from there. Most agencies will offer this option. But it’s also possible to travel the whole way by speedboat↗, via Nusa Penida.
From Nusa Penida: There are a few daily trips between Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands↗. Most of them leave in the morning and the cheapest ticket I found is 250.000 Rp (at the time of writing, check above link for up to date prices) with Semaya One or Starfish. They leave from different harbors, so check which one is most convenient for you.
From Lombok: Lombok is the closest to the Gili Islands, and it’s only a very short trip by speedboat↗. You can also opt for the cheaper public ferry, but this one doesn’t leave until full. So a speedboat is the most efficient way to travel from Lombok to the Gili Islands. There is no need to book in advance, just show up. It doesn’t hurt to ask at the counter how many people are signed up for the public ferry. If there are only a few missing you could wait. If not, you can just buy a ticket for the speed boat.
Our experience traveling between the Gili’s and Bali – We got a ticket from Gili Air going to Sanur in Bali but wished we just bought separate tickets from Gili Air to Nusa Penida and another from Nusa Penida to Bali. There were only two trips a day to Bali via speedboat, and the first one appeared to be canceled (although they told us it was delayed so we just waited there). We waited for 3 hours until a boat from another company picked us up. When we finally arrived at Bali, they didn’t even drop us off at Sanur, but at a different harbor. So we had to get a Grab to Sanur, arriving there even later.
So with so many boats going daily between Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands, and even more between Nusa Penida and Bali, it would have been a lot more efficient to buy two separate tickets, and in many cases it would have been the same price.
Getting around the Gili Islands
All three Gili Islands are rather small and it’s possible to walk around them. There are no motorized vehicles on the islands, so if you don’t want to walk, your other options are renting a bicycle or an electrical scooter (on Gili T.). There are many locals offering rides by horse carriage too. I don’t really recommend this though as, from what I saw, the horses are often making long hours, I’ve never seen a water station at any of the waiting points for them and not much attention is paid to weight. The carriages just get stuffed to the max.
In order to move between the islands, you can take a speedboat for 85.000 Rp. Speedboats leave roughly every hour.
1 week Gili Islands itinerary
You can follow this itinerary in any order you see fit. I recommend starting with Gili T., as it’s the busiest of the three. So if you’re like me and prefer pristine nature over busy beach bars parties, you might not enjoy it as much if you’ve visited the other islands first.
If you are coming from Lombok and you’re making your way to Bali or Nusa Penida afterward, it might make more sense to follow this Gili Islands itinerary in the opposite direction though. Because Gili Air is closest to Lombok, and Gili T. is the closest to Nusa Penida and Bali.
Day 1 - Arriving at Gili Trawangan (Gili T.)
Take a boat at any time during the day that best suits you and make your way to Gili T. Enjoy a walk on the beach, some swimming, and of course a sunset. Many beach bars offer happy hours at sunset, but you can just as easily buy a drink in a shop and find a spot on the beach if you prefer. If you want to party, the area around the harbor is the most buzzing area of the island. You won’t have a problem finding somewhere to go.
The sunset side of the island (the west) tends to be a bit quieter, so nicer to stay in my opinion. We stayed at Cape Rose 2↗, which was good value for money. They have a small pool where you can relax and you can rent snorkeling gear from them too.
Day 2 - Snorkeling in the grass meadows of Gili T.
After breakfast, rent some snorkel gear for the day and head out to the grass meadows in front of the northeastern coast of the island to snorkel with turtles. You’ll find plenty of signs saying you’ve arrived at Turtle Point and there will be many boats too. So you’ll know when you have arrived.
We had breakfast at a beach bar and went snorkeling one by one so we could bring our stuff and enjoy the beach in between snorkeling. If you don’t want to do that, just bring as little as possible and no valuables with you so you can just leave your bag with a towel and your flip-flops at the beach while you’re in the water.
You can snorkel here throughout the day, but visibility is best in the mornings. If you keep swimming further out to sea, passing the grass meadows, you’ll find some nice coral reefs too for a change of scenery.
Once you’re snorkeled out, take a break and grab some lunch. If you would like to snorkel again, you could head for the coral reefs on the northwestern side of the island for a change of scenery. We also saw turtles here, not so many as on the grass meadows, but it was nice to snorkel along the colorful reefs too. Once you’re done, hand the snorkel gear back in and enjoy another one of Gili T.’s beautiful sunsets. Many locals offer horseback riding on the beach at sunset too.
Full relax mode – There are many massage spas on the island offering cheap massages. Most of them are located on the harborside of the island. There is a really good one around the corner from Cape Rose 2 too: Desha Spa↗. It’s a little pricier than the ones on the main street, but it was one of the best massages I’ve had in South East Asia, and the best in all of Indonesia.
Day 3 - Take the boat to Gili Meno
Make your way to the next island: Gili Meno. Don’t listen to anyone saying there is nothing on Gili Meno, this island offers everything you need and it was by far our favorite one to stay on. Gili Garden Homestay↗ is a nice and simple homestay with breakfast included. The cheese omelet is delicious! And a welcome change from the banana pancakes most ho(s)tels offer for breakfast.
Spend today relaxing on the beach or go for a walk around the lake. Since most people come for the beach, it’s super peaceful there. Grab a beer for sunset and I highly recommend Bubbels Bar and Restaurant for dinner (their eggplant burrito is especially amazing). If you’re feeling like grilled fish, Gili Beach Bar and Bungalow next door is really nice too.
Day 4 - Snorkeling at the Bask Nest Statues
Get up early today to be one of the first people at the statues. They are one of the most popular snorkeling locations of the Gili Islands, so they get very busy with tours during the day. We rented our snorkeling gear at 7 a.m. and made our way there. The statues are located in front of the Bask Gili Meno resort, so they’re not hard to find. There were people already, but not so many. So we could still see them and get some footage without other people on it.
The area is only small, so once you’re done with the statues, you can snorkel in the area around and see corals, fish, and turtles. Head back to your accommodation for breakfast and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach and snorkeling some more.
Day 5 - Take the boat to Gili Air
Gili Air is a little more lively than Gili Meno. I’d say it’s a nice compromise between buzzing Gili T. and quiet Gili Meno. On Gili Air you’ll find plenty of beach bars, many places offering massages and souvenir shops. But also plenty of space on the beach itself to relax, outside of the beach bars.
If you don’t feel like walking around, you can rent a bike to cycle around the island. Many parts of the “road” are super sandy though, so you’ll need to walk at least some parts. Melbao Homestay↗ is a lovely place to stay, super close to the harbor.
Even though you can’t see the sun dropping directly in the water from Gili Air (or at least we couldn’t at the time when we were there), it’s still nice to head out to the beach and enjoy the sunset.
As for dinner, I highly recommend Classico Pizza↗. If you are staying at Melbao, it’s right around the corner. It’s a little more pricey but totally worth it. They have many delicious dishes, but the lasagna is definitely our favorite. If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out Warung Mexicana for Mexican and Indonesian food. There are some other nice and cheap restaurants in this street too. Want desert? Damonte “Il Gelato has the best ice-cream.
Day 6 - Enjoy your last snorkeling day at some of the best reefs of the Gili's
This snorkeling spot↗ was my favorite snorkeling spot in the Gili’s overall. The corals are just so lively and colorful and there were so many fish. And of course some turtles too. Especially the northern part of the area (left on the map of the website) was very nice. Make sure to check the tide before heading over. When the tide is too low, it’s not possible to snorkel here without hitting (and damaging) the reefs.
There are plenty of nice restaurants to choose from for lunch. I’d pick one near the beach so you can stay there under an umbrella when you’re not snorkeling. The beaches here don’t offer as much shade as at Gili Meno and the sun is strong!
Sun protection and snorkeling – While it’s important to protect yourself against the sun, it’s important to know that regular sunscreen has damaging chemicals that can harm corals. Protect yourself by wearing clothes (I often snorkel in my running t-shirt and shorts), or use reef-save sunscreen↗.
Day 7 - Off to your next destination
This is the end of the one week Gili Islands itinerary. So enjoy your last morning here before making your way to your next destination. If this is Lombok, you’ll have plenty of options for transport. So you can take your time in the morning here if you’re not ready to say goodbye yet. If you’re heading to Nusa Penida or Bali, make sure to check the schedules ahead of time as transport is not as frequent, especially to Bali.
What if I only have 2 or 3 days to visit the Gili Islands
Even if you only have 2 or 3 days to spend at the Gili islands, it’s still worth going. I’d just suggest picking one island to stay on and not waste precious time moving between islands and accommodation. On each island, you’ll find island hopping tours that take you to snorkeling points around the Gili Islands, so you will still get to explore the best of each island.
Check out this guide to decide which Gili Island is best for you. Base your decision on the atmosphere that’s most appealing to you: buzzing Gili T., quiet Gili Meno, or the perfect compromise Gili Air. Or pick it based on the snorkeling spots you’d like to visit when not on tour. Do you want to have the Bask Nest statues to yourself, can you just not get enough of the many turtles at the grass meadows, or do you prefer searching for them in Gili Air’s colorful corals?
Finishing thoughts about this 1 week Gili Islands itinerary
The Gili Islands might be small, but each one has its own character and that’s exactly what makes spending a week here so worthwhile. It’s the perfect amount of time to enjoy some quality time on each island, really getting a feel for the vibe of each.
Having said that, it’s easy to fall in love with these islands and want to spend longer lingering on the gorgeous beaches and exploring new corners of the coral reefs in front of them. So if you have more time to spend here, you can easily spend another night or two on your favorite island.
| Guide | What You'll Find |
|---|---|
| Which Gili Island is Best? | An honest comparison of Gili T., Gili Meno and Gili Air to help you decide which island is the right fit for your travel style. |
| Self-Guided Day Trip to Nusa Penida | Heading to Nusa Penida before or after the Gilis? This guide covers how to do it independently without a tour. |
| 4-Day Komodo Tour from Lombok to Flores | Thinking about the Komodo tour sold on the Gili Islands? Everything you wish you knew before booking it. |
| 10 Days in Flores Itinerary | Planning to continue to Flores after the Komodo tour? This 10-day itinerary covers the best the island has to offer. |
| Indonesia Itinerary Ideas: 1 Week to 2 Months | Not sure how to structure your Indonesia trip? Find itinerary ideas for every trip length, from a quick one week visit to a two month adventure. |
| The Ultimate Indonesia Travel Guide | Everything you need to plan a trip to Indonesia, from practical travel tips to the best destinations across this vast archipelago. |
| How to Extend Your Indonesia Visa in Lombok | Want to stay longer in Indonesia? A practical step-by-step guide to extending your visa while in Lombok. |
FAQ about Gili Islands itineraries
That really depends on what you’re looking for. If you just want to tick off the highlights, you can do it in a day or two. But to truly enjoy the islands without feeling rushed, I recommend at least a week. That gives you enough time to settle into each island’s rhythm rather than just passing through on a day trip.
Not if you want to explore all three islands properly. A week might feel long if you’re planning to stay on just one island, but split across Gili T., Gili Meno and Gili Air it’s actually the minimum I’d recommend. Each island has its own character and deserves more than a rushed visit during a day trip.
Absolutely. Each island is surprisingly different and that’s exactly what makes the Gili Islands worth more than a flying visit. Gili T. for the sunsets and grass meadows, Gili Meno for the peace and natural beaches, and Gili Air as the perfect balance between the two.
Very likely, especially if you snorkel at Turtle Point on Gili T. in the morning when visibility is best. Turtles are regularly spotted across all three islands and it’s honestly one of the highlights of any visit. I saw them almost every time I got in the water!
The dry season runs from April to September and is generally the best time to visit for beach activities and snorkeling. July to September is the peak tourist season, meaning busier snorkeling spots, higher accommodation prices and the need to book in advance. For the best of both worlds, the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October offer good weather with fewer crowds and better value accommodation. I visited in June myself and it was perfect: warm, sunny and while especially Gili T. was quite busy, it was not yet overrun with peak season tourists.