Gili Air is the medium-sized of the three Gili Islands in Lombok, Indonesia. Unlike its neighbor Gili Trawangan, Gili Air is a place to relax, enjoy fresh seafood, and soak in the sleepy pace of daily island life.
The vibe on Gili Air differs greatly from that of the other Gili Islands. The locals are extraordinarily friendly - even when not trying to sell you something - and generally go about their daily business of fishing, drying coconuts, and playing guitar on the beach.
Despite its beauty and close proximity to the mainland, Gili Air has somehow remained fairly undeveloped. Towering groves of palm trees provide shade and a small income for the dusty village in the center of the island.
Gili Air tends to attract people that want to escape the party crowds on Gili Trawangan but not at the cost of being totally isolated.
Getting Around Gili Air
Most accommodation and tourism exist on the eastern side of Gili Air (turn right from the boat landing). There are isolated bars and secluded bungalow operations on the opposite side of the island, but these places will be nearly-deserted outside of the peak season.
There are no cars or motorbikes allowed on Gili Air; use your feet or hire a bicycle. There are a few cidomos (horse-drawn carts) that may be hired near the boat landing. A scenic path circumnavigates the entire island which can be walked in about 90 minutes and provides some excellent views of the menacing Mount Rinjani on Lombok.
Life on Gili Air
Although Gili Trawangan is the larger of the two islands, more permanent residents live on Gili Air. Most people live in a sparse collection of huts and houses in the interior of the island. Be sure to take a stroll along the winding path through the village for a glimpse of daily life that is not associated with tourism.
The local residents are very friendly and will stop to talk - or at least smile - if you show a genuine interest in their lives.
Every evening at sunset, locals wade out in knee-deep water to spear hunt for fish, squid, and other marine life trapped in the shallows at low tide - this is done for dinner, not profit. If you are on the western side of the island watching one of the glorious sunsets, feel free to join them with a flashlight!
The generator providing electricity on the island fails regularly, so bring a flashlight when walking at night. The lack of electricity doesn't hinder restaurants that cook food with wood and use candles for ambiance; you may never even notice the power is out!
Gili Air Hotels
Accommodation on Gili Air ranges from ramshackle bungalows to a handful of luxury spreads with swimming pools and security guards. There are no high-rise hotels. Most mid-budget places include breakfast and prices can be negotiated when staying outside of the peak season.
Wi-fi is non-existent on Gili Air and internet access is both dreadfully slow and expensive.
Food and Dining
There are open-air restaurants scattered all along the east coast of the island; excellent choices abound. All offer fabulous curries, baked fish, and the usual Indonesian fare. Many places showcase wood-fired ovens for pizza, but quality is hit-or-miss.
Some restaurants advertise salad buffets, but eat at your own risk. Fresh water for washing raw foods is a commodity on the island and must be brought in daily.
Some popular eateries include Ali Baba, Scallywags, and WiWin Cafe.
Nightlife on Gili Air
There is usually one weekly party hosted by a bar on the island, but this is laughable by Gili Trawangan's standards. Many bars close around midnight but there is always the chance of joining a bonfire party on the beach. The resident dive masters will inevitably know where the current hot-spots are on the island.
Diving on Gili Air
Gili Air has three top-notch dive shops that also have a presence on Gili Trawangan. These operations frequent the same excellent dive sites in the Gili Islands where you may spot reef sharks, mantas, and sea turtles.
With more peace and quiet than Gili Trawangan for studying, many travelers choose to further their scuba certifications on Gili Air.
Money Matters
There are no banks or ATM machines on Gili Air so be sure to bring enough cash with you. The closest ATM machine is on Gili Trawangan but it is frequently broken or empty.
Large bills are extremely difficult to break on the island, do your best to arrive with smaller denominations.
Shopping on Gili Air
The shops located near the beach are relatively expensive and frequently run out of common items. There is a larger shop located north of the village in the center of the island which may have better prices on food and snacks.
Unless a price is fixed or visibly marked, be sure to negotiate; tourists nearly always get a higher price than locals.
Getting to Gili Air
From Bali: Boats run daily from Padangbai in South Bali - about 90 minutes from Kuta - to the Gili Islands.
From Lombok: Boats destined for the Gili Islands depart almost hourly from Bangsal Harbor. Bangsal is near Pemenang, about one hour north of Senggigi.
Note: Bangsal Harbor is inundated with thieves and fast-talking con artists. Unless you are traveling during the peak season you may find yourself waiting for enough passengers to fill a boat for Gili Air; most people are probably going to Gili Trawangan.
Ignore offers for expensive chartered boats - unless you are desperate - and be patient; sometimes a captain will relent and take a half-empty boat in the late afternoon. If this fails, grab a boat to Gili Trawangan and go from there to Gili Air. Staying around Bangsal is not a pleasant prospect!
When to Go to Gili Air
The peak months on Gili Air are July, August, and December. Book ahead - accommodation fills up quickly and prices can triple during these months.
The rainy season in the Gili Islands runs from November to April.