The Gili Islands are three tiny islands to the north-west of Lombok, the island next door to Bali in Indonesia. Each island has a different character. Trawangan is the backpacker and party island, Air is a more relaxed destination and Gili Meno is the quietest island, often thought of as the romantic getaway.
Diving is very popular here and there is good diving around all of the islands. Dive centres are generally professional and run to high standards. Day trips can be made to all the local sites.
There is a wide range of accommodation available on Gili Trawangan. Most of the accommodation is fairly comfortable, cheap bungalows, but there are some mid-range guest houses and even a couple of upmarket options now. Gili Air & Gili Meno have a few fairly simple bungalow operations.
The islands can be reached easily from Southern Bali, where a new speedboat service makes daily trips. Lombok has a small airport near its capital, Mataram and from here you can make your way to either Sengiggi or Bangsal and catch a boat to the islands. Be careful of aggressive touts, especially in Bangsal.
Aside from diving, the islands are a perfect place to relax, with stunning beaches and lovely views. All the islands are surrounded by reefs, so snorkelling is popular. It is possible to surf here, but only for experienced surfers due to strong currents and shallow reefs. Long boat trips to Komodo can also be arranged. Mount Rinjani on Lombok is a very popular trek.
The south of Bali is the heart of it's tourism industry, with thousands of visitors each year, especially to Kuta and the surrounding area.
There are quite a few dive centres and the dive industry here is well established. Day trips are usually made to Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan. It is also possible to arrange trips to other areas in Bali, especially trips to Tulamben. Due to the travel times however, some people prefer to make an overnight trip or longer.
Southern Bali is also the departure point for Liveaboards making trips to Komodo National Park to the east, as well as the pick-up point for visiting Wakatobi by Liveaboard.
There are now quite a few well-established Liveaboard operators making trips to Komodo & Rinca. Trips run throuhgout the year & usually last for around 7-10 days, taking in Lombok & Sumbawa in addition to the sites of Komodo, before returning to Bali.
There is a huge range of accommodation available in this area, from top-end luxury hotels to simple guest houses. Kuta is the main tourist hub of the area, with the biggest range of accommodation and the most amenities. Nusa Dua and Sanur are a little quieter and a little more upmarket.
The area has its own international airport in Denpasar, the capital, with flights all over Asia plus Australia & Europe. From the airport, a bus or taxi can take you to any of the well-toursited areas. Antiquated ferries run between all of Indonesia's major islands, including Lombok directly to the east of Bali and Java to the west.
Aside from diving, there is a huge amount to do here. Activities include great shopping, amusement parks, surfing, all sorts of adventure sports and plenty of other attractions. There are some very nice beaches in the area, especially to the south and Kuta is known for its lively nightlife.
Dive Spots
The majority of dives are done as drift dives, as currents can be quite strong, with excellent diving at Shark Point, Deep Turbo & Air Wall. There are also calm, sandy areas that are good for training.
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