Gili Air is the Gili Island closest to Lombok. Over the last few decades, a good infrastructure has developed here, so it is a great place to spend a few wonderful days and enjoy yourself. The island has beautiful sandy beaches, but is very small and can be explored quickly. How you can spend your time on Gili Air and what activities are on offer is explained below.
Where is Gili Air?
Gili Air is the easternmost of the three Gili Islands. It is located just off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Lombok. The distance from Air to Lombok is about 2 kilometers. To the west of Air are the other two Gili Islands, namely Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. The coast of Bali is about 40 kilometers as the crow flies.
From Bali, the best way to get to Gili Air is by speedboat. Several speedboats depart daily from Sanur, Amed and Padang Bai towards Lombok. On the way there, the individual Gili Islands are then approached. Depending on the departure point, the crossing takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
Please note that not every crossing stops at each of the Gili Islands – it is best to find out before buying a ticket!
Activities on Gili Air
Gili Air offers a pleasant combination of the other two Gili Islands. The island is not quite as quiet as Gili Meno and not as party-oriented as Gili Trawangan, but it still offers relaxation and a few opportunities for nightlife. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do as well.
Snorkeling
Like the other two Gili Islands, Air is also ideal for snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling equipment at many accommodations, cafes or warungs and jump directly into the sea. With a little luck, you will see fish in many different colors or even sea turtles. surrounded.
Diving
On Gili Air, one or the other diving school has settled, so that you can start directly from there to diving trips. The dive sites are partly directly around Gili Air, but some also on the other Gilis or off Lombok’s shores. You have a variety of options and very different underwater highlights. For example, sharks, a shipwreck or large coral landscapes with hard and soft corals, as well as a colorful fish world.
Stand-up Paddling
An exciting way to explore the island from the water or even to go around it is to try stand-up paddling. Equipped with an inflatable board and a paddle, you can slowly move forward in calm waters and enjoy the view of the island. The necessary equipment can be rented at several places, for example, at a diving school.
Conclusion: Is Gili Air worth a visit?
Gili Air offers a great atmosphere and a good time for almost every type of traveler. Here you can spend a few relaxing days just letting your mind wander. The beaches are among the most beautiful of the Gili Islands and invite you to soak up the sun and take relaxing walks. If it gets too hot, you can go for a swim, snorkel or dive into the water and explore the underwater world. The evenings can be wonderfully spent in delicious restaurants and one or two beautiful bars.
