Gili Air Lombok Holidays
Gili Air
Holidays
The perfect middle ground of the Gili Islands — excellent diving and snorkelling, a relaxed and social atmosphere, beautiful beaches and the ideal balance between the party energy of Gili T and the total seclusion of Gili Meno
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Flight Time
16h to Bali + 2h fast boat
Best Time
May to September
Country
Lombok, Indonesia
Suppliers
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Gili Air Holiday Guide
Gili Air is the perfect middle-ground island in the Gili archipelago — excellent diving, sea turtles, a relaxed social atmosphere and beautiful beaches make it the best choice for couples and those who want a social but not overwhelming island experience. 20 minutes from Lombok.
May to September is ideal.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
28°C
Feb
28°C
Mar
28°C
Apr
29°C
May
29°C
Jun
28°C
Jul
27°C
Aug
27°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
29°C
Nov
29°C
Dec
28°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Gili Air
The excellent diving, sea turtle sightings, relaxed social atmosphere and beautiful beaches that make Gili Air the perfect middle-ground island in the Gili archipelago.
Diving & Snorkelling
Gili Air has excellent diving and snorkelling — the reefs around the island are part of the same extraordinary Gili Islands reef system, with sea turtles (regularly seen), reef sharks, rays and a diverse marine life. The dive sites around Gili Air include the Gili Air Wall (a beautiful coral wall), the Bounty Wreck and the Hans Reef. The snorkelling from the beach is excellent and the turtles are frequently seen in the shallow water close to shore. Several dive centres on the island offer guided dives and PADI courses.
Beaches
Gili Air has beautiful beaches on all sides — the east beach is the most lively and social, with beach bars and restaurants; the north beach has the best snorkelling; the west beach has the finest sunset views. The beaches are clean and well-maintained and the water is warm and clear year-round. The beaches are less crowded than Gili Trawangan and have a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Accommodation
Gili Air has an excellent range of accommodation — from simple beach bungalows and guesthouses to boutique hotels and luxury villas. The finest hotels include the Gili Air Lagoon Resort (beautiful beachfront villas), the Manta Dive Gili Air Resort (excellent for divers) and the Scallywags Resort (popular with couples). The accommodation on Gili Air is generally more intimate and romantic than on Gili Trawangan.
Restaurants & Bars
Gili Air has a good restaurant and bar scene — smaller and more relaxed than Gili Trawangan but with excellent quality. The best restaurants include Scallywags (fresh seafood on the beach), Warung Sasak (excellent local Indonesian food) and the Gili Air Bar (the most popular beach bar on the island). The sunset views from the west beach bars are extraordinary. The restaurant scene is more intimate and less commercial than Gili Trawangan.
Island Atmosphere
Gili Air has the most balanced and pleasant atmosphere of the three Gili Islands — it is social and lively enough to meet other travellers and have a good time, but without the overwhelming party scene of Gili Trawangan. The island has a genuine local community (the largest of the three Gili Islands) and a more authentic character. The pace of life is relaxed and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.
Local Village
Gili Air has the largest local community of the three Gili Islands — a traditional Sasak fishing village on the south side of the island, with a mosque, a school and a genuine local life that gives the island a more authentic character than Gili Trawangan. The local market in the village is the best place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and local snacks. The interaction with the local community is one of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Gili Air.
Island Hopping
Gili Air is the best base for island hopping between the three Gili Islands — it is the closest to Lombok (20 minutes by fast boat) and has regular boat connections to Gili Trawangan (15 minutes) and Gili Meno (10 minutes). The island hopping boats (cidomo boats) run throughout the day and are the most convenient way to visit all three islands. A day trip to Gili Meno for snorkelling and Gili Trawangan for the evening is a popular combination.
Practical Tips
Gili Air is reached by fast boat from Bali (1.5–2 hours) or from Lombok (Bangsal harbour, 20 minutes). There are no motorised vehicles on the island. May to September is the best time to visit. The island is small enough to walk around in 45 minutes. Book accommodation in advance during peak season (July–August). The dive centres should be booked in advance for the peak season.
Explore Gili Air on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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