Gili Islands from Bali
How to Get There and Which Island to Pick
Fast boats from Bali to the Gili Islands, which island suits you, where to stay and what to do.
The Gili Islands sit just off the northwest coast of Lombok, a fast-boat ride from Bali. Three small islands with no cars or scooters, turquoise water, white sand and sea turtles a few metres off the beach. Most people who go regret only one thing: not staying longer. This guide covers everything you need to plan the trip: how to get from Bali to the Gili Islands, which island suits you, what to do and where to stay.
The short version: take a fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan in Bali. The crossing takes about 1.5–2.5 hours and costs around $22–37 one way. Pick Gili Trawangan for restaurants and nightlife, Gili Air for a quieter middle ground and Gili Meno for peace and romance. Stay at least three nights, ideally between April and October.
How to get from Bali to the Gili Islands
There’s no airport on the Gili Islands, so you either take a fast boat straight from Bali or fly to Lombok and take a short boat across. For most travellers, the fast boat is the easiest option.
| Bali port | Boat time to Gili T | Drive from Seminyak or Canggu | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padang Bai | 1.5–2 hours | 1.5–2.5 hours | The most departures. Best if you’re staying in Ubud or East Bali |
| Serangan | 2–2.5 hours | 30–60 minutes | The shortest drive from South Bali and a calmer, more organised port |
| Amed | About 1 hour | 3–4 hours | Only if you’re already staying in Amed |
Price: A fast-boat ticket usually costs IDR 350,000–600,000 one way, around $22–37, depending on the port, the operator and the season. Many tickets include a hotel pickup in South Bali or Ubud.
Times: Most boats leave in the morning. Choose an early departure, because the sea is usually calmest before lunch. Book ahead in July, August, around Christmas and during the Australian school holidays.
Via Lombok: You can also take a fast boat or fly to Lombok (LOP), drive to Bangsal harbour and cross to the islands in about 15–30 minutes. It’s a good route if you want to see Lombok too, and it’s the one we use on our Lombok and Gili Islands tour: fast boat to Lombok, waterfalls and viewpoints, then on to the Gilis.
Our tip: avoid afternoon boats and, if you can, December and January. That’s when the sea is roughest and crossings are most often cancelled. Leave a spare day in Bali after the Gilis before your flight home, in case a boat doesn’t run.
Can you do a Gili day trip from Bali? It’s possible, but you’ll spend 3–5 hours on boats for a few hours on the island. We recommend at least two nights.
Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno?
| Island | Atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gili Trawangan (Gili T) | The largest, with restaurants, bars, dive schools and nightlife | Couples, friends and anyone who wants plenty to do |
| Gili Air | The middle ground: relaxed, with good cafes and restaurants | Families and couples who want quiet without giving up comfort |
| Gili Meno | The smallest and quietest, with almost no nightlife | Honeymoons, romance and total peace |
For most travellers, Gili Trawangan is the natural choice. Everything is within walking distance, and the island is big enough to find a quiet beach when you want one. If you’d rather slow down, Gili Air is a great alternative. Small public boats run between the islands, so you can stay on one and visit the others.
How many days on the Gili Islands?
2 nights is enough for snorkelling, a bike ride and a sunset. 3–4 nights is ideal, with time to properly relax. With a week, split it between Gili T and Gili Air or Meno.
The Gilis work best at the end of a Bali trip. Our Bali and island hopping package ends with three nights on the Gilis after Ubud and Uluwatu, with the fast boat and hotels arranged.
Things to do on the Gili Islands
Snorkelling with turtles. The highlight of the Gilis. Book a private boat early in the morning, when the water is calmest and the turtles are most active. Shared snorkelling trips are cheap but crowded. Don’t miss the underwater statues off Gili Meno.
Cycling around the island. There are no cars or petrol scooters. You get around by bike, on foot or by cidomo, a small horse-drawn cart. A loop around Gili T takes about an hour by bike.
Learning to dive. Gili Trawangan is one of the best places in Indonesia to get your dive certification. A course takes 3–4 days and costs less than in Australia, Europe or the US.
Sunsets. The west side of Gili T is famous for its sunsets. Several bars run beach cinemas in the evening, with beanbags and a big screen.
Snorkelling between the islands. On our Lombok and Gili Islands tour, a guided snorkelling trip with equipment is included.
Restaurants and bars on Gili T
| Place | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud 9 | Restaurant and bar with an ocean view | Dinner and drinks at sunset |
| Rabbit Jump | Beach bar with a jumping tower | A party |
| IJO | Relaxed, Indonesian and Western food | Lunch and a quiet dinner |
| Margarita Resto | Mexican-inspired, on the beach | A casual dinner |
| Tír na nÓg | Irish pub | Sport and meeting other travellers |
Where to stay on the Gili Islands
| Hotel | Island | Level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jambuluwuk Oceano | Gili T | Premium | Beachfront resort with a pool |
| Hotel Ombak Sunset | Gili T | Mid-range | West side, great for sunsets and quiet nights |
| FRii Resort | Gili T | Budget-friendly | Good quality at a lower price |
| Bel Air Resort & Spa | Gili Air | Boutique | Dome-shaped villas |
Tip: Stay on the west side of Gili T for the best sunsets and quieter nights. The east side is closer to the harbour and can be noisier.
Practical information
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Best time | April to October, for the calmest sea and the best visibility for snorkelling |
| Money | Bring cash. Gili T has a few ATMs, but they can run out in high season. Gili Meno and Gili Air have fewer |
| Luggage | A soft bag or backpack. Wheeled suitcases are hard work in the sand |
| Getting around | Bike, on foot or cidomo. No cars or scooters |
| Visa | Your Bali visa covers all of Indonesia, including the Gilis. See our Bali visa guide |
Vegard’s tips
Book a private snorkelling boat at sunrise. It’s an experience you won’t forget. Rent a bike on day one and you’ll have the island to yourself. Stay on the west side for the sunsets. And save the Gilis for the end of your Bali trip, after Ubud and Uluwatu. There’s no better way to finish.
We arrange the fast boat, a hotel on the right side of the island, a snorkelling trip and everything in between, with one contact from booking to home.
See the Lombok and Gili tour from $599 → See the Bali and island hopping package →
Gili Islands: FAQs
How do I get from Bali to the Gili Islands?
By fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan, which takes about 1.5–2.5 hours. You can also fly or take a boat to Lombok and cross from Bangsal harbour.
How much is the fast boat from Bali to Gili?
Usually IDR 350,000–600,000 one way, around $22–37. A hotel pickup is often included.
Which Gili island is best?
Gili Trawangan for restaurants and nightlife, Gili Air for a quieter middle ground, and Gili Meno for peace and romance.
How many days do I need on the Gili Islands?
At least two nights, ideally three or four.
Can I do a day trip to Gili from Bali?
It’s possible, but you’ll spend most of the day on boats. We recommend at least two nights.
Are the Gili Islands part of Bali?
No. They belong to Lombok, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, but they’re easy to reach from Bali and most people visit them as part of a Bali trip.
When is the best time to visit the Gili Islands?
April to October, when the sea is calmest. In December and January, boats are more often cancelled because of the weather. See the best time to visit Bali.
Read also our Lombok guide, the map of Bali and our multi-day tours from Bali.
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