Gili Air: The Gili Island That Gets the Balance Right

The one I’d recommend to most travelers

Of the three Gilis, Gili Air is the one I return to most often and recommend most consistently. It has the yoga and health café scene that Ubud has exported to the Gili Islands, some good dive schools, excellent snorkeling on the east coast, and evenings that wind down by midnight rather than 3am. It’s the middle way between Gili T’s intensity and Gili Meno’s isolation.

What to do

Snorkeling off the east coast: rent a mask and fins (IDR 30,000–50,000/day) and walk into the water from any of the east coast beaches — turtles, reef fish, and decent coral visibility. Diving: several schools offer PADI certification and fun dives; prices similar to Koh Tao but not as competitive — Open Water around IDR 4,000,000–5,500,000. Yoga: three or four studios offer morning and afternoon classes, IDR 100,000–150,000/class. Cycling around the island: the full circumference is 5km, takes about 30 minutes, and gives you a complete sense of the island’s scale.

Where to stay

The north and east coasts have the most accommodation — range from bamboo huts (IDR 200,000–400,000/night) to boutique beach bungalows (IDR 600,000–1,500,000). The west coast at sunset is the best light on the island; staying there means a longer bicycle ride to most activities but worth it for the views.