Nestled in between the larger islands of Bali and Lombok you’ll find our tropical paradise, Gili Air. What to do in Gili Air, you might ask?
The unspoiled natural beauty with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets create the perfect scenery for you to explore by bicycle, paddleboard or horse-drawn cart. The island is often referred to as ‘the perfect mix’ between the more hectic Trawangan and the serene Meno, and we could not agree more! With the large variety of restaurants, cafes, yoga places, spas, beach bars and snorkeling spots around the island, you will have no problem finding things to do after a day of enjoying the underwater world.
Below we have listed some of our favorite spots as a little guide to make your stay complete. Enjoy!
Being free from motor-driven vehicles is one of the things that makes this island so special, and luckily it is small enough to make all sorts of transportation
a pleasure and activity in itself.
Enjoy the scenery of the ocean road, or explore all the small paths leading you from north to south and east to west.
If you thought this island was too small to lose yourself on – think again!
By foot – Back to basics! Here´s how we sometimes wish Gili Air would be experienced: barefoot walks on the beach and through the greenery of the in-lands.. Only time is the limit when walking is your means of transportation!
By bicycle – By far the fastest, smoothest, and most popular, way of getting around, and we recommend you to get a bike as soon as you arrive.
Grab one from our accommodation, or on any street you pass by;
we can assure you a bike rental place is never far away!
Just make sure you give it a test-ride to check that it has proper brakes and pumped up tires, or you might find out on a dark road home from sunset…
By cidomo – When you arrive on the Gilis the unmistakable sound of bells
in a slow rhythm might make you think that Santa is around the corner.
But it’s actually our main form of transport just making you aware that they are close-by. These horse-drawn carts are the backbone of the island life; everything that arrives or leaves the island requires the assistance of these ponies.
A fairly common concern from visitors, is in regards to the horses´ welfare.
For more information on this topic, check out horses of Gili, a non-profit organization that works closely with the local community to educate, maintain, and provide care for the working horses and their owners.
If you want to learn more about how to move between the three Gili islands,
read more under how to get here.
On this island, you never have to travel far to find yourself a treat to eat!
Gili Air holds restaurants offering food from a wide range of cuisines; Italian, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, and of course lots of local food, creating a variation that won´t leave anyone disappointed. And what’s more convenient than some recommendations from the people living here, having had the time to find their favorite selection, now willing to share some spots with you?
Aura Bowls
Not only do their smoothie bowls taste amazing, but they also come out as a piece of art! The friendly staff, fresh smoothies and great local food is what keeps us coming back to this place time after time.
Barefoot Blondie
Upstairs haven of green views and a light breeze. We recommend pairing your choice of coffee with the biggest cinnamon roll you will find on the island (add frosting for extra goodness). This barefoot blonde also knows how to whip up a great morning dish or brunch special!
Begadang
Definitely an island classic by now, regardless of if you are going for the satisfying all day breakfast menu or trying one of the many lunch or dinner dishes.
Burger Lady
The place for great (and cheap!) burgers, but it doesn’t stop there. The menu is filled with lots of local dishes, so you’ll be sure to find yourself a favorite. They also deliver, so you can have fresh food ready for you when back from a dive!
Captain Coconuts
One of our go-to spots for lazy mornings meant for a long breakfast with a book. Hang out by the pool, lounge on a sofa, enjoy one of the provided board games and their excellent coffee, served hot or cold!
Chillout
On the east side of the island, you will find a sequence of beachfront restaurants all focusing on seafood barbeques and all-you-can-eat salad buffets, with Chillout being the first one you reach when walking along the beach road from the north. Nice options for steak bbq, that there´s something for every price class, and a wide range of choices in the salad buffet.
Italy
Located in the harbour, this will be one of the first restaurants you see as you get off the ferry. Make your way upstairs, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the cooling breeze as you indulge in authentic Italian dishes. Outstanding pastries and desserts!
I am Bagus
Their properly grilled chicken and a tasty salads might be enough to lure you in from the main street. But what really sets them aside, is that they offer beer – on draft! So enjoy the food, drinks and the sport events displayed daily on their big big BIG screen.
Juju Zero Waste
Enjoy their vegan lunch delights or drop in for a breakfast or afternoon snack; they even have vegan ice cream bars! For us though, the best part about this place is the zero-waste shop which we simply can’t get enough of. Organic, local, and recycled goods that make the most perfect gifts to bring home to loved ones, or to keep for yourself as a precious memory. Leaving Juju empty handed is simply not possible!
Mama Pizza
If you thought you wouldn’t be able to find proper pizza this far from Italy, think again! Mama Pizza serves great food right by the beach on the sunset side, making this your ultimate evening spot.
Oranges Warung
Are you looking for an authentic local spot with portions fit for a hungry traveller? Then this is the place for you! Their food varies from fresh seafood specials and BBQ to local treats, not to mention their signature deep fried chicken. With the neon oranges decorating the place, there will be no mistake of where you’ve ended up: Oranges!
Pachamama
Just a stone throw away from the dive center you find this shabby chic interior, organic cafe, serving smoothies, coffee, sweets, and easy bites.
This hideout lets you enjoy the serene inland roads, and half a day easily flies by sitting here enjoying the vibe of the place while ordering snack after snack…
Pituq
All-vegan menu filled with food, desserts, smoothies, juices, coffees – all equally delicious. Don’t miss out on the mock beef, we promise you this will leave even the meat lover satisfied!
Ruby’s Cafe
Pick the top local delights, wrap it up in a nice setting, and you have Ruby’s! Excellent service and a mouth-watering menu is what we love about this place, not to mention the spring rolls and mango daiquiri…
Scallywags
Part of the beach barbeque sequence on the southeast side, this is the fancier of the three when it comes to setting and price. Lanterns lighting up the tables on the beach creates the perfect atmosphere for your fresh fish bbq dinner!
Sharkbites
Getting tired of the good old Bintang and occasional Heineken found on the island? Sharkbites has got you covered! Sip on a nice craft IPA, summer lager, or dark porter. They also pair wonderfully with a proper steak- or burger, and Sharkbites sure knows how to cook those right.
Rumor has it that the Gilis hold some of the most beautiful sunsets, and we are not shy to confirm it. Settle down in a bean bag, cool down with your favorite drink after a day of diving and enjoy the majestic scenery as the sky turns into a firework of colors. Try to catch it on camera if you wish, but nothing beats the view of the eye!
Gili Lumbung
Famous for their delicious cocktails and their colorful bean bags on the beach. Happy hour during sunset time, but don’t be shy to stay a little longer and enjoy the ambiance of this place when the live music comes on.
Mowie’s
Our go-to place for good food, drinks, and nice vibes. Not to mention the fantastic happy-hour wine! When hunger kicks in, this place also serves great food at reasonable prices. We can assure you it has something for everybody,
no one will leave disappointed.
For the ones who just can’t settle without a bit of body movement, and finds the classic around the island-route a bit too sweaty, there are plenty of options to exercise both mind and body. Regardless if you are an early bird, or prefer to enjoy those sleepy vacation mornings in bed, these places have got you covered!
Flowers & Fire
Located on top of the main street, you find this garden oasis of yoga, café,
and accommodation. The yoga classes take place on the second floor,
providing a lush view of the island greenery and making it the perfect spot
for a relaxing time on the mat.
H2O
Right in the center of the island, making it highly available wherever you stay, H2O offers a nice escape from life in the streets. Pop in for a regular yoga class, or why not try the aqua yoga?! A fun class in the pool, perfect for beginners or for those who just want to escape the massive sweats of the common classes. And don’t forget to refill with something tasty from their organic café afterward!
Holiday Fit
Only a 3-minute walk from the dive center you find one of the gyms on the island;
Holiday Fit! It is air-conditioned and equipped with just what you need for a bit of a vacation workout, also serving protein shakes right outside to complete that muscle growing.
Treat yo self!
Our next best activity for getting into relax mode after a day of diving, is
definitely visiting one of the many spas the island has to offer. Whether you are in for a full body massage, or a classic mani-pedi treatment, this is where your wishes will come true. And with prices like these, leaving the excellent staff
a little tip will leave them just as grateful as you are!
Dila Hair & Spa
A cozy, women-owned spot, basically the go-to place on the island if you need to fix your hair after swimming, get some vacation braids, or just unwind with a really good massage. The team there is super friendly, the space has air conditioning (a massive plus in the island heat), and they are open every day. A solid, welcoming shop where you can actually relax and get treated well.
Slow Spa
This place is taking the island-spa experience to another level. Be prepared for a luxurious session in all aspects, it´s not only a treat for the body but also the eye.
Hidden away in the greenery, Slow Spa and its beautiful villa, terrace, swimming pool, garden, and spa becomes a haven, creating the perfect escape
for a day or two. Regular spa treatments are also available, just remember to book in advance to secure your spot!
As a tropical island, shallow reefs for snorkeling are found all around Gili Air,
and we have marked some spots on the map where the corals are extra lively and easily accessible.
We also have some do’s and dont’s, to protect the beauty of our reefs!
Since the island is all made up of sand, you will find shallow parts of sand, rocks, and seaweed stretching from the island as you make your way out, either walking or swimming depending on the tide. When the shallows start to change into a landscape of coral, it’s time to put your fins on and feet up, not putting them down unless you are sure there is a sandy patch or rock underneath.
As for sunscreen, make sure you are wearing the reef friendly kind!
If you use ordinary sunscreen, make sure you put it on at least 20 minutes
before you enter the water, to make sure it’s fully absorbed by your skin. Most sunscreens contain oils and chemicals that when coming off your body will coat the corals, preventing the reef from getting enough oxygen and being able to reproduce. So keep an eye out for “reef-friendly” sunscreen, found in a few selected shops and also available in the dive center.
The island is full of tiny shops providing snacks, fruits, and basic refreshments, but if you are looking for the real deal, go where the locals go!
Here you will find fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, dried fish, meat and lots of other everyday-life groceries. Opening hours vary from day to day and week by week, so we could not put it in print even if we wanted to. You simply have to try your luck bypassing by!
Siti Shop
The largest shop of the island is located on the main road, by the first crossing coming from the harbor. Open in the daytime and filled with everything you might need, this is where most locals and ex-pats do their shopping. Come in the morning to make sure to get your hands on the best fruits and don’t be discouraged if you have to compete with the crowd!
Sriwijaya – If you missed out on the opening hours of Siti Shop, try Sriwijaya! Located at the south end of Sunset Boulevard, this shop covers most of your wants and needs. With more generous opening hours, you will find them providing goods from early morning to later in the night, still offering a similar supply to the one found in Siti Shop.
Your night-snack mango is only a bike ride away!
Unique – Similar to Sriwijaya, Unique Shop has a slightly smaller supply but offers more generous opening hours. Take the road going east in the crossing by Siti Shop, and you will soon find this little store on your left. Besides the fruits and veggies, Unique also sells a basic stock of different drugs to treat infections or cases of flu, should a pharmacy be out of stock.
Vacation should be all fun and games, but once in a blue moon, we are all unlucky enough to catch something that some good old bed rest and fluid won’t be enough for. On the map, we have pin-pointed three different clinics located on the island:
Dr. Sahrun, Blue Island Clinic and Gili Air Clinic Center. These clinics all do basic check-ups, provide a standard stock of drugs and speak good enough English in general. Their knowledge on island classics like Bali belly, smaller infections or cuts and scrapes is enough to cover adequate care. Though, if your condition is more severe than this and/or has not improved as it should, you might need to seek proper medical attention, which is available both on Lombok and Bali.
