Gili Trawangan stands out as the best overall choice, offering plenty of entertainment and activities that you may not find on the other islands. It's well-suited for both honeymoons and family vacations as well.
People often say you shouldn't choose Gili Trawangan for a honeymoon or family trip because it's crowded and loud, and I have to disagree with that.
There's always room for everyone, and I don't want you to miss out on all the good stuff Gili Trawangan has to offer, especially if it's your first time.
Check out the comparison
| Activity | Trawangan | Air | Meno |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming | |||
| Snorkeling | |||
| Diving | |||
| Surfing | |||
| Glass-bottom boat | |||
| Underwater statues | |||
| Night market | |||
| Outdoor cinema | |||
| Selfie on the swing | |||
| Horseback riding | |||
| Watching sunset | |||
| Cooking class | |||
| Live music |
Hi, I'm a local, and this is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best Gili island based on your needs.
Gili Trawangan
The famous and most visited island, Gili Trawangan, stands out as the best and most developed among the three. It's also the one that I recommend.
Just so you know, not all the islands are equal. Unlike Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno lack the proper infrastructure for their charm.
Gili Trawangan got a beachside street that goes all the way around the island and you can bike around and enjoy the beauty of the island!
As you go around the island, you'll spot tons of cute cafes, hotels, resorts, and restaurants along the streets.
Biking around Gili Trawangan is my jam 😍 it's awesome to catch different vibes and views on every side of the island.
It's a bit tricky on Gili Air due to the lack of proper streets, and you can't do it on Gili Meno as they simply don't have them.
All three Gili islands have super pretty beaches with clear white sand, but the coolest ones are on Gili Trawangan.
Big thanks to the beachfront hotels and restaurants for keeping it clean and tidy. My favorite spots are on the upper east, southeast, and northwest sides.
If you're up for it, you can totally wander inside the island and see where the locals hang out. Once you go deeper, it's like entering a chill forest, away from all the noisy street stuff.
And that's where you'll find some awesome villas, perfect for a cozy honeymoon spot!
Let's now take a look at what you can do here that makes it different than the other two Gilis!
First, water fun! While you can do water activities on the other Gilis, Gili Trawangan is the go-to spot for everything – swimming, snorkeling, you name it.
The beaches here are top-notch, east and southeast sides are two favorite spots. Crystal clear and calm water, they're perfect for the kiddos too!
Beaches aren't the only reason to pick Gili Trawangan over the other two Gilis. One unmissable highlight is the night market.
This is the place to find a variety of fresh and delicious seafood! The best part? It's affordable. The night market is exclusive to Gili Trawangan and isn't available on the other two Gilis.
Okay, so besides the awesome night market, Gili Trawangan is like the ultimate sunset chill spot. You get to watch it all the way down, no interruptions.
Sure you can catch a sunset on the other Gilis, but Gili Trawangan is the real deal. Also, you can ride horses during the sunset here, which is something you can't do on the other Gilis.
It's not just about the night market to visit at night, catching a movie at the open-air cinemas is becoming quite the trend too.
And don't miss a nighttime stroll down the main street, it's a must thing to do. That's why, no matter what kind of vacation you're into, I totally recommend Gili Trawangan over the other two Gilis.
Gili Trawangan also known as the party spot that you won't find that same vibe on Gili Air, and I don't think Gili Meno hosts any parties.
I'm sort of a religious guy, I don't personally recommend anyone hitting the parties 😐
Gili Trawangan Conclusion
- For regular vacations: Gili Trawangan takes the crown as the best island for a regular vacation because it offers a lot that its sisters don't.
- For honeymoons: Gili Trawangan is a great pick for honeymoons too! You just need to know where to stay. The northwest side has a similar vibe to Gili Air, making it an ideal spot.
- For families: Gili Trawangan is also family-friendly, especially on the west side to steer clear of the loud party music on the main street on the east side.
Gili Air
Now, Gili Air is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, where the clock seems ticking a bit slower. Some say it's the ultimate spot for honeymoons and family getaways, but is it really? Let's debunk the myth!
The first thing I want to say is that Gili Air isn't better than Gili Trawangan in terms of nature and things to do.
Gili Trawangan offers a better view of nature and beaches, and, of course, there are tons of interesting activities to enjoy.
I found four reasons why Gili Air is very laid-back and why people love it:
Calm waves: You won't feel like you're at a typical beach on Gili Air. Instead, it's more akin to being at a lake because the waves are very calm, especially on the east side.
Fewer tourists: While Gili Trawangan tops the charts in terms of visitors, Gili Air only gets about 25% of the tourists that Gili Trawangan attracts.
Limited road access: Since most tourists tend to stick to places accessible by road, which only covers about 25% of the island, you can easily find plenty of secluded spots.
Quieter atmosphere: Unlike Gili Trawangan, where almost every restaurant plays loud music, you'll barely find any on Gili Air.
So, is Gili Air the perfect island for honeymoons and families? I'd say it's more like the perfect place to take a long nap. I'll let the pictures below help you decide.
You'll only find a beach on Gili Air that rivals those on Gili Trawangan on the west side of the island. The rest isn't quite as impressive.
The eastern side of the island is the calmest spot on Gili Air, but the beach doesn't look as great. Moreover, there is no proper road, making it difficult to reach by bicycle.
To reach the north beach, just head north from the center of the island through the neighborhood. Personally, I'm not a big fan of it, it's pretty windy and quite exposed.
Definitely not the best spot for a romantic makeout session with your partner.
Gili Air conclusion:
- For regular vacations: Gili Air might not be your top pick for a regular vacation, especially if it's your first time around. I'd say hit up Gili Trawangan first, then swing by Gili Air later.
- For honeymoons: If your honeymoon plan involves staying in and soaking up the room vibes, Gili Air is the ideal choice for a couples' retreat.
- For families: Just so you know, Gili Trawangan isn't exactly a wild party scene like Canggu. It's pretty laid-back. But, if you're rocking the strict parent vibes, Gili Air could be a solid shout for the family.
Gili Meno
Gili Meno actually sits between its two sisters, but I've bumped it down to number three on the list because it's not exactly the go-to spot.
You've probably heard, Gili Meno is like, deserted. Infrastructure? Pretty much missing. There's no road circling the island like Gili Trawangan, not even a little path.
And if you're looking for restaurants, good luck 👍🏻 it's kinda slim pickings.
It's almost like being dropped off on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere. Gili Meno, to be completely honest, is just not very enjoyable.
People who aren't familiar with Gili Meno might only come to see the saltwater lake.
I've visited it multiple times, but I never had the courage to walk down the wooden bridge, it feels like it could break at any time.
Okay, Gili Meno has its issues, but I've got to give credit where it's due. There's this one beach that's just ridiculously beautiful, beats every other beach on these three islands.
Makes me rethink what I said about Gili Trawangan earlier. Honestly, the west side of Gili Meno takes the cake for the best beach and view combo.
I might need to reconsider my earlier statement about Gili Air being an ideal honeymoon spot.
Ladies and gentlemen, if your idea of the perfect honeymoon is shuttling between your hotel room and a stunning beach, Gili Meno is hands down the best place for it 🏆
It's such a perfect place that I've already set it as my future honeymoon destination! Which I don't know when that's actually going to happen 😐
Check out my recommendation of the best hotel for honeymoon on Gili Meno 👇🏻
FAQs
All three Gili islands have unique spots for snorkeling.
The best surfing spot for advanced surfers is on Gili Air.
Gili Meno is the ultimate island for diving, with beautiful spots called Meno Wall and Deep Turbo.
Gili Meno is the quietest island.
Turtles can be found on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.
