Deciding whether to stay in Gili Trawangan or Gili Air isn’t easy and if you’re still unsure which Gili Island is right for you we can definitely help.

Just off the coast of Lombok, you’ll find the Gili Islands, Indonesia’s worst-kept secret. Once the secret escape from Bali’s tourist crowds, today Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno are far from the secluded beach paradise they used to be.

However, just because the Gilis are a popular tourist destination now does not mean you shouldn’t put them on your bucket list. These islands are a literal paradise with crystal clear waters, cheap prices and green sea turtles right on the white-sand beach. They’re completely different from Bali and the perfect holiday escape.

But which island is right for you? Should you spend some time on each one or is a day trip enough? This post breaks down exactly what the difference is between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.

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Why you can trust this article

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.

I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.

Everyone who knows me knows that the Gili Islands are one of my favourite places in Indonesia (and maybe even the world), and I come here a lot more than other people do. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been on the Gili Islands and I’ve already booked my next trip back.

If anyone knows which Gili Island is best, it’s me!

Gili Trawangan or Gili Air – which one should you choose?

So let’s have a closer look: which Gili island should you choose? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for, but if you have the time I would definitely recommend visiting both. Gili Trawangan and Gili Air each have their own benefits and it’s very difficult to pick a favourite.

You can either take a day trip, or why not stay a few nights on each island if you’re up for the move? However, it’s more comfortable to stay in one spot, especially if you’re short on time.

So before you choose an island, ask yourself what you’re looking for. Gili Air and Gili Trawangan have very different target audiences so you’ll have to consider what you want.

Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of each island in a handy table.

	Gili Trawangan	Gili Air
Nightlife	Many bars and clubs, pub crawl and party boat	Few places open late, mostly quiet bars with acoustic music
Beaches	Both shallow beaches as well as beaches suitable for swimming	Mostly very shallow beaches, some deeper but very few
Accommodation	Decent selection of villas, hotels and some larger resorts	Reasonable selection of mostly smaller hotels and some villas
Turtles	Can swim with turtles right on the beach	Harder to find turtles but still possible
Restaurants	Great selection of restaurants and night market	Smaller selection of restaurants
Size	Small but the largest Gili	Even smaller
Getting around	Renting a bike is the best choice	Renting a bike is convenient but only if you don’t cycle along the beach
Prices	Pricier than Bali but still cheap for European standards	Slightly cheaper than Gili Trawangan (but not much)
Activities	Diving, snorkelling, boat tours, drinking, pub crawl, night market, surfing, SUP, kayak rental, viewpoint, seafood BBQs	Diving, snorkelling, boat tours, SUP, kayak, seafood BBQs
Who is it for	Backpackers, nightlife lovers, scuba divers, couples who want a bit of everything	Families, vacationers, older generation, couples who want to relax

What about Gili Meno?

Gili Meno isn’t really considered in this post because most travellers tend to only choose between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. Gili Meno is often deemed the “Honeymoon Island” and the atmosphere is very quiet.

It’s also considerably smaller than the other Gilis and does not have a lot of hotels.

By all means, stay on Gili Meno if you’re looking for a secluded getaway and aren’t interested in nightlife or a lot of variation. The beaches are just as beautiful (if not more) as they are on the other two islands and there is even a small saltwater lake.

In my opinion, Gili Meno is great for a day trip or for a very very quiet and relaxing trip. I think it’s better to choose either Gili Trawangan or Gili Air as your base and then take day trips to the other islands. Or if you have time you can split your time and spend a few days on Gili Trawangan and then switch to Gili Air.

Thankfully, the next Gili is never more than a short boat ride and a few thousand rupiahs away.

How to get to the Gili Islands

Gili Air and Gili Trawangan (and Gili Meno of course) are located very close together, near the shore of Lombok, so most boat services from Bali go to all three. When you book your tickets from Padang Bai or Sanur, the price will most likely be the same regardless of which Gili island you’re going to.

Just keep in mind that all of these boats tend to be very bumpy and it’s easy to get seasick. Better come prepared with our top seasickness tips for the Gili Islands.

Our top choice for booking reasonably priced fast boats from Bali to Gili is 12Go Asia, which has great deals and offers a variety of different operators. You can also buy tickets in person at the harbour or around Bali in tourist offices, but prices will be slightly higher.

Gili T or Gili Air: Nightlife

The Gilis have a party island reputation, so let’s talk about the best places to go out and party.

Nightlife in Gili Trawangan

If you’re researching the Gilis you’ll probably be aware of the fact that Gili Trawangan is considered the “Party Island”, while Gili Air is more laid back.

But don’t let this preconception put you off. It’s true, Gili T definitely has the better selection of clubs and bars. You’ll have no trouble partying the night away on any day of the week here. However, even if you’re not looking for Bintangs and loud music, you can still have a great time in Trawangan.

The party area of the island is almost exclusively confined to the east coast. There are only a handful of clubs that stay open late into the night and blast loud music. If you’re staying even a few hundred metres inland or on a different side of the island, you will not even notice the drunk backpackers partying all night long.

Looking for peace and quiet? Try the north and west sides of Gili Trawangan. You’ll be undisturbed.

However, if you are looking to party Gili Trawangan will be a great choice for you. Clubs have different weekly nights so there’s always somewhere open late.

Drinks are cheap (if you know where to go) and the backpacker community is very present.

If you’re looking for something even more alcohol-centric, why not try the Jiggy Boat Party? This party boat takes you on a sunset cruise around the Gilis on a catamaran. Imagine over 100 drunk people on a boat. It’s fun but you have to know what you’re getting yourself into.

Nightlife in Gili Air

Gili Air is Gili Trawangan’s quiet little sister. You won’t find clubs or boat parties here. As a matter of fact, you’ll be struggling to find anywhere that’s open past midnight on most nights.

Of course, there are beach bars and places to get drinks, but nothing compared to Gili T’s clubs.

Ocasionally, there will be events with live DJs at one of the beach bars on Gili Air though, so keep an eye out for posters and flyers if that’s what you’re looking for.

You can still find very cheap drinks on this island, maybe even slightly cheaper than Trawangan in some cases.

Almost every second bar here has live acoustic music in the evenings which seems to be the main attraction and a good summary of the sort of audience Gili Air attracts.

Come here if you’re looking to have a few drinks while listening to covers of Ed Sheeran songs or if you’re recovering from Gili T’s wild nights and simply need to take a breather.

Gili T or Gili Air: Beaches

The Gili islands are known for their beaches, but which ones are the best?

Beaches in Gili Trawangan

Gili Air and Gili Trawangan have similar beaches. They both have white, slightly pinkish sand with large chunks of coral.

Gili Trawangan has a shallow west coast with an exposed sea bed during low tide. The waves break on a coral reef further out which means you get shallow, calm water and you can only really swim during high tide. This side of the island is very quiet and the beach will be mostly empty in places.

The east coast is where the main street is, which means the beach is dotted with restaurants and bars. This is the best spot to see turtles and snorkel which is why it is so popular.

Waves break directly on the beach here, although they are not very large. During low tide, some of the sea bed is exposed, however, the water quickly gets deeper as you come closer to the drop-off.

Trawangan’s beaches are perfect for relaxing and swimming. You can find quiet spots as well as enjoy some more lively beaches.

Beaches in Gili Air

Gili Air has the same typical white sand crystal clear water as Gili Trawangan.

Similarly to Trawangan, its west side is shallow while the east is deeper and suitable for snorkelling. You’ll have trouble finding the typical beach swings here but the beach tends to be wider than it is in Trawangan.

Because there is less tourism on Gili Air the beaches are usually quieter, even on the more popular east side. Snorkelling is similar to Trawangan although the area that you can snorkel in is smaller since the drop off is closer to the beach.

Beaches in Gili Air tend to be more deserted with fewer restaurants and bars. Since Air doesn’t really have places where the waves break on the beach, swimming is a bit trickier since the water is very shallow close to the shore. Especially during low tide, you’ll have to walk out a bit until you can swim.

Gili Air’s beaches are quiet and the ultimate way to relax and enjoy water activities.

Gili T or Gili Air: Hotels & accommodation

Here is all you need to know about hotels in Gili T vs Gili Air.

Hotels in Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan has a fantastic selection of hotels for such a small island. There are plenty of options to choose from including some larger resorts, beautiful private villas, and budget-friendly hostels or homestays. There is something for everyone in Gili Trawangan, although booking early is highly recommended, as places do sell out, especially in the high season.

Here are our top picks for hotels in Gili Trawangan:

Hotels in Gili Air

Gili Air also has beautiful hotels, but the selection is definitely a bit smaller, with fewer luxury options, but some great budget-friendly and midrange hotels to choose from. Some of our favourite hotels in Gili Air include.

Gili T or Gili Air: Turtles

A lot of tourists come to the Gili islands to see turtles. Here is what you need to keep in mind.

Turtles in Gili Trawangan

Gili T is turtle paradise. If you’re at all interested in seeing giant sea turtles in their natural habitat then this is the island for you.

While there are many snorkelling and boat tours promising turtle sightings, the best way to see them for yourself is simply by snorkelling right at the beach.

Gili Trawangan is unique in that green sea turtles graze only a few metres away from the shore and are really easy to find when you’re snorkelling. No need to hire a guide.

If you want to know more about where and when you can see turtles read detailed guide on how to swim with turtles right at the beach in Gili Trawangan.

Turtles in Gili Air

You can definitely still see turtles close to Gili Air, however, they are slightly more difficult to find. They’re usually in deeper water and therefore tricky to spot.

If you do want to try your luck go for the north-eastern beach where there is some seagrass. It’s best to go during high tide and with some patience you should be able to spot a turtle or two.

If you’re staying on Gili Air and want to guarantee that you’ll see turtles it might be advisable to book a snorkelling tour or take a day trip to Gili Trawangan.

Gili T or Gili Air: Restaurants and dining

As the Gilis are becoming more and more developed, the selection of fantastic restaurants is growing quickly.

Restaurants in Gili Trawangan

Since Gili Trawangan is slightly large than Gili Air, there are definitely more restaurants and dining options to choose from.

Visitors can have dinner at the night market or try some of the popular BBQ restaurants along the beach. Some of the best restaurants we always return to on the island include:

• Jali Kitchen
• Regina Pizzeria
• Tiki Grove
• Francesco’s Pizza

If you’re looking for local food try:

• Warung Sasak
• Oh Warung
• Warung Emalia

Restaurants in Gili Air

Gili Air may have fewer restaurants to choose from overall, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some delicious options to try on your next trip. There are also some BBQ places along the beach and we recommend stopping by:

• Poutine Paradise
• Sharkbites
• Pituq Cafe

Gili T or Gili Air: Size and structure

Here are some more key differences of Gili Air vs Gili Trawangan.

Size and structure of Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands, but you can still cycle around the island in under an hour.

It’s the only Gili with any sort of elevation with its little lookout point in the south of the island at 60 metres above sea level.

The east coast of Gili Trawangan is very developed while the west and centre are more rural or even uninhabited. Still, the island is so small you’ll struggle to find a lot of untouched nature here.

The popular main street runs along the eastern beach where most of the bars and restaurants are located. The north and west sides of the island house the more expensive resorts and quieter beaches.

Size and structure of Gili Air

Gili Air is slightly smaller than Trawangan and less developed. The southern part of the island is the most densely populated, although the main street that runs through the centre cannot be compared to Trawangan’s much larger one.

There are also some bars and restaurants on the lower east beaches but it’s very quiet. Much like in Trawangan, the west and north are reserved for more expensive hotels and resorts.

The island has next to no elevation. In general, it is a little bit cleaner and more organised than Gili Trawangan.

Gili T vs Gili Air: Getting around

With the absence of cars and scooters, getting around the Gili islands is a bit different than you might be used to from Bali.

Getting around Gili Trawangan

There is no motorised traffic on any of the Gili islands which means that the transport method of choice is a bicycle. There are also horse carts for tourists but their animal treatment practices are questionable which is why I don’t recommend supporting them.

If you’re staying on Gili Trawangan you should definitely rent a bike. It will make getting around so much easier and more comfortable. Walking around the island in the heat can be exhausting and will stop you from exploring as much as you should.

A bike is a perfect way to get around the island since it is so small. Some accommodations even include free rentals in their nightly rates.

Getting around Gili Air

On Gili Air, you also have the choice between a horse cart and a bike, however, the bike is slightly less attractive here. Gili Air has great roads in the centre of the island but as soon as you get close to the beach you’ll be pushing your bike through thick sand.

In most places, it’s impossible to ride, which is very frustrating. While a bike is still very convenient for getting around quickly it is not as necessary as it is on Trawangan.

Gili T or Gili Air: Prices

Prices for accommodation, food and drinks are quite similar on all three Gilis, however, I would say that Gili Air tends to be slightly cheaper.

But only slightly.

You probably won’t notice an extreme difference but it’s a bit easier to find cheap restaurants and cocktails here than it is on Trawangan.

This doesn’t mean that you should shy away from Trawangan if you’re trying to save money. You’ll be able to spend the exact same amount, you’ll just have to be a bit smarter about where you go.

Accommodation, tends to be very similarly priced.

Gili T or Gili Air: Relaxing

If you just need some peace and quiet, you might want to read this section about which Gili island is better for relaxing.

Relaxing in Gili Trawangan

Can you relax on Gili Trawangan? Definitely. But is it an island made for relaxing? Maybe not.

Of course, Trawangan has secluded beaches, quiet spots and beautiful resorts with spas, but it’s probably not the best Gili if you’re wanting to really get off the grid.

As its reputation suggests, Trawangan is still a party island whether you chose to take part in the mayhem or not. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, however, then Trawangan is perfect.

You can go out and dance on the beach one night and then relax and get massages for the remainder of your stay. This island has it all.

Relaxing in Gili Air

Gili Air is made for relaxing. If you want to avoid the crowds and day trip tourists and simply enjoy a tropical island vacation then Gili Air is your best bet.

There’s a great selection of resorts and laid-back activities you can enjoy without having to worry about loud clubs keeping you up at night.

Gili T or Gili Air: Activities

Here are the best things to do on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.

Activities in Gili Trawangan

The Gilis are small so there aren’t a lot of things to do here and most activities centre around water. Gili Trawangan has an endless supply of diving schools where you can get your PADI for a fraction of the price you would be paying otherwise.

Snorkelling is, of course, very popular. There are plenty of different boat tours available. A great option is to take a BBQ cruise where you’ll snorkel at different spots and then have dinner on the boat as the sun sets.

Of course, there’s also the popular Jiggy Party Boat or very cheap snorkelling tours which take you to see the underwater statues and plenty of turtles.

You can also surf on Gili Trawangan, although it’s not ideal for beginners.

If you’ve had enough of turtle watching you can visit the island’s lookout point, take part in a beach clean event, do some yoga, or join an outdoor movie night at the beach. There’s also a weekly pub crawl and, of course, nightly parties at one of Trawangan’s clubs.

Lastly, Gili T is perfect for relaxing on the beach or trying one of the popular seafood BBQs. There’s also a night market every evening with an amazing food selection as well as plenty of little street food stalls selling snacks.

Activities in Gili Air

The activities on Gili Air are fairly similar to those available on Trawangan. You’ll find the same dive schools, snorkelling tours and seafood BBQs.

However, you’ll find fewer bars, and fewer party events here. There’s also no night market or fewer street food stalls.

You can still relax on the beach and enjoy activities such as standup paddle and kayak rentals.

In general, the island is smaller and there is a smaller variety of activities. You won’t be bored here though, don’t worry.

Which Gili Island is better for couples?

Generally, all three Gilis are great for a romantic getaway or even a honeymoon trip and you’ll see plenty of couples exploring the islands together. Gili Meno is the most romantic island of the three, and except for a few resorts, there is not much going on here.

If you’re deciding between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, Gili Air is better for couples looking for solitude and relaxation. However, there is also plenty of peace and quiet on Gili T’s sunset side, so don’t just think of it as a party island – you might miss out.

In the end, it depends on you and your partner’s travel style. If you like to have an occasional night out with some drinks, you’ll definitely enjoy Gili T just as much as Gili Air.

Gili T or Gili Air FAQ

Before you go…

Hopefully, we managed to help you decide which Gili island is right for you. Whether you’re headed to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, you’ll love this guide on where to find turtles right at the beach without a tour. Don’t forget to check out our complete guide to the best villas on Gili T, the best boat tours around the islands, and the infamous party boat.

If you’re headed to Lombok next, check out these things to do in Kuta, and our complete gojek/grab guide to the area. If Bali is your next destination, you’ll want to check out these beachfront hotels in Uluwatu, our 1-week budget calculator, and guide on how to rent a car.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.