When it comes to Indonesia’s most popular travel destinations, Lombok might be one of the things that pop in your head after Bali. It’s home to many beautiful beaches and a great sea ecosystem, making it a popular destination for sightseeing and snorkeling.
Located just northwest of the main island of Lombok, there lies Gili Air. This small island has pretty white-sand beaches and turquoise waters that are the very embodiment of the perfect tropical paradise.
Want to know more about Gili Air? Here’s Gili Air in a nutshell and some awesome things to do here!
Gili Air in a Nutshell
Source: giliisland.id
Gili Air is one of the popular three Gilis that are known for its beauty. The other two Gilis are Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, located on the west of Gili Air.
According to the Journal of Geology and Marine Affairs from the Center for Research and Development of Marine Geology, it was believed that the three Gilis were formed as a result of accumulating coral reef debris, shells of sea animals, minerals, and rock fragments.
Uniquely enough, further investigation showed that the three islands were formed from volcanic deposits from the eruption of Mount Rinjani. Researchers have found rock formations that resulted from hardened lava.
How amazing is the nature? Now, Gili Air is an iconic travel destination suitable for those who are looking for some peace and quiet. The all-around beautiful scenery makes it the perfect place to unwind, where you can find a lot of activities to do despite its laid-back nature.
Find out more about all the things to do in Gili Air in the following section!
Read Also: A Guide to Your Unforgettable 24-Hour Trip to Sembalun, Lombok
12 Awesome Things to Do in Gili Air
1. Exploring the Island
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Other than simply strolling along the sandy beach and dipping your toes in the ocean, you can explore the island by renting a bike.
While biking around, you’ll discover various beachfront restaurants, get an authentic view of how the locals live, and witness the sights of a field of palm trees and animals roaming around. (Especially cats, as they are symbols of the island’s spirit that represents love, care, and unity!)
Read Also: 5 Places to Visit in Lombok: From Surfing Waves to Weaving Threads
2. Join a Cooking Class
Source: Guillem Torcal Garcia via feastoftravel.com
Indonesia is the home to many mouthwatering dishes that are rich in spices and flavors. At Gili Air, you can learn the recipes and how to prepare them on your own at Gili Cooking Class or Warung Sunny.
After your lessons, you’ll also get to try your creations! Each class usually costs around Rp290,000 per person for an hour session.
3. Sunset-Watching
Source: Tincho Franco via Unsplash
Sunset lovers should never miss out on this! The best spot to watch a sunset is on the west side of the island, where you can see the beautiful gradation of yellow, orange, and red with the view of Mount Agung as the backdrop.
Read Also: Dare to Try: 6 Heart-Pumping Extreme Sports in Bali
4. Snorkeling
Source: Kris-Mikael Krister via Unsplash
After exploring the beauty of the island on the surface, it’s time to explore what it has to offer underwater. After all, underwater activities are among the most popular things to do in Gili Air, thanks to its year-round warm water temperatures.
You’ll get to discover various colorful fishes and corals, but the main attraction is swimming around with turtles! Aside from that, you’ll also be able to discover Gili underwater sculptures at Gili Meno, which is only a short 15-minute boat trip from Gili Air.
If you don’t have any snorkeling gear, you won’t have to worry as you can easily find stalls that rent out the gear.
5. Scuba Diving
Source: Sebastian Pena Lambarri via Unsplash
For those with a diving license, it’s best to explore further down the sea. Aside from the perfect temperature, Gili Air is also the best place to dive thanks to its clear waters that can give up to 30 meters of visibility.
Newbies can also sign up for a one-day scuba experience or get their license through a three-day Open Water Course with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
Read Also: Is Nusa Penida Worth a Visit? Here is Why Everyone is Talking About It
6. Subwing
Source: Subwing Gili Islands via tripadvisor.co.id
Do you prefer exploring the sea in a unique way? Then you should never miss Subwing, where you’ll be hanging onto two wings mounted together and towed at a gentle pace by a boat. This gives off the sensation as if you’re flying underwater!
7. Enjoying Live Music
Source: Nick & Hannah via saltinourhair.com
A lot of establishments in Gili Air offer live music in the evening. From restaurants to beach clubs, pick one that is most suitable for you and enjoy a nice evening with your friends, family, or partner.
8. Watching Movies at The Outdoor Cinema
Source: divecentralgili.com
Whoever came up with this is a genius! Watch a movie accompanied by a nice breeze at Bel Air’s outdoor cinema. The showing starts at 8 PM and you’ll be given a comfy bean bag to enjoy your night on.
9. Doing Yoga
Source: olia danilevich via Pexels
Relax your mind by participating in a variety of yoga classes. In Gili Air, you can participate in a sunrise or sunset stand-up paddle board (SUP) yoga class, aqua yoga, workshops, and yoga retreats!
10. Enjoy Relaxing Spa
Source: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
After a long day of exploring the island, it’s time to relax by visiting a spa. Gili Air has many spas offering a wide selection of treatments. It’s a nice way to unwind and escape from your day-to-day stress.
11. Shopping
Source: Porapak Apichodilok via Pexels
Bring a piece of Gili Air with you! Visit local stores and beachfront stalls to buy handcrafted items made of wood or coconut shells or some jewelry. Aside from being an item that will always remind you of your fun trip, they also make great gifts for your loved ones at home.
12. Join a Beach Cleanup
Source: Inna Rabotyagina via Pexels
Give back to nature by keeping it clean. Trash Hero organizes a beach cleanup weekly in a mission to keep the beach trash-free. After all, someone (including us!) has got to make sure that this tropical paradise stays as a dreamy place.
Gili Air Travel Guide
Gili Air can be visited all year round. However, if you want to avoid the rain, then you should visit between May to October. And if you want to avoid the crowds and high prices, then you should avoid going during the high season in July and August.
You can get to Gili Air by booking a flight either to Bali or Lombok. After that, you’ll have to take a boat such as Bangsal Harbour if you’re traveling from Lombok. If you travel from Bali, you can book fast boats such as Eka Jaya, BlueWater Express, and Gili Bookings.
Read Also: 5 Best Things to Do in Kuta Lombok
Be One with Nature at Bobocabin Gunung Rinjani
Bobocabin Gunung Rinjani is the perfect place to escape from your busy routine and simply relax among nature.
Powered by the Internet of Things, give yourself some privacy with the smart window, adjust the lighting for a more relaxing mood, and put on some music for a great ambience—all within your fingertips.
With our grill facility, you can even enjoy some great dinner while gazing into the clear skies and the majestic view of Mount Rinjani.
Download the Bobobox app on Play Store or App Store for booking and more information.
Writer: Sheila Lalita
Header image by: giliisland.id
