GILI ISLANDS
ABOUT GILI ISLANDS
Arcing away from the northwest corner of Lombok, the Gili Islands are three idyllic atolls where the sand is still powdery white, the water a clear sparkling turquoise, and the sunsets over Bali’s Agung in the west simply spectacular.
Home to the largest Irish bar on the smallest island in the world, an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant, a turtle hatchery, ominous sounding dive sites like ‘Shark Point’ and miles and miles of white sandy beaches, Lombok’s Trawangan, or Gili T for short, makes a surprisingly ideal getaway destination. Getting there is easy and whichever way you chose, you will be guaranteed to see some of Bali and Lombok’s breathtaking scenery.
No motorised transport
Fortunately all three Gili Islands will not permit any type of motorised transport on them and therefore rely on bicycles or horse and carts, locally known as ‘Cidomos’. Bicycles can be rented from any of the kiosks and cost from around Rp10,000 an hour, or better value, ask for the daily rate. Cidomos are easily located all over the islands but tend to hang around the harbour and busy spots, arrangements can be made if you are staying in a more remote place on the island, for instance a late ride home…. Haggling is the norm, and always agree a price before your journey.
Families
Although originally discovered by backpackers in the mid eighties, and a reputation as a party destination, Gili Trawangan now boasts itself as a great destination suitable for families of all ages. Various new hotels and boutique bungalows now cater for children and offer good discounts, some have baby sitting services, and with lots of activities on the islands families are sure to enjoy their holidays to the full.
Swimming and Snorkeling
The best place for snorkeling and swimming is along the main beach area a few hundred meters from where the boats pull in, this area is known as Goodheart. Masks, fins and snorkels can be rented by the hour or day, from any of the dive shops or the kiosks in the street. Glass bottom boat trips around the three islands are available and cost around 50,000rp per person. You can see all types of marine life just by snorkeling including the turtles, but please be careful not to touch the coral.
Note; Please do not try to swim between the islands as the currents in the channel can be unpredictable and very strong.
Money matters
There is no ATM machine on the Gili Islands and currently no plan for one, all the dive shops and bigger hotels accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards, cash advances at 10% are available in many places most of the time but all relies on a rather shaky phone connection. Money changers will cash traveler’s checks and currency but at a lower reduced rate than on the mainland.
Electricity
All three Gilis now have their own PLN electric generating stations and have power 24 hours a day, however in the peak seasons this can be put under strain particularly late afternoon and early evening. A number of businesses have their own generators such as the larger hotels and restaurants so as to avoid the problem, and usually power cuts or ‘mati lampu’ only last a few hours.
Communication
There are a number of internet cafes on Gili Trawangan all charging approximately the same, (around Rp200 per minute) although all operate at different speeds. For telephone calls the best place to use is the Wartel, located next to the art market.
Crime, safety and health
Generally there is very little crime on the islands, however no where is 100% free. As with any where in the world you travel its best to leave your valuables in your room, and ideally in your hotel safe. If you do have any problems on the island report them to the Head of the Island (Kepala Desa) at the Satgas office, located opposite the Harbour. There are two small basic clinics on Gili Trawangan that can deal with minor problems, located in the village and at Villa Ombak.
The Wallace line
Alfred Russel Wallace, the so-called father of animal geography, formulated his ideas on evolution by natural selection while observing and collecting wildlife in the islands of Southeast Asia. He was particularly impressed by the sudden difference in bird families he encountered when he sailed some twenty miles east of the island of Bali and landed on Lombok. On Bali the birds were clearly related to those of the larger islands of Java and Sumatra and mainland Malaysia. On Lombok the birds were clearly related to those of New Guinea and Australia. He marked the channel between Bali and Lombok as the divide between two great zoogeographic regions, the Oriental and Australian. In his honor this dividing line, which extends northward between Borneo and Sulawesi, is still referred to today as Wallace's Line. The very first island of the Australian region is Gili Trawangan.
HOW TO GET THERE
TRANSPORT to the GILI ISLANDS INFORMATION ON – HOW TO GET TO GILI TRAWANGAN, GILI MENO AND GILI AIR, BY FAST BOAT, SLOW BOAT AND FLIGHTS.
SCHEDULES AND PRICES OF THE 3 GILI ISLANDS LOCAL BOAT SERVICES.
Fast Boat to The Gilis
Gili Trawangan just got closer aboard the 'Mahi Mahi', the largest capacity and the most comfortable boat operating between Bali and the Gili Islands.
This purpose built 12m aluminum fast boat has the latest Suzuki 4 strokeV6 250hp engines, and with a cruising speed of 32 knots she can take you in 2.5 hours from Serangan harbour, direct to the beach on Gili Trawangan.
Totally British owned and operated she comprises full international safety equipment with comfortable seating for 28 passengers.
With an advanced tunnel hull design, (designed for Australian naval search and rescue) they can ensure a dry and comfortable crossing, and is therefore perfectly suited to handle the conditions around Bali and Lombok with speed and total safety.
SCHEDULES
From Bali's SERANGAN Harbour, at ' THE ROYAL BALI YACHT CLUB'
- Boarding time at 07.00am
- Departure time at 07.30am
- ARRIVAL AT 10.00am
- From GILI TRAWANGAN HARBOUR
- Boarding time at 10.30am
- Departure time at 11.00am
- ARRIVAL at 14.00pm
TICKET PRICES (Includes hotel A/c transfers from Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur areas)
- Rp. 650,000 One Way / per person
- Round trip fare is Rp 1,250,000 per person
- Children under 12 yrs Price Rp 450,000
- Infants under 3 yrs FREE
- 24hrs BOOKING No +62(0)81 805 305 632
DISCOUNTS available for KITAS and Local Indonesians
Shuttle Bus and Perama Boat
One of the most popular ways of getting from any where in Bali to the Gilis, (Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Padang Bai, Candidasa, Amed, Tulamben and Lovina) is with the Perama Shuttle Bus and boat. This service runs every day and leaves Kuta at 10.00am to Padang Bai, where the boat takes you direct to the Gili’s. Travel time is approximately 8 hours but can take longer.
Price Rp 245,000 (incl. hotel pick up)
By Air
- Silk air fly 4 times a week from Singapore to Lombok’s Seleparang airport in Mataram , Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, journey time 2 hours 40 minutes. There are daily flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Jogjakarta and Bali. Flight time from Bali is only 25 minutes and there are currently three airlines operating this route.
- IAT AIR fly from Bali at 08.00am and 15.30pm, and return from Mataram at 09.00am and 16.30. Price Rp. 389,000 One/Way
- TRANS NUSA AIR fly 2 times a day from Bali at 08.45am and 16.30pm, and return from Mataram at 09.30am and 17.30pm. Price Rp 365,000 One/Way
- MERPATI NUSANTARA fly 3 times a day from Bali at 09.30am, 14.10pm and 16.10pm, and return from Mataram at 10.30am, 15.10am, and 17.10pm. Price Rp. 449,000 One/Way
- Domestic airport tax is Rp30,000 per person
INFORMATION ON SCHEDULES AND PRICES OF THE 3 GILI ISLANDS
LOCAL BOATS SERVICES
For all local boat tickets please buy them at the official concrete buildings at the harbours, they are run by the KOPERASSI KARYA BAHARI.
ALL ticket offices display prices clearly on a notice board.
Public charter boat from BANGSAL to GILI TRAWANGAN, Gili Meno or Gili Air are max 10 passengers price is Rp155,000
Tourist shuttle boat service between Bangsal harbour and Trawangan, Meno or Air leaves at 16.30pm and costs Rp25,000
Tourist shuttle service from Trawangan to Bangsal at 08.15 am is Rp25,000
Public boats leave all day between Bangsal and the 3 islands, boats leave when they are full and the price is Rp8,000.
However you can buy all the remaining tickets and then the boat will leave.Island Hopper services between the 3 islands are;
- From Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan at 08.15am and 15.20pm is Rp18,000
- From Gili Meno to Gili Air at 09.50am and 16.20pm is Rp18,000
- From Gili Air to Gili Meno at 08.30am and 15.00pm is Rp18,000
- From Gili Air to Gili Trawangan at 08.30am and 15.00pm is Rp21,000
- From Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno at 09.30am and 16.00pm is Rp18,000
- From Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno at 09.30am and 16.00pm is Rp21,000
PLS NOTE: BANGSAL harbour can be busy and has many stree sellers, DO NOT let someone carry your bag without first haggling on a price.DO NOT leave valuable items on display or your bags unattended.
DIVING SPOT
As one of Indonesia’s top areas for scuba diving and a reputation for being the ‘turtle capital of the world’, with year round water temperatures about 28 degrees Celsius, the islands have become popular for beginners and experienced divers alike. There are about 18 dive sites around the three islands, with a variety of topography (slopes, walls, ridges and canyons) and an enormous amount of diverse marine life. This includes black – and white tip reef sharks, lots of turtles (hawksbill and olive ridley), lionfish, scorpion fish, cuttle fish and octopus, moray eels, sea snakes, different types of rays (blue – spotted, eagle and, from December to March, manta rays)not to mention schools of bump - head parrot fish every full moon and the occasional whale shark…plus countless varieties of hard and soft corals. Haan’s Reef on Gili Air is fast becoming renowned for excellent “muck diving” where divers can see rare critters like frogfish, pink - leafed scorpion fish, flying gunard, mantis shrimp, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, robust ghost pipefish, blue ringed octopus and ringed pipefish.
Situated just a short trip away from Bali on the North West coast of Lombok lies an idyllic holiday getaway. The Gili Islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air have become a not-to-miss spot in Lombok, Indonesia for travelers and tourists from around the world. The islands are endowed with luring sandy beaches, naturally preserved coral reefs, international restaurants, cafes and bars, and accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Gili Hotels.com aims to offer the most comprehensive listing of accommodations on all the 3 Gili islands with up to date room availability and online booking service.
Accommodation choices start from beach shacks, backpacker hostels and budget hotels, a large selection of mid range hotels and boutique bungalows, through to resort style hotels and luxury private villas.
Getting to the 3 islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air is easy by daily direct fast boat, flights with transfers via Lombok, and shuttle bus and ferry services.
Whichever way you choose, you will be sure to see some of Bali and Lombok's breathtaking and stunning scenery.
WHERE TO EAT
(Recommendation from Phil Smith)
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
- Ana Café
A great little place to sample local foods, cheap and tasty, try the Nasi Campur.
- Blue marlin Café
A varied international menu during the day and maybe the best grilled sea fish on the island in the evenings, try the salads or grilled trevally in garlic with one of their fresh juices.
- Coco Coffee shop
Now serving a variety of illy coffees, delicious home made cakes and freshly filled baguettes.
Have to try the chocolate brownies or blueberry pie with a cappuccino.
- Horizontal
A touch of pure funk has arrived in the form of Horizontal Bar and Lounge, playing the latest in funky music overlooking the beach; try the sunset mojitos while lounging on the beach sofas and superb Asian fusion cuisine in the ultra modern restaurant.
- Juku
A laid back Balinese restaurant with your own draped baruga to eat in, serves good Indonesian and Western favourites. Try the chicken cordon bleu with vegetables.
- Karma Kayak
Their Tapas restaurant offers a great mix of fresh Spanish Tapas and other small fusion bites, sandwiches, milksakes and much more. try the Sangrias at sunset...
- Kayangan restaurant
Tucked away this overlooked local warung has all the popular Indonesian favourites.
Try the tempe goreng with morning glory, mie goreng or the cap cay.
- Manta café
Good reasonably priced international foods in a relaxed atmosphere, go and chill out in one of the hammocks or barugas, or jump in the Manta pool to cool off.
Try the wraps and the yellow sauce curries.
- Pesona Indian Restaurant
Truly unique, hookah pipes on the Thai styled beach front with flavored Indian tobaccos, and amazing dishes from all parts of India.
- Ryochi Japanese restaurant
A must try if you are a Sushi or Teriyaki fan, their fish is flown in daily on ice to ensure freshness and quality. Try the Naso miso soup, chicken teriyaki and tuna carpaccio.
- Scallywags
Food from northen Spain's Basque region made with fresh organic locally sourced ingredients. The Pan seared coral trout w manchego salad and the signature dish such as tempura sardines drizzled with an apple sauce. Mmmm.Yummy Totally reasonably priced and a must try on your visit to Trawangan. Be scallywagged.
A little story about about and a STORM...!!
- The Beach House
Beachfront bar and restaurant serving hearty breakfasts, gourmet specials and fresh seafood, With fine wines and some of the tastiest food on the island. Try the lobster or the steak.
- Tir Na Nog
Very popular with everyone the Irish ‘Shipwrecked Bar’ and restaurant is maybe the hub of the strip. Full on BBQ, beef and Guinness pies with mash and gravy, best pizza’s, and the famous ‘Irish fry’ all day breakfast.
- Villa Ombak
Great for special occasions or a romantic dinner the International chef will have your mouth watering in no time. Try the Seafood wrap starter followed by the chicken tikka masala.
BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
Gili Trawangan has always had the stigma for being the ‘Party Island’ of the Gilis and there are numerous restaurants and bars open until 2pm along the main strip and the beach, however most kitchens close around 11pm.
There are regular party nights with DJ’s spinning the latest hip hop, dance and house hits, they are rotated so there is only one party a night which can stay open until 4am. Currently the schedule is Monday night for the infamous Blue Marlin rave party, Tuesday night is Reggae at Dream Divers, Wednesday nights for the ‘Tir na Nog’ Irish bar party, with a mix of hip hop and house music, Friday night at Rudys Bar and Saturday nights at Dive Indonesia.
Full Moon Partys
When the islands are busy there are Full Moon Partys on the southern part of Trawangan, located not far from the main strip on an enclosed beach area. Hosted by the local people using the surf watch tower as a bar and a mixture of DJ’s playing hard house, trance and techno until sunrise.
PARTY NIGHTS
MONDAY - BLUE MARLIN
FRIDAYS - RUDYS PUB
WEDNESDAY - TIR NA NOG 'IRISH BAR'
CONTACT
For more information please contact:
The Gili Paradise Shop,
No. 12 (next to Fat Yogi’s),
Poppies Lane 1, Kuta, Bali.
Indonesia.
Tel - +62 (0)361 753241
Email – info@gili-paradise.com
Web site www.gili-paradise.com
Source : http://www.my-indonesia.info
