Hotels, Activities and Things to Do in Gili Air’s Lombok

gili air;s island

gili air's beach

This is little information that might important during visiting gili air’s. Some of this information may be slightly different with the reality on the gili itself, but overall I’m sure it’s still the same. The closest to the mainland is Gili Air’s easy-going appeal contrasts with party-boy Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. The island retains a distinctly rural character, its coconut grove–filled, flat landscape juxtaposed with dramatic views of Gunung Rinjani and, on a clear day, Gunung Agung in Bali. The slim white-sand beaches, turquoise water and laid-back atmosphere are the main draw, but in high season the bar scene can get quite lively. Gili Air is the most heavily populated of the three islands, yet this still amounts to just 1800 or so inhabitants.

The easiest way to get to gili air’s is using a Boats stop at the southern end of the island, near the jetty; we can buy the ticket to the island in the Koperasi, which open at 8 am - 5.30 pm. This koperasi has a hut here with prices marked clearly outside. Virtually all accommodation and restaurants are on the east and south coasts, which have the best beaches for swimming. The network of dirt tracks that crisscrosses the island can get quite confusing at times. To explore Air its simplest to follow the coastal path around the island – it’s a lovely walk that takes about an hour and a half.

Activities that mostly we do during in gili air’s is:

1.       Snorkeling and diving, you’ll find diverse marine life and great snorkeling all along the east coast. Beach access is easy and gear can be hired from Ozzy’s Shop for Rp 45.000 a day. Check with dive center first about currents, as sometimes they can be extremely strong. Ozzy’s Shop also operates glass-bottomed boat tours, which cost per person Rp 80.000, with minimum 4 people in one trip around all three islands. There are several good scuba diving sites a short boat ride away. Gili Air has two dive schools, Blue Marlin Dive Center and Dream Divers.

2.       Surfing, directly off the southern tip of the island there’s a long, peeling right-hand break. To rent a board, ask around in the dive schools.

3.       Cycling, ozzy’s Shop has bikes for hire, it cost Rp 40,000 a day. Exploring the island by bike is a delight, though sandy tracks can make the going a bit tough, and you’re sure to end up in someone’s back yard at times due to the unmarked trails.

While we are in Gili air’s, for sure we also need place to stay, eat, and drink and also place to hang out and enjoy the local entertainment. This is some place that you can try and I recommend a few places here:

Hotels or Cottage:

1.      Gili Air Santay Cottage. The price is around Rp 100,000 to Rp 150,000. Set back from the beach in a quiet coconut grove, these spacious bamboo and- timber huts are just above the bog standard category, all coming with hammocks, fans and fairly modern bathrooms.

2.       Sunrise Cottages & Restaurant.  The price of room is about Rp 140.000 to Rp 200.000. A class above the real cheapies, this efficiently run place has rustic two-storey lumbung-style bungalows with bathroom and separate living area, with day bed and hammock. The accommodation is well spaced and sits at the rear of a pretty garden.

3.    Coconut Cottages. The price of room is around Rp 200.000 to Rp 300.000. A delightful, welcoming Indo-Scottish–owned place with a selection of atmospheric accommodation spread around a fecund, well-tended garden. Some of the well-maintained cottages have shell-inlaid decorative detailing; all have good quality mattresses, bamboo furniture and bedside reading lights. There’s a fine restaurant here too, right, and books for sale or rent.

4.      Gili Indah Hotel. This is a midrange hotel. The price of room is around Rp 350.000 to Rp 700.000. Conveniently close to the jetty, this well-run hotel has a variety of good, well-constructed bungalows, all with hot-water bathrooms. The best also have air-conditioner and huge front decks with expansive sea views.

5.      Hotel Gili Air, this is also a midrange hotel with the price of room around Rp 300.000 to Rp Rp 800.000. Setting itself up as the island’s ‘proper’ hotel, this place offers four classes of digs – from rustic-but-comfy huts to international hotel-chain-style rooms with marble bathrooms, attractive wood furniture and laminate floors. The pool is small and the gardens look neglected however.

Places to Eat and Drink:

1.       Abdi Fantastik Resto. Come here for some of the best Sasak food on the island at fair prices; try the pelecing kangkung or spicy water spinach. Coconut Cottages an inventively prepared menu that combines Western and Indonesian dishes, you’ll dine well in this pleasant Cottage restaurant. Try the fantastic Sasak buffet, at Rp 80,000Rp person, served every Wednesday night in high season.

2.       Santay Café. Perch yourself on a beachside table, soak up the views of Gunung Rinjani and tuck into a sandwich, a good pumpkin and coconut curry, or satay.

3.       Warung Sasak. Dine well here, by the waves, under pretty shell lanterns. It’s one of the best places to eat fish and seafood.

4.       Blue Marlin Café. The best bet for Western food, the kitchen here serves up a mean burger as well as pasta, sandwiches, stick-to-yer-ribs breakfasts, and some Indonesian dishes.

5.       Star Bar. Open at 3 pm till late. This bar is located next to the Blue Marlin; this little bar’s trump card is Azam, the resident trickster barman.

6.       Chill Out Bar, open at 2 pm until 2 am, popular with visitors and locals, it has a good selection of spirits and cocktails.

7.       Gita Gili Bar, open at 11am till 1 am. A friendly bar where you can request a DVD to watch while you sink a cold one.

8.       And other bars like Hallelujah Bar, Legend Pub.

A few notes from me, dining out in Gili Air is a treat, with an array of simple places serving Indonesian and Western dishes, many located right by the sea – there’s nothing fancy though. Beware – service can be slow.