The three Gili island lie just off the northwest coast of Lombok.
Gili Air
Gili Air, is the island closest to the mainland and the most easly accessed of the three Gili's. This island has the largest local population of the three and combines the charm of tropical island with easy access ti the people and culture that has made Lombok so special.
Much of the development is on the east coast, facing Lombok an the towering Gunung Rinjani, which provides spectacular sunrises; sunset sover Gunung Agung on Bali are visible from the south and western coasts of Gili Air. The best beaches are also found on the east side, with clear turquoise waters and soft white sand.
Diving facilities abound and there is good snorkelling directly from the shore, particularly from the east and northeast beaches. With soft corals that gleam yellow and orange in the sunligh, and harbour scorpion fish and thousands of glassfish. in the deeper waters are white tip reef sharks and schools of larger fish species.
There id a good range of accommodation on Gili Air, from simple homestay to more expensive hotelswith all the attendant creature comforts. Dining opportunities range from good quality restaurants to simple warung on the beach and while the bars aren't as loud as on Gili Trawangan, there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun.
Gili Meno
Gili Meno is middle and smallest island of the three, with the lowest population. It is not as developed as Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, and the pace is much slower. Small hotels and basic beachside huts provide accommodation for those seeking uncrowded beaches, clean waters and quiet walks under the star-filled skies
The landscape is flat, with coconut groves inland and a small lake the west from which the locals harvest meagre supplies of salt. Hawksbill and green turtles call the waters around Gili Meno home, particullarly on the northwest corner, ad the reefs just offshore feature outcrops of brilliant blue coral.
The main development is on the east side, which has a stunning wide beach. he string of beachside bars and warung along this stretch provide plenty of opportunities for viewing spectacular sunrise and sunsets over the volcanoes.
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is furthhest from the mainland and the largest island, complete with a small hill at its southern end. This is the most famous of the three Gili's, with a reputation as "the party island" thanks to the many wild parties held at bars and restauranats on the island. Thankfully there is more to Gili Trawangan than its party island fame.
backpackers flock here to enjoy the gorgeous white san beaches, cheap accommodation, and natulary the parties held at different locations every night. other more upmarket travellers stay at the better hotels and spend their days relaxing in the sun or diving.
Here is good snorkelling juast off the shore with waters that teem with a stiil abundant variety of tropical fish species. Strong currents are sometimes a other, especially in the strait with neighbouring Gili Meno. Further out are vast gardens of coral, regarded as one of the best dive spots in Lombok, particularly Shark Point to the east of the island, which is home to white tip reef sharks.
The hill in the south of the island is a great lookout from which to enjoy the spectacular sunsets across the ocean to Bali, or in the mornings, the brilliant sunrise over Gunung Rinjani on Lombok. On the far south end of the hill are remmants of old WWII Japanese gun emplacements and crumbling bunkers, but the handdug tunnels have been blocked up.
The main development is on the east coast, particularly southeast in the area called "sentral", where the boats dock. there are also some hotels on the north coast, which offer peaceful alternativies. Gili Trawangan has the beast tourism infrastructure.
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