Why Gili Air?

“Weren’t the boys bored?”
That’s the question I got from friends after spending five days on Gili Air with our tween-aged sons.

If your family enjoys snorkelling, diving, walking, cycling, swimming, fishing, yoga, or even a cheeky gym session — there’s plenty to keep you busy. But Gili Air isn’t trying to be an action-packed resort destination. It’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and soak it all in. It is a small island that packs a big punch.

In the east, you can watch the sun rise over Mount Rinjani in Lombok. By evening, take a short walk across the island to catch the sunset behind Mount Agung in Bali. In between? Swim alongside green and hawksbill turtles in the fringing reef, learn to dive, cycle dusty back lanes, go for a long wander or sample your way through some incredible food and drink offerings.

And yes — there’s still room for doing nothing. Poolside lounging, beach naps, a sneaky spa trip or sunset cocktail? Gili Air is as active or as relaxing as you want it to be.

Click here for my interactive Google map of Gili Air with restaurant and coffee recommendations

Getting there

You can get to Gili Air from either Bali or Lombok. We were already planning a wider explore of Lombok, so we flew direct from Singapore to Lombok on Scoot. It’s a relatively new route (three flights a week) and takes just 2 hours 40 minutes.

After landing, we were met by a lovely local driver (happy to share details) who took us to Bangsal Harbour, about a 1.5–2 hour drive. The journey is lovely — winding roads through low mountain forest, lots of monkeys on the roadside. That said, the weather for us was apocalyptic — huge thunderstorm, lightning, the works — and we honestly thought the boat ride was going to be terrifying. But in classic Southeast Asia fashion, the storm passed quickly and we arrived to sunshine and blue skies for our 15-minute private wooden speedboat to Gili Air.

Gili Air is tiny — about 5km to loop the island. Our accommodation was around 2km from the harbour, and with bags (and slightly overexcited kids), we opted for the only transport option available: a horse and cart. Yes, it’s a bit touristy. Yes, they’ll try and overcharge you (don’t pay more than 150,000 IDR). But the horses looked well cared for, which made me feel better about it. And let’s be honest — for two tween boys, this was the ultimate arrival:

Plane → car → boat → horse and cart.
Definitely one of those “the journey is the adventure” moments.

Getting Around

Once you’re settled in, you’ve got three ways to get around:

1. On foot (our favourite)
2. By bike (some hotels offer free ones, or you can rent cheap – avoid the sand)
3. Back on the horse and cart (we only did this for arrival)

There’s a 5km loop trail around the island, but fair warning — parts of it are very sandy. Cycling the perimeter sounds like a great idea … until you hit soft sand and find yourself pushing your bike in the heat with a grumpy child beside you. Stick to the inland paths if you’re biking — much smoother and you get a different perspective on Gili’s island charm.

Note: If you’re travelling with kids, sort your Indonesian visa online before you go. It’s quick and easy, and saves you queuing at the airport when all anyone wants is food and a swim. You also need to do an online health declaration form and customs declaration form.

Where to stay on Gili Air

A Few Tips choosing where to stay

There’s loads of accommodation on the island — from backpacker huts to boutique hotels and villas — but choosing the right part of the island can make a big difference to your experience. Although that said, due to the island size everywhere is pretty easily accessible no matter where you stay.

🔻 South (near the jetty):

• Best avoided if you want peace and quiet
• Busy, a bit noisy, with most of the arriving/departing foot traffic

🌅 North & West:

• Quieter, more spacious beaches
• Stunning sunset views
• Home to some of the best chilled-out restaurants and bars

🐢 East:

• Better for snorkelling and turtle spotting
• A bit more lively
• Great for families who want to dip into the buzz but retreat to somewhere calmer

We loved staying on the Western side, which we felt gave us the best of both worlds — access to the busier areas when we wanted them, but calm and lovely places to eat close by in the evenings.

We stayed at Vyaana Gili Air and honestly, it was perfect for our family. Our room had two king beds (with a little partition for privacy), a sea view, and came at a very reasonable nightly rate. Add in a lovely pool, breakfast served right on the beach, free bikes, and a friendly concierge who can help arrange anything from transfers to snorkelling — and we were set.

They also have sweet little double huts if you’re travelling as a couple or with just one child.

Top 5 Things to Do on Gili Air (As Rated by Our Family)

1. Take a Snorkelling Boat Trip

This is a classic Gili experience — and it’s popular for a reason. Hop on a boat for a few hours and snorkel near Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, where you’re almost guaranteed to spot turtles. You’ll also stop for a drink on Gili Meno and can visit the turtle hatchery.
We saw so many turtles on this trip that my youngest asked:

“Are they really extinct?”

2. Snorkel Straight From the Shore

You don’t need a boat to see marine life — some of the best snorkelling spots are just off the beach. Our favourite entry points were:

• Just north of Sunrise Resort — easy access, calmer waters, ideal for younger kids
• Hans Reef — better for confident swimmers (mild currents, longer swim), but the reward? Turtles galore and loads of reef life. This was our favourite spot.

3. Explore the Island — Over and Over Again

Walk it. Bike it. Do it fast. Do it slow.
I loved my early morning exercise walks (5km loop), while the rest of the day was all about wandering with the family — taking shortcuts, getting “lost” down sandy lanes, and stumbling across new cafés, beach swings and cows – lots of cows.

4. Get a Massage (Or Three)

I had three massages in five days. My top pick? Slow Spa — it’s a gorgeous space with genuinely excellent treatments. Friendly service, good prices, and a chilled vibe that lives up to its name.

5. Eat & Drink your way around the island

Honestly? You could eat at a different restaurant for every meal for a week and still not run out of delicious options. We loved how easy it was to find meals that were healthy and delicious. Coffee and juice with sunrise, cocktails with sunset.

Click here for my interactive Google map of Gili Air with restaurant and coffee recommendations

Gili Air surprised us in the best way. It’s small, yes — but it offers so much for families who love a mix of activity, nature, good food, and relaxation. This little island has a way of slowing you down in all the right ways and we felt much more connected as a family by the end of this trip. We will definitely be back.

Planning a trip to Gili Air? Got questions? Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram @mappedwanders – always happy to help!