Gili Air
A car-free island off Lombok with turtle snorkeling and a quieter pace than Gili Trawangan.
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Gili Air is one of three small Gili islands just off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia, and the closest of them to Lombok. It lies in Gili Indah village, Pemenang District, North Lombok Regency. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island. Visitors walk, cycle or ride a cidomo, a small horse-drawn carriage. Gili Air is the only one of the three Gilis with underground fresh water, but supplies are limited, so use water carefully.
Gili Air has excellent snorkeling. Turtles are often seen on the coral reef off the east coast, alongside seahorses and many brightly colored fish. A sunken Japanese patrol boat from the Second World War lies about 45 m deep in the bay to the south and is now a popular dive site. The island suits travelers who want a balance between the party scene of Gili Trawangan and the quiet of Gili Meno. Boats leave Bangsal harbor for a crossing of about 20 to 30 minutes. The dry season runs from about May to October, and July and August are the busiest months.
Gili Air in five
- Walk or cycle the loop in a morningThe island is small enough to circle on foot in roughly one to two hours, and bicycles are common. There are no cars or scooters, so luggage moves by hand or horse cart (cidomo).
- Take the public boat from BangsalBoats from Bangsal harbor take about 10 to 15 minutes to the island, much shorter than Bali's fast boats. Landing is at the beach, so pack light and keep valuables dry.Gili Islands
- Dress modestly inland and at the mosqueMost residents are Muslim, and the call to prayer carries across the island. Cover up away from the beach, ask before photographing people and keep noise down at night.
- Snorkel at slack water and with a buoyTurtles and reef fish gather along the east and north shores, but currents can run strong. Snorkel in the morning with a buoy or a guide, and stay out of the boat lanes near the harbor.
- Bring cash and a refillable bottleATMs are limited and card use is patchy, so carry rupiah from Lombok or Bali. Tap water is not safe to drink, so refill your bottle at hotels and refill stations.
Things to do in Gili Air
See all attractions in Gili Air
Need to know
- Airport
- Lombok International (LOP), about 1.5–2 hours to Bangsal harbor
- Getting there
- Public boat from Bangsal, or fast boat from Bali via Trawangan
- Getting around
- On foot, bicycle or cidomo; no motor vehicles
- Best base
- East shore for cafes and boats, west shore for sunsets
- Time needed
- 2–4 nights; a week for yoga or diving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet, showersJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 347 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, showers
- FebruaryRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet, humidFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 312 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°ShowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 242 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Drying outAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying out
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, calmMayRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, coolerJuneRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, windyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, windy
- AugustPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, calmSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Warm, dryOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains beginNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 357 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Gili Air, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gili Air
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 82%
Gili Meno
04:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°82%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed31°25°67%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Thu31°24°77%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Fri31°24°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat32°24°72%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Sun31°24°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 02:16 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gili Trawanganabout 15–25 min by public boatDive shops, sunset bars and a night market near the harbor.Read the guide
- Gili Menoabout 10–15 min by public boatA turtle sanctuary and a quiet salt lake.Read the guide
- Lombok mainlandabout 10–15 min by boat plus roadWaterfalls and villages inland, or the beach at Senggigi.Read the guide
Before you go to Gili Air
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Rules for Gili Air, checked
- Check Indonesia's visa and entry rules with the Directorate General of Immigration (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly.
- Drug possession and use are illegal in Indonesia, and the laws are very strict. They can carry the death penalty.
- Gili Air has no police station, so report any problem at a police station on Lombok.
- Do not damage the coral reef when snorkeling or diving. The Gili Eco Trust works to protect the reefs.
- Most residents are Muslim, so dress and behave with local religious norms in mind.
Plan around Gili Air
All three islands and how to cross
Read the guideGili TrawanganThe livelier neighbor, 20 minutes away
Read the guideGili MenoThe quiet middle island
Read the guideLombokRinjani, south coast beaches and surf
Read the guideSenggigiWest coast beaches and dining
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideGili Air FAQ
Is Gili Air better than Gili Trawangan?
It depends. Gili Air is quieter, more local and closer to Lombok; Trawangan is bigger, livelier and has more dive shops and nightlife. Choose Air for a calm stay and Trawangan for parties, then visit the other by boat.
How many days do you need on Gili Air?
Two or three nights is enough for snorkeling, a loop walk and a sunset. Add a night or two for yoga, diving or island hopping. Stay longer only if you want a slow, simple pace with little to do.
How do you get to Gili Air from Lombok?
Take a public boat from Bangsal harbor in about 10 to 15 minutes, or charter a boat. From Lombok airport, allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car to Bangsal, so plan late flights with a driver.
Is Gili Air good for families?
Yes. The quiet lanes, calm sea in the dry season and car-free streets help. Check shore conditions before kids swim, pack reef shoes and expect basic medical care, so carry insurance and any medicines.
Can you party on Gili Air?
A little. Beach bars play music and some hold events, but the scene is much smaller than on Gili Trawangan. Expect early nights and quiet streets, and stay on Trawangan if nightlife is the priority.