Three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok. No cars. No motorcycles. Just bicycles, cidomos (horse carts), and your feet. That is the Gili Islands.
Singaporeans keep asking: how do you actually get there from Singapore, is it worth it, and which island should you pick? Here is what nobody tells you in the Instagram posts.
First: Where Are the Gili Islands?
The Gili Islands are an archipelago of three islands northwest of Lombok, Indonesia:
- Gili Trawangan — the largest, most built up, loudest at night, best for divers and backpackers
- Gili Meno — the smallest, quietest, best for couples and snorkellers who want actual calm
- Gili Air — the middle ground, good food, manageable crowd levels, works for families
All three are within swimming distance of each other. A public boat between any two islands costs about IDR 15,000-25,000 (S$1.30-2.20). Yes, really.
How to Get There from Singapore
There is no direct ferry from Singapore to the Gili Islands. You go through Bali or Lombok. Here is the route that most Singaporeans take:
Option 1: Fly to Bali, Fast Boat to Gili (Most Common)
Step 1: Fly Singapore to Bali (Ngurah Rai Airport / DPS): 2h 30m direct on Scoot, Garuda, AirAsia, or Singapore Airlines. Return flights start from S$120-180 depending on season.
Step 2: Fast boat from Bali to Gili Islands. Departures from Padang Bai Harbour (east Bali) or Serangan/Tanjung Benoa (south Bali). Journey: 1h 30m to Gili Trawangan, 2h to Gili Air, 2h 30m to Gili Meno. Buy tickets at the harbour or book through GetYourGuide / Klook ahead of time.
Step 3: Walk off the boat onto the island. No cars, no problem.
Option 2: Fly to Lombok, Boat to Gili (Faster to Trawangan/Meno)
Step 1: Fly Singapore to Lombok Praya Airport (LOP): via Jakarta or Bali, 4-5 hours total. Garuda, Citilink, and Scoot operate this route. Return flights typically S$180-350.
Step 2: Drive 90 minutes to Bangsal Harbor, then public boat to Gili: 20-30 minutes, IDR 15,000-20,000 per person (about S$1.30-1.80). Boats run roughly every 30-60 minutes from 7am-5pm.
Note: The Bangsal public boat is bare bones. Open boat, wooden benches, you may get wet. For families with young kids or anyone who hates uncertainty, take the fast boat from Bali instead.
Option 3: Fly Direct to Lombok, Then Fast Boat
Singapore to Lombok Praya Airport (via Jakarta or Bali transfer): 4-5 hours total
From Lombok airport to Gili: 90 minutes by car to Bangsal, then 30 minutes by boat
This is the fastest option but requires more planning and flights are not cheap.
What Nobody Tells You Before You Go
There Are No Cars on Any Gili Island
Not just “fewer cars.” Zero. The only vehicles allowed are cidomos (horse carts) on Gili Trawangan, and bicycles and your own two feet everywhere. This sounds obvious but it sinks in differently when you are trying to get anywhere with a tired toddler or a week’s worth of luggage.
On Gili Air and Gili Meno, most of the paths are sandy. Bring sandals, not running shoes. You will be walking on sand for most of your time there.
Gili Trawangan Is Not Peaceful
Gili Trawangan has a reputation as the “party island.” The reputation is earned. The main strip has bars that blast music until midnight on weekends. If you are going for R and R, stay on Gili Air or Gili Meno. If you want some social atmosphere after dark without being at Full Moon Party, Gili Air strikes the best balance.
The Snorkeling Is the Main Event
The coral reefs around all three islands are the reason you come here. You do not need to be a diver. Most people do the following:
- Turtle Point (Gili Trawangan) — guaranteed turtles, shallow reef, maximum 2-3m depth. Go early morning before the boat crowds arrive.
- Shark Point (between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air) — white tip reef sharks at 10-15m depth. More for certified divers.
- Gili Meno wall — better coral formations, fewer people, best for intermediate snorkellers
- Gili Air northwest — sea turtles and giant clams in shallower water
Snorkel gear rental on the islands costs about IDR 50,000-80,000 per day (S$4-7). Bring your own if you have sensitive skin or use prescription lenses.
Money: Cash is Still King on the Gilis
Most small hotels, warungs, and dive shops on Gili Air and Gili Meno still operate in cash. The ATM on Gili Trawangan sometimes runs out of cash on busy weekends. Exchange enough IDR in Bali or Lombok before you head to the islands. Do not rely on card machines.
Best Time to Go
The Gili Islands have two seasons:
- Dry season (May-September): Calm seas, clear water, maximum visibility for snorkeling and diving. Peak season. Book accommodations 2-3 months ahead for July-August.
- Wet season (October-April): Quieter, cheaper accommodation, but seas can be rough and some boat services reduced. Rain usually comes in short afternoon bursts, not all-day washouts.
From Singapore, the best departure days are Thursday evening or Friday morning. Most Singaporeans do 4-5 nights, giving 3-4 full days on the island.
Gili Trawangan vs Gili Air vs Gili Meno: Which Should You Pick?
Pick Gili Trawangan if: You want to dive (best dive shops, most variety of courses), you want social nightlife, you want the most food and accommodation options.
Pick Gili Air if: You want a balance of food options, some nightlife, manageable crowds, easy for kids. Best all-rounder.
Pick Gili Meno if: You want quiet. Genuinely quiet. Honeymoon or solo trip to read and disconnect. The snorkeling is excellent and it is the only island with a salt lake (great for photos).
What It Actually Costs
A realistic budget for a 5-night Gili Islands trip from Singapore:
- Return flights Singapore-Bali: S$240-360 per person
- Fast boat Bali to Gili: S$40-60 per person one way
- Accommodation (mid-range, 5 nights): S$200-400 per person
- Food per day: S$15-30 per person (local warungs to resort restaurants)
- Snorkel gear rental: S$4-7 per day
- Total realistic all-in: S$500-800 per person, excluding diving
Is It Worth It from Singapore?
Yes, if you are going for the right reasons: snorkeling with sea turtles, genuinely car-free islands, diving, and switching off. No, if you want resort luxury, shopping, or a wide variety of restaurants. The Gili Islands are for outdoor water activities first. Everything else is secondary.
Just go with the right expectations and you will not be disappointed.
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