The Gili Islands is an archipelago consisting of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air located in the Lombok Strait north-west of Lombok, Indonesia. These unique islands serve as the primary tourist destination in Lombok, offering a distinctive combination of quiet retreat, tropical atmosphere, and booming resort-style entertainment.
Tourists interests in the Gili Islands are revolved around water sports, most notably scuba diving, snorkelling, boating, paddleboarding, and kitesurfing. White sand beaches abound, and the Turtle Sanctuary and Gili Meno Bird Park are important notable locations. Local, picturesque oceanfront cafes, party boats, and unlimited places to watch the sunset make the Gili Islands an attractive tropical paradise.
There is no motorised transport on the Gili Islands, and people get around by bicycle and unique horse-drawn carts called Cidomos. Flights from the Lombok International Airport route to the islands as well as public water ferries and speed boats.
The archipelago became a beacon on the public radar in the 1980s when it began to be frequented by backpacker tourists. The Gili Islands remain an active passage along the Banana Pancake Trail, one of many growing routes in Southeast Asia. Limited freshwater resources and previously damaged reef sections have awakened an eco-conscious movement on the island, resulting in the utilisation of more sustainable development methods.