Bangkok Thailand Place should to visiting: Gili Islands Updated

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedLow tardily afternoon Sun tree-shades Trawangan beach-goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as not-too-distant Gili Meno.

Last visited August/Sept 2011

The Gili islands are iii little coral cays a brusk distance off the due north due west corner of Lombok - G Air, G Meno as well as G Trawangan as yous perish away from the coast.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThe Gilis looking dorsum towards the mainland - Trawangan, Meno as well as and then Air. Rinjani volcano is at top left (image Lombok Travel)


goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedModified Google world icon of the Gilis. Bangsal is the primary access betoken from mainland Lombok.

I’ve visited the Gilis 4 times. If yous receive got read this page previously yous volition receive got noticed many updates - after the latest see it is fourth dimension for a re-write.

Over the years these islands receive got been pretty attractive for beach lovers, divers as well as snorkellers. They receive got been known for pretty expert beaches/snorkelling/diving, summation no motorcycles, cars - or dogs. This is nevertheless the case, although I personally holler upwardly Gili Trawangan has jumped the shark - dissimilar previous trips my latest see left me feeling its negatives outweighed positives.

Each isle is different inwards character. Meno is completely set back. Trawangan is political party isle as well as pretty commercial. Air is a expert compromise betwixt the 2 as well as having the biggest local population, gives some thought of local culture. Although I would non perish to the Gilis to experience Lombok culture.


GILI AIR
This is my personal favourite (despite the populace boat hassles which I item later), but shading Meno. The primary beach expanse towards the southward halt of the eastward coast is to a greater extent than attractive than Trawangan's as well as offers a bigger hit of accommodation, restaurants as well as other tourist related activities than Meno. If yous are interested inwards non-touristy isle life the hamlet hither is bigger as well as less impacted past times tourism (Air has the biggest local population of all 3) as well as the interior as well as western regions receive got to a greater extent than farming amongst quite large areas given to kokosnoot plantations as well as grazing (Air has the best local render of H2O of all iii - Air agency water). More H2O ussually agency less dust - but it looks similar dry out flavour 2011 has been really dry out -I've never noticed so much dust underfoot. This applies to all iii islands. If I was thinking of a snappy championship for a study on the Gilis I'd label it PARADISE IN DUSTLAND.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedI modified this Google world icon to exhibit the major points mentioned below. Click to expand icon if printing is also small.

Like the other 2 islands, the beach at Air goes correct some the coast. I walked it inwards nearly 2 hours (it's 4.7km) as well as receive got done the slightly shorter perimeter rail inwards a fleck over ninety minutes, bicycled it inwards nether twoscore amongst brief stops. There are soft sandy parts where yous must walk the bike.

The beach is attractive inwards most sections although fairly large sections are joined past times coral stone which is exposed at depression tide. However inwards a few areas, the sand extends considerable distances into the H2O - this is at its best towards the southern halt of the eastward coast, the expanse I label BEST BEACH.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedLike its counterpart at Trawangan, the nicest beach expanse on Air at nowadays has beach article of furniture provided costless if yous purchase some refreshments from the warungs whose sitting bales yous tin run across straight off behind. This is a existent overnice expanse to pass time. Those boats are 3-island snorkelling arts and crafts lay inwards for some eats as well as beach time. This is a 2009 shot - in that location was considerably to a greater extent than sand inwards 2011, fifty-fifty at total tide.
There is fairly expert coral as well as fish life nearly 25 thousand off the beach at as well as close where the reef drops off into deep water. The expanse straight off north of the warung swimming expanse has some of the best - human face for snorkelling trip boats tied upwardly to buoys at the reef driblet off.

H5N1 characteristic of all the "best" beach places I advert for each isle is that in that location is usually a electrical flow moving alongshore parallel to the beach - yous tin autumn into the water, snorkel out to the reef driblet off, float along amongst the electrical flow for every bit long every bit yous want, swim dorsum to shore, walk dorsum along the beach as well as repeat the practise if yous fancy. The perfect lazy person's way to snorkel.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedSame expanse every bit previous shot from the beachside warungs. The reef drop-off tin last seen where the H2O changes color close the most distant swimmers. The sandy expanse this side has quite a few fish swimming some for people who don't desire to enterprise out to the drop-off. About 50m left of photo, the reef comes closed to shore. The department correct off the sand has mainly dead stuff, but in that location is some okay coral as well as fishies a fleck farther out - a fair way before yous hit the drop-off.

This expanse has many other restaurants, some bars, shops, internet, a lot of accom over a broad toll hit as well as is less than fifteen minutes walk to the correct when yous larn off the boat. Or 4 minutes past times dokar aka cidomo - pony cart, which is the isle shape of taxi. No cars, motorcycles - but cidomos, bicycles or walking. No dogs.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedOur Sept 2011 accommodation was Sunrise Hotel which is on the due north boundary of the best beach expanse - a fleck far to lug bags from the harbour (some of the rail is hard soft sand for roller baggers). As common the cidomo driver's quote was way optimistic at 80k which I managed to larn downward to 50k - nevertheless also much for less than 700m.

SUNRISE HOTEL - I've stayed at Sunrise twice. The initiatory off see was dorsum inwards 2003 when the house was relatively novel as well as I managed to larn a Lumbung trend bungalow for a song.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThis is a to a greater extent than recent shot of the Lumbung bungalows at Sunrise. The house has moved upmarket a fair fleck as well as these definitely tally into the midrange.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedI usually prefer a different house when I revisit an island, but Sunrise was on our favourite web-booking site so for early on Sept 2011 I took the lazy option.
More inwards our flashpacker toll hit is this "deluxe" fan, mutual frigidity H2O (saltish - bore levels larn below sea-level towards the halt of dry out season) room, 1 of a duplex of to a greater extent than budget priced accommodation inwards the dorsum corner of the garden. This house was spacious, comfortable, quiet, had a large open-top bath as well as seemed pretty new. There was a overnice bale amongst hammocks inwards the garden across from the veranda. At $us45 including a basic but adequate brekka for 2 inwards high flavour (but non peak) it was non fabulous value, but the Gilis are getting expensive these days.
Biggest electrical charge was the sparse cinema of dust on the flooring which was non cleaned during our 2 24-hour interval stay. When nosotros pointed this out at the conclusion, the guy on reception explained had nosotros dropped off our room key when going out the room would receive got been cleaned. We would rather receive got this pointed out when nosotros checked IN, non OUT.


UPDATE - longtime Gilis as well as Lombok visitor FreoGirl told me she was booked at Sunrise Hotel during Ramadan 2011 which was a brusk fourth dimension before my visit. However the hotel had allow her room to somebody else. She had a hard fourth dimension finding accommodation elsewhere - evidently the isle was really crowded at this time. Freo said that eating spot service was really very dull the final few days of Ramadan as well as the next few days of Idul Fittri (the celebration when Muslims respite their fast) - evidently a lot of staff perish dorsum to the mainland to see relatives. Might last something to maintain inwards heed when booking a trip. In 2012 Ramadan is inwards July. Note the full general consensus is that inwards Lombok tourist areas operators don't allow Ramadan impact also much. It is solely the higher upwardly times when in that location may last an impact.
I've also read that from the start of July thru most of August 2011 it was really busy on Gili Air.

Sunrise has a really overnice beachside eating spot out front end amongst views of mainland Lombok as well as Rinjani extinct (dormant?) volcano when it isn't shrouded amongst clouds. Food as well as drinkable prices are really competitive - they receive got to be; in that location is a bunch of similar places within a brusk distance.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedImmediately due north of the restaurant, Sunrise has a strip of bales (sitting platforms) amongst cushions as well as little tables which are ideal for grabbing a snack or drinkable as well as watching the passing parade or enjoying a mass etc. What's the bet trim, taut, toned as well as terrific book-bloke is long-sighted?

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands Updated Boats inwards background are daytrip snorkelling boats checking 1 of the ameliorate snorkelling spots. Most of these are from the good-value GLASS BOTTOM DAYTRIP BOATS which do one-half a dozen of the best snorkelling spots on all iii islands as well as also lay inwards for some beach time/eats-time somewhere (differing on which isle the daytrip originates from). I did 1 of these daytrips a few years agone (origin Trawangan) - saw quite a few turtles on the Meno Banks on the due north side of that isle as well as lay inwards hither at Air for some lunch.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThe southern one-half of the eastward coast at nowadays has a to a greater extent than or less continuous strip of resorts as well as related places, but the atmosphere is way to a greater extent than relaxed than the similar expanse on Trawangan. Along the northern one-half the evolution becomes a mixture of resorts/restaurants as well as rural lots given to cattle, signs for accommodation, eats, fifty-fifty yoga upwardly lanes leading inland. Above is a nicely landscaped department of warungs towards the due north of the eastward coast.

The due north coast of Air is attracting novel accommodation, but similar the other 2 islands is solely partly developed as well as pretty set back. Most of the places are higher upwardly budget level.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedPost-sunset stance from the north-west of Air attracts people from all some the island. Gili Meno is closest background. The depression loma left background is Trawangan Hill. And the mount is Bali's Agung volcano.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedPre-sunrise is okay also - hither is Lombok's Rinjani Mountain from Sunrise Hotel's beachside bales.

The due west coast is largely unsettled amongst solely a few places to stay. What nosotros receive got hither is a fair fleck of cattle grazing on light-green fields which contrast markedly amongst the drier neighbouring islands, interspersed amongst kokosnoot plantations. The beach is pretty expert but the reef joins the sand hither as well as goes to pools of H2O as well as exposed stone at depression tide. The drop-off into deeper H2O is solely nearly 20m out as well as is worked over pretty intensively past times dive boats as well as snorkelling trip arts and crafts from all iii islands. Air has several dive outfits.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThe southward of the isle is dominated past times the harbour. Air has the biggest expanse of reef-protected anchorage as well as attracts the lion's part of cruising boats. The populace boat pier expanse which is also the arrival betoken of the fast boats from Bali is out of shot correct of frame. Laneways atomic number 82 away from the harbour into the hamlet behind those trees. Most of these perish along into the isle all the way to the due north coast. Intersecting lanes accept yous to both the eastward as well as due west coasts. Some of Air's ameliorate value accommodation tin last flora along these lanes, usually within a hundred metres of the coast. Some coastal accommodation tin last flora closed to the harbour area, peculiarly out of frame to the left (west).

On a see inwards 2009 I wanted somewhere nearer the harbour as well as got me a $11 room including breakfast as well as aircon inwards this close due west expanse the at tiny Hotel Gili Indah. This was a pretty reasonable house which also had 2 fan bungalows amongst overnice sea as well as mainland views inwards front end for some the same price. Next door was the rather flash Hotel Villa Karang amongst a overnice puddle as well as some expert looking bungalows which were existence discounted fairly fiercely inwards what was shoulder season. This expanse is less than fifteen minutes walk from the best beach expanse at the southward halt of the eastward coast.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedMy 2nd row room was 1 of a duplex at Hotel Gili Indah.

MONEY - inwards Sept 2011 in that location was no ATM on Air. However the money changer a really brusk distance eastward of the populace boat pier seemed to last offering really expert rates - much ameliorate than elsewhere on the isle (several places on the eastward coast alter money) as well as the other islands.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedUPDATE - early December 2011. I was reading Camill'es Samui (Thailand) weather condition blog (Camille was doing a fleck of off flavour dive manufacture materials inwards the Gilis) as well as he showed a pic of an ATM nether construction/nearly finished on Air. Camille said it's inwards the harbour area.

PUBLIC BOAT HASSLES - nosotros had difficulty inwards trying to access Bangsal past times populace boat at the halt of our latest trip. The guy inwards the ticket component subdivision said nosotros would receive got to hold back for some fourth dimension until xx passengers were available but that nosotros could charter a boat for 300k rp (public boat tickets 8k).
five minutes after he told us this, a total boat left from 40m downward the beach - he reckons it was a charter. Sure, a charter total of locals.
We hung some for xxx minutes - a local lady said nosotros could perish on "her" boat if nosotros paid 20k each. As before long every bit nosotros got on a hoard of locals appeared from nowhere as well as jumped on also - of course of study this was the next populace boat, but they were determined that the westerners pay more.
Okay, 28k aint much as well as way ameliorate than 300k, but the regulation rankles. This is the sort of crap which turns some people off visiting - certainly Lady Tezza volition non return. And no incertitude such nonsense has contributed to the high patronage of the fast boats from Bali.

My proposition if yous are isle wanting to rest on multi-islands as well as and then going to the mainland is to see Air initiatory off as well as and then role the Island Hopping Boat to outpouring to the other islands. This boat has a fixed fourth dimension of divergence as well as every bit far every bit nosotros could run across had no toll surprises. Trawangan to Lembar populace boats larn to a greater extent than tourists as well as for some argue to a greater extent than local passengers, so go out to a greater extent than oft as well as from what nosotros could run across when there, tourists seemed to last having few hassles getting a boat.
BTW few westerners nosotros saw were going dorsum to Bangsal from Air. About a one-half dozen downward at the harbour when nosotros left were waiting some for the fast boats dorsum to Bali.
Check the warnings nearly Bangsal inwards the GETTING TO THE GILIS department towards the halt of this page if yous are going thru there. The house seemed ameliorate to me, but non a whole lot according to people I spoke to on the islands this latest trip.

Interestingly frequent visitor FreoGirl told me she had no work getting a populace boat during Ramadan - lots of locals leaving the isle at that time.

Other Snorkelling Spots on Air.
As I've said, the fringing reef at primary beach is non also bad. I've been told some other expert eastward side snorkelling spot is inwards front end of Restaurant Santaii as well as that off the due west coast is also pretty good.


GILI MENO
If yous desire a relaxing beach vacation amongst a fleck of expert snorkelling or diving, this is the place. Meno is the smallest island, has the lowest local population as well as the fewest accommodation places/restaurants. Nevertheless in that location are places to adapt most budgets as well as finding a vacancy online was no work inwards tardily August/early Sept 2011, whereas Trawangan online was pretty much booked out a few weeks beforehand.
You tin walk correct some the isle past times the beach or the coastal path - the latter is 3.9km long. Once over again sandy patches makes walking a bike a must inwards some parts.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedAnother modified Google world image. The lake below the distance describe is non a tourist attraction - evidently it's pretty saline as well as swampy. However to me, mozzies receive got never seemed worse on Meno than the other islands - as well as are non a large work inwards mid-late dry out season.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedApproaching the island. Water is pretty clear at Meno. Pictured is "downtown" Meno, which mainly consists of my favourite Rust beachside restaurant/bales, a few shops as well as cyberspace across the coastal lane behind as well as some other restaurants which set upwardly similar BBQ dinners to Rust. The incoming boats nation at the populace ticket component subdivision beach nearly 50m to the right. There is a pier which seems unused nearly 200m due north of the office.
The beach is non also bad hither but improves every bit yous motion southward (left of shot). There is plenty of beachside accommodation each side of pic as well as a bunch of cheapies a brusk distance upwardly a laneway straight off to the southward of Rust.


goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedBest beach area is correct on the south-east corner of the island, nearly 500m from the boat landing place. I charge per unit of measurement this the best beach expanse inwards all he Gilis - white sand, a fleck of broken coral, some expert tree-shade dorsum of beach. Like Air, yous tin wade into the H2O as well as swim out to the reef drop-off where the coral as well as fish are pretty good. I flora these improved a fair fleck heading due north (towards the camera) As yous tin run across it is non just crowded, but that's Meno. Unlike the other 2 islands in that location is really piffling beach evolution at the best beach expanse - 1 little bar behind the trees as well as a budget/flashpacker bungalow house behind the department of beach at the far halt of shot - Birumeno. Both were novel to me from my previous visit.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedBirumeno looked pretty sweetness to me. We are talking nearly 750m from the boat landing expanse here.

If yous desire a pretty overnice house closer to the boats (450m), Kontiki may last the one. It overlooks the department of beach straight off due north of Best Beach as well as has a broad selection of accommodation from budget into what looks similar flash/flashpacker or maybe lower midrange. Gazebo (midrange) as well as Malia's Child (budget/flashpacker) are 2 other overnice looking places straight off due north of Kontiki.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedOur budget fan hut as well as neighbours at Kontiki - tardily August/early Sept 2011. Spacious, comfortable, overnice bed, expert bath amongst fresh water. Good sized balcony amongst a tap at the steps for sandy/dusty feet. The articulation has nearly xx bungalows scattered thru a reasonably overnice garden expanse (considering the dryness of the isle this trip) of diverse types including some pretty cute 2 storey aircon jobs. The eating spot was upwardly front end amongst overnice views over the beach as well as towards Gili Air as well as the mainland. Food was okay as well as reasonably priced past times my budget articulation standards - but service was dull apart from brekka where the hired assist rather than describe solid unit of measurement staff were pretty slick. The inclusive breakfast was basic but adequate unless yous are a fang-merchant.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThis is the Kontiki beach expanse across the coastal rail from the restaurant. Sunlounges costless to guests. The sand hither is pretty overnice as well as continues a fair way into the H2O at depression tide - coral as well as fish on the reef drop-off were a fleck ameliorate than off Best Beach IMHO. Once again, drift snorkelling amongst the tidal electrical flow is the perish all along this south-east department of the coast.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedAnother stance of the beach next Kontiki - this fourth dimension panning left from the previous shot. Boats are non a permanent characteristic - having but dropped some people off from a daytrip.

Pushing past times Kontiki, Best Beach as well as Birumeno gets yous to the due west coast area. Like the other 2 islands in that location is to the lowest degree evolution here, peculiarly since Bounty resort closed downward (a tempest destroyed their pier which used to accept the large fast Bounty cruiser which came upwardly from southward Bali via Nusa Lembongan - the resort lost heaps of patronage).

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedBounty, a fine looking house when I initiatory off visited Meno, looks pretty distressing these days.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThere is piffling incorrect amongst the sand on the due west coast but the reef stone comes closed to shore. However this agency snorkelling opportunities but off the sand at high tide, some overnice pools to sit down every bit the H2O drops as well as expert fossicking at depression tide. Coral closed to shore agency to a greater extent than coral debris on the sand than at Best Beach.
Those are snorkelling as well as dive boats inwards the background.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThe north-west coast of Meno has a little cluster of overnice resorts as well as beach warungs - existent neat for viewing sunset which is approaching inwards this shot - therefore nearly the biggest cluster of people yous volition notice inwards whatsoever 1 spot away from the boat landing area.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedYou may receive got gathered I'm a sucker for sunsets - as well as so I paused for a feet-up beer or four. This is where my approximate to Lady T - "I'm going for a quick lap of the island, last dorsum inwards an hour" - tends to blow out. So shoot me.

The due north coast has a few places to rest - similar the other islands this is where yous tin notice some of the newer to a greater extent than upmarket places.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedMoving on sees us dorsum on the eastward coast, where in that location are a few bungalow places along the northern one-half including Blue Coral here (actually Blue Coral is truly on the due north eastward curvature of the island). I stayed at this house on my 2003 visit, $6 no brekka - overnice people, expert traditional bungalows across from an average beach (a lot or stone coral correct off the sand), but the eating spot was mediocre as well as it was a fleck of a slog downward to the overnice beach/multi eating spot expanse inwards the south-east. The final holds truthful inwards 2011 but the house itself looks to receive got been pretty heavily upgraded.

Development is intermittent until yous approach the pier/boat landing area. There is a coastal trackside warung close the pier where all sorts of long-term type travellers tended to congregate tardily afternoons.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedSouth of the pier nosotros are dorsum inwards the territory of Rust restaurant/bales - 1 of those places where yous tin dine over H2O at high tide. On my initiatory off see solely the bales existed. Prices were amazingly low, as well as they ran 2 menus, 1 for people staying on Meno as well as a to a greater extent than expensive 1 for daytrippers from the other islands as well as Senggigi. These days in that location seems to last 1 menu, but the prices are nevertheless really reasonable as well as the grub pretty good. There are a twosome of nearby competing restaurants - all of them plough on a seafood BBQ inwards the evenings. Rust has quite a large full general store on the opposite side of the track.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedIf yous are looking for a bottom-budget house to stay, accept the lane to the correct leading inland but southward of Rust. As the signs show, in that location is a bunch of places upwardly there. On an early on trip I stayed at a house called Pondok Wisata a brusk distance inland - associated amongst Rust. This house is non on the signs higher upwardly as well as when I walked upwardly latest trip things seemed really different. There has been a fair fleck of development.

GETTING AROUND
Once over again it's cidomo or bike if yous are non prepared to walk. Like the other islands, the cidomo mafia quoted outrageous prices latest trip - similar 70k to accept us from the boat arrival expanse to Kontiki, a trip of less than 500m. And the bloke was non prepared to come upwardly down. So nosotros walked - over one-half the trip is paved where nosotros could curl our bags.
To endeavour to larn some perspective on cidomo prices on arrival at the islands, I before went into a bungalow house on the due north halt of Trawangan posing every bit a prospective client next twelvemonth as well as asked the toll of a cidomo downward to Sentral, 1 of the longest trips yous tin do inwards the Gilis at over 2.5km. The quote was 70k. I figured the bungalow owners would non pad the toll terms for prospective customers.

MONEY
No ATMS or banks. Several places volition alter money, but the rates were non really good.

OTHER SNORKELLING SPOTS ON MENO - apart from the afore mentioned fringing reef off Best Beach as well as t0 the due north inwards front end of Kontiki as well as neighbours I've visited the Meno Banks off the due north coast on the budget iii isle snorkelling trip - saw some turtles etc. I'm non sure how piece of cake these areas but off the coast are to access from the shore. I do recommend the drinking glass bottom snorkelling trips, available from all iii islands.


GILI TRAWANGAN

I've ever liked Trawangan. Sure it's been busy as well as crowded but the preponderance of backpackers as well as divers gave the house a pretty overnice atmosphere.
But I came away inwards 2011 thinking it has gone also far. It is way to a greater extent than developed than inwards 2009 as well as seems to receive got perish the in-spot for midrange tourists visiting Bali to larn their gustation of Lombok - this is the solely spot inwards a nine house whistle-stop tour of Bali as well as Lombok where online bookings were hard to notice for tardily August/early Sept*. Note I receive got null against midrange tourists - but add together them to the other visitors as well as things are getting hectic. There are at nowadays also many people, cidomos, bicycles as well as Indo blow-ins after a fast buck. The carry mafia as well as (British) dive cartel run unchecked. Accommodation prices run 20-50% higher than similar places on Bali. The articulation to me is gaining the same atmosphere every bit Kuta Bali did inwards the 80s.
Although Kuta Bali inwards the 80s wasn't peculiarly DUSTY - Trawangan inwards 2011 was. This is despite the paving of the primary coastal path from boat-arrival to Sentral inwards 2009 - it seems to me that until the lanes leading off this upwardly into the hamlet are all paved, moisture flavour is going to launder mud as well as dirt downward onto the pavement where it turns to dust inwards dry out flavour as well as is stirred upwardly past times the passing hordes.
Noise tin last a work - Trawangan is known every bit the political party isle as well as if your accommodation is closed to a venue, peculiarly the rotating DJ party, yous could receive got loud thump thump thump until 4am. Not to advert sporadic outbreaks of fire-crackers.
I heard before inwards 2011 that the parties had been organised to characteristic a different location every 2nd black - Mondays at the Blue Marlin Dive Club, Wednesdays at Tir na Nog Murphy's Irish Gaelic Pub as well as Fridays at Rudy's.
The Irish Gaelic Pub seemed to run 2 consecutive nights spell nosotros were in that location although the 2nd black was non every bit noisy.
* Online bookings were hard to notice but in that location were nevertheless vacancy signs on arrival. So it seems high flavour 2011 was non every bit busy every bit inwards the previous few years when in that location were reports of people sleeping on the beach at Trawangan. Looks similar the farcical circus past times bozo Euoropean as well as U.S. of America financial/economic officials/politicians was biting inwards 2011.

But hey, the higher upwardly rant is but my take. I reckon ragers who desire a tropical isle amongst somewhere to political party amongst expert dive opportunities as well as a reasonable beach volition consider Trawangan fits the nib existent well. Others volition notice Meno as well as Air do their tropical escape better.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands Updated
BEST BEACH AREA

Once over again nosotros are looking at the eastward coast - but farther due north than the other 2 islands, nearly one-half way up, some 400m due north of the boat arrival expanse as well as 800m from "downtown" known every bit Sentral. In this expanse sand runs into the H2O for a expert 25m as well as in that location is deep H2O at all tide levels.
The fringing reef is solely nearly 25m off the beach as well as is expert for drift snorkelling - but inwards 2011 I flora that the coral on the driblet off which had previously been every bit expert every bit at Meno as well as Air had been inundated amongst falling sand which seems to receive got drifted from nearer the beach,. Meaning the coral as well as fishies were nowhere close every bit expert every bit previous years or that at Meno as well as Air.
There's quite a lot of trees inwards dorsum of the beach for expert shade, peculiarly every bit the 24-hour interval moves on.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThis May 09 shot shows the primary beach area. The beach chairs were novel from my previous visit, but non every bit bad every bit appears - they were provided costless past times the restaurants as well as bars along the beach route provided yous purchase some nutrient or drinkable (and they didn't seem to last sticklers for insisting on this). It seems sand lineament inwards this expanse inwards the past times has been adversely affected past times dust from the unpaved beach route as well as crowds began to driblet off inwards favour of overnice areas farther due north - the beach article of furniture has certainly attracted people back. The beach route was concreted inwards 2008 according to locals. There is a heap of restaurants along the beach strip (and plenty of other accommodation).

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedMuch the same expanse inwards August 2011. Maybe the tide is a fleck lower, or the beach has reformed from tempest erosion prior the 2009 pic (which was before long after moisture season). Note much of the beach article of furniture is gone - in that location is nevertheless a fleck out of shot dorsum of beach closest the beach warungs.
Looks similar the beach article of furniture experiment did non accomplish dividends warranting the replacement of materials when it wore out. Or maybe every bit tourism increased on Trawangan there's been plenty people to maintain both this expanse as well as places farther due north sufficiently busy for traders.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedAnother Best Beach shot - this 1 from a fleck farther southward as well as every bit the shadows show, afterward inwards the day.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedNew to me since 2009 - this impressive beachside construction but due north of Best Beach area. Turned out to last a turtle conservation house amongst hatchlings inwards tanks. Gili Meno had a to a greater extent than minor version but due north of Kontiki. I didn't notice 1 on Air.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedNorthern department of the eastward coast. In the early on noughties this expanse was mainly bare beach amongst discontinuous resort evolution the other side of the beach track. In 2011 evolution goes virtually all the way upwardly the eastward coast as well as the higher upwardly is typical of the beach expanse - lots of resort/warung Sun lounges as well as plenty of warungs as well as bars on the beach side of the track. In other words a continuation of the sort of evolution from Sentral to Main beach area. Plenty of attractive novel accommodation along hither - a lot of it pushing into the midrange.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedLooks similar the Swedish non-kini squad doesn't rest at the eastward coast's Dream Village over again next visit.

IMAGE REMOVED ON DIRECTION OF GOOGLE. GOOD GRIEF, WHAT SORT OF WORLD DO WE LIVE IN WHEN READER WOWSERS CAN DICTATE WHAT WE POST AND VIEW?

Can't holler upwardly why they aren't welcome.

The final 200m of the eastward coast is to a greater extent than lightly developed. If yous are thinking of booking 1 of the handful of resorts here, last aware that in that location is a mightiness flora generator inwards this area. This would non last a work for north-coast properties.

THE NORTH COAST

Like the other 2 islands the beach as well as coastal rail goes correct some the island. Distance is slightly to a greater extent than than Air at 4.9km so in 1 trial over again yous are looking at a leisurely walk of 120 or so minutes via the sand, less on the track. And if yous cycle, in 1 trial over again soft sand makes walking your pushie a must inwards parts - on Trawangan for maybe 25% of the journey.
The due north coast is in all probability the most attractive expanse on Trawangan. There are sections where the reef stone does non come upwardly correct into the beach (or sand has been pumped to comprehend the rock), as well as quite a few resorts, mainly midrange or better, receive got set upwardly here. However they are non cheek past times jowl as well as the atmosphere is relaxed. The biggest work is distance from the boat expanse as well as Sentral - the latter was 70k (2011) on a Cidomo if called past times the northern resorts - but who knows what the drivers would desire at the other end.
There are a few overnice beachside warungs upwardly here.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedRight on the north-east corner of Trawangan is this rather attractive beachside warung. Meno inwards background.

THE WEST COAST.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedMay 09 shot of department of the due west coast from Trawangan Hill. Note the triangle of Bali's Agung volcano on left horizon.

Despite the Bali views as well as neat sunsets this is the to the lowest degree developed component subdivision of the island. The beach is overnice enough, but the coral stone comes correct to the beach as well as much is exposed at lower tide levels. On the inland side of the coastal path conditions seem pretty dry. Nevertheless evolution is taking house here, amongst some overnice novel resorts as well as signs upwardly for villa developments/ a few nether construction. I reckon one-half the villas volition last owned past times the cidomo mafia. The other one-half past times the dive store cartel/Bangsal porter cabal.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedNew since 2009 - the Ombak Sunset Resort. I'm thinking this is in all probability a novel branch of the really overnice Villa Ombak at the southward halt of Sentral which is Trawangan's oldest upmarket resort.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedSeemingly closed since 2009 - the good regarded Sunset Bungalows on the south-west coast. This is a May 2009 shot - inwards 2011 the bungalows looked pretty sad, the grounds overgrown as well as the sign virtually unreadable. Some bungalows appeared occupied - past times locals? Seems a compassion that budget travellers are non prepared to walk the 10-15 minutes from Sentral, peculiarly inwards these days of people sleeping on the beach on arrival.
But it has happened before - a piffling farther southward is a neat cheapy I stayed at inwards 2003, Bintang Bungalows. It was closed downward past times my 2009 see every bit nevertheless this appeared the example inwards 2011 when I passed by. But appearances tin last deceptive: I flora a review of Bintang on Trip Advisor from someone who stayed in that location inwards August 2011. Maybe they closed downward before I hitting the house at the really halt of August - maybe they went abode on Lombok for the halt of Ramadan into Idul Fittri.

Unexpectedly nearly 500m of the sandy coast rail betwixt Bintang and Sunset has been paved - including a separate footpath as well as set of steps which start the climb upwardly Trawangan Hill inwards the expanse straight off on the Sentral side of Sunset. The give-and-take is an Italian planned to start a flash bar along hither as well as maybe a resort afterward - the bar construction is there. But maybe he ran out of money - or local goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands Updatedinfluence.

TRAWANGAN HILL is the highest betoken on the island. It tin last accessed from the set of stairs close Sunset mentioned higher upwardly as well as evidently from some points inwards the hamlet interior. It's mainly dry out scrubby grazing nation upwardly top. You tin larn views over the whole isle but I flora it frustrating inwards that in that location was no betoken where I could larn a clear, expansive shot of the village, south, due north or eastward coasts. The best vantage is the due west coast outlook every bit per pic upwardly page.

THE SOUTH COAST - Trawangan comes to a shallow v inwards the south, so that nosotros truly receive got the south-west coast as well as the south-east coast. I've already mentioned the demise of Sunset as well as Bintang bungalows on the former, but in that location are a few novel places as well as a sunset bar or 2 along here. The south-east coast is experiencing an extension of Sentral amongst some novel properties inwards the flashpacker/midrange, but inwards 2011 was nevertheless a pretty relaxed place. The beach southward of Sentral is pretty overnice as well as seemed to attract those long fourth dimension isle stayers.

SENTRAL
Towards the bottom of the eastward coast proper, Sentral is a concentration of restaurants, bars, shops, resorts etc as well as tin last considered downtown Trawangan. It is 1 of those places which seem hot as well as dusty during the daytime but are pretty overnice when all the lights come upwardly on as well as people congregate at night. You tin grab a painting at a bar or hear to alive music at a restaurant. Once over again a few places hither host DJ parties during the week, so if yous rest inwards this expanse yous could receive got to fighting amongst some early on morning* WHOMPA WHOMPA.

*a pedant may fighting 4am is getting closer to mid-morning.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands Updated
Part of Sentral. Some of the restaurants on the left receive got pretty overnice views of the sea as well as mainland Lombok. Pretty lights at night.

THE VILLAGE
If yous accept 1 of the lanes leading inland from key or anywhere upwardly the eastward coast to Best Beach yous volition notice yourself inwards the village. Of involvement to most travellers is that in that location is a expert selection of accommodation here, ranging from bottom budget into flashpacker. As the beach as well as Sentral are never to a greater extent than than a few minutes walk, hamlet accommodation has no disadvantage.

GETTING AROUND
Once over again it's bicycles, cidomos or shanks pony.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedCidomo enters Sentral from the west. I'm so used to these dudes overcharging I rolled my handbag from the boat harbour to Beach House latest trip. I asked Beach House how much for render - 50k! For 500m - my local cabbie could do this distance for less as well as he has a $us40 grand vehicle summation horrendous route taxation as well as vehicle + populace liability insurances.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedI receive got never seen close so many people bicycling on before trips. Once again, human face to last squeezed. 70k a day. H5N1 calendar week afterward inwards Kuta Lombok I got a motrocycle for 50k. The same volition cost yous 35k inwards Kuta Bali, a bike 20-25k tops.

DIVING - Trawangan seems to receive got one-half a dozen dive outfits. People I talked to suggested they are owned or dominated past times a British dive cartel as well as that prices were fixed as well as equal - higher upwardly non-Gili locations. They agreed the dive sites are pretty good.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedJust nearly whatsoever fourth dimension yous human face in that location is a dive boat coming into or setting off from Trawangan - hither Dream Divers at the beach inwards front end of Sentral.

Other snorkelling on Trawangan - I'm told the expanse inwards front end of the electicity generator inwards the due north eastward is pretty expert every bit it is furthr due north inwards front end of Gracia/karma kayak. Close to town the expanse inwards front end of the dive shops as well as villa Ombak is also pretty expert but beware of boat traffic.


ACCOMMODATION
There is such a huge hit of accommodation on Trawangan that I'll go out picking a house to your research. I tin solely comment on the places I've stayed:

On my earliest trip I hopped off the boat from Bangsal as well as walked a brusk distance due north where I flora Ozzy's. It had neat large tiled rooms as well as a overnice balcony for $8 including brekka. Very overnice as well as expert value at that time. The room was so large in that location was some other double mattress leaning against the wall as well as fifty-fifty amongst this on the flooring in that location would nevertheless last plenty of room to motion around. So those wanting iii or 4 to part a room could give this house a look. It is solely nearly five minutes walk to the due north off the boat as well as is truly nearly 100m due north of the "in" beach as well as snorkel spot, although I thought the beach as well as reef driblet off next Ozzy's were nicer.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThis is a May09 shot of the Ozzy's block of rooms I stayed at on my early on visit. But the house has moved considerably upmarket - these rooms were at nowadays 200k (still fan but no incertitude flashed upwardly within every bit much every bit these balconies) as well as in that location were some novel as well as really attractive A-frame aircon bungalows out front end for 350.
I asked over again inwards 2011 as well as the aircon jobs had gone to 450 plus. There were similar novel bungalows inwards the back. I dunno, that's getting a fleck expensive. But the Gilis are expensive, peculiarly Trawangan. ph (0370) 648528
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What sort of a house tin yous larn arriving mutual frigidity as well as taking the initiatory off accommodation offered past times a tout on the beach?
Well, inwards the example of Melati Homestay, non bright but adequate.
On my 2009 visit, Perama’s dull boat from Padangbai inwards Bali had engine problem pregnant it was but on black when I hitting the beach. I knew a twosome of overnice distant lodgings from previous trips but was inwards no mood to hike there. So when a local guy waiting on the beach told me he had a overnice room 2 minutes away, I decided to accept a look.
POSITION. Melati Homestay is 15m upwardly 1 of the little alleys off the primary some isle coastal rail opposite the boat landing expanse - accept the alley almost opposite the populace boat ticket- component subdivision - in that location is a MELATI SIGN on the corner amongst several others. This is a really handy location - iii minutes southward of the best beach area, five minutes due north of SENTRAL as well as surrounded past times a host of restaurants, dive shops as well as other tourist orientated businesses along the primary coastal track. Pretty serenity at black - some really distant thumping of a base of operations speaker, the telephone telephone to prayers at the mosque behind BEST BEACH before sunrise as well as a busy community centre across the alley which kicked inwards after 6am.
THE ROOM. In a block of nearly 6. Spacious amongst plenty of room for 2 summation gear. Concrete interior walls, tiled floors, looking a fleck used. Big Rex sized bed, soft slightly saggy but comfy mattress, overnice pillows. 2 fans, lights a fleck poor. Okay clothes storage, a dressing table, no hooks, no shelves. Big bathroom, western toilet, expert H2O pressure level (water pretty salty), no basin/soap/toilet paper. Mirror inwards primary room, non bath which is a bummer for shaving.
Spacious veranda amongst seats/table, clothes hanging line.
STAFF. Very friendly guys amongst a can-do attitude. One fan stopped working - sealed non-repairable type. Stops working, yous throw it away. Not inwards Lombok - guy said it needed oil, unsealed it amongst a screwdriver, added some oil, reassembled it. Worked a charm.
Gets ameliorate - I noticed H2O leaking from shower connectedness pipe, so I figured the piffling tap in that location needed tightening. The whole plumbing equipment broke off inwards my hand! The salty H2O had corroded the metal. Water shooting across bath from broken plumbing equipment as well as hitting opposite wall. Guy takes five minutes to plough H2O off as well as them comes inwards amongst an a pair of pliers! No pipage wrench which is the minimum I would demand amongst a chore similar this. Replaces plumbing equipment amongst a create novel 1 inwards 2 minutes flat. Where did he larn a novel plumbing equipment at 9pm? Even had some of that special thread-sealing record plumbers use. I got the impression corroded fittings are non a surprise on Trawangan.
These blokes remind me of my dad’s generation who could create anything. Had to, they had every bit piffling money every bit the average Indonesian now.
VALUE. I’m non existent sure. In 2009 125k including breakfast was a fair fleck to a greater extent than than I’d been paying for ameliorate rooms dorsum inwards Bali, but I’d seen a few posts maxim how honey Gili prices had become. Anyway, 125 is nevertheless a grapple past times western standards.
Brekka was basic - coffee/tea summation choice of sandwich/pancake/jaffle. But the jaffles were tasty, as well as I do relish that sludgy Bali/Lombok coffee. Phone 0370/642352
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On the latest tardily August 2011 trip I had Lady Tezza amongst me so went a fleck upmarket. As mentioned the booking sites were pretty maxxed out, but nosotros managed to notice a room inwards our not-too-high toll hit at Beach House, which is inwards Sentral, nearly two-thirds along the strip from the boat harbour end. This articulation has some really flash options including puddle villas, but their "Tree Houses" inwards the dorsum garden were to a greater extent than flashpacker standard.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedNot built upwardly trees or on high stilts - the most that tin last said of these were that they were nether some trees inwards a little garden chemical compound upwardly the dorsum of Beach House's property.
Fan, hot (fresh) water, TV+DVD, room safe, but plenty room for 2 as well as gear, huge comfy bed, expert net. Must receive got been existent cute when create novel - at nowadays starting to larn a fleck worn some the edges. That of import tap at the steps. Service was good. Quiet although when the DJ political party started upwardly at Murphy's Irish Gaelic Pub out on the primary strip next door the thumpa thumpa got a fleck intrusive tardily inwards proceedings. Did I advert the fire-crackers?
Murphy's is component subdivision of Tir Na Nog resort, so that may last a house to give the large immature adult woman if yous don't desire noise.
Notwithstanding - at 420k including a expert semi-buffet brekka as well as a existent overnice pool, our room at Beach House was pretty expert value for Trawangan.


goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedA puddle inwards the ticker of Sentral! H5N1 visitor from early on days would non believe it - at nowadays in that location are several. Towel service, bar to left. In dorsum of shot yous tin run across the roof of the Beach House eating spot which is beachfront on the opposite side of the primary pathway thru Sentral, amongst neat body of body of water as well as mainland Lombok views. Food hither was pretty good, maybe 20% to a greater extent than expensive than budget restaurants. Tended to larn absolutely packed at dinner fourth dimension as well as the house tin spot good over a hundred people - I holler upwardly the seafood BBQ is pretty popular.

MONEY
In tardily August 2011 in that location were five ATMs on Trawangan - 2 roadside at Villa Ombak due west halt of Sentral as well as iii inwards the Best Beach area. No banks yet every bit far every bit I could see. Money tin last changed inwards many places - rates are pretty poor.


MOVING BETWEEN ISLANDS

The best way is to role the ISLAND HOPPING SHUTTLE BOATS which perish isle to isle for some 20k (2011). They tend to run Air-Meno-Trawangan in 1 trial inwards the mornings as well as opposite afternoons which allows yous to daytrip every bit good every bit shifting accommodation. Buy your ticket at the boat ticket offices on each isle - other venues volition sell them but oft for far to a greater extent than rupiah.
You tin also hire shuttles if the isle hopping boat times don't adapt - I saw a toll Meno to Trawangan at the Meno ticket office: 170k.


WHEN TO GO

Best fourth dimension is inwards dry out flavour which runs roughly from the halt of March into October. Peak flavour tends to coincide amongst the northern hemisphere summertime holidays - so if yous desire to avoid crowds, July as well as August may non last best. There is a 2nd peak some Christmas-New Year which suggests moisture flavour isn't also bad hither - the Gilis tend to last drier than mainland Lombok which inwards plough tends to last drier than Bali.
The before comments nearly lack of hotel as well as eating spot staff during the final few days of Ramadan as well as the next Idul Fittri may last worth taking into concern human relationship - Ramadan is inwards July inwards 2012.

GETTING TO THE GILIS
goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedMajor places listed below. Labuhan Lombok is the arrival betoken for the large passenger/vehicle ferries from Sumbawa as well as farther east. Most people create it on large coaches which perish correct thru to Mataram.

FLYING - until Oct 2011 yous tin wing into Selaparang Airport inwards due north Mataram from Bali (many flights), Java, Sumbawa, Flores as well as several other domestic locations. Check websites for Garuda, Lion Air, Merpati, Trans Nusa, Batavia Air. International flights come upwardly from Singapore as well as KL - Silk Air, Garuda, Merpati.
Travel fourth dimension to Bangsal for the Gilis from Selaparang should last less than an hr - maybe 150k past times aerodrome taxi.

Some fourth dimension inwards Oct the novel Bandaraya International Airport in southward Lombok volition opened upwardly as well as all flights, domestic as well as international, volition transfer to there. This volition add together the best component subdivision of an hr to Bangsal (maybe to a greater extent than if the traffic inwards Mataram is bad) - I'm thinking 250k would last a reasonable taxi toll but maybe 1 of yous guys could give feedback on this.

FROM MAINLAND LOMBOK - Bangsal is the primary divergence point. From hither yous tin grab a populace ferry which is an oversized outrigger or similar for a minimal sum. Most of these run pretty regularly until some 1600-1630 although yous may receive got to hold back a spell until in that location are sufficient passengers. Otherwise yous tin charter a boat at a greatly increased cost (to larn some thought - Sept 2011 sign on Gili Meno populace boat component subdivision offered populace boat prices of 10k, charter to Bangsal 175k - 320k return).
Bangsal has a bad reputation for hassle. It is a fleck hectic but no existent work if yous are forewarned. It is solely a 400m trip from the carpark where taxis as well as buses driblet you, to the boat - easily walked if your luggage is non huge. Otherwise cidomos volition accept yous but I receive got no thought what the going toll is - I would non pay to a greater extent than than 5000 per person. Always handgrip on the toll initiatory off or yous volition last asked a fortune.
Don't purchase boat tickets off anyone inwards the carpark or on the way downward the road, as well as rest away from the eating spot across the route from the carpark where they volition endeavour to sell yous one-half of Gili Trawangan as well as a RTW ticket for $25 all up. For some other $2 they volition throw inwards a black amongst Miss Indonesia.
Don't believe their stories of no render tickets from the islands,/all the populace boats receive got left/can't larn sunscreen etc on the islands.
Go to the boat ticket component subdivision correct on the beach to the left - a whitish edifice abt 20m from the water. Public boat as well as charter prices are listed on the wall.
Don't allow a porter to grab your heavy handbag from the cidomo or from the boat on render until yous create a toll - in 1 trial over again I would non pay to a greater extent than than 5000. Porters receive got been known to grab bags in/outside the ticket component subdivision when owners are non looking as well as charge them onto a boat - the boat volition non allow yous on board until yous pay some exhorbitant fee to the porter (everyone is into fleece the tourist). Porters volition outpouring aboard boats from the islands as well as grab bags. I tell them NO. If yous desire YES - negotiate first.
Kids volition also offering to launder your feet amongst bottles of H2O coming off the beach on render - I don't know what a fair toll is here. One shaver tried to launder my feet when I nevertheless had 30m of the beach to walk - must receive got thought I'm fifty-fifty dumber than I look.

AVOIDING BANGSAL
For or a start yous tin charter a boat from Senggigi, but a 2011 ballpark figure is 490k every bit posted for the opposite trip at Gili Meno. Fine for large groups. Unfortunately Perama no longer runs a boat on this route - I did it inwards 2004 for a really little amount - the trip has to last 1 of the to a greater extent than scenic I've experienced. The coast betwixt Senggigi as well as Bangsal is awesome - lots of little beaches backed past times towering hills.
Another alternative is to contact 1 of the dive outfits on the isle - they ship speedboats across to Teluk Nara but southward of Bangsal for their customers, as well as most welcome extra paying passengers.
The expert tidings is that a lot of the to a greater extent than upmarket hotels on the Gilis are also running fast transfers out of Teluk Nara - many fifty-fifty pick upwardly at the airport.
Also a lot of the fast boats that link the Gilis amongst Bali start at Teluk Nara or nearby as well as are willing to accept passengers on the initiatory off brusk hop across to the island.
Finally Google Blue Water Cruises who run daytrips from this part some the Gilis are willing to accept transfers too.

FROM BALI
Because fares are pretty cheap, the afore-mentioned flights are a really pop way of doing this route, but it seems to me the most pop way of accessing the Gilis inwards recent years from Bali is past times way of the FAST BOATS out of Padangbai on the key eastward coast (a fair slog from Kuta) or the Benoa as well as Sanur areas close Kuta. Every calendar week some other operator joins this merchandise - but Google Gili Cat, Island Getaway, Blue Water Express and Perama. Most tend to run aircon van shuttles from your southward Bali accomm to bring together the boats - Perama uses its to a greater extent than rugged little buses, cheaper, less comfortable, piffling slower because the traffic is so bad, as well as linking many to a greater extent than divergence points because of Perama's extensive network (although yous volition in all probability receive got to overnight inwards Ubud if starting from Lovina).
I notice 1 of Blue Water Express's options is a southward Bali-Nusa Lembongan-Gilis trip. H5N1 neat way of doing 2 overnice locations.
UPDATE - on my old Gilis page I had a expert link to a multi fast-boat site but it dropped out: but flora this novel 1 - http://www.gili-fastboat.com/

In 2011 I used Perama's fast boat out of Padangbai. This boat is non every bit large every bit some, non all that comfortable (you can't run across out the windows when seated inwards the cabin/people inwards the dorsum row exterior as well as upwardly on top of the cabin got really moisture on a moderately crude oil day), but the captain was sensible as well as throttled dorsum inwards the conditions so no-one was sick or felt threatened. Consequently the trip took a fleck over 2 hours instead of the hour+ advertised, but having had some horrendous rough-water fast boat trips inwards Thailand I did non heed the delay inwards the least. And at 350k ex Padangbai (or 400k out of Ubud where nosotros started) Perama tends to last cheaper than most of the competition.
UPDATE JANUARY 2012 - I read on a locomote site that officials were going to forcefulness the Bali-Gilis fast boats to nation at Bansal or nearby on the mainland from where passengers volition receive got to role the normal little ferries to the islands. No notice of when this volition get as well as I tin imagine the isle resort people volition last trying to opposite the decision. I'm sure the fast boat websites volition receive got details if the alter is introduced.

CHEAPEST OPTION FROM BALI is past times large vehicle-carrying rider ferries which go out Padangbai roughly hourly 24/7 as well as dock at Lembar, a sort of Sydney harbour without the buildings inwards Lombok’s southward west. The trip takes 4 hours give or take. The cost inwards 2011 when nosotros did the opposite was 36k. Note that I oft rest a black or 2 inwards Padangbai after a dull ferry trip - otherwise the 2+ hours to most other places inwards Bali makes for a total day, particulary if yous receive got done Gilis to Lembar beforehand (or Kuta Lombok to Lembar every bit nosotros had). Padangabai is a existent neat piffling town - depository fiscal establishment check the INDEX for my page.

The iii hours Lembar to Bangsal past times local buses, changing inwards Mataram as well as maybe Senggigi, volition cost nearly the same every bit the dull ferry. Note Lembar has also had bad press latterly nearly incoming passengers duped into expensive local carry past times waiting touts as well as porters.

You tin avoid this past times using 1 of the Indonesian carry shuttle companies which receive got signs upwardly all over inwards Kuta, Sanur, Ubud etc . These tin pick yous upwardly at your hotel inwards Bali as well as receive got yous on the Gilis for really few dollars, using their shuttlebuses to Padangbai, the dull ferries as well as and then their shuttlebuses from Lembar. Once over again Perama is 1 to Google (actually in that location is a link a few lines down).
Unless yous go out Kuta Bali truly early, yous volition non create the final boat to the islands - but Senggigi is a overnice house to pass the black amongst plenty of restaurants, lots of accom of all standards as well as some nightlife.

Finally Perama also commonly has a slow-boat from Padangbai starting early on afternoon as well as taking nearly 4 hours. This goes directly to the isle as well as and then on to Senggigi. The render trip goes directly Senggigi to Padangbai at 9am which is non so neat because Gilis people receive got to grab the really early on populace boat to Bangsal as well as and then Perama's shuttle to Senggigi.
I used this boat inwards 2009 both ways, but when I tried to mass inwards 2011 the website said the boat was existence refurbished. More probable it is existence used every bit a substitute for their Komodo Tour boat which sank (no lives lost or bad injuries thankfully) tardily final moisture season.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedGilis ahead - Trawangan Hill prominent. Actually but after I took this 2009 shot the boat's primary motor blew up! All Perama boats receive got 2 motors so after a fleck of mucking nearly nosotros motored slow into Trawangan some xxx minutes late. I travelled over 500km on Perama boats this May09 trip (Gilis as well as dorsum summation Flores to Lombok) as well as that was the solely problem experienced. This is truly a pretty relaxed way to access the Gilis - as well as they feed you! The brekka on the render boat from Senggigi is welcomed past times people who receive got left the Gilis at 7am. The boat has sand spread on a raise deck for sun-bathing as well as comfortable seats downstairs for shade lovers.

Gianna has sent inwards a Trip Report to Gili Trawangan inwards Feb 2013.
You tin maintain us upwardly to appointment amongst a trip study - doesn't receive got to last every bit detailed every bit Gianna's - but a few pix amongst captions to lajolla22@hotmail.com volition larn the chore done.
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If yous are considering the Gilis mayhap yous volition last interested in:
KUTA LOMBOK

NUSA LEMBONGAN

BALI

PERAMA'S BUDGET CRUISE LOMBOK-KOMODO-LABUANGBAJO

BUDGET SERAYA AND KANAWA ISLANDS

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If yous receive got whatsoever questions, delight enquire them inwards THE FORUM rather than below. I don't larn a endangerment to depository fiscal establishment check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll endeavour to monitor THE FORUM regularly.

goers spell highlighting passing boat as well as non bestthailandbeaches: Gili Islands UpdatedThe Gilis are non a bad house to halt the 24-hour interval - sunset behind depression Meno (closest) as well as Trawangan (hill as well as headland at left) from Air.


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