Gili Gede (SW Lombok) Travel Tips

Gili Gede (pronounced G'day!) is not part of the same group as the Gili Islands (despite the name), but rather lies in close proximity to the southwest coast of Lombok. The word "Gili" simply means "small island" in Indonesian. Gede is still very much a desert island, and as a result there are only a few options for accommodation on Gili Gede.  This means that the best hotels on Gili Gede are the only hotels on Gili Gede as there is very little to choose from. The best option, especially if budget is not a concern, is the new luxury resort called Kokomo Gede.  

This brand new resort offers fantastic spacious rooms and villas right on the sea front. The resort is fully serviced with a fantastic restaurtant, swimmimg pool, tennis court, spa, watersports and they will soon have a golf putting green. Other activites can also be arranged through the resort and if you book your fast boat to Gili Gede through our website you can benefit from discounts on most activities at Kokomo.

Getting to Gili Gede used to be a long trip but this is now incredibly simple and can be done in a number of ways. If you are in Bali and plan on going to the Gili Islands or Lombok you now have the option to break up the journey and visit Gili Gede on the way there or on the way back to Bali.  Gili Getaway now have a new fast boat route to Gili Gede and back again. Alternatively you could visit Gili Gede directly from the Gili Islands, ideal for an overnight trip from Gili Trawangan to Gili Gede, spending one evening on the island and returning the next day. Of course, a trip the other way around is also an option if you're staying on Gede and wish to see the Gili Islands! You can book a private transport through www.gili-islandtransfers.com between Gili Gede and Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno every day.

From the Southern Gili's it is very easy to take a local boat to Lombok, this can often be arranged through the resorts on the island. From Gili Gede you will be taken to Tembowong Harbour on Lombok and from Gili Asahan there is a boat that goes back to Lombok 3 times a day arranged by Pearl Beach Resort. You can book a transfer from most places on Lombok to Gili Gede, Gili Asahan and Gili Layar through www.gili-islandtransfers.com

Gili Gede is free of traffic, with beautiful unspoilt nature, coconut palm trees, white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea. On Gili Gede the small local population still make a traditional living building wooden boats and (pearl) fishing. Hardly any tourist developments have arrived on the island yet. This makes Gili Gede the region's freshest destination, featuring wonderfully secluded beaches and a thoroughly laid back vibe to enjoy at your leisure. The island only has a couple of hotels with corresponding restaurants and activities available. Gilibookings visitors can enjoy a host of special offers at their restaurant and other facilities by making use of our unique discount program. Gili Gede is the most unspoilt getaway island that the Bali, Lombok, Lembongan and Gili Islands region has to offer, so what are you waiting for? We will be adding more travel tips and discount vouchers for Gili Gede soon, so follow us on facebook to stay up to date with the latest information!

OTHER SOUTHERN GILI'S

Located just West of Gili Gede is Gili Asahan which is a small island which you can walk around in about 1,5-2 hours. Goats and cows graze on the green fields, birds will sing all day long and apart from two resorts and the happy smiling locals there is not much to do on the island. Gili Asahan is perfect to immerse yourself in nature as there are not many tourists and the snorkeling right of the coast in the turquoise waters is worth your while due to the stunning soft corals and plenty of fish. Snorkeling is recommended at in front of Pearl Beach Resort, around Eagle Rock and at Batu Belanda of which Pearl Beach Resort is our personal favorite. You can also choose to go kayaking or SUP-boarding, these are often provided to guests for free at the resorts. If you'd like to go diving, you can do so with Two Fish diving in Lombok and the corals are amazing. With swim-throughs, huge fans, sponges, mushroom coral, a wide range of fish, moray eels, stingrays, cuttlefish and much more. Gili Asahan is the perfect escape from reality and not well known among tourists yet making it a great quiet destination. There are four resorts on the island: Gili Ashan Eco Lodge, Pearl Beach Resort, Matahari Luxury Villas and Avatar Raja Bungalow. There is no electricity on the island (generators are used), no ATM's, no restaurants apart from the resorts, no fresh water and no roads. From Gili Asahan you can quite simply do a day trip to Gili Layar, Gii Goleng or Gili Rengit.

If you're looking to relax, enjoy the sun, sea and snorkel, Gili Layar is the island for you. It is a very quiet and secluded island which means all there is to do is relax, enjoy the surrounding nature, sunsets and go for a swim/stroll. There is only one accommodation option on Gili Layar which is the Layar Beach Bungalow. It is a small beach front hotel which offers only a few bungalows and an on-site restaurant. Right off of the beach in front of Layar Beach Bungalow you can snorkel safely and find a variety of reef fish, soft and hard corals, turtles, sea slugs and sea stars. From Gili Layar it is very easy to book a day trip to Gili Asahan or Gili Rengit.

DAY TRIPS