The islands are a popular destination for Western tourists looking for a remote island experience. Each island has several very small resorts, usually consisting of a small collection of huts for tourists, and a restaurant. Most local inhabitants live on Trawangan in a township stretching along its east side just inland (which is also where most recent development is taking place). Automobiles and motorized traffic are prohibited on the islands by local ordinance, so the preferred method of transportation is bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage called a cidomo. Diving in and around the Gilis is also popular due to the abundance of fish life and attractive coral formations. The name “Gili Islands” is a misnomer, because Gili simply means “small island” in Sasak. As a result most of the islands around the coast of Lombok have Gili in their names, although confusion is averted by referring (in English) to the other Gilis around the Lombok coast by their proper names only. Regions Gili TrawanganGili Trawangan is the largest of Lombok’s Gili Islands and the only one to rise significantly above sea level. Measuring 3 km long and 2 km wide, it has a population of around 700. Trawangan means Terowongan (Tunnel) due to there is a cave tunnel built in Japanese occupation.[1] Of the Gilis, Trawangan has the most tourist facilities; the pub Tîr na Nôg claims that Trawangan is the smallest island in the world with an Irish pub. The most crowded part of Trawangan lies on the eastern side. It was previously administered under Lombok Barat Regency along with Senggigi until 2010 when the Gili islands came under the jurisdiction of the new North Lombok Regency (Kabupaten Lombok Utara)[2]). On Gili Trawangan (as well as the other two Gilis), there are no motorized vehicles. The main means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and cidomo (a small horsedrawn carriage). For traveling to and from each of the Gilis, locals usually use motorized boats and speedboats. Some of the first inhabitants of Gili Trawangan were from Sulawesi who are fishermen and farmers. Previously Gili Trawangan was covered in forest and deer lived on the island. (Source: Inhabitants of Gili Trawangan — no printed source available) The economy of Gili Trawangan centres on tourism, as the island is too small to support any broad scale agriculture, and too remote to allow economically viable industry or commerce. Gili MenoGili Meno is an island in Indonesia, the middle of Lombok’s three Gilis. It has a population of about 400, mainly concentrated on the center of the island. The main income of the population comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing. On the west side of the island there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season. Until a few years ago there was also a small production of seaweed on the reef at the north end of the island. It has swimming beaches all around the island, as well as an impressive bird sanctuary. The island attracts fewer tourists than Gili Trawangan and is the quietest and smallest of the Gilis.However, honeymooners are often drawn to the crystal clear water and idyllic, secluded white beaches. There is no fresh water on the island, it is imported daily. Electricity is supplied by generators, although there are plans for renewable energy sources to be developed. There are also no cars or motorbikes and only a limited number of tourist accommodation options.
Gili AirGili Air is the second smallest of the Gilis and it’s closest to the Lombok mainland, making it popular with honeymoon couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat. It has a population of about 1,000 and administratively lies in the West Nusa Tenggara province. The island offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving off its east coast, and turtles can be seen along the coral reef. Proximity to Gili Meno, (population about 300) the smallest and most secluded of the islands and to Gili Trawangan the largest island, known for its many restaurants and parties, makes Gili Air a happy Medium of seclusion with adequate services. Both other Islands are a quick boat ride away and provide many choices to from total seclusion to party central.
To access the three Gili islands, we have provided two alternative transportation by using FAST BOAT that can transfer you to the islands:
We’ll pick you up at your hotel or villa and you’ll be on the beach at Gili Trawangan by 10.30 that morning. Road transfers are included in our price. Gili Cat operates from the coastal port of Padangbai because it offers the most direct, fastest and safest sea crossing. Our average crossing time is one hour and twenty minutes. Our passengers board the boat from a custom built dock in Padangbai and get off at the jetty in Gili Trawangan. No wet feet! No other fastboat operator can give you that assurance. Other operators may claim to be the safest and fastest, but “copy-cats” always do. Our aluminium hulled boat is made in Australia to international standards. No other boat on the Bali-Gili-Lombok run can make that claim, and that’s guaranteed.
The Vessels All our vessels are built in Australia to international survey standard. Gilicat I is a fiberglass catamaran which carries 20 passengers; Gilicat II is an alumunium monohull which carries 32 passengers. All our vessels are powered by the latest in outboard engine technology – Suzuki 300 HP four strokes. The seating is comfortable and custom designed , and our spacious cabins are weather-proof. We have the latest in safety equipment with SOLAS approved life jackets for each passenger, and self-inflating liferaft in the case of emergency.
Schedule We offer daily departures from our dedicated facility in Padang Bai direct to Gili Trawangan and Teluk Kode. Estimated time at sea is 80 minutes, contingent upon weather conditions. If your staying in the south of Bali, no problem! We offer free of charge transfers from the Sanur and Kuta area to Padang Bai and back. Driving time is approximately 1 hr. And for your luggage, we have porters at all our points of departure and arrival at no extra cost to you!
Departures morning schedule every day, and Twice Every Day in high season a schedule on demand service.
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Gili Cat offers fast and reliable boat transfers from Bali to Gili Trawangan and West Lombok.
