If people on Bali tell you stories about the Gilis, they always name it little paradise or get-away place. And that is what the Gilis are, besides some limitations.

3 Years ago, before going to Indonesia for the first time, Patrick and his sister decided, which Gili would fit best to them.

Gili Trawangan: Party + Diving.

Gili Meno: Honeymoon + Relaxation.

Gili Air: Relaxation + Diving.

This decision was easy and they choose Gili Air.

Accommodations:

Manta Dive Gili Air Bungalows:

Spacious and pretty bungalows build in Sasak style with a clean and good structured bathroom under the open sky. The bungalows are situated on the east coast of Gili Air within the Manta Dive base.

Since they built a new instruction pool in the back of the base, the swimming pool right in front of the bungalows is reserved to the residents of those.

The included breakfast is the standard breakfast in Indonesia consisting of a choice eggs any style, omelets, bread/croissants and jam, a fresh fruit salad/juice and tea or coffee.

Patrick stayed there twice 4 nights in 2014, 10 nights in 2015. 2015 Patrick and his sister Conny got to know the decent owner Jon and had a nice talk, after having an issue with the bill, which they thought had been undercharged by the office staff.

2016 Patrick wanted to get back there unfortunately already in February 2016 they were fully booked. When Patrick and Alex were on Gili Air, they got to know people who tried to book Manta Dive/Waterfront in April and were successful. You often can get the impression, the office staff is neither the friendliest nor the most interested.

Turtle Beach Hotel:

Sasak style Bungalow, more spacious, but not as clean and not as bright as the ones from Manta Dive. Actually, they are pretty dark even if it is bright outside. The bathroom is also under the open sky. Turtle Beach is also on the east coast of Gili Air approx. 200 meter walk on the coast „road“ from Manta Dive. Breakfast is served in the same style as already known, but it is not as delicious as at Manta Dive.

The pool and garden area is nice pretty and has a huge variety of exotic plants. It is not as crowded, but this has a simple reason, Turtle Beach is a Hotel and not a Dive Base.

Food, Drinks & more:

Mowie’s: Sunset bar with nice fusion kitchen and delicious drinks.

Ruby’s: According to TripAdvisor you will probably get the best curries at Ruby’s. We tested it and yes in fact they are super delicious. The English owner is kind and chatty guy.

Warung Bambu: Also found on TripAdvisor, super delicious curries. But also try the Martabak.

Chillout: Beach Restaurant, with nice food and delicious sea food grill. Excellent Tuna and Marlin steaks.

Diving:

Manta Dive Gili Air: Everything just perfect, decent and well educated dive instructors (Thanks for the nice pool sessions Al) and dive guides (Cheers to Muly and Opik). Equipment in good conditions. Well organized but still relaxed (Cheers to Anna, Rob and Rob2).

Overall the Gili’s are still something like get-away, we will get back there and visit our friends.

But especially in August they just get overcrowded by French/Spanish and German families with small, 2 month-5-year-old children. So, like always, you should have the right timing to visit the Gili’s.