Things to Do in Gili Air That Are Actually Worth It

I went to Gili Air with almost no expectations, and somehow, despite that, it still exceeded every expectation I didn’t have.

Gili Air is one of those places that quietly gives you exactly what you need from a getaway, without asking you to plan it, optimize it, or chase every “must-do” experience. It’s the kind of place where doing less actually feels like the point.

You don’t need to stress about finding the best things to do in Gili Air. Honestly, almost anything you choose will be the right choice, as long as you let yourself slow down. The island has a way of pulling you into the present without you trying.

That said, if you’re looking for inspiration, this list is for you if it’s your first time visiting Gili Air or if you only have a few days.

It’s meant to help you enjoy the island without feeling like you’re missing anything — even if that means snorkeling right in front of your hostel, watching the sunrise and sunset, or falling asleep on the beach.

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1. Snorkel Directly From the Beach

This is easily one of my favorite things to do in Gili Air. You might not even need to plan it.

If you stay on the northeast side of Gili Air, especially around Turtle Point, the best snorkeling is literally right in front of you. Walk into the water. That is it. No boat. No schedule. No extra cost to leave the island. This is what really separates Gili Air from the other Gilis.

You can rent a snorkeling mask for 25,000 IDR and fins for another 25,000 IDR. Most small shops near the beach have them.

I did this one afternoon with a friend, thinking it would be a quick swim. Two hours later, we were still there. We just followed the reef slowly. Coral everywhere. Schools of fish. Turtles passing by without caring that you are there.

I did not spot it myself, but a friend who snorkeled here daily for a week told me the biggest and oldest turtle on the island lives right at this spot. That says a lot about how healthy the reef still is.

Staying near Turtle Beach, like at Alibaba Bungalows, is what makes snorkeling feel effortless here. It blends into your day instead of taking it over.

2. Do a Half Day Snorkeling Tour Around the Gili Islands

I did this before snorkeling from the beach, and I am really glad I did. You know I am not a strong swimmer, so I wanted to ease into it with someone keeping an eye on me while I figured out how comfortable I felt in the water.

At the first stop, I panicked a little and asked for a life vest. The guide stayed close and made it feel completely normal. By the third stop, I was just using a mask and fins, and I actually felt confident. That surprised me!

After the tour, I went straight back to Turtle Point in Gili Air and snorkeled for two more hours. I honestly think I would have freaked out if I had tried that without doing the tour first.

The tour itself is very beginner friendly. You either meet the guide on Gili Air, Gili Meno, or Gili Trawangan, or get picked up from Lombok if you book a private tour. They give you all the gear, explain the plan, go over safety, and then you head to the boat. Everything feels calm and well organized.

What really surprised me is how much you get for the price. The boat, guide, mask, fins, life vest, and even a GoPro are all included. If you do a private tour, they send the photos and videos straight to your phone.

I do know how snorkeling can feel intimidating, especially for first time travelers. With this tour, the stress goes away because you feel supported the whole time. For me, it was one of the smartest things to do in Gili Air island.

3. Do Absolutely Nothing for an Afternoon

If there is one thing I would really tell you to do in Gili Air, it is this. Do nothing.

It sounds ironic, but think about it. People pay a lot to be on an island like this, then fill every hour with activities or boat trips away. Here, the island itself is the experience.

After snorkeling, we grabbed a towel and lay down on the beach. No plans. No phones. We just looked at the trees, the sky, and the light. At some point, we fell asleep without trying.

This is one of those things to do in Gili Air that you do not plan or schedule. You just let it happen. And somehow, it ends up being one of the best parts of the day.

If you enjoy places where the best moments happen when you are not doing much planning, you will probably like Kuta Lombok too. It has the same slow pace and space to just be, without the pressure to constantly do something.

4. Go Scuba Diving

I did not scuba dive in Gili Air because I already planned to do it in Komodo. If Komodo is not on your itinerary, I would absolutely tell you to try scuba here.

If you already love snorkeling, scuba takes it to another level. You see more. You stay longer. Everything feels quieter underwater. And yes, swimming next to a turtle while scuba diving really is as magical as it sounds!

This is a great place to try scuba for the first time. You dive with a PADI 5 Star dive center, and the instructors guide you the entire way. They start slow and teach you the basics before you even think about going deeper.

Your first dive happens in calm water, which makes a huge difference if you are new. You practice simple skills, then head out to explore coral reefs and marine life once you feel comfortable. Fish move around you. The reef feels alive. It is exciting without feeling overwhelming.

You can book your first dive with confidence and you leave the island seeing the ocean in a completely different way.

5. Cycle Around the Entire Island

It’s refreshing to see that cars and fuel motorcycles are not allowed in Gili Air, which makes the air feel genuinely fresh. No cars. No motorbikes. Just quiet. Cycling made that really sink in.

I rented a bike and didn’t even think about timing myself, but one full loop took me about an hour and a half with couple of stops. You pass empty stretches of beach, tiny cafes you would miss on foot, and parts of the island that feel almost untouched.

I paid 50,000 IDR for a bike for the whole day. My place arranged it easily. I stayed at Tipsea Turtle, and having the bike there meant I could ride early in the morning when the island was still half asleep, then again around sunset without worrying about returning it.

You will notice the horse carriages around the island, mostly used for luggage. I chose not to use them since I could carry my own bag. It felt like the right choice for me.

Cycling ended up being one of those things to do in Gili Air that I didn’t plan much, but kept doing anyway. It is simple, quiet, and gives you a real feel for the island.

6. Watch Sunset From the West Side of the Island

You have to catch at least one sunset in Gili Air. It just hits differently.

Go to the west side of the island. You can sit right on the sand or grab a drink at a chilled beach bar like Mowie’s. Honestly, you do not need to overthink the spot. Just face the water and you are good.

What makes it feel different from Gili Trawangan is the energy. There is no crowd pushing for the best view, no loud music, no party vibe taking over. People show up, sit down, talk quietly, or just stare at the sky. It feels calm and unforced.

As the sun drops, the colors change slowly, and on clear days you can see Mount Agung in the distance. It feels like the day naturally winding down instead of a big event.

That is why sunset is one of those things to do in Gili Air that I kept coming back to.

7. Wake Up Early for Sunrise on the East Side

If you can wake up early even once, do it. Morning in Gili Air feels completely different from the rest of the day.

I woke up before sunrise without setting an alarm. The island was quiet in a way that felt rare. No music. No chatter. Just the sound of the sea and the occasional footsteps of someone else who had the same idea.

The air felt cooler and lighter. It was one of those moments where your body feels at ease before you even realize you’ve fully relaxed.

The east side of Gili Air is where you want to be. You can walk anywhere along the beach and it works. I did not look for a cafe or a special viewpoint. I just sat on the sand and watched the sky change slowly. Soft pinks. Pale orange. Then full light.

If you are someone who loves sunrise more than sunset, Gili Air really rewards that. It feels personal. Like the island is waking up with you.

8. Take a Yoga or Wellness Class

Yoga in Gili Air does not feel like an activity you squeeze into your schedule. It just fits.

I practiced at Tipsea Turtle. They offer free afternoon yoga for guests, which already tells you something about the vibe. It is relaxed. No pressure. Even on days without a class, the space is open enough that you can roll out a mat and do your own thing.

We even held our life design workshop there, and it made so much sense in that environment. People were calm, open, and present. That is what this island does to you.

What I liked most is that wellness here does not feel performative. No rushing from class to class. No trendy energy. Yoga becomes something you do between swimming and dinner. There are a few other small yoga studios on the island if you want a structured class, but honestly, even stretching by the beach feels enough.

If yoga and wellness end up being a big part of your trip, you might also like what I wrote in Best Wellness Retreats in Bali. It focuses on long term rest and healing.

9. Visit the Night Market

The night market is not a must do every night, but it is worth seeing once.

I went one evening without much expectation. I walked around slowly, looked at the food stalls, and ended up getting gelato from Damonte Gelato. I also bought a simple Gili Air shirt as a small memory.

What made it nice was not just the food but the atmosphere. Locals, travelers, families, and kids all in one place.

If you are someone who appreciates a night market where you do not feel rushed and there is no loud music, this is one of the places to check out. People are simply happy, eating, talking, and wandering around. It offers a snapshot of the island at night.

10. Go to a Live Music Night

I loved the live music nights in Gili Air more than I expected!

They are calm. The volume stays low. People actually listen. Some sit on cushions. Others stand with a drink. It never turns into heavy partying or loud drinking.

This is why Gili Air feels social without being exhausting. You meet people. You talk. You connect. But you still sleep well afterward.

The island is not sleepy. It is intentional. Live music here adds warmth, not chaos.

11. Take a Boat Trip to Gili Meno

Our snorkeling tour included a stop at Gili Meno, and seeing it helped me understand the balance between the Gili Islands.

Gili Meno feels even quieter than Gili Air. It feels smaller and more open. The water is incredibly clear and turquoise, and the beaches feel wide and almost empty. It feels like a place where time slows down further.

I was very happy staying in Gili Air; however, Gili Meno is beautiful for a short visit. A few hours is enough to appreciate how peaceful it is. Locals often say it is perfect for honeymooners, which is understandable. It feels designed for couples seeking privacy and calm.

For couples who want to stay overnight, Villa Samalas Resort is one option near Gili Meno. It focuses on comfort and quiet, with on site dining that includes Indonesian and Italian dishes, plus vegetarian options. Breakfast is simple and fresh, with local food, pastries, and fruit.

For me, visiting by boat was the right choice. It’ll let you experience the calm of Gili Meno without changing accommodations or pace.

It reminded me of day trips from Ubud. Beautiful, quiet, and best enjoyed for a few hours before returning to where you are based.

12. Stay at a Hostel

If you are a solo traveler, staying in a hostel can be an excellent choice, as hostels typically offer built-in opportunities to meet people through shared spaces and organized activities. I stayed at Tipsea Turtle in Gili Air, which stood out for its strong sense of community and wide range of experiences available to guests.

Tipsea Turtle offers activities such as diving and snorkeling, including daily trips to see turtles, as well as sunset cruises and yoga sessions. Guests can also enjoy beachfront relaxation with access to a pool and bar, alongside regular social events such as happy hours. In addition, the hostel organizes island activities like cycling, making it a lively hub for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.

Beyond recreational activities, Tipsea Turtle also hosts workshops and community-focused events. During my stay, I participated in a life design workshop, which added a meaningful and reflective dimension to the experience.

The Kind of Place Gili Air Is

Of all the places I’ve been, Gili Air is one of those that doesn’t ask you to be anyone different. You don’t have to wake up early, plan every day, or feel like you’re somehow “wasting” your time if you don’t do much. It kind of meets you exactly where you are.

If you’re the kind of person who wants quiet without feeling lonely, social vibes without chaos, and days that feel full even when you barely leave the beach, you’ll probably love it here. It’s for people who are okay with snorkeling from shore, taking long walks, doing yoga because it feels good (not because it’s trendy), and calling it a night after live music instead of a party.

But I’ll be honest — if you need constant stimulation, nightlife, or a packed itinerary to feel satisfied, this might not be your place. You’d probably be happier on Gili T or somewhere busier. Gili Air really shines when you stop trying to squeeze things out of it.

That’s what surprised me most. I didn’t fall in love with Gili Air because of a checklist of “things to do.” I fell in love because everything felt easier the moment I stopped trying to optimize the experience.

If you’re looking for a place that rewards slowing down — where doing less somehow gives you more — Gili Air does that better than almost anywhere I’ve been.

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