Why Honeymoon on the Gili Islands
The absence of traffic changes everything. Mornings start with the sound of the call to prayer, roosters and the clip of horses' hooves rather than engines. You can cycle to breakfast, swim, cycle to lunch and never think about a taxi.
The snorkeling is easy and rewarding. Turtles are common in the shallows, especially around Gili Meno and the north of Gili Trawangan. Reefs are close enough to reach from the beach. The diving is a good place to learn, with gentle slopes and plenty of dive schools.
Prices are lower than on Bali's south coast. A beachfront bungalow with a private pool, a seafood dinner on the sand and a couples massage all cost less here. It is a relaxed, unfussy kind of luxury.
When to Go
The dry season runs roughly May to October and this is the best time to visit. Skies are clear, humidity is lower and seas are generally calmer for the crossing from Bali. July and August are the busiest months, with more crowds and higher prices. Jellyfish sometimes drift in, so a thin rash guard helps.
April and October are good shoulder months, often with quieter beaches.
The rainy season, about November to March, brings showers and higher humidity, though the islands tend to be drier than Bali or Lombok's mountains. The crossing from Bali can be rougher in this period and fast boats are sometimes canceled in bad weather. December and January still see a holiday crowd.
Ramadan dates shift each year. Daytime life slows a little, but tourist services carry on.
Where to Stay
Gili Meno is the pick for a quiet honeymoon. Accommodation is mostly small beach bungalows and boutique resorts, some with private plunge pools. Evenings are very calm, with dinner on the sand and little else.
Gili Air balances peace and choice. There are more cafes and restaurants, a gentle nightlife on the east side and plenty of romantic villas. Its sunset spots on the west coast are lovely and less crowded than Trawangan.
Gili Trawangan suits couples who want energy. The east coast strip is busy with bars, dive shops and restaurants. The quieter north and west coasts have upscale resorts with pools facing the sunset and Bali's Mount Agung.
Wherever you stay, ask whether your hotel provides fresh water showers, as some cheaper places still use brackish water.
Romantic Things to Do
Snorkel with turtles. The turtles around Gili Meno are used to people, so keep a respectful distance and never touch them. A half-day glass-bottom boat trip that circles all three islands is a cheap, fun way to see the best reefs.
Try a discover scuba dive together. Dive shops across the islands run beginner sessions and full courses in calm water.
Cycle around Gili Air in the late afternoon, stopping for a coconut on the quiet north coast. On Gili Trawangan, climb Sunset Hill for views across to Bali, or settle into a swing seat at a beach bar on the west coast.
If you want a full day out, take a boat to Lombok to see waterfalls at the foot of Mount Rinjani or the quiet beaches of the south coast.
Getting There and Around
There are two main routes. From Bali, fast boats run from Serangan, Padang Bai and Amed. Crossings take roughly one and a half to two and a half hours depending on the port and conditions. Seas are calmest in the morning, so book an early departure and choose an established operator with life jackets.
From Lombok International Airport (LOP), a private car to Bangsal or Teluk Nare takes about two hours, followed by a public or private boat of 15 to 45 minutes. Domestic flights from Bali to Lombok take about 40 minutes.
On the islands, there are no motorized vehicles. Walk, rent bicycles or take a cidomo. Public boats between islands run at set times and fill quickly. Never try to swim between islands, as currents are strong.
Food and Drink
Seafood is the evening ritual. Restaurants on all three islands set out the day's catch on ice, then grill fish, prawns and squid to order. Pick a table on the sand and eat with your feet in the water.
Try local dishes from Lombok too. Ayam taliwang is a spicy grilled chicken and plecing kangkung is water spinach in a fiery tomato chili sauce. Nasi campur, rice with several small sides, makes a cheap and filling lunch.
Cafes serve smoothie bowls, good coffee and Western dishes. Upmarket restaurants often add tax and service charges of around 21 percent, so check the small print.
Stick to beer, wine or drinks from reputable bars. Locally made spirits like arak have caused methanol poisoning across Indonesia. Tap water is salty and not drinkable.
Honeymoon Tips
Pick your island based on mood. Meno for quiet, Air for balance, Trawangan for nightlife. You can always day-trip to the others.
Bring cash in small notes. ATMs exist on Trawangan and Air but can run out. Card payments often carry a surcharge.
Pack light. You will carry your bags along sandy paths or hand them to a cidomo driver, so wheeled suitcases are awkward.
Dress modestly when you leave the beach. Most residents are Muslim, so cover up in villages and away from resorts. Swimwear is fine on the sand. Keep public affection low-key.
Mosquitoes carry dengue here, so pack repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Indonesia.
Indonesia has extremely harsh drug laws. Ignore offers of mushrooms or other drugs, however openly they are advertised.
Finally, plan the crossing for the morning and keep a buffer day before international flights in case boats are canceled.
