Gili
Air Lombok
Gili Air is
the 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.
Gili Air is the nearest Gili to Lombok. It is
also the most populated and you will find more
trees there than the other Gili's. The local
inhabitants are: Sasak, Mandar, Bugis and
Makassar. You can find their unique culture that
is different from Lombok and wonderful beaches.
Many of the older generation still make their
living as boatmen, fisherman and farming
coconuts.
There are only a few number of luxury upmarket
hotels (rooms with air conditioning, swimming
pool, TV etc) on Gili Air. Most of places to
stay are located in south, west and east side of
the island. The island remains quiet and
relaxing making it popular with honeymoon
couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat.
Gili Air: Most
Crowded
Gili Air is closest bo Bangsal and is the most
densely populated island of the three. Most
people live in the south, were the most
bungalows are as well. The beach runs around the
entire island. The best places for sunbathing
and snorking are along both sides of thee shop
with diving gear with the name Boronang. The
shop rents gears and organises excursions to Pak
Nasutions favorite diving spot, 45 minutes to
the north by boat. There is a hot source about
10 meters under the sea level which produces
fresh water.
The water around Gili Air is crystal clear, but
there is not much to see for snorklers. The
coral has been blown away with dynamite and
there is not much fish as well; sometimes there
are dangerous jelly-fish which force visitors
out of the sea. The best place for snorkling is
the edge of the cliff which surrounds the
island; the coral descends to about 14 to 20
meters.
Activities
Snorkeling and diving are the highlight of the
activities. Snorkeling area are located in the
south east (opposite-facing the Lombok Golf
Kosaido) and along to the north east).
You can just jump into the water to see the
colorful fishes and coral reef. In the western
part of Gili Air when the moon is high (low
tide), you can't swim off the beach. You need to
walk to the south or east side.
There are few quality scuba diving operations on
all the islands.
There are now 3 PADI Dive Centres - Manta dive
(offers SSI training as well), Blue Marlin and
Dream Divers. Also offers great dive site,
Hahn’s Reef, where strange critters and muck
diving are the norm, it is also a superb
training site for beginners.
The other great spot for diving and snorkeling
is Gili Air Wall where you can see anything from
turtles to pygmy sea horses, quite amazing
