Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia but recently the Gili Islands of Gili Air, Gili Trawangan (Gili T) and Gili Meno have been getting some attention in the international press.
Given that the Gili Islands are not far from Bali, it can be confusing to know which you should visit when you come to Indonesia.
So, we’ve put together a head-to-head comparison guide that looks at the facets of life on holiday in each of these places and should help you make an informed decision on where to book your next holiday.
Bali In Brief: What’s It Like?
Bali is the home of FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club. It’s the only Hindu enclave of a mainly Muslim nation and it has its own unique culture.
It’s home to waterparks, temples, monkey forests, museums, and so much more. It’s a top destination for sunseekers and fun-seekers alike.
The locals are famous for their friendly, welcoming attitude and visitors to this island in the Indian Ocean are often converted into repeat visitors.
The Three Gili Islands: What Are They Like?
These three islands are easy to reach from each other by local boats and can be reached by fast boat from Lombok or Bali and they have their own characteristics too.
Gili Trawangan (Gili T) – The “Party Island”
Gili Trawangan or Gili T as it’s known affectionately is a party island. People visit Gili Trawangan to spend the day on the beaches and then the nights on the beaches too. Live music, international cuisine and lots of beer or cocktails tend to make up the typical day in this laid-back part of Lombok.
Gili Air
Gili Air used to be more chilled out but has been following Gili T in recent years and is now something of a party haven too. Go swimming with sea turtles in the day and then party hard at night.
Gili Meno
The smallest Gili Island remains a haven away from the mainland and it’s a place to go with a partner for an intimate weekend or take a book and chill by the shore. It’s a tropical paradise if you like to have nothing at all to do.
Bali Vs Gili Islands: A Head-To-Head Comparison
We should stress before we begin our head-to-head comparison that these places are both nice for vacations and you will probably have a great time in either location.
However, these categories are meant to help you make a more informed decision and while both Bali and the Gilis can be awesome destinations, there are definite winners in each category too.
Beaches In Bali Vs Beaches On The Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are smaller than Bali and don’t have as many beaches to choose from. However, the best beaches in the Gilis are also much less visited than the best beaches in Bali.
All the beaches on these small islands tend to be white sands too, rather than the predominant black sand in most of Bali.
Generally speaking, these beaches are reasonably clean but they lack the professional clean-up crews that Bali tends to provide for its beaches.
Overall, though if we were looking for an exclusively beach-driven holiday, we’d probably opt for the beaches of the Gili Islands.
That’s not to say that Bali doesn’t have nice beaches, it’s to say that the Gilis have the edge on this.
Water Sports In Bali Vs Water Sports On The Gili Islands
There’s a turtle sanctuary in Gili Meno where you can swim with turtles and the turquoise waters of the Gilis offer plenty of marine life to swim with (though no manta rays, they’re in the Nusa Islands).
You can learn most water sports in the Gilis too and you’ll find that while buying equipment might be a little more expensive than in Bali, lessons are cheaper in the Gilis.
Bali’s got more choice though and there’s no doubt that if you head to Tanjung Benoa there’s not much that you can’t learn in Bali.
However, we’d call this category a draw and if you’re focused on value for money, then the Gilis might even edge it.
Safety In Bali Vs Safety On The Three Gili Islands
Both Bali and the Gili Islands have a good reputation as safe places for tourists, and you’re unlikely to be assaulted or attacked on either island (with the singular exception of other tourists if you’re in a place serving alcohol).
Petty crime is a real concern, mind you, and it’s not advisable to leave your things unattended in either location.
But… while they are both safe, if things go wrong, there is no police presence on the Gili Islands, nor is there a real hospital, so you will need to be sent to the mainland for assistance.
Bali has police, hospitals, security guards and plenty of other conveniences that ensure that your good time isn’t interrupted by a minor accident or if you need to file a police report.
Thus, while this category is close, Bali edges out the Gili Islands.
Things To Do In Bali Vs Things To Do On The Gili Islands
People go to the Gili Islands to get away from things to do. Each island has crystal clear waters, some of the best beaches around and almost nothing else.
Sure, there’s some live music and beach bars in Gili T and Gili Air but that’s about it. If you don’t enjoy snorkelling by a coral reef and chilling on the beach, these islands are not for you.
Bali, on the other hand, has so much to do that you could spend a year on the island and never do the same thing twice.
Our piece, 101 Things to do in Bali, is not exhaustive, it’s an introduction to the variety of stuff you can do here.
Spend some time travelling around the island of Bali and you will find you’re never bored. And that’s why Bali wins this category.
Nightlife In Bali Vs Nightlife On The Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan or Gili T is the “party island” of the Gilis though Gili Air has, in recent times, been heading in the same direction.
If you like beach bars and reggae music played very loud all night long, then you’re going to find these two Gili islands to your liking.
Gili Meno, on the other hand, has no nightlife at all. None. You go there to spend time on the beach and to relax, it’s all laid-back vibes.
But Bali is known all over the globe for its wild party vibe, from FINNS, the world’s best beach club, to night clubs, to bars, to beach parties and pool parties, Bali is where it’s at.
So, while there’s no doubt that the Gilis make a good showing in this category, Bali is the nightlife capital of this corner of Indonesia and only Jakarta can really rival it.
Cultural Highlights In Bali Vs Cultural Highlights In The Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are not only small islands they weren’t even permanently settled until the 1970s as there was a shortage of freshwater sources on the islands.
As you might expect this means the “culture” of these islands is a relatively new thing and there’s not much in the way of physical evidence of that culture.
You may hear the call to prayer in the Gilis and that may not always be welcome in the early hours of the morning.
Bali, on the other hand, has thousands of years of occupancy and it’s famous worldwide for its rich and welcoming culture.
You can find museums, temples, dance performances, ancient pre-Hindu cultures and much more (particularly around the North Coast) and thus this category is Bali’s.
Give it another hundred years or so and the islands will have their own distinct culture but for now, they feel like a tiny spin-off from Lombok.
Food In Bali Vs Food In The Gili Islands
You can enjoy traditional Indonesian dishes in both Bali and the Gili Islands and given their size the Gili Islands offer a fairly impressive range of international cuisine too.
However, when it comes to dining options Bali leaves the Gili Islands in its dust. From local street food to a humble warung to some of the finest dining on the planet, you can find it all in Bali.
Whether you’re at Ubud Night Market, on the beach in Jimbaran or at one of the luxury villas in Canggu or Seminyak, you’re never far from an amazing meal in Bali.
There aren’t any Michelin Star restaurants in Bali but we think that’s probably because the Michelin Guide doesn’t operate here, there are certainly chefs who’ve won stars elsewhere working in Bali, today.
This is a pretty easy win for Bali which has some of the most exceptional food options on Earth.
Aesthetics Matter: Bali Or The Gilis?
Bali is beautiful but there’s no doubt that there are parts of the island that aren’t so pretty too. Denpasar is not the best-looking capital city on Earth and some of the beach towns, in particular, Kuta could do with a facelift.
However, overall, you can find immense beauty on this island and there’s such a wide variety of scenery that there’s something for everything.
From Bali’s remote beaches to its ritzy beach clubs to the temples and rice terraces, it’s a wonderful place to be.
Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, on the other hand, are smaller and they’re certainly very pretty.
However, there’s also no doubt that the problems with waste that plague Bali are amplified on these islands – there are quite literal trash mountains to be found when wandering the islands and these places are too small to avoid them.
There’s also less variety in scenery than there is in Bali.
We think this category is tighter than you might imagine but Bali wins thanks to the variety of places to see.
Bang For Buck: Are The Gili Islands Or Bali Better Value?
Well, it depends on what you’re going to spend your money on. The Gili Islands of Gil Air, Gili Meno and Gili T are cheaper for accommodation and usually for activities too.
This is a reflection of the fact that these islands aren’t as popular as Bali and see fewer visitors jumping off a fast boat.
However, Bali is cheaper for food and drink because anything you eat or drink in the Gilis will need to be shipped from Bangsal Harbour or Padang Bai from the larger islands.
You’ll also find that there are more choices in Bali, so it’s easier to customize your activities to your budget.
There’s not a lot in this category, however, and we think we’re going to call it a tie between Bali and the Gili Islands.
Shopping In Bali Vs The Gili Islands
As you might expect, Bali is a better destination for shopping. In fact, many Australians visit Bali with the intent of going shopping.
The island is a hotbed of designer boutiques with very reasonable prices promoting both local and international brands.
You can get amazing beachwear, art, furniture, nightwear and more in Bali and you don’t have to travel too far from your resort to find it.
Whereas nobody is really exporting very much to Gili Air, Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno.
That’s not to say you can’t pick up some scuba diving kit on the island or a pair of sunglasses, but overall these three islands are not places to spend a fortune in shops.
Each island offers a little something that other islands might not, but these laid-back places just can’t compete with Bali for choice or price.
What’s Best For Digital Nomads? Bali Or The Gili Islands?
Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia for Digital Nomads, in fact, it’s the only island that regularly appears on the “Top 10 Digital Nomad Places to live” lists.
That’s because it has plenty of coworking and coliving spaces and it has reliable electricity and internet. Its reputation as a nomad destination also helps to bring in nomads to network with and party with.
Visit the island’s beach clubs and you will find plenty of digital nomads kicking it back with a drink after the working day is done.
The Gili Islands are rather more challenging for digital nomads. There’s nothing in the way of coworking or coliving, for now, and while electricity and internet are reasonably reliable – if they go out, you’re several hours away from a backup destination.
We’re sure the party island of Gili Trawangan, in particular, sees a few nomads passing through but Gili T is not the ideal nomad environment. This category is an easy win for Bali.
What’s Best For Expats?
This is another easy win for Bali. We’re sure there are some expats on the Gili Islands working in the tourism industry but Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air simply aren’t big enough for people to live on comfortably for extended periods of time.
It would be very difficult for most Westerners to buy the things they need and a long boat ride back to Bali every time you need clothes or a break from the monotony of small island life would be time-consuming and often unpleasant.
Whereas, Bali has thousands of expats and more arriving every day. It has exactly the right balance of affordability and facilities and there’s no doubt that things are going to stay this way for the foreseeable future.
It’s not impossible to live on a Gili Island but for most people, it’s not going to be the ideal way of life and expats tend to seek a better life than they have at home. So, Bali wins this category and it’s not even close.
Overall Bali Vs The Gili Islands
So, the Gili Islands were the best for stunning beaches.
Bali was best for expats, digital nomads, nightlife, shopping, great food, aesthetics, cultural highlights, things to do and overall safety.
The two are tied for value for money and water sports.
Overall, that means Bali is clearly the better holiday destination for the majority of travellers.
As we said at the start, we think they’re both good places for a holiday but if you can only visit one, the odds are you’re going to have a better time in Bali.
However, the best way to see the Gilis is simply to take a few days there as part of a longer holiday in Bali. Then, you don’t have to choose between them at all.
FAQs
Are The Gili Islands Better Than Bali?
As you can see from our head-to-head above, the Gili Islands aren’t better than Bali for most tourists.
Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are lovely places, but each is a very small island and once you’ve seen the amazing marine life nearby and partied until dawn a couple of times, there’s not much left to do.
If you’re going to visit Bali, then you might want to opt for a few days in the Gili Islands as an addition to your trip.
We’d also note that if you’re going to visit only one Gili island then you should choose carefully as Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno have very different vibes and Gili Air is now much more like Gili T than it once was.
Is It Worth Going To The Gili Islands From Bali?
That will very much depend on you. If we were going to pick a set of islands offshore from Bali to visit, we’d go to the Nusa Islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan) in preference to the Gili Islands.
That’s not because they’re part of Bali province It’s because they’re easy to get to. Have amazing beaches, are easy to get to via local boats, and have amazing sights like Manta Point and plenty of beach bars, luxury villas, etc. for a relaxing holiday without getting bored.
Whereas Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno are all a bit more limited. It’s not that the serene beaches of these beautiful islands are unappealing, we’d just rather go scuba diving with sea turtles in a part of Indonesia with more to do afterwards.
Are The Gili Islands A Must-See Destination?
No, we don’t think that the Gili Islands are currently a must-see destination in Indonesia.
While each tiny island has something to offer visitors Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air don’t offer enough to make the trip worthwhile for most people.
You’re going to spend a couple of hours from the Northwest Coast to reach the Gili Islands and when you get there, assuming the sea conditions are gentle, you’re going to find that there’s just not that much to do.
The view over the water to Mount Rinjani on Lombok is beautiful. There’s no doubt that getting around the island without the use of motorized traffic is an unforgettable experience but a tropical climate and crystal clear waters aren’t a compelling case to choose the Gilis over the Nusa Islands or Bali.
What Is Special About The Gili Islands?
There are a few things to recommend the Gilis and these include the absence of motorised vehicles, the turtle sanctuaries in the deep blue sea, live music on unspoiled beaches, the Gili Eco Trust, etc.
A luxury resort or renting one of the luxurious villas on the island is relatively cheap and it’s fun to island hop by renting a private boat or jumping on one of the public fast boats.
Final Thoughts On The Gili Islands Or Bali
The main choice between Bali and the Gili Islands depends on what you want from a holiday but as you can see from our head-to-head most people are going to have a better time on mainland Bali than on a Gili Island.
This is simply because there’s much more to see, do and experience in Bali than on all three islands off the coast of Lombok.
However, if you want to see what the Gili Islands offer then, you might opt for a holiday in Bali with a side trip to the small islands to experience Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan for yourself.
Read more:
Bali Or Lombok: Which Island Is Best For Your Indonesian Holiday?
Bali Vs Phuket: The Battle Of The Islands – Where Should You Go?
Bali Or Thailand: How To Choose Between The Two Most Popular Spots In South East Asia
Bali Or Philippines: One Tropical Island Or A Whole Archipelago?
