Gili Islands 1-day itinerary

Start your day cycling the flat 7km loop around Gili Trawangan — the largest and liveliest of the three Gili Islands. With no motorised vehicles on any of the Gilis, the only sounds are bicycle bells and horse-drawn cidomo carts. The east coast has the best snorkelling straight from the beach: wade in from the shore and you will find sea turtles grazing on seagrass beds within 50 metres. The north end of the island is quieter, with a hilltop viewpoint overlooking all three islands and the Lombok Strait.

Take a glass-bottom boat or snorkel trip to the underwater sculpture garden (Nest) between Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan — 48 life-sized human figures arranged in a circle on the sandy seabed at 4–5 metres depth, now encrusted with coral and surrounded by fish. Continue to Turtle Point off Gili Meno's east coast where green and hawksbill sea turtles are reliably found feeding in the shallow seagrass. The visibility in the dry season is 15–25 metres and the water is bathtub-warm.

Watch the sunset from the west coast of Gili Trawangan — the beach bars between the main strip and the harbour set up beanbags on the sand and the sun drops behind Bali's Mount Agung silhouette across the strait. After dark, head to the Gili Trawangan Night Market near the harbour where local food stalls serve freshly grilled seafood, satay, nasi goreng, and martabak (stuffed savoury pancakes) at a fraction of restaurant prices. The market is the best budget eating on the island.