DIVING THE GILI ISLANDS

INTO THE BLUE - DIVING THE GILI ISLANDS with MANTA DIVE

As one of Indonesia’s top areas for scuba diving and a reputation for being the ‘turtle capital of the world’, with year round water temperatures about 28 degrees Celsius, the Gili islands have become popular for beginners and experienced divers alike. There are about 18 dive sites around the three islands, with a variety of topography (slopes, walls, ridges and canyons) and an enormous amount of diverse marine life. This includes black – and white tip reef sharks, lots of turtles (hawks bill and olive ridley), lionfish, scorpion fish, cuttle fish and octopus, moray eels, sea snakes, different types of rays (blue – spotted, eagle and, from December to March, manta rays)not to mention schools of bump - head parrot fish every full moon and the occasional whale shark…plus countless varieties of hard and soft corals. Hana Reef on Gili Air is fast becoming renowned for excellent “muck diving” where divers can see rare critters like frog fish, pink - leafed scorpion fish, flying guard, mantis shrimp, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, robust ghost pipefish, blue ringed octopus and ringed pipe fish.

Photographs courtesy of James White

TRANSPORT info to the GILI ISLANDS

TRANSPORT information to the GILI ISLANDS

HOW TO GET to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, by Fast boat, slow boat, flights and transfers, shuttle bus and with Perama tours.

SCHEDULES and prices of the 3 Gili islands island hopper local boat services.
(at the bottom of the page)

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FAST BOATS TO THE GILI ISLANDS

SHUTTLE BUS AND PERAMA BOAT

One of the most popular ways of getting from any where in Bali to the Gilis, (Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Padang Bai, Candidasa, Amed, Tulamben and Lovina) is with the Perama Shuttle Bus and boat. This service runs every day and leaves Kuta at 10.00am to Padang Bai, where at 13.30pm the boat takes you direct to the Gili’s. Travel time is approx
8 hours but can take longer.

Click here for [more info]

Price Rp 375,000

FOR MORE INFORMATION and RESERVATIONS

FAST BOATS TO THE GILI ISLANDS

The Gili islands just got closer with currently 7 fast boat services operating between Bali and Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. With door to beach services the fast boat companies offer hassle free transfers from all areas in Bali to the Gili islands and Lombok. Find up-to-date and accurate information with online reservations and booking service. You can find schedules and timetables, boat specifications, picture galleries and price comparisons. Click here for [more info]

FOR MORE INFORMATION and RESERVATIONS

Bars N Reataurants

BARS AND RESTAURANTS
This is a selection of my personal favourites,
Ana Café
A great little place to sample local foods, cheap and tasty, try the Nasi Campur.
Blue Marlin Café
A varied international menu during the day and maybe the best grilled sea fish on the island in the evenings, try the salads or grilled trevally in garlic with one of their fresh juices.
Coco Coffee Shop
Now serving a variety of illy coffees, delicious home made cakes and freshly filled baguettes.
Have to try the chocolate brownies or blueberry pie with a cappuccino.
Horizontal
A touch of pure funk has arrived in the form of Horizontal Bar and Lounge and the H rooms, chilled music overlooking the red cushion covered beach. Try the mojitos, Gili island cocktails, Tapas menu and mixed Asian fusion cuisine.
Juku
A laid back Balinese restaurant with your own draped baruga to eat in, serves good Indonesian and Western favourites. Try the chicken cordon bleu with vegetables.
Karma Kayak
Their Tapas restaurant offers a great mix of fresh Spanish Tapas and other small
fusion bites, sandwiches, milksakes and much more. try the Sangrias at sunset..
Kayangan Restaurant
Tucked away this overlooked local warung has all the popular Indonesian favourites.
Try the tempe goreng with morning glory, mie goreng or the cap cay.
Manta Café
Good reasonably priced international foods in a relaxed atmosphere, go and chill out in
one of the hammocks or barugas, or jump in the Manta pool to cool off.
Try the wraps and the yellow sauce curries.
Pesona Indian Restaurant
Truly unique, hookah pipes on the Thai styled beach front with flavored Indian tobaccos, and amazing dishes from all parts of India.
Ryoshi Japanese Restaurant
A must try if you are a Sushi or Teriyaki fan, their fish is flown in daily on ice to ensure freshness and quality. Try the Naso miso soup, chicken teriyaki and tuna carpaccio.
Scallywags
Food from northen Spain's Basque region made with fresh organic locally sourced ingredients. The Pan seared coral trout w manchego salad and the signature dish such as tempura sardines drizzled with an apple sauce. Mmmm.Yummy Totally reasonably priced and a must try on your visit to Trawangan. Be scallywagged.

See the efforts of importing STORM BEER and story board

BARS & NIGHT FULL LIFE

BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
Gili Trawangan has always had the stigma for being the ‘Party Island’ of the three Gilis and there are numerous restaurants and bars open until 2pm along the main strip and the beach, however most kitchens close around 11pm.

There are regular party nights with DJ’s spinning the latest hip hop, dance and house hits, they are rotated so there is only one party a night which can stay open until 4am.

Currently the schedule is Monday night for the famous Blue Marlin rave party, Wednesday nights at the beachfront 'Shipwrecked Bar' is the ‘Tir na Nog’ Irish bar party, with a mix of funky house music, Friday night is at Rudys Bar, & Reggae music most nights at Sama Sama

Fast Boat to Gilli & Balli Island

FAST BOATS TO THE GILI & BALI Island

The Gili islands just got closer with the increasingly popular fast boat services operating between Bali and Gili Trawangan and Lombok , here is some information regarding the schedules and routes and boat specifications.

Island Promotions Travel is only recommending boat operators that are fully licensed, have fully accredited captains and crew, that meet full international western safety standards, and that have passenger insurance.

The 16m long 32 passenger Ocean Star Express provides a reliable daily service from just about anywhere in Bali to Gili Trawangan and Lombok with the shortest possible sea crossing time of 1.5 hours, combining a picturesque road trip to Padang Bai in East Bali. With afternoon departures also available on demand in peak season, light refreshments included.

Click here for [more info]


Please note; Island Promotions Travel are only recommending fast boat operators
that are fully licensed, that have fully accredit captains and crew, that meet full international western safety standards, and that have full passenger insurance.

For more INFORMATION on all the services and RESERVATIONS [ click here ]

The Gili Gili boat service leaves from Tanjung Benoa and is perfect for passengers in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and the very south of Bali going to Lombok and the Gili islands. The 32 passenger vessel has flat screen entertainment and includes hotel pick up and lunch box with face towels.

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Island Getaway operate the 16 metre long fast boat 'Narooma' with the only daily service from Benoa in south Bali to Gili Trawangan and Lombok, with an extra drop / pick up from Gili Meno & Gili Air making it essential to book in advance. She is custom built to carry 24 passengers with the most comfortable and unique individual seating. Free refreshments provided, also with western toilet facilities.

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The Gili Cat service provides transport for customers all over Bali, they run from Padang Bai harbour (so great for people travelling from Ubud and north Bali) to Gili Trawangan and Lombok with two 16m Australian built fibreglass catamarans that seat up to 28 passengers. With the shortest sea crossing time of 1.5 hours. In high season they operate afternoon departures.

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