The gem of the Gilis
Welcome to Gili Meno
Gili Meno is the quietest of the famous Gilis; beautiful white sand islands a few kilometres off the coast of beautiful North Lombok.
Gili Meno: Perfect Blend of ‘Deserted Island’ Vibes, Great Food, Friendly People, and Plenty to Do!
Gili Meno is the island to slow down, unwind, escape the crowds, sign off from hustle culture and get back to your true self, with enough on offer to keep you active but not so much that you return needing a holiday from your holiday.
It is the quietest of the famous Gilis – three small islands just a few kilometres off the coast of beautiful North Lombok – and a spectacular fast-boat trip across the ocean from neighbouring Bali. The island is the perfect blend of unspoilt back-to-nature simplicity and a getaway destination that offers all the facilities, luxury and fun of more developed islands.
Welcome to paradise
A place where time bends
Gili Meno is known for having the best beaches and the least development. Long stretches of white sand with pandanus and casuarina trees line the shore to the turquoise ocean water. The water is warm all year round, superb for swimming and exploring the reefs that fringe the island.
Small enough to walk around in an hour and a half, you can stroll or run around the coastal path or stop for a cold drink and a swim as you make your way around. The population of 600 people is located in several villages in the island’s centre.
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Something for everyone
Play, rest, and chill
Here you can ride a bicycle around the island, swim in the turquoise warm waters, dive some of the most unspoiled dive spots the world over, ride horses on the beach at sunset, and slow down – island style – with yoga, massages, and eco-breaks. When you’re ready for more adventure, island-hop the Gilis or tour Lombok for rice fields and incredible mountaineering.
Unique to these islands is that motorised vehicles aren’t permitted, and most of the roads could not support vehicles. Traditional horse carts – ‘cidomo’ carriages for people and ‘dongal’ open carts for materials – are still used to transport all supplies of food and drinks, furniture and building materials, and your luggage.
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Super food & drink
Eat well on Gili Meno
Eating out on Gili Meno is superb, with a huge variety of cuisines to satisfy all food preferences and requirements. From elevated Western-style food to local delicacies, paired with refreshing cocktails or an excellent flat white – made with your milk of choice – you won’t go hungry here.
There aren’t any malls or supermarkets on the island. But you will find a few smaller independent boutiques where you can buy clothing, jewellery, handbags and some eco products.
But, just like in the rest of Indonesia, you can buy tropical fruits and fresh vegetables, drinks and snacks, groceries and essentials at various local shops – called warungs – dotted around the island. Take a moment to sit on the step with the friendly shopkeepers and engage with island life.
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Sustainable tourism
In recent years the Gili Islands, like many tourist destinations, have faced the threat of over-tourism that puts pressure on the island environment, especially the supply of fresh water and the capacity to cope with waste. Yet tourism also helps to encourage better facilities and to support responsible development.
Unique to these islands is that motorised vehicles aren’t permitted, and most of the roads could not support vehicles. Traditional horse carts – ‘cidomo’ carriages for people and ‘dongal’ open carts for materials – are still used to transport all supplies of food and drinks, furniture and building materials, and your luggage.
Gili Meno is working actively with organisations to protect the reefs, the working horses and the island, as well as to improve waste management. For those so inclined, you can join weekly Trash Hero cleanups, use reusable shopping bags and look for water-refill stations at restaurants around the island.
