6 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Gili Islands

What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting the Gili Islands

My trip to the Gili Islands was suppose to be relaxing. We were sipping iced coffees, nibbling on pancakes, and dreaming about our upcoming ferry ride back to Bali. The skies were blue, vibes were high—until they suddenly weren’t. What followed was pure chaos, and I’m sharing it here so you don’t make the same blunders I did.

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Don't Count On Everything Going Smoothly

First off, never assume transportation in the Gili Islands will run like clockwork. My friend Liana and I thought we had it all figured out—fast boat from Gili Air to Padang Bai? Booked. But when I walked over to confirm our tickets, the guy behind the desk just shook his head. The ferry was cancelled due to weather. Apparently, heavy rain in Bali had shut down all marine traffic.

We were on a timer—Liana had a flight to catch the next morning. What followed was sheer pandamoneum. We flung our backpacks into a horse cart and dashed off like we were in an action movie. Thankfully, we made the final boat out, but the moral of the story? Always give yourself a buffer. Leave Gili at least a day before any connecting flights.

Arrive Way Earlier Than You Think

You’d think arriving 15 minutes before departure would be enough, but not on the Gilis! These fast boats tend to overbook, and chaos at the ticket counters is kind of the norm. We lucked out only because I randomly checked in early and got a heads-up.

Get there at least 45 minutes early. Use the extra time to grab a smoothie or chill by the beach before boarding. Missing your boat is not worth those extra 20 minutes of sleep.

Guard Your Return Ticket Like Gold

This one seems obvious, but it’s worth saying—don’t loose your return ferry ticket. These islands still rely heavily on paper tickets, and the systems aren’t as digitized as you might hope.

I misplacced mine and nearly had a panic attack. Luckily, the ticket agent recognized me and let me on, but it could’ve gone differently. Keep it with your passport and essentials, or better yet—snap a picture of it just in case.

Don't Skimp on Bringing Enough Cash

Cards? Good luck. A lot of local spots don’t take them, and the ATMs? Well, they’re not always stocked.

We spent nearly an hour hunting down a working ATM on Gili Air, only to find that the first three were empty. Save yourself the headache—withdraw cash before leaving Bali. I’d suggest bringing at least 1.5 million IDR for a couple days, especially if you plan to do tours, rent bikes, or eat out a lot.

Rethink Using the Horse Carts

Yes, they look picturesque. No, you shouldn’t use them unless absolutely neccessary. The horses often look exhausted and overheated, especially on Gili Trawangan.

Instead, rent a bike—it’s cheap, fun, and eco-friendly. You’ll get a better lay of the land, and your conscience will thank you too. We rented ours for around 50k IDR a day, and it was honestly one of the highlights of our stay.

Don't Skip the Snorkeling, Seriously

If you do nothing else—snorkel. The Gili Islands offer some of the most vibrant underwater scenes I’ve ever experienced. We did a half-day tour that looped around Gili T, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, and saw everything from turtles to neon coral.

There's even a set of eerie underwater statues near Gili Meno that are a must-see. If you just stick to the beach or get caught in the party scene, you'll miss out on what makes the Gilis so special.

Travel teaches you more through missteps than picture-perfect moments. My trip to the Gili Islands was equal parts stress and sunshine—but if you plan smart, it can be all sunshine for you. Pack wisely, plan ahead, and don’t forget to breathe in every salty, breezy second.