Looking for a destination to get away and escape the frosty chill of winter? How about the islands that were the top trending Google travel destination search for this year?
Not too sure which islands top the list? Well, I have to admit, it is not any of the popular islands I have heard of. I tend to think the Azores, Tenerife, Sicily, Iceland, Phuket and maybe even Hawaii. But the ones that topped the list were the Gili Islands in Indonesia.
Welcome to the Gili Islands
Located just off the coast of Lombok Island in Indonesia, the Gili Islands are a somewhat challenging place to actually visit without an airport or flight service.
The main way to get to the islands is via ferry either from Bangsal, Teluk Nare or even the popular tourist destination of Bali.
What was a backpacker destination in the 1980s and 1990s has evolved into the Instagrammable tourist hotspot for 2024.
Three Different Vacation Options
The there are three small islands that make up the Gili Islands in Indonesia. That makes sense as the word “gili” is actually “small island” in an Indonesian dialect.
Each of the three islands provide travelers with a different vacation experience depending on what specifically they are looking for in their vacation.
Gili Trawangan is the largest and by far the most visited of the Gili islands. Most people know
Gili Trawangan as the “party island” but it actually has much more to do than just that. It definitely caters to a younger demographic.
Meanwhile, Gili Air sounds like the local airline, but instead is the second-largest island in the chain. It is the closest to the mainland island of Lombok. It has a more traditional feel of the three islands and actually hosts a well-developed local community.
The smallest island, Gili Meno, is actually wedged between the two other islands and features more of a tropical island vibe. It is considered the most laid back of the three islands and a great place to escape from it all on a beach.
What to Expect Visiting the Gilis
For travelers heading to the Gilis, most of the activities, not surprisingly, revolve around the beach and the sea.
The most popular activity is scuba diving. There are nearly 20 popular dive sites on the islands and plenty of places to train and get certified. Freediving and snorkeling are also popular tourist activities in the sea.
For those looking for activities out of the water, there are plenty of party boats, yoga and walking on the beach. Generally, walking around each entire island takes 90 minutes or less, although tourists are advised to avoid the heat of the day.
Travelers can also visit Gili Meno Bird Park or the green and loggerhead turtle sanctuaries on two of the islands.
Tourists should be aware that the main religion on the Gilis is Muslim and should act modestly according to the traditions and standards of the religion.
Meanwhile, the weather is hotter and drier than most places in Indonesia. It is definitely less rainy than Bali and the rainy season runs from November until April.
The peak travel season in the Gilis is the December-January winter holiday travel season and the July-August summer season.
As hotels are in limited supply and high demand, tourists to the Gilis should book hotels well in advance of travel. Although reports are that sleeping on the beach is generally acceptable and relatively safe.