The Gili Islands are easy-going but they are also a real place with a real community of Sasak families who have lived here for generations. Being a good visitor means respecting the local culture, the environment, and the animals you encounter. This guide covers the essentials.
The big do's
✅ Do respect the Muslim community
The Sasak people are predominantly Muslim. You will hear the call to prayer from mosques on all three islands five times a day. Dress modestly when walking through villages and inland areas (shoulders and knees covered), keep beach attire to the beach itself, and be mindful of noise levels during prayer times and the Friday midday service.
✅ Do use reef-safe sunscreen
Regular sunscreens contain chemicals (oxybenzone, octinoxate) that bleach and damage coral reefs. The Gili reefs are already stressed from climate change and over-visitation. Bring reef-safe sunscreen from home or buy it on the island. This one small choice makes a real difference.
✅ Do carry a reusable water bottle
Plastic waste is a serious problem on the Gilis, as on most small islands without proper waste infrastructure. Many cafes, dive shops, and hotels offer free water refills to reduce single-use bottles. Bring a reusable bottle from home or buy one locally.
✅ Do give way to cidomo carts and bicycles
There are no motor vehicles on the islands. The only transport is walking, cycling, and horse-drawn cidomo carts. When walking on the paths, keep to the side and give way to approaching traffic. When cycling, ring your bell on blind corners.
✅ Do learn a few words of Bahasa Indonesia
"Selamat pagi" (good morning), "terima kasih" (thank you), "tolong" (please), "permisi" (excuse me). Locals light up when visitors make an effort, and it takes nothing to learn a handful of phrases.
✅ Do support local businesses
The local economy depends on tourism. When you have the choice between a local warung and a foreign chain, the warung keeps money in the community and supports families who have lived on the islands for generations. The food is usually better and cheaper anyway.
✅ Do bring enough cash
The ATMs on the Gilis are unreliable. They run out of cash, charge high fees, and sometimes swallow cards. Always bring enough Indonesian Rupiah from Bali or Lombok to cover your stay, plus a buffer.
✅ Do check the weather before boats
The sea crossings between the Gilis, Bali, and Lombok can be rough, especially during the wet season (November to March). Check conditions before booking and take seasickness tablets if you are prone.
✅ Do swim where safe
Strong currents exist between the islands, particularly the channel between Trawangan and Meno. Don't try to swim between islands. Within each island's shoreline, snorkelling and swimming are generally safe, but always check with locals about current conditions.
✅ Do snorkel responsibly
Don't touch coral. Don't stand on coral. Don't chase turtles or harass marine life. Keep your fins away from the reef. Watch your buoyancy. These basic rules protect the ecosystem you came to see.
The big don'ts
❌ Don't drink the tap water
Water from taps is not safe to drink anywhere in Indonesia. Use bottled water or a filter bottle. This includes ice in drinks at some local warungs — if in doubt, skip the ice or ask for bottled ice.
❌ Don't ride on damaged or abused cidomo carts
Most cidomo horses are well cared for but some are overworked or in poor condition. If you see a horse that looks exhausted, injured, or too small for the load, don't give the driver your business. Organisations like Gili Eco Trust monitor welfare and push for better standards. Walking or cycling is usually just as easy.
❌ Don't feed the fish or turtles
Feeding disrupts natural behaviours, changes marine populations, and can make animals dependent on humans. It also often involves unhealthy food. Observe, don't interact.
❌ Don't take shells, coral, or sand
It is illegal to remove marine organisms (alive or dead) from Indonesian protected areas, which includes most of the reefs around the Gilis. Beyond the legality, it damages the ecosystem. Take photos, leave the shells.
❌ Don't buy turtle products
Products made from sea turtles (shells, jewellery, eggs) are illegal to buy, sell, or transport. They come from the illegal killing of an endangered species. Never purchase them, even as souvenirs.
❌ Don't get visibly drunk in villages
Alcohol is available in tourist areas but Muslim communities consider public intoxication deeply offensive. Keep drinking to beach bars and resorts, not residential areas.
❌ Don't do drugs
Indonesia has some of the harshest drug laws in the world, including the death penalty for trafficking. Even small amounts of soft drugs can result in multi-year prison sentences. Don't accept anything from strangers, and don't buy anything in the party scene.
❌ Don't haggle aggressively
Bargaining is normal at markets and for some services, but do it with good humour. Don't grind local vendors down over a dollar or two — the difference means little to you and a lot to them.
❌ Don't swim between islands
Currents can be strong and unpredictable. Travellers have drowned trying to swim between Meno and Trawangan. Take a boat.
❌ Don't be loud late at night in residential areas
The party scene on Trawangan is concentrated on the east coast main strip. Keep noise down when walking home through quiet areas. Families are trying to sleep.
❌ Don't use drones without permission
Drones are popular for capturing the beauty of the islands but they can disturb wildlife, invade privacy, and create noise. Check local regulations, ask permission if flying near hotels or populated areas, and never fly over the mosque during prayer times.
❌ Don't take photos of people without asking
Basic respect: if you want to photograph a local person, ask first. A smile and gesture with your camera usually works.
❌ Don't skip travel insurance
Medical facilities on the Gilis are limited and evacuation to Lombok or Bali is expensive. Diving, scooter accidents, and seafood illness do happen. Make sure you are covered.
A final note
The spirit of the Gili Islands is relaxed, welcoming, and simple. Most of the "don'ts" above come down to basic respect: for the community, for the environment, and for the animals. If you arrive with that mindset, you will have a wonderful time and leave the islands a little better than you found them.