Travel insurance is essential
Do not come to the Gili Islands without travel insurance. The medical facilities on the islands are extremely limited. Anything serious requires evacuation to Mataram on Lombok, or to Bali or Singapore, which can cost thousands of dollars. A decent travel insurance policy with medical coverage is cheap compared to the potential cost of an uninsured emergency.
Make sure your policy covers:
- Medical treatment and emergency evacuation
- Scuba diving (if you plan to dive — not all policies include this)
- Water sports activities
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Lost or stolen belongings
Providers like World Nomads, SafetyWing, and AllianzTravel cover diving to standard depths. Read the fine print — some policies exclude deep diving, technical diving, or diving without a certified guide.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are strictly required to enter Indonesia, but several are recommended. Check with a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before your trip. Commonly recommended vaccines include:
- Routine vaccines: MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, influenza
- Hepatitis A: Recommended. Spread through contaminated food and water
- Hepatitis B: Recommended if you might get a tattoo, piercing, or medical treatment
- Typhoid: Recommended for longer stays or if you will eat at local warungs
- Rabies: Consider if you will be around stray animals or in remote areas
- Japanese encephalitis: Only recommended for long rural stays
The Gili Islands are not considered a high malaria risk area. Most travel clinics do not recommend malaria prophylaxis for short Gili trips, but if you are extending your trip to rural Lombok, Flores, or other regions, ask your doctor.
Medical facilities on the islands
Each of the three Gili Islands has a basic clinic (Puskesmas) staffed by local nurses and sometimes a doctor. They can handle minor injuries, basic illnesses, and initial stabilisation for more serious issues. There are also some private clinics in the main tourist areas of Trawangan and Air.
For anything moderately serious, you will need to go to:
- Mataram, Lombok (boat + taxi, 1-2 hours)
- BIMC Hospital in Nusa Dua, Bali (fast boat + taxi, 3-5 hours)
- Singapore for serious cases (flight from Bali or Lombok)
The nearest recompression chamber for dive emergencies is in Mataram, Lombok. Most dive shops have established emergency procedures and relationships with the chamber.
Drinking water
Do not drink tap water anywhere in Indonesia. Even brushing your teeth with tap water carries some risk, though many travellers do this without issues.
Safer options:
- Bottled water (available everywhere for Rp 5,000-15,000 per bottle)
- Refill stations at many cafes and dive shops (bring your own bottle)
- Water filter bottle (LifeStraw, Grayl) — good for reducing plastic waste
- Purification tablets as a backup
Ice in drinks at reputable restaurants and bars is usually made from purified water and is fine. At small local warungs, ask if the ice is from purified water ("es dari air minum?") or skip it to be safe.
Food safety
Food safety on the Gilis is generally good but "Bali belly" (traveller's diarrhoea) does affect some visitors, particularly in the first few days. To reduce your risk:
- Eat at places with high turnover — busy restaurants have fresh food
- Wash your hands often, especially before eating
- Be careful with raw salads and uncooked vegetables at smaller places (washed in tap water)
- Fruit you peel yourself (bananas, oranges) is safer than pre-cut fruit
- Street food is generally safe if freshly cooked in front of you
- Seafood should be fresh and properly cooked
Despite best efforts, some travellers still get sick. If you do: stay hydrated (oral rehydration salts available at pharmacies), eat bland foods, and rest. Most cases resolve in 1-3 days. If symptoms include blood, severe fever, or last more than 3 days, see a doctor.
Sun safety
The tropical sun is intense and you can burn in 20-30 minutes without protection, even on cloudy days.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone-free) and reapply every 2 hours
- Wear a rashguard while snorkelling or spending extended time in water
- Seek shade during midday (11am-2pm) when UV is strongest
- Wear a hat and sunglasses
- Stay hydrated — tropical heat dehydrates you faster than you realise
Sunburn on the face, chest, and shoulders is extremely common among new arrivals. Be more careful than you think you need to be.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
Dengue fever is present in Indonesia and is spread by day-biting mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, body aches, and rash. There is no vaccine widely available, so prevention is the only protection:
- Use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings
- Stay in accommodation with AC or mosquito nets
- Avoid standing water where mosquitoes breed
If you develop a high fever and severe body aches during or after your trip, see a doctor and mention your travel history. Most dengue cases resolve with rest and hydration but severe cases require hospital care.
Diving safety
Diving on the Gilis is generally very safe but accidents do happen. Basic precautions:
- Only dive with certified PADI or SSI centres (all the well-known shops are)
- Be honest about your experience level — don't dive beyond your certification
- Check your equipment thoroughly before every dive
- Do not fly for 18-24 hours after your last dive to avoid decompression sickness
- Stay hydrated between dives
- Don't drink alcohol before diving
- Know your hand signals and emergency procedures
Strong currents can be present at some dive sites, particularly during certain tides. Always listen to your dive guide's briefing and stay close to your buddy.
Water safety and swimming
The waters around the Gilis are generally calm and safe for swimming, but there are some hazards to be aware of:
- Strong currents between islands. Do not attempt to swim between Trawangan, Meno, and Air. Currents in the channels can be unexpectedly strong.
- Sharp coral. Wear reef shoes or water sandals when entering from rocky or coral-strewn beaches.
- Jellyfish. Occasionally present in certain months. Usually just irritating stings, not serious.
- Sea urchins. Watch where you step in shallow coral areas. Spines can break off in your foot.
- Boats. Be aware of boat traffic near the jetties and in popular snorkel spots.
Personal safety
The Gili Islands are generally very safe for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the small, close-knit communities mean anything serious would be noticed quickly. However, petty theft does happen, particularly on Trawangan during the busy party nights.
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Don't leave belongings unattended on the beach
- Be aware of your surroundings in the late-night bar scene
- Watch your drink — spiking is uncommon but not unheard of
- Use licensed and reputable operators for boat trips and activities
Drugs and alcohol warning
Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, including the death penalty for trafficking. Even small amounts of marijuana can result in long prison sentences. The Gili Islands are no exception despite their relaxed party reputation. Do not buy drugs, do not accept anything from strangers, and do not assume locals or other travellers are not informants or police.
Alcohol is widely available and legal. Counterfeit alcohol has been a problem in some parts of Indonesia (causing methanol poisoning and fatalities), but reputable bars and restaurants on the Gilis use legitimate stock. Stick to branded spirits from well-known bars, and be cautious of suspiciously cheap drinks.
Emergency contacts
Note that response times and English-language support can be limited. Your hotel and dive shop are often the fastest way to access local help. Keep your embassy's contact details handy for serious situations.
A sensible first-aid kit
Pharmacies are available on Trawangan and Air but selection is limited. Bring a basic kit with:
- Antiseptic wipes or solution
- Plasters and bandages
- Antihistamine (for stings and reactions)
- Pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Anti-diarrhoeal medication (loperamide)
- Oral rehydration salts
- Motion sickness tablets
- Any personal prescription medications (bring extra)
- Insect repellent
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera
With sensible preparation, the Gili Islands are a safe and healthy place to visit. Most travellers have absolutely no issues at all, and come home with nothing worse than a tan and a slight sadness at having to leave.