The Gili Islands are small, fragile, and entirely dependent on tourism. That dependence comes with both opportunity and risk. Done well, tourism supports local families, funds conservation, and shares one of the world's most beautiful places with visitors. Done badly, it pollutes the ocean, exhausts working animals, and degrades the environment that made the islands worth visiting in the first place. This guide is about being the first kind of visitor.
Protect the reefs
The coral reefs around the Gilis are under stress from climate change, tourist pressure, and historical damage from destructive fishing. Every visitor can help protect them:
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. Standard sunscreen contains oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that bleach coral and harm marine life. Reef-safe alternatives are available at most dive shops and eco-conscious hotels. Buy it before you come if possible.
- Do not touch coral. Even a brief brush can kill a coral polyp that took years to grow. Watch your fins when swimming. Never stand on coral.
- Do not take coral home. It is illegal to remove coral (alive or dead) from Indonesian waters and severely damages the ecosystem.
- Do not anchor on reefs. If you charter a boat, ask whether they use mooring buoys or if their anchor damages coral.
- Volunteer for reef restoration. Gili Eco Trust and other organisations run reef restoration programmes where certified divers can help transplant coral fragments to damaged areas. This is genuine impact work.
Reduce plastic waste
Plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems on the islands. Waste infrastructure is limited, and what you throw away often ends up burned, buried, or in the ocean. Every piece of plastic you do not use is a small win.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. Many cafes, dive shops, and hotels offer free water refills from filtered stations.
- Refuse single-use plastic bags. Bring a reusable tote or just carry items in your hands.
- Refuse plastic straws. Many bars have switched to bamboo or metal alternatives but some still use plastic. Ask.
- Bring a reusable coffee cup. If you are a regular cafe visitor, this saves dozens of disposable cups over a week.
- Say no to plastic sachets. Single-use toiletry sachets are a major waste source. Bring your own in bottles or use bar products.
- Pack out what you bring in. If you brought packaged snacks to a beach, take the wrappers with you.
- Participate in beach cleanups. Gili Eco Trust organises regular cleanups open to anyone.
Respect the marine life
- Do not touch, chase, or ride sea turtles, reef sharks, or any marine animal
- Do not feed fish or turtles — it disrupts natural behaviour
- Keep a respectful distance when snorkelling or diving
- Do not buy products made from marine animals (shells, coral, turtle shell)
- Avoid fish species that are overfished or caught unsustainably (ask your restaurant)
- Report injured animals to local dive shops or turtle sanctuary staff
Support cidomo welfare
The horse-drawn cidomo carts are a traditional form of transport on the Gili Islands and are part of the local culture. However, welfare standards vary significantly. Some horses are well looked after; others are overworked and poorly fed. The workload of tourist cidomo carts has increased significantly with the rise in tourism.
If you choose to use a cidomo:
- Look for horses that appear healthy — good weight, clean coat, alert
- Avoid cidomos where the horse looks exhausted or is panting heavily
- Refuse if the load looks excessive
- Do not tip drivers who visibly mistreat their horses
- Report welfare concerns to Gili Eco Trust
Alternatively, consider walking or cycling wherever possible. The islands are small enough that you rarely need motorised transport.
Support the local community
The Sasak people who live on the Gili Islands have been here for generations. Tourism is their main source of income. How you spend your money determines who benefits.
- Eat at local warungs. Family-run warungs keep money in the community and offer better, more authentic food at lower prices than tourist restaurants.
- Buy souvenirs from local makers. Handmade jewellery, woven items, and local art support individual artisans rather than mass-produced imports.
- Choose locally owned accommodation. Many hotels on the Gilis are run by Sasak families. Staying with them supports the community directly.
- Use local operators for dives, tours, and transfers. International chains exist but locally owned businesses often provide equal quality service and more of your money stays on the island.
- Tip fairly. Service workers rely on tips. A small percentage of your bill can meaningfully improve their day.
- Learn a few words of Bahasa Indonesia. Even basic greetings show respect and are warmly received.
Respect the culture
The Gili Islands are a Muslim community. While tourism has created a more relaxed atmosphere than you might find in stricter Muslim areas, basic respect for local culture matters.
- Dress modestly away from the beach and pool areas
- Do not walk through villages in swimwear
- Be respectful during Ramadan
- Keep noise down near mosques and residential areas, especially late at night and during prayer times
- Ask permission before photographing people
Conserve water and electricity
Freshwater is a limited resource on small islands. Electricity is often generated by diesel generators or imported from Lombok via undersea cable. Both resources should be used thoughtfully.
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off AC, lights, and fans when leaving your room
- Reuse towels and linens rather than having them changed daily
- Report leaking taps to hotel staff
Volunteer or donate
Several organisations work on conservation and community initiatives in the Gili Islands. Consider supporting them:
- Gili Eco Trust — reef restoration, plastic waste, cidomo welfare, and environmental education
- Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary — sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation
- Gili Shark Conservation — shark research and marine biology programmes
- Gili Trawangan Turtle Hatchery — protecting turtle eggs and releasing hatchlings
Both volunteer time and financial donations are welcomed. Even a small donation at the turtle sanctuary or joining a beach cleanup for an hour makes a real difference.
Offset your travel
Long-haul flights are the single biggest carbon footprint of most travel. Consider offsetting your flights through reputable programmes, and choose direct flights where possible. Staying longer and travelling slower reduces your per-day impact.
A final thought
The Gili Islands exist today as a beautiful place because of the local people who have cared for them for generations, and they will exist in the future only if visitors contribute to that care. Every small choice — what sunscreen you wear, where you eat, how you treat the animals and the reef — adds up. The islands are small enough that individual actions really do matter.
Travel is a privilege. Leave the Gilis better than you found them, and tell other travellers to do the same.