Gili Meno is one of three beautiful and oh so tiny islands within an archipelago off the north west coast of Lombok. It is the smallest of the three stretching only two kilometres long and one wide with a small saltwater lake situated close to the western perimeter. Gili Meno sits smack bang in the middle of its bigger and more populated sister islands of Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.
Some popular activities available in this area include snorkelling, swimming, surfing, diving, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding. The underwater marine life is second to none in this part of the world and you are likely to lay goggled eyes on many different species of tropical fish, stingrays and even a turtle or two! You will lose hours exploring the coral reefs just off Gili Meno on your own or maybe an entire day if you make use of the snorkelling boat tours available. When the tide is at its lowest, you can take a stand-up paddle board across to Gili Trawangan, but make sure you paddle back in time as it does get choppy and those less experienced could drift off course.
On Gili Meno, life is as simple as it comes. The beaches have no hawkers to disrupt you as you would normally expect in Asia, and you can take a break from the searing sun in one of many thatched roof huts on the sand. It is possible to stay on the island, but accommodation is sparse. To the south of the main beach strip is where you will find most of the places to rest your weary body. Don’t expect something like you’d find in the heart of Seminyak, one of many aspects that attracts travellers to Gili Meno is that it is remote and basic.
Eating on Gili Meno may be challenging if you have dietary requirements or are generally picky. A bunch of warungs and local cafés are about all there is in terms of dining options, serving locally caught grilled seafood and vegetables grown on the island – at least you know it is all fresh!
Transport to Gili Meno can be as much of an adventure as you want it to be with a choice between a cheap ticket on a local and very slow outrigger boat or the more expensive but still affordable fast boats. Whatever option you take, the boats hop between the islands several times a day. A fast boat takes approximately 15 minutes from Lombok mainland and 90 minutes from various ports in Bali.
