Balisama: luxury resorts and villas in Bali

Home › Areas of Bali › Compare areas › Gili Islands vs Lombok

Gili Islands vs Lombok

Choose Gili Islands for walkability, nightlife and diving; choose Lombok for surfing, culture, nature and lower prices.

Gili Islands

Car-free islands, turtles & sunsets. Best for: Couples, divers & island hoppers.

Choose Gili Islands for walkability, nightlife, diving.

  • Beach: White-sand beaches with clear water and turtles; mind the currents between the islands.
  • Nightlife: Gili Trawangan parties most nights; Gili Air and Gili Meno are quiet.
  • Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: a little more than Bali for food, since supplies come by boat.
  • To the airport: 3–5 h. Fast boat from Padangbai (1.5–2.5 hours), or fly to Lombok
  • Climate: Hot & humid · coast
  • 6 resorts on Balisama, from about $50 a night

Lombok

Bali's quieter neighbor. Best for: Adventurers, hikers & those seeking off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Lombok for surfing, culture, nature, lower prices.

  • Beach: Some of the region's finest white-sand bays (Tanjung Aan, Selong Belanak), many almost empty.
  • Nightlife: A few bars in Kuta Lombok and Senggigi; quiet elsewhere.
  • Prices: $ · Budget. Cheaper than Bali for food, drivers and mid-range stays.
  • To the airport: 35 km · 30–90 min. From Lombok's own airport, a 40-minute flight from Bali
  • Climate: Hot & humid · coast
  • 16 resorts on Balisama, from about $45 a night

Gili Islands and Lombok are about 37 km apart, with a boat trip between them.

Ratings

  • Beaches: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Lombok Excellent (5/5)
  • Calm-water swimming: Gili Islands Very good (4/5), Lombok Good (3/5)
  • Surfing: Gili Islands Poor (1/5), Lombok Excellent (5/5)
  • Diving & snorkeling: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Lombok Good (3/5)
  • Sunsets: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Lombok Very good (4/5)
  • Nightlife: Gili Islands Very good (4/5), Lombok Fair (2/5)
  • Restaurants & cafés: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Lombok Fair (2/5)
  • Culture & temples: Gili Islands Poor (1/5), Lombok Good (3/5)
  • Nature & landscapes: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Lombok Excellent (5/5)
  • Yoga & wellness: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Lombok Fair (2/5)
  • Family-friendly: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Lombok Good (3/5)
  • Peace & quiet: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Lombok Very good (4/5)
  • Remote work: Gili Islands Fair (2/5), Lombok Fair (2/5)
  • Walkability: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Lombok Poor (1/5)

Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.