Balisama: luxury resorts and villas in Bali

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

Gili Islands vs Sidemen

Choose Gili Islands for better beaches, diving, nightlife and calm water; choose Sidemen for a shorter airport transfer, culture, quiet and nature.

Gili Islands

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

Choose Gili Islands for better beaches, diving, nightlife, calm water.

  • 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

Sidemen

Rice valley below Mount Agung. Best for: Nature lovers, hikers & slow travelers.

Choose Sidemen for a shorter airport transfer, culture, quiet, nature.

  • Beach: No beach; the east coast is about 30 minutes away.
  • Nightlife: None.
  • Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: small villas and eco-resorts, simple local food.
  • To the airport: 62 km · 1½–2 h
  • Climate: A little fresher · 350 m
  • 2 resorts on Balisama, from about $150 a night

Gili Islands and Sidemen are about 69 km apart, with a boat trip between them.

Ratings

  • Beaches: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Sidemen None (0/5)
  • Calm-water swimming: Gili Islands Very good (4/5), Sidemen None (0/5)
  • Surfing: Gili Islands Poor (1/5), Sidemen None (0/5)
  • Diving & snorkeling: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Sidemen None (0/5)
  • Sunsets: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Sidemen Fair (2/5)
  • Nightlife: Gili Islands Very good (4/5), Sidemen None (0/5)
  • Restaurants & cafés: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Sidemen Poor (1/5)
  • Culture & temples: Gili Islands Poor (1/5), Sidemen Very good (4/5)
  • Nature & landscapes: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Sidemen Excellent (5/5)
  • Yoga & wellness: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Sidemen Very good (4/5)
  • Family-friendly: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Sidemen Good (3/5)
  • Peace & quiet: Gili Islands Good (3/5), Sidemen Excellent (5/5)
  • Remote work: Gili Islands Fair (2/5), Sidemen Poor (1/5)
  • Walkability: Gili Islands Excellent (5/5), Sidemen Good (3/5)

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