Gili Islands

Just off the northwestern coast of Lombok is a vision of tropical paradise – a trio of tiny coral-fringed islands, each with white sandy beaches and pellucid water teeming with a
kaleidoscopic array of reef fish. For years the islands of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan were a budget-priced stopover for travellers on the Asian trail, but in recent years accommodation options have diversified and now there are luxury villas and rustic-chic bungalows dotted between the simple bamboo-and-thatch huts for rent.

Delightfully free of cars and motorcycles, the Gilis are home to just the tinkling cidomo and the odd bicycle. Each island has professional scuba-diving centres, and the snorkelling is excellent too.

Each Gili has its own character and charm – Trawangan has a big party scene, Meno is very mellow and Air’s atmosphere falls somewhere between the two. Note that, in most places in the Gili Islands, the water comes from wells and is a bit saline.