Gili Meno Island Trave Guide: Best Things To Do

Are you seeking an idyllic island getaway with serene white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed atmosphere? Look no further than Gili Meno, a peaceful island located near Bali in Indonesia. Despite being the smallest of the three Gili Islands, Gili Meno boasts a wealth of natural beauty, from its renowned sea turtle sanctuary to its vibrant coral reefs. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply looking to unwind in paradise, Gili Meno is the perfect destination for your next tropical escape. In this Gili Meno travel guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan the ultimate trip.

THE GILI MENO TRAVEL GUIDE

This Gili Meno travel guide will cover everything you need to know to plan your ultimate island getaway. I’ll provide tips on the best beaches to visit, top activities to do, and where to find the most delicious food. From snorkeling with sea turtles to stargazing on the beach, Gili Meno offers something for every type of traveler.

HOW TO GET TO GILI MENO

12GO offers a simple and reliable way to book a fast boat to Gili Islands from Bali. For instance, you’ll get instant confirmation of your ticket, and won’t need to wait in line to book in person. Further, you can check the timetable below to view the current schedule and book your ticket now.

GILI MENO SAFETY

There is no police officer or police officer on Gili Meno, which may seem alarming but is a testament to the culture on the island. We felt safe throughout our stay and were greeted by hellos and smiles along every walk we took around the many winding paths of the island.

GILI MENO ACCOMMODATION:  WHERE TO STAY

Sari Laut Homestay: We stayed in a small private room less than five minutes’ walk from the beach. We stayed at Sari Laut Homestay and our room set us back $17USD per night but there are resorts offering much more luxurious lodgings with rooms available for more than $200USD per night.

Seri Resort Gili Meno – Luxury: If you can afford the best (honestly still not outrageously expensive), then you go to Seri Resort. This beautiful plantation-style resort is the place to be, especially at night. It has a beautiful pool, a restaurant and a hookah bar.

Avia Villa Resort – Value:  – Avia Villa is so beautiful with it’s wooden, boho style but luxurious facilities it really is the kind of accommodation you want on Gili Meno. The best part about this place is that it’s only $55 per night including breakfast!  has WiFi, a pool, air-conditioning, and even a fridge.

WHERE TO EAT ON GILI MENO

Despite its small size, the island has plenty of dining options, ranging from beachside cafes to upscale restaurants. One of the top places to eat on Gili Meno is the Karma Beach Club, located on the island’s east coast. This beachfront restaurant offers a picturesque setting, with stunning views of the turquoise waters and white sand beach. The menu includes a range of international dishes, including fresh seafood, pasta, salads, and burgers, as well as a variety of cocktails and other beverages. The club also hosts regular events and live music performances, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

Another great dining option on Gili Meno is the Eco-Lodge Restaurant, located in the heart of the island’s jungle. This rustic yet charming restaurant serves organic and vegetarian dishes, made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu includes a variety of Indonesian and Western-style dishes, as well as fresh juices, smoothies, and herbal teas. The restaurant is part of an eco-friendly resort, which features bamboo bungalows, a natural swimming pool, and a yoga studio. The Eco-Lodge Restaurant offers a unique dining experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty while enjoying delicious and healthy food.

On the west side of the island, I recommend Sasak Cafe. This ocean-side eatery soon became our local sunset hangout. Our servers loved to chat with us and would often sit down beside us and talk about Gili Meno and their lives. A row of bean bags is assembled on the sand facing out toward the setting sun, which is one of the most relaxing ways to end the day.

THINGS TO DO ON GILI MENO

Scuba Diving on Gili Meno: The Gili Islands are known for their amazing dive sites, water clarity and temperature. We didn’t go scuba diving but there are a number of day trips or full certification courses, which will have you diving with turtles and amazing coral.

Snorkeling spots on Gili Meno: There are a handful of well-known sites off the shore of Gili Meno that totally blew us away. We hired a private wooden longboat for the morning with a captain and a young boy who would swim with us showing us all of the points of interest. After jumping into the warm water we swam with countless sea turtles and thousands of colorful fish. Our next stop was the Meno wall which is a steep drop-off with an eerie atmosphere.

There was also a shipwreck that we floated above, watching the scuba-divers below us investigate the remnants of the old vessel. There is also a collection of bicycles creating an artificial reef on the western side of the island which was my favorite underwater attraction. Find a turtle was no.1 on my list of things to do on Gili Meno.

Outdoor Gym on Gili Meno: We love to use outdoor gyms and didn’t stumble across one in Bali but we found one of the coolest workout stations I’ve seen yet. It was made of old trees and some lead pipe. We used a pullup bar and a dip bar to get our sweat on.

Hut Hopping on Gili Meno: On the eastern shore or the harbor side of the island there are a number of small huts and eateries. We used this to our advantage, ordering a drink and using the hut or bean bags at one restaurant before moving on to do the same at the next. We always made a small purchase of a drink or a meal but felt like we were getting the good end of the deal. This was a really relaxing way to spend the day.

Gili Meno Lake: Inside the island of Gili Meno is a saltwater lake and a mangrove forest. It is a peaceful spot for a walk or for reading a book. There are a few little huts that are just over the water and it would be a very peaceful spot for sunrise or sunset.

TRANSPORT ON GILI MENO ISLAND

There are no cars or mopeds on the island. The only way to get around is to use a taxi, which is a horse-drawn cart or to rent a bike. We rented bikes for two days at a cost of $4USD per day per bike which was fun. However, the roads were not great and often there was just sand so we ended up walking some of the time anyway.

On the days we didn’t rent bikes we walked around the island, which wasn’t a great trek and gave us a chance to look around and explore our surroundings. To be honest riding a bike around the island is one of the most enjoyable things to do on Gili Meno.

ATM’S ON GILI MENO ISLAND

There are several ATM’s on Gili Meno and prices run relatively similar to Bali so don’t expect a huge shock when you arrive. You can still find cheap food, accommodation, and activities. However, if you are looking for luxury, it would be a dream to wake up in many of the beachfront bungalows.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Gili Meno Island and have a great trip!