Bike hire advice (applicable everywhere not just Gili) Rule 1. Shop around and beat them down until they cry. Rule 2. Discount for longer hire period, you will definitely use the bike every day, so don’t skimp a day. Rule 3. Ensure the bike has had some maintenance in the last 6 months! Check the brakes (make sure it’s not a sliver of rubber) and check the gears shift and take it for a test ride and go through the gears. Nothing worse than a chain falling off into the wheel. Rule 4. Get them to pickup the bike on your last day (don’t agree to extra charge for that) you are paying upfront so you could just leave it at your accommodation. Rule 5. Use a lock. Yes do it. Don’t argue with me. Some idiot could be tiddled and ride off on it. Rule 6. Adjust the seat for your height. Rule 7. If you can, get a bike with lights, street lighting is patchy. Enjoy

The whole island is very dark with uneven and unsafe paths, you wil definitely need a torch if coming to this island as it is very challenging to get around at night. I personally found it extremely challenging and I am not old or have any mobility issues. I recommend staying on the main roads either in town or facing the beach and not in the centre of the island, as most likely you will not be able to find your accommodation at night. The amount of tourism the island receives I am unsure why they do not put a focus on safety and fix the paths and install lighting around the island. If you are elderly or have mobility issues I would recommend skipping this island and possible consider Gili Trawangan instead where it’s a little more developed.

Never have I woken to more horrific sound than the muslim call to prayer. Starting somewhere around 4.30 it seems to go on forever. Tried earplugs and noise cancelling headphones and still it comes through to my brain. Talking about shoving religion down your throat 😀 It amazes me that this is allowed. They habe upgraded the spund systems since last time i was here. The island itself is beautiful, i like the peace and quiet that exist outside of the prayers.

This is not a family island. There were music festivals, both Indonesia and Psy Trance, during the weekend, easily heard from all corners of the entire island (with the later lasting until 6am). Then the prayer starts at 4.30am, again, by design, easily audible from the whole island. We didn't sleep well for the four days we were there, which is really disappointing. We won't go back and sadly can't recommend it.

Enjoyed Gili Air but the beaches were far from pristine and we didn’t like seeing the horse carts struggling to pull people/luggage. That said good snorkelling and we stayed at a lovely place - Gili Air Bungalows. Be careful paying up front for transfers to other islands. We paid on Gili Air for a transfer to Sengiggi - turns out we had to get in a public boat which we could have paid for cheaply ourselves. Then had a nightmare at the other end one landing on Lombok with Ryant Travel trying to squash far too many people in a car and trying to insist luggage goes on the roof. Suggest far better to pay for the boat and then separately pay for your transfer once you land in Lombok so you can negotiate.