Lombok and the Gili Islands are amongst the most beautiful Indonesian islands. You can visit this place during any time of the year, as it is mostly visited by tourists during summer. The ideal weather for visiting Lombok and the Gili Islands allows for sailing, ballooning, and jet skiing. It is the perfect place to get away from the maddening pace of life. The most prominent attractions around Lombok and the Gili Islands are the coral reefs, fault lines, volcanoes and the sea turtles.
Diving and snorkeling around the numerous Gili islands of Lombok and the Gili Islands are among the very best and easiest places to go when on vacation in Indonesia. The best time to visit the three Gili Islands is during the months of January to July. Even if you travel on weekdays during the wet season you will still be able to see plenty of the magnificent coral reefs. The best time to travel to Lombok and the Gili Islands is during the dry months from December to April. If you are lucky you may even see orca, one of the rarest and stunning white sharks in the world.
The best way to travel around Lombok and the Gili Islands when taking a holiday in Indonesia is by air. Travelling by air during the wet season is not only the cheapest way to travel around Indonesia but also the safest one. The main airports in Java are located in Surabaya and Denpasar respectively and there are numerous cheap flights available daily to these two cities.
However, to truly experience the beauty of the Indonesian archipelago you should consider spending a day or two in one of the island’s fishing villages. Most people who travel to Lombok and the Gili Islands do so in order to swim and watch the amazing natural beauty of the area. However, if you are more interested in diving or snorkeling then you can take your boat and enjoy some of the most breathtaking and colourful underwater scenes that are available in the world. These villages are dotted around the northern part of Lombok and the Gili Islands and you will be able to hire a boat from almost every fishing village that you come across.
When it comes to snorkeling in Lombok and the Gili Islands then there are two places that you should try out. The first is the town of Mas, situated on the southern end of the island. Here you will find a colourful village that is known for its unique and unusual diving culture. The majority of the fishermen in this village take advantage of the beautiful sunset that visits the town at long intervals throughout the year. The second place that you should visit is the beach at Kuta, which is just south of Mas.
Many people come to the Gili islands and Lombok in order to dive and view the incredible sea turtles that roam freely here. Scuba diving in this area is fantastic and you can expect to see sea turtles, manta rays, barracudas and hammerheads as well as many other amazing marine life during your stay in Lombok and the Gili Islands. There are two places that are considered to be the best places for diving in the area; the semi beach and the boating village of Nusa Dua.
Whilst in Lombok and the Gili Islands you will also be able to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding environment. There are several interesting underwater caves and you can expect to dive and snorkel through several of these. One of the more popular dive sites in Lombok is the Cave of the Secrets which is situated north of Seminyak. Within this cave you will be able to view some remarkable examples of fossilised coral reefs, an incredible collection of sea turtles, and even a few Hammerhead sharks. If you want to know more about the different species of marine life that can be found in this beautiful part of Indonesia then it is well worth taking a dive into these areas.
The third island that you will want to visit is Tsumulai, which lies to the east of Lombok and the Gili Islands. Here you will find some excellent snorkeling spots and sea life. Some great snorkelling spots to explore here are the Wuda Islands Beach and the Hanging Gardens oasis. If you want to get the most from your time in Lombok and the Gili Islands then you will definitely benefit from taking a boat tour around the islands beaches.
