What to Pack and Money Matters for the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are small, car-free, and light on shops, which means a bit of planning before you cross makes a real difference once you arrive. Here's what to pack and what to know about cash before you go.

The Gili Islands run on cash. Withdraw enough Indonesian Rupiah before you cross. Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

What to Pack for the Gili Islands

Reef-safe sunscreen. Standard chemical sunscreen damages coral reefs and is increasingly restricted around the islands. Bring mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen from home, it's hard to find on the islands themselves and expensive when you do track it down.

Footwear for sand and gravel. Most paths across the islands are sandy or gravel rather than paved. Flip flops work fine for the beach. If you're planning to cycle or walk longer distances, lightweight closed shoes are worth packing, hard-soled sandals are more versatile than they look.

Snorkel mask. Hire equipment is widely available on Gili Trawangan and reasonably priced on Gili Air, but Gili Meno has limited hire options. If you're particular about fit or hygiene, or plan to snorkel spontaneously without hunting down a hire shop, bring your own mask.

Basic medications. Motion sickness tablets, rehydration sachets, antihistamines, and any prescription medication you need should all come with you. The nearest hospital is in Mataram, Lombok, over an hour from the islands including the crossing, so island pharmacies are not something to rely on for anything beyond the basics.

A power bank. Power cuts happen across all three islands, particularly during peak season. A fully charged power bank is genuinely useful to have on hand. Indonesian plugs are type C/F, so bring an adaptor if you need one.

Pack light. The islands are car-free, which means you'll be carrying your own bags from the boat landing to your accommodation, or arranging a cidomo (horse cart) to do it for you. A bag you can lift and carry comfortably beats a wheeled suitcase every time, sand and gravel paths make rollers impractical.

Money Matters

The Gili Islands are predominantly cash-based, and this is the single most common thing visitors don't prepare for. Running out of cash partway through your stay causes unnecessary stress that's entirely avoidable with a bit of planning.

Gili Trawangan has several ATMs, but they can run out of cash or experience outages during peak season. Some restaurants and hotels take card payments, but don't rely on it.

Gili Air has a couple of ATMs, more limited than Gili Trawangan, and card payments are rare. Bring extra cash if you're staying here, particularly during busier months.

Gili Meno has no ATMs and almost no card payment options. Bring everything you'll need before you arrive.

Our advice: withdraw enough Indonesian Rupiah in Bali or Lombok before you cross. Budget generously, meals, activities, transport, tips, and any unexpected expenses all require cash on Gili Air and Gili Meno in particular. Running out of cash on Gili Meno is a genuine problem, not just an inconvenience.

Final Tips

Pack for the islands you're actually staying on, Gili Meno's limited infrastructure means more advance preparation than Gili Trawangan's more developed setup. Check the Gili Marine Index before you cross so you know what kind of crossing to expect, and give yourself a buffer on cash rather than cutting it close.

Planning What to Do There

Once you've packed and budgeted for the crossing, Discover Lombok's Ultimate Guide to the Gili Islands covers what each island actually offers once you arrive.