Gili Meno is the middle island of the three and the smallest — you can walk around it in about an hour and a half. It has the fewest hotels, no nightlife to speak of and some of the emptiest beaches in the Gilis, which makes it popular with honeymooners and anyone who finds even Gili Air too busy.
Just off its west coast lies the ring of life-size human statues on the sea floor that has become one of the most photographed snorkel spots in Indonesia, now slowly being colonised by coral. Inland there is a shallow salt lake fringed with mangroves, and the reefs around the island are good for turtles.
Top things to do at Gili Meno
Snorkel the underwater statues
The statue circle lies a short swim off the west coast, in a few metres of water. Most snorkelling trips from Gili Air stop here; you can also swim out from the beach when the current is gentle.
Walk around the island
The coastal path is about 4 km — sandy in places. Allow 1.5–2 hours with swim stops.
Visit the salt lake
A quiet lagoon in the island’s interior, beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Bring insect repellent.
Spend the afternoon doing nothing
Meno is the place to lie under a tree with a book. Beach cafés on the east coast face Gili Air and Lombok.
How to get to Gili Meno
- Public shuttle boat: the inter-island shuttle runs between Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, usually once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The crossing from Gili Air takes about 10 minutes. Check the times at the harbour ticket office.
- Charter boat: any time of day, for an agreed price per boat.
- Snorkel trip: most boat trips from Gili Air stop at Meno’s statues and often for lunch.
Insider tips
- Take enough cash — there are very few ATMs on Gili Meno.
- Check the last shuttle time back to Gili Air before you set off; missing it means paying for a charter.
- Meno is even more conservative than Air: cover up when you leave the beach.
Best tours & tickets for Gili Meno
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Gili Meno from Gili Air:
Snorkelling from $17 From Gili Air: Snorkeling with Turtles & Underwater Statue
The best-reviewed snorkelling trip that actually starts on Gili Air, with more than a thousand reviews. A boat takes you to three or four spots around the islands where green and hawksbill turtles graze on the reef, including the famous circle of statues off Gili Meno.
- Snorkel turtle spots around Gili Air and Gili Meno
- See the underwater statue circle off Gili Meno
- Mask, snorkel and fins included; private option available
Snorkelling from $15 Gili Islands: Private or Shared Snorkeling Boat Trip
A classic three-island snorkelling loop that you can join from any of the Gilis. Choose the cheap shared boat or pay a bit more for a private one that runs to your own timetable — useful for families, or if you want to reach the turtle spots before the crowds.
- The most-booked Gili snorkelling trip, with thousands of reviews
- Shared boat or your own private boat
- Turtles, reef fish and the Gili Meno statues
Boat trip from $116 Gili Islands: 4-in-1 Catamaran Snorkeling Experience
The premium way to see the Gilis from the water. Instead of a crowded outrigger you spend the day on a catamaran, snorkelling at several sites and lounging on deck between stops. Top-rated and noticeably more comfortable than the standard boats — check the pickup options for Gili Air when you book.
- Sail around all three Gili Islands on a catamaran
- Several snorkel stops, including turtle spots
- Food and drinks on board
