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The east of Lombok is still an undiscovered and off the beaten track part of the island. Here you can also find some Gili islands that belong to the most unknown around Lombok: Gili Kondo, Gili Bidara, Gili Kapal and Gili Lampu.

East Lombok – the secret Gili Islands

If you wanna have some paradise feeling without much tourism on Lombok, you definitely should visit these islands. Especially when you’re looking for nice snorkeling spots with colorful corals (that are still alive) and fish.

In particular, Gili Kapal was my favorite: the tiniest island I’ve ever visited only consists of sand and was the highlight of my island hopping tour! More about it later…


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Accommodation in Lombok – our hotel tips

Garden and the Qozy Rooms with a garden view at Qunci Villas hotel in Lombok

Lombok: Tours and tickets


How to get there

You can do a tour to the Gili islands in East Lombok perfectly as a day trip, but you should leave very early. The drive from e.g. Senggigi to the small harbor not too far from the Gilis in the east, which is located about 10 kilometers north from the big harbor Labuhan Lombok, takes around 2 hours.

The way to the east of Lombok itself has already 2 interesting sights: a beautiful panorama view at the mountain scenery and the volcano Mount Rinjani and the Giant Tree Forest before the harbor.

View at the Mount Rinjani and the mountain scenery in the east of Lombok
View at the Mount Rinjani and the mountain scenery in the east of Lombok
Giant Tree Forest in East Lombok
Giant Tree Forest
View from the mainland at the Gili islands in the east of Lombok
View from the mainland at the Gili islands in the east of Lombok

Gili Lampu (Gili Petagan)

Usually the first stop of this island hopping tour is the mangrove island Gili Petagan. The island offers almost no beaches but already has the first snorkeling highlights with many corals and fish, including Nemos.

Gili Kapal (Gili Gosong)

Let’s go to the tiny island Gili Kapal – which is actually only a big sandbar where you can reach the other end within a few seconds. This is why sometimes it’s called Gili Gosong (in Indonesian “Gosong” means sandbar). Depending on whether it’s high or low tide, it can happen that the island is hardly accessible because it’s almost completely under water. Then it gets the name Gili Kosong. This is a funny Indonesian wordplay since “kosong” means empty/vacant.

View from Gili Kapal at the mainland of Lombok and the other Gili islands
View from Gili Kapal at the mainland of Lombok and the other Gili islands

So obviously, it’s best to visit Gili Kapal during low tide. During this time the water is so flat, that you can walk very far in the crystal clear water at the east side and have a view at Sumbawa. The other side is still good for swimming and snorkeling.

I was instantly impressed by this island, even when there’s actually nothing to see. But the water is certainly the cleanest I’ve ever seen on Lombok and the other Gili islands – in a few places you have a South Sea or Maldives feeling!

And if you’re lucky, you can even have the sandbank island completely for yourself. Namely, when there are no other tourists at the moment. A total Robinson Crusoe feeling. Awesome!

Gili Kapal during low tide, Lombok

Dream beach on Gili Kapal with a view on Sumbawa, Lombok
Dream beach with a view on Sumbawa

Dream beach on Gili Kapal with a view on Sumbawa, Lombok

Marcel at Gili Kapal, East Lombok

Turquoise water at Gili Kapal, East Lombok

The sandbar island Gili Kapal taken from above with the drone

Ok, there’s one disadvantage though: on the island there’s no shadow at all and in the blazing sun you ought to be careful! Don’t forget your head covering and sun protection.

Gili Bidara

After a relaxed stay on Gili Kapal, the next station was Gili Bidara. It is significantly larger and has a small jetty, which is currently broken and isn’t really good for the nice beach atmosphere. Nevertheless, in front of this pier, there is a wonderful snorkeling spot with many corals and fish. Here I finally saw my first Nemo.

Gili Bidara, East Lombok

Underwater world off Gili Bidara, Lombok
Underwater world off Gili Bidara

Apart from that, Gili Bidara is uninhabited and very quiet. If you have enough time, you can even take a relaxed walk around the island.

Gili Kondo

View from the boat at Gili Kondo, Lombok

Gili Kondo is the most known and popular Gili island here in the east. You could say it’s something like the Gili Trawangan of East Lombok. Especially locals like to come to Gili Kondo since it’s a popular camping island. At the main beach you can find some places to sit (so-called Berugaks) and also a small shop selling snacks, “Pop Mie” and drinks.

Gili Kondo sign, East Lombok
Welcome to Gili Kondo

Although there’s not much tourism in East Lombok, the island and its main beach may get quite full. This is because of the many locals that like to come here on weekends or holidays. Hence it’s best to come in the week, when there’s almost nothing going on.

Also, here you can perfectly snorkel and see many corals. Unfortunately, I already saw the first trampled corals. But most of them are still alive and just beautiful. For the sake of the nature, please be careful when you snorkel here.

View from Gili Kondo at Gili Bidara, Lombok
View from Gili Kondo at Gili Bidara

Gili Kondo in the east of Lombok taken with the drone

Sunset on Gili Kondo with a view at the mountain scenery of East Lombok and the Rinjani
Sunset with a view at the mountain scenery of East Lombok and the Rinjani

Conclusion

A tour that I can recommend to everybody! Even though the way to the east is very far. Especially the tiny island Gili Kapal is a special highlight, that you won’t find anywhere else on Lombok. But also the other islands are worth to be seen, especially when it comes to snorkeling!

Just as the Gili islands in Sekotong, the southeast of Lombok, these islands here are not to be compared with the 3 famous Gilis Trawangan, Meno and Air. It is even more undeveloped here than on Gili Nanggu for example. There are currently no accommodations on any of the islands and even on the mainland in the east of Lombok the choice is not too big.

You can of course go to the small harbor near the Gili islands by yourself. But keep in mind that the drive is quite long and – even if I would never expect this – in the east of the island there are some towns, where there is much traffic. It’s probably better to go by car than with a scooter from Senggigi or Mataram.

I suggest you to take a driver who knows the way for this kind of tour. I made this tour with Condo Lombok and was very happy. The owner and driver Ramdani works closely with the local boat drivers. So you don’t have to worry about anything. You can also contact him via WhatsApp: +6281904056966 or +6281339429447. In the boats fit about 15 persons and snorkeling gear is available on board for free.

Have you ever been to Gili Kondo or the other Gilis? How did you like it? Let us know right now!

Marcel

Hi, I'm Marcel! Blogger, author, web & graphic designer and digital nomad. I love traveling in Southeast Asia and exploring wonderful beaches and trying delicious food. My home base is Koh Phangan, Thailand. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.