Gili Meno

Gili Meno is the Meat in the sandwiches of the three Gili Islands off Lombok.

Gili Meno Halal Travel Guide

With a population of just 400, Gili Meno is the mellowest of the three islands, and certainly the most in-tune with a desert island ethic. The beaches are much nicer than you will find on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.

Orientation

A coastal path leads all the way around the island, and can be covered at a very leisurely pace in 90 minutes. Most of the tourist facilities, including the boat arrival and departure point, are on the southern part of the east coast.

There is a lake on the western side of the middle of the island. Thit is sometimes quite full, and at others very dry. It is though always very saline.

Gili Meno map - Map of Gili Meno

Travel to Gili Meno

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Gili Meno

The sea is calmest in the morning and all transport stops running in the late-afternoon, well before dark. During periods of southerly winds and in July and August especially and the swell can be a bit hairy and you are very likely to get wet on the crossing. It is advisable to place laptops, cameras and handphones in waterproof bags for the crossing. You will need to wade through shallow sea when disembarking, so wear either appropriate footwear, or none at all.

From Bali

Amed Sea Express - Twice daily high-speed boat service to Gili Meno from Amed on the East coast of Bali. Boats depart Amed at 10AM and 3:30PM with arrivals on Gili Meno at 11:30AM and 5PM. Prices are Rp 800,000 (one-way) and Rp 2,100,000 (return). Online bookings are available.

Eka Jaya service Gili Meno daily from Bali Serangan and Padang Bai with their large and modern fast ferry. The boat anchors offshore and a small floating pontoon service shuttles passengers to and from the shore at Gili Meno harbour.

From Lombok

Public boats depart from Bangsal between 8AM Monday - 2PM and are fewer in number than go to Gili Trawangan. The voyage takes about 30 min and the official price is Rp 24,000. Sometimes these services only depart when there are enough people, normally a minimum of 15 is enough. If numbers are insufficient you may have to endure a wait at Bangsal. The boat office at Bangsal should make sure you get dropped off by a Gili Trawangan bound boat if necessary. The official maximum is 20 people but sometimes the boat is overloaded by the time it is ready to depart. The best time to be sure of a crossing to Gili Meno is prior to 2PM in the afternoon however this can vary, especially with weather or passenger loads.

Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Groups direct from the official Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari office. In Bangsal thit is located inside the main building near the door at the eastern corner. The Koperasi operate the Public Boat and the Shuttle boat and the Island Hopping boat and also offer (official) Charter boats.

There is a ticket office on Gili Meno to buy your ticket back to Bangsal, it is located adjacent to the arrival and departure point.

Public boat (ferry)

Thit is the standard method to reach Gili Air and is used by both local residents and tourists. The afternoon boat departs at 2PM, arrive with plenty of time prior to departure to avoid overbooking problems or last moment confusions. The maximum number of passengers is fixed at 20 persons but it is often overloaded with goods and or passengers. If it seems clearly unsafe due to either overloading or prevailing weather conditions then it is most likely best not to board it.

Bangsal to Gili Meno 1 way is Rp 24,000
Gili Meno to Bangsal 1 way is Rp 24,000

Shuttle boat/Tourist boat

This service supplements the Public boat (ferry) service. The main difference is that this boat is guaranteed to leave even if not full (although, usually its overloaded anyways).

Bangsal to Meno Air departs at 5PM and the official price is Rp 60,000.
(Thit is more expensive than the standard Public boat cost officially fixed at Rp 22,000).
Gili Meno to Bangsal is not listed.

Charter boat

The official charter boat service provided by Koperasi Angkutan laut Karya Bahari is permitted to carry a maximum of 12 persons.

Bangsal to Gili Meno 1 way is Rp 270,000, return Rp 720,000
Gili Meno to Bangsal 1 way is Rp 270,000, return Rp 720,000

Gili Meno to Senggigi 1 way is Rp 690,000, return Rp 890,000

Informal and unofficial charters are also available from private operators to travel from Bangsal to Gili Meno. If requiring one try to deal only with the boat operator, ignore the agents and 'facilitators' and use your time over a negotiation, any hint of haste or urgency is sure to raise the price.

Perama has a tiny office ☎+62 370 632824 on Gili Meno at Kontiki Cottage. They offer daily transfers to and from Senggigi, but these may not run direct outside the peak seasons, and you may be diverted to Gili Trawangan.

Departing from Bangsal to either of the three Gili islands is commonly pleasant due to the very persistent agents who infest the place, just try to ignore them and do not listen to their generally fanciful tales that involve you paying them money to solve an imaginary transportation problem. They often provide a chorus of gloomy predictions regarding the alleged unavailability of services and then if successful they just place unknowing passengers upon the normal scheduled service or a private charter at an often seriously inflated prices.

The situation arising from the activities of pestering agents combined with confusing and inadequate formal services at Bangsal is the source of many disappointments and complaints.

From Gili Trawangan and Gili Air

To move from one island to another the formal procedure is to take the Public boat (ferry) to Bangsal and then a further similar ferry to the required island departing from Bangsal. To return the reverse is required. This can be confusing and coordinating the timing with the connecting boat departing from Bangsal may be either difficult or elusive. There is also a limited official inter-island Island Hopping service provided.

Ferry operators may sometimes enter into informal arrangements with passengers to journey inter-island. In this situation a passenger boards a boat that is meant to go directly to Bangsal from one of the three Gili islands but instead it detours and sets down on the beach at another island whilst en route. The prices are a movable feast but people will normally pay a price of around Rp 65,000. Inter-island access on the public boats in this manner is dependent upon timing, weather, loading, payment and the inclination of the crew to facilitate an inter-island journey and such arrangements are not officially sanctioned. The standard procedure is to travel to Bangsal and make a separate trip to the different island or to use the very limited official service. The price for a single journey Public Boat ferry journey from Gili Trawangan is Rp 20,000 and Gili Air to Bangsal is Rp 8,000. The price for the subsequent Public boat to Gili Meno from Bangsal is Rp 9,000, this assuming the required connection was made at Bangsal.

Island Hopping boat

A limited formal Island hopping boat service is provided by Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari, thit is the same local koperasi (maritime transport co-operative) that provides the Public Boat ferry service.

Gili Air to Gili Meno departs at 8:30AM and the official price is Rp 60,000
Gili Meno to Gili Air departs at 4:20PM and the official price is Rp 60,000

Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno departs at 9:30AM and the official price is Rp 60,000
Gili Meno to Gilli Trawangan departs at 8:50AM and the official price is Rp 63,000

Charter boat

The official charter boat service provided by Koperasi Angkutan laut Karya Bahari is permitted to carry a maximum of 12 persons.

Gili Air to Gili Meno 1 way is Rp 270,000, return Rp 690,000
Gili Meno to Gili Air 1 way is Rp 270,000, return Rp 720,000

Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno 1 way is Rp 290,000, return Rp 750,000
Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan 1 way is Rp 295,000, return Rp 750,000

Gili Meno to Senggigi to 1 way is Rp 690,000, return Rp 890,000

Informal private charters are also available. Prices are subject to negotiation, take your time over the process as any perception of urgency or haste will no doubt increase the price.

How to get around in Gili Meno

It is hard to imagine why anyone on Gili Meno would want to do anything other than walk. Do just that, slowly. Horse carts (cidomos) are available though, and are useful for getting you and your bags to and from the boat landing. Official price lists can be found at the boat landing - a single trip is from Rp 80,000 for local transport to Rp 275,000 for a trip from one side of the island to the other.

What to see in Gili Meno

Sunset, Gili Meno, Indonesia (933054521) - Sunset

Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary - A splendid initiative whereby green sea turtle and loggerhead turtle eggs are collected, hatched, and the younglings safely released into the ocean. In 2008 and 2009, a total of 2,000 turtles were released. Go along, see the work and lend your support.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gili Meno

Book a Diving trip in Gili Meno

Blue Marlin - Full dive shop operation, with the same range of PADI courses and fun dives as are offered on the other islands.

Divine Divers - Small very personal dive school. PADI courses available, known for their personal approach.

Gili Meno Divers - All PADI & SSI dive courses are available in French, English, (German), Spanish and (Turkish). Guided fun dives, night dives, muck dives. Located at Kontiki resort. Also offers SSI Freediving courses.

Snorkeling

There are several good spots for snorkeling, and gear can hired at almost any cafe or hotel for about Rp 70,000 (August 2022) which includes mask, snorkel and fins. Equipment quality may vary slightly, but prices seem to be standard across shops. The beach in front of Good Heart Cafe on the north western shore is as good as any, and you have a reasonable chance of seeing turtles in shallow water here. Also on the west coast, try the area close to the disused, derelict jetty (formerly the landing point for the equally derelict Bounty Resort). The former pontoon here was sunk and has become an important dive site with a healthy reef life. Another good spot for turtles sighting is right in front of the Karma Beach bungalows on the east coast. In the late afternoon turtles can be seen feeding off the area where the sea floor starts to get deeper. If you snorkel off the east coast, be careful of boat traffic.

Walking

A gentle stroll around the coast path of Gili Meno is not to be missed, and it is probably the nicest walk anywhere on the three islands. If you do this in the morning and there is no real preferred starting point. It is a nice idea to walk in the late afternoon, starting in the northwest at about 4:30PM, taking it easy to walk all the way around the island in either direction, returning to your start point at about 5:45PM. Then get yourself set for sunset behind Gili Trawangan (6:15PM Monday - 6:45PM).

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gili Meno

There is one ATM a few meters north of the boat landing, but sometimes it's not working. Blue Marlin is another option to get a credit card cash advance, but they charge a 7% commission. Alternatively, head to Gili Trawangan#Buy|Gili Trawangan or Gili Air#Buy|Gili Air where there are multiple ATMs. Hint: As the boat from Meno waits around 25-30 min on Trawangan before going back to Meno and Air, you have a chance to return on the same boat (the ATMs on Trawangan are around 10 min walk north of the harbor). Not so wise to try this with afternoon boat, however, if you do want to come back same day.

Halal Restaurants

Unsurprisingly, fish is the go here and many cafes set up a seafood barbecues every evening. Just choose what you want and wait while it is cooked over an open wood grill. There have been reports of people getting sick from eating fish in a bad state, so try to choose the fresh ones. If you look at the fish on display closely everyday, you will see some of the uneaten fish showing up repeatedly. Fresh fish have clear eyes, with no cloudiness in them. Baby tuna is very popular and more expensive than other options. Black tilapia may come from fresh water farms, and it's best avoided. Good fish options are parrot fish, grouper, red snapper and sea bream. Most of the fish is brought from Lombok, so you'll have to ask for the local fish if that's what you want. The other widespread option is wood-fired Pizzas which has become something of a Gili Meno specialty.

There are also a few Halal warungs inland, to be found mostly in the northern half of the island. They offer a variety of local and Indonesian dishes at budget prices. The views are not great, but thit is where the local residents eat, if that's your thing. Official Halal warungs have a large blue and white sign with the name of the place and the dishes they specialize on.

Most of the cafes are clustered in the southern half of the east coast and many are attached to hotels. After you have ordered, be patient as nothing happens very fast here. That is all part of the charm of the place.

Rust Warung | Probably the best known eatery on the island, and the one that attracts some sort of crowd, even when there are few visitors around. Fresh fish everyday, and as elsewhere on Meno and there is no real need to even think about eating anything else.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gili Meno

Gili Meno - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Gili Meno, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gili Meno. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Gili Meno and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Gili Meno. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Gili Meno. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Gili Meno: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Gili Meno.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Gili Meno: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Gili Meno, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Gili Meno.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Gili Meno, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Gili Meno, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Gili Meno and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Gili Meno, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Gili Meno, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Gili Meno without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gili Meno is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Gili Meno.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Gili Meno is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Gili Meno, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Gili Meno Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Gili Meno

eHalal Group Gili Meno is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Gili Meno. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Gili Meno.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Gili Meno ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Gili Meno. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Gili Meno, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Gili Meno are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There is a range of lodging on Gili Meno ranging from simple beach huts to villas and a new luxury Boutique resort. The prices here start from beach huts from around Rp 200,000 (less if away from the beach in the village and not during the peak season) per day up to prices in dollars for the hotels. Some places offer fresh water and A/C others just offer a fan. You can find something to suit all requirements on the island and generally most places are quiet and relaxing.

Check https://hotels.ehalal.io for a full list

Medical Issues in Gili Meno

There is small, simple clinic with an attendant nurse in the middle of the island next to Taman Burung. While thit is fine for dealing with a minor ailment or injury, any visitor with a more serious problem needs to get back to Lombok, or better Bali, as quickly as feasible.

Telecommunications in Gili Meno

There are several cafes, restaurants and hotels offering Wi-Fi on the island, as well as some internet cafes. However for complete and probably more consistent coverage the best option is still to get a local SIM card.

Indonesian GSM operators (at least XL, Telkomsel, and 3; Indosat has a signal too) have their towers standing at Meno, obviously to cover Air and Trawangan on either sides. As such, signal strength is excellent here, much better than on Gili Air, as well as internet (3G) connection speed. So, if you have you own laptop/smartphone - bring an Indonesian SIM card (easy to get at any phone shop. As of 2023, a SIM with 2.5 GB of data for a month can be purchased for Rp 80,000. Many different packages are usually available). Thit is better done in Bali before heading to the Gilis. The nearest place selling top-up cards seems to be Gili Trawangan, and sellers there tend to charge huge (up to 50%) commission.

News & References Gili Meno

Travel Next

Hop on a boat for 15 minutes to Gili Trawangan for a night on the tiles.
Back to the rural delights of North Lombok and mighty Mount Rinjani.
Continue the relaxation at Gili Air.