Nature tourism in the biggest country in the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia is endless. Exploring every tourist destination is certainly offers us different mesmerizing experiences and adventures. If you claim yourself as a true traveler or travel-addict, it is incomplete if you have not visited Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara province.
Lombok has exotic natural beauty and is the main tourism destination of West Nusa Tenggara province. It is famous for its beaches and marine life diversity. Furthermore, Lombok is getting more and more famous along with the spike in tourist visits as well as the addition of new tourist spots.
HalalTrip recommends you embrace three spectacular islands around Lombok that you will not easily forget. Read more below!
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Gili Meno island is a recommended island for you who look for a quiet place for a holiday. This island is also the perfect place for newlywed couples to enjoy their honeymoon period.
It gives a romantic atmosphere!
Tourists should put Gili Meno island at the top of their bucket list to avoid big city noise with mind-blowing views. Moreover, you could explore this island by bicycle as cars and motorbikes are prohibited.
Getting around Gili Meno island is not too difficult since the distance is not too far. You can walk or jog if you want to do some exercises or rent a horse to get around this island. The route could be started from the shoreline and make sure you have at least basic knowledge of riding horses so they could carry you very well!
You can also ride a bicycle. Surely, while enjoying the beach atmosphere and the natural beauty of Gili Meno island.
Pedaling a bicycle seems imperceptible because the natural scenery will remove your fatigue.
Gili Meno island is part of Indonesia’s marine paradise. You should put swimming in the first place when visiting it. Or, you could consider diving as your next activity, given the beauty of the underwater ecosystem which is undoubtedly magnificent.
There is a spot you should not miss while diving here. An underwater sculpture by an artist named Jason deCaires Taylor located at 13 feet of sea depth. We suggest you bring an underwater camera if you have a plan to take picture of it.
And definitely…. Diving while the number of fish passing by!
Image Credit: Uber Scuba Gili on Unsplash
The next attraction is to visit the Gili Meno wall to see the turtle swimming while diving into this place. It is absolutely a memorable experience diving with scattered turtles. What an amazing sight this is!
In fact, those turtles stick to the water as if they want to greet the divers. This spot sometimes crowded with tourists who love marine creatures.
Image Credit: Kok Leng Yeo from Singapore, Singapore, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You could breathe the pure fresh air here surrounded by beautiful shady trees. In addition, Meno Lake has a wooden dock that you can explore while taking photos. You should post photos of Meno Lake in your Instagram feed.
It is the only salt-water lake in the middle of Gili Meno island!
Image Credit: Atilla Taskiran on Unsplash
Gili Air island is the closest Gili to Lombok island. Gili Air has more population than the other two Gili islands like Gili Meno island and Gili Trawangan island. But, no worries, you can still enjoy a calm atmosphere here.
The resident at Gili Air is very friendly that always say hello to many visiting tourists. Most local people live here as traders, fishermen, and tour guides as their bread and butter.
The people call this island “Tengag Aig” which means the middle of the sea. As it is in the middle of the sea, the spot offers natural beauty under the sea that is still maintained its beauty and naturalness.
Image Credit: Guillaume Marques on Unsplash
The beauty of Gili Air is unquestionable. Starting from the clear seawater, also a very beautiful view as far as the eye can see. From the shoreline, you can already see the rocks and shells that are beautifully arranged in the ocean.
Heading a little to the middle of the sea, you can see various kinds of fish and corals. If you want to take a closer look, despite no diving equipment, you can rent equipment at several rental places.
Gili Air's underwater ecosystem is still very well preserved. For this reason, it is necessary to care for and preserve fish and coral reefs around the site.
Image Credit: Anton Luzhkovsky on Unsplash
Almost the same as Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, Gili Air is also a pollution-free area, because motorized vehicles are not allowed to explore the island, you can walk, take advantage of rental bicycles, cidomo (wagon), or electric motorbikes.
If you want to take a walk on the beach using a bicycle, you must be careful, remembering that the path is beach sand which makes it easy for you to fall or slip. When cycling, don't forget to pay attention to the beach. Perhaps you found sea urchins or sea cucumbers that were stranded
You can also take a walk on the beach by renting a horse and walk casually while watching the waves and the gentle breeze.
Image Credit: Richard Masquelier on Unsplash
Sunset or sunset can be seen from the beach while you enjoy the delicious coconut ice and light dishes.
You can also enjoy the sunset casually on the beach or you can choose to sit and pose for photos. The busiest place is of course the swing.
As the sun slowly began to descend, the light reflected beautifully against the seawater. The orange color in the sky of Gili Air adds to the serene atmosphere of the afternoon sunset on the Island.
