Gili Asahan Guide – Getting There, Hotels, Snorkeling And Things To Do
Have you heard of Gili Asahan yet? Probably not, and it is good news and means that you found paradise! This lovely island near Lombok is the perfect place for complete relaxation while spending the days snorkeling and walking in nature.
Gili Asahan is one of twelve Secret Gili Islands in Sekotong, along Lombok’s southwest coast. With intimate eco-resorts, lush vegetation, unspoiled beaches, and rich marine life, it is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or an active family vacation. If you feel inspired to explore this under-the-radar destination, read this Gili Asahan guide for information on how to get there, what resorts to choose, where to snorkel, and what activities you can do.
Is It Worth To Visit Gili Asahan?
Not many people know, but besides the famous Gili Islands (Trawangan, Meno, and Air), there are more Gilis on Lombok’s southwest and east coasts, offering a peaceful, laid-back vibe and good snorkeling.
Gili Asahan is one of Lombok’s under-the-radar islands, part of the South Gilis. Coming here you can experience spending time in a truly relaxing environment. The island doesn’t have loud beach bars, big supermarkets, or high-end restaurants but a small fishermen’s village and a few intimate resorts. Gili Asahan is a place to disconnect while staying active, offering activities hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and some of the best snorkeling in Lombok.
How To Tet To Gili Asahan?
Gili Asahan can be found on the southwest coast of Lombok, next to Gili Gede. Whether you arrive by boat or plane, getting to the island is not too difficult. The easiest way is to ask your hotel to arrange your transfer, but you can do it on your own, too.
Getting To Gili Asahan From Lombok
If you come from mainland Lombok, you must go to Tembowong Harbor, which is the closest port to Gili Asahan. The boat ride to the island takes about 20 minutes.
Tembowong Harbor is about 1.5-2 hours from Lombok International Airport and 40 minutes – 1 hour from Lembar Ferry Port. For land transfers, find a Kotama or Kotasi licensed taxi (unless your hotel arranges it for you) because they use the meter, or pre-book a private transfer online.
This is a very small harbor with only a few boats and fishermen around. If you haven’t arranged a transfer beforehand through the place where you will be staying, you need to make a deal on the site. The price depends on your haggling skills, but usually between 100.000-200.000 IDR.
Getting To Lombok/Gili Asahan From Bali
If you are coming from Bali, you have three options to make your way to Lombok:
- public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar
- Fast boat from Serangan to Gili Gede (Gili Getaway)
- Domestic flight from Denpasar to Lombok
If you are looking for a budget solution, choose the public ferry that operates between Padang Bai Bali and Lembar Lombok 24/7, leaving every hour. The journey takes 4-5 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions. The ticket costs ~50.000 IDR per person per way. You can bring your scooter too for an extra fee.
The faster yet more expensive solution is choosing the speed boat transfer. Gili Getaway offers daily departures from Serangan Bali to Gili Gede with safe and comfortable boats. Not many know, but Gili Getaway also has a daily fast boat service between Nusa Penida and Gede.
Local transfer boats are available from Gili Gede to Asahan. We stayed at Pearl Beach Resort, and they sent their boatman to pick us up.
If you prefer to arrive by plane, several low-cost airlines, like Lion Air, Wings Air, etc., operate daily flights between Bali and Lombok. Choose one that fits your schedule the most and after arriving at Lombok, continue to Gili Asahan as explained above.
Where To Stay In Gili Asahan?
Despite being a small island, Gili Asahan has a wide range of accommodation options, from simple bungalows to eco-resorts. The room rates are slightly higher than on the mainland or the more developed North Gilis. This is because there is no government electricity on the island, so the hotels need to use solar panels and bring everything to the island by boat. But in return, you get a fully relaxing holiday experience where no cars or other artificial noise disturbs you!
Best Gili Asahan hotels:
- Gili Asahan Eco Lodge
- Pearl Beach Resort
- Vayam Boutique Resort
- Avatar Raja Bungalows
Gili Asahan Eco Lodge
A unique, eco-style private resort that offers traditional bale-style accommodation besides bungalows. When establishing The Eco Lodge, the owners paid attention to every small detail to stay as sustainable as possible. The cottages have thatched roofs, while the furniture and beds are made mostly from driftwood.
The whole place has a unique atmosphere that combines simplicity with luxury. The on-site Nautilus restaurant serves excellent Italian food along with Indonesian cuisine.
Pearl Beach Resort
The Pearl Beach boutique resort is located on the most relaxed part of the island and has direct access to the best Gili Asahan snorkeling area!
The bungalows have a modern interior, a stylish semi-outdoor bathroom, and a terrace with a swing bed. Guests can take a walk in the well-maintained garden or enjoy water activities. Free kayak/SUP is available!
Do you need more information on this accommodation? We chose to stay here so you can read our insights in our Pearl Beach Resort Gili Asahan review!
Vayam Boutique Resort
The Vayam Boutique Resort offers luxury villas in the middle of the village, each featuring a bathroom, a huge terrace, outdoor furniture, and there is a garden around.
The spacious villas are excellent for romantic getaways and family holidays. A peaceful atmosphere with a touch of local tradition is guaranteed!
Avatar Raja Bungalows
A local family manages these small, but neat bungalows at the edge of the village. Although the Avatar bungalows seem basic compared to the other Gili Asahan hotels, they also have everything you could ask for to have a comfortable stay.
The rooms come with a seating area and a private bathroom. An on-site restaurant is also available.
Snorkeling In Gili Asahan
Of course, the superb reef was the main reason we came to this island; we snorkeled it all around a few times and were not disappointed. We marked on this Gili Asahan snorkeling map what areas we recommend checking out:
- in front of Pearl Beach Resort
- around Eagle Rock
- at Batu Belanda
Out of these three spots, we found that the Pearl Beach Resort house reef has the best coral and richest marine life. The other two spots had less coral and few fish around, therefore we suggest snorkeling the reef in front of Pearl Beach Resort!
Here, you will find vibrant corals, turtles, moray eels, and many different tropical fish species. The reef gives home to smaller creatures, too, like nudibranchs and sea slugs.
Sea stars, like pillow, blue, and chocolate chip species, are also common on the reef. Keep your eyes open, and you might spot a seahorse between the seagrass! Also, there are some artificial coral tables here as part of the local coral restoration project.
It is also possible to visit Gili Asahan if you are staying in mainland Lombok: this full-day Secret Gilis snorkeling tour takes you to the best snorkel spots in southwest Lombok.
Other Things To Do In Gili Asahan
We understand that you will spend most of your time in the sea on your Gili Asahan snorkeling holiday, but let us recommend some other activities to make the most of your vacation!
Exploring The Village
Traveling to new destinations is not only just about lying on the beach but also discovering the culture! Walk through the authentic Gili Asahan village, learn about fishermen’s life, and meet locals!
Hiking And Walking
After exploring the stunning underwater world, discover the land too! Walking around the island is the best at low/medium tide and takes about 1.5 hours.
If you love hiking, go to the viewpoint to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding islands and Lombok. The best is at sunrise or sunset!
Kayaking / SUP
With calm, current-free water and moderate boat traffic around, Gili Asahan offers good conditions for kayaking and supping!
You can easily paddle around the island and explore the nearby Gili Goleng. Accommodations like The Eco Lodge and Pear Beach Resort provide their guests with kayaks for free.
Enjoying A Picnic At Gili Goleng
Gili Goleng offers not only excellent snorkeling with a vibrant, shallow coral garden where you can spot turtles around and sea horses but an excellent place for a romantic picnic too!
Besides a few daily boats, the uninhabited Gili Goleng is visited only by guests from Gili Asahan. If you decide to arrive late afternoon, most likely you will be the only visitors and can enjoy perfect privacy. I’m sure you will feel like Robinson Crusoe!
Taking A Day Trip To Gili Layar And Gili Rengit
If you want to explore more secret Gilis, sign up for an island-hopping snorkel tour! All hotels offer half or full-day trips to the nearby Gili Layar and Gili Rengit. Gili Layar will amaze you with its picture-perfect beach, while the abandoned Gili Rengit offers excellent snorkeling.
Should you fall in love with Gili Layar, which is an even more secluded place with only one accommodation on it, spend some days on the island!
What Is The Best Time To Visit Gili Asahan?
The island enjoys a tropical climate with constant air (30-32 °C / 86-90 °F) and sea (27-28 °C / 81-84 °F) temperatures year round. There is a rainy season from November to April that peaks between January to March. During this period, you can experience daily showers and thunderstorms, however, the chance of heavy rain is significantly lower than in the highlands of Lombok.
If you are looking for the perfect time for your Gili Asahan snorkeling holiday, schedule your trip for the dry season between May and October. The summer months are always popular with tourists. Therefore, you can experience fully booked hotels and higher room rates, so we recommend arriving before or after the high season: May, June, September, and October are the most ideal months to visit!
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