After spending a full week soaking up the social atmosphere of Gili Air with kids, we were incredibly intrigued to see what Gili Meno had to offer. Tucked quietly between the bustling Gili Trawangan and the more developed Gili Air, Meno is often whispered about in traveler circles as having the finest beaches in the entire Indonesian archipelago. It is frequently described as the “ultimate escape”—a place where the clock slows down and the turquoise water takes center stage.
We were eager to find out if it truly lived up to the “island of our dreams.” More importantly, I (Felicity) had a personal mission: I still hadn’t seen a sea turtle while snorkeling. Marco had already spotted a couple, and to say I was jealous was a massive understatement! I was determined not to leave the Gili Islands until I had experienced the magic of swimming alongside at least one of these prehistoric giants.
The Search for Sea Turtles: A Family Snorkeling Adventure
During our time on the island, we stayed at the Seri Resort, which boasts one of the absolute best locations on Gili Meno for turtle spotting. The resort sits right on a stretch of white sand where the reef drop-off is easily accessible from the shore.
On our final day, we decided to get adventurous. We took the girls out in a kayak, while Marco focused on capturing some stunning aerial drone photography of the crystal-clear reef formations. Once the drone work was complete, Marco joined us in the water with the snorkeling gear. We paddled out toward the deeper reef edge, and it wasn’t long before the girls were squealing with excitement. Even from the seat of the kayak, they could see the dark, graceful silhouettes gliding through the water below.
What started as a planned one-hour jaunt quickly turned into a three-hour snorkeling marathon. Once we found the first turtle, the floodgates opened. We spotted one after another, grazing on the seagrass and rising slowly to the surface for air. Bella and Maya were incredible spotters, pointing out the turtles through the transparent water before we even put our masks on. This is exactly how I had envisaged island living.
Why Gili Meno is the Ultimate Gili Island
Tourism has yet to fully “take over” Gili Meno in the way it has its neighbors. This makes it a perfect destination for those who appreciate a lower-key, more authentic vibe.
- The Pace of Life: Development here moves at a much slower and, thankfully, more controlled pace than on Gili Air.
- Luxury and Seclusion: While there are fewer guesthouses, you will find more high-end, secluded resorts. This makes accommodation slightly more expensive, but the payoff is a sense of total tranquility.
- No Traffic, No Stress: Like all the Gili Islands, there are no cars or motorbikes. The primary mode of transport is your own two feet or a bicycle. Wandering the sandy paths is incredibly relaxing—the only “danger” you face is a coconut potentially falling from a palm tree!
Our days followed a blissful, simple rhythm: wake up, enjoy a long breakfast, head out for a morning of snorkeling, beachcomb for shells, and repeat. It is the perfect antidote to the fast-paced nature of modern travel and one of the many reasons to visit Southeast Asia.
Tips and advice
- Sleep – we stayed at the Seri Resort
- Eat – Food options are limited and expect to pay Eruopean prices for decent meal.
- Play – Get out on the water kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling.
- Watch out for – trigger fish they are swimming near the reefs and can sometime attack if you swim over their territory.
- When to visit – visit in October or November which is the end of the peak season, just before rainy season starts, you will find good weather and fewer people.
Watch our video about Gili Meno with kids
Eternal adventurer and wanderlust seeker! Always thinking about (and planning) our next adventure, hence the name”Thinking Nomads”!
Wife to Marco and mamma to Isabella and Maya. India, Nepal and Vietnam are my top three countries!
Norway, Iceland and South Africa are top of my bucket list!
