Gili Meno travel guide

Gili Meno (Snake Island), between Trawangan and Air, is the smallest of the islands, and also the quietest and least developed. The local residents are very friendly, and after half a day on the island most will know your name and where you stay. The disadvantage of staying on Gili Meno is that the hawker to tourist ratio is very high, so expect plenty of visits from trinket sellers (often the same ones repeatedly).

The snorkelling off Gili Meno – especially off the northeast coast – is considered by some to be better than Trawangan, with growths of rare blue coral. There is a path running round the island; a walk of 1-1½ hours. The salt lake in the northeast of the island provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Accommodation on Gili Meno tends to be more expensive than on the other two islands. Some of the guesthouse owners live on Lombok, and these bungalows are run by lads who are poorly paid and consequently have little motivation. However, the views from the many bungalows that face the sea are beautiful, especially towards the east and Mount Rinjani.