We are working closely with SATGAS (local security on Gili Islands), KSDA (Sea and Forest protection in Lombok) and Mataram University (pak Arifin and his students in water supply and marine Biology) on different projects:

1. Biorock projects: study the recovery of the bleaching coral on natural conditions and on Biorock reefs.
2. We would like to set up juvenile grouper floating structure to put in Gili Air to give to the fishermen so we could work in the future on another fishermen agreement with less money and more fish!
3. we just bought a horse kart to clean gili trawangan of all the plastic and rubbish, we want to clean the island where the rubbish is not collected. We are also doing with some education programs about plastic, rubbish, burning plastic. Pak Acok from Sama-sama will be responsnible of the cleaning action. and there is so much work to do!
4. we are maintening the existing mooring buoys and also putting some more to stop anchoring which is damaging so much of our shallow reefs.
5. we are collecting more and more corals which are falling off because of the waves., currents, or divers fins. we are collecting corals atht would die without our help as they are not attached to anything. we call it “reef Gardening”.
6. The flyer for the eco-behavior is printed and i will get it to Gili next week!

OUR MAIN GOAL IS NOW THE RUBBISH:
We have come up with a new system of accounting to charge everybody to get their rubbish collected. We have tried to make the new system as fair as possible for everyone.  We think that we currently don’t have everyone’s name and location. We need you to take responsibility by registering your house or business at info@giliecotrust.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , so we can apply the new accounting system to everyone. We need to know the following, number of bungalows/rooms for rent, if it is a/c and the name of the business. Please include houses or villas that are rented out or occupied by your staff. The donation system is based on everyone contributing per room as this is equivalent to the amount of rubbish generated.

With this new system, there will be enough money to provide salaries to existing and new employees, to buy new horse carts, to buy new horses, to feed the horses and to make new projects.
One of the new projects is to build a pathway to reach the rubbish dump in any weather condition. It will be a 350m long, 3,5m wide concrete road which will be 60 cm above normal ground level. As we want to be as eco as possible, and not spending to much money in concrete and cement, we came up with a solution:
1. Every month the extra money, after feeding the horses and paying the salaries will be used to build a part of the road: bricks, cement, workers.

2. We have decided to collect plastic from all over the island, shred it, mix it with rubble and sand to raise this pathway before concreting the surface.

3. Every month, the island will get cleaner and the pathway will get longer to reach the rubbish dump location before the next rainy season.
So we need your contribution by accepting the increase on your rubbish collection fee, and by giving us your rubble, sand or rubbish that you are not using.

To have this new system working as soon as possible, please:
1. Register your house or business at info@giliecotrust.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or head of your zone RT, or help us to register every house or business on the island with a list of your neighbors and new businesses you know we haven’t got on the existing list.

2. Let us (FMPL, Pak Acok or Pak Malek) know if you have some rubble or sand that we can use to build the pathway. We will organize a pick up.
In the future the extra money FMPL will have every month will be used:
· To organize a clean up day
· To buy more bins
· To fix the horse carts and look after the horses
· To ban the plastic bags from the island
· To produce recycled Gili T bags
· To put in place a good compost system
· To repair the wall of the rubbish dump…..etc….

These issues are not only an FMPL problem; we are all concerned by the plastic and the rubbish on this little island. If we want to keep our customers happy, we need to be ready to take collective responsibility and help each other to succeed in having a clean Gili Trawangan.
Because the new payment system has not yet been established, the Gili Eco Trust and SATGAS will provide the initial monthly payment to enable this project to begin immediately.
Thank you for your help and cooperation.

If you have any questions, contact Pak Acok at Sama-Sama, Pak Malik at Blue Marlin Dive, FMPL at Creative bungalows, or Delphine at Big Bubble Dive.

Source: www.giliecotrust.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

Gili Islands
The Gili Islands – Overview The three Gili islands are located of thenorthwest coast of Lombok, a little over 37 miles (60km) from Padangbaiharbour in Bali, and  20 miles from the most easterly cape of Bali. They were first discovered by back-packers back in the 1970’s, whenthey became a popular but well-kept secret among an adventurous crowdseeking to escape to an island paradise, far from the madding crowds ofKuta, Bali .The waters are crystal clear and teeming with marine life,and the beaches pure white sand where you can snorkel straight off thebeach. The Gilis are the best place in Indonesia to enjoy a tropicalisland lifestyle.Although the first to develop homestays was Gili Air (the nearestisland to Lombok), it is Gili Trawangan that subsequently became knownas the ‘party island’ – a young, energetic European crowd having waytoo much fun far away from home. Simple bungalows with generatorsupplied electricity soon proliferated catering to a crowd eager to getoff the beaten track.

The Gilis Today. In recent years the scene has changed rapidly on GiliTrawangan, whereas Gili Meno and Gili Air are developing at a farslower pace. Trawangan still maintains its timeless tropical paradisecharm, but now has a wider range of facilities to cater to a broaderspectrum of travellers. There’s still plenty of back-packer roomspriced around US$10 / night, but there are also some very chicbungalows, villas and hotels complete with private swimming pools andall mod cons. All have been constructed in harmony with the islands’local charms – natural materials and simple elegance being the dominanttheme of most developments. No high rise hotels, and definitely no tourbuses or McDonald’s, but plenty of Dive Centres to help you explore theislands’ famous coral reefs.Getting around. Motorised transport is banned from all three islands –you get around on foot, by bicycle or by horse-cart. Bicycles can behired for Rp. 10,000 – 15,000 / hour, or you can get much better dailyrates. Horse-carts, known as ‘Cidomos’, charge according to distance.Agree the price before you leave with a bit of friendly bargaining.

The walk around Trawangan takes anything from 90 minutes to all day, depending on your pace… it’s about 8 km in circumference.To get between the islands, you can either charter a local boat foraround Rp.175,000, or take the twice daily ‘Hopping’ boat which costsjust Rp. 20,000 per person. Ask at your hotel or at the harbour for thelatest schedules.

Source: gilicat.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

The Gili Islands by Boat
There are now numerous direct boat services from Bali to the Gilis, all of which continue onto the main island of Lombok. Established daily services depart from Benoa and Serangan Island in South Bali and Padang Bai in East Bali. Benoa Harbour and Serangan are around 25 minutes by car, (dependent upon traffic) from the South Bali tourist hub. Padang Bai is further. If one was to depart by car fo the same point at the same time, the trip to Padang Bai would take around an additional 45 to 50 minutes in a vehicle on most days.

It’s more efficient to depart from Padang Bai if you are starting from central or east Bali, such as Ubud and Candidasa, or the east coast dive areas such Amed, and Tulamben or North Coast locations such as Lovina or Pemuteran.

No matter what port of departure you use, with the exception of those staying in Padang Bai, you will be required to use a vehcile transfer for one portion of your journey. The big consideration in choice of port of departure is time and distance at sea, coupled with weather.

The distance by sea from Benoa/Serangan to Gili Trawangan/Lombok, is just under twice that of the distance from Padang Bai to the same ports of arrival. Passengers departing from Benoa/Serangan will spend about twice the time at sea as passengers departing Padang Bai. This difference in time at sea logically increases exponentially when weather conditions deteriorate, as vessels are unable to maintain top speeds.

Gili Cat official operating logs demonstrate an average time at sea, all conditions, all years, (since initiating the first daily scheduled departure service in June 2007,) of 80 mins. While the trip from Padang Bai can be faster, (55 minutes,) it can also be slower. Benoa/Serangan operators marketing suggests two hours by sea. In reality, the time is more like 150 – 160 minutes on a “perfect” day. When selecting a port of departure it is worth keeping in mind that any deterioration of weather conditions will affect passenger comfort and the amount of time spent at sea, no matter what the port of departure. The greater the distance to be traveled at sea, the greater the effect of weather conditions on “real time” at sea. While one operator has reported commencement of construction of a significantly larger vessel, the vessels currently servicing all routes are smaller high speed craft.

Anyone traveling with children or infants, prone to sea sickness, historically uncomfortable on boats, or with any health conditions, would be well advised to select the shortest possible sea crossing. Similarly in anything but perfect weather conditions, the shortest sea crossing would be the wisest route in order to avoid weather related delays or discomfort.

A daily speedboat service called Amed Sea Fast Boat started to ply the Amed to Gili Trawangan route in 2010. There is also a daily fast boat service to Gili Trawangan from Nusa Lembongan, a small island off the south east coast of Bali.

There are currently significant differences in prices between operators on all the Gili Fast Boat routes. There are also significant differences in the standard of the vessels, operating standards, operating experience and crew certfication. Passengers would be well advised to look at more than just price. As competition has increased, so has misinformation about availability of seats or operating schedules. Passengers would be well advised to check the veracity of information direct with their chosen operator if told by a tour desk a vessel is “full” or “bankrupt – not operating” or has “spontaneously combusted.” Passengers are also advised to ensure their ticket states the specific vessel they have requested.

If you have more time than money, you can use a tour service (160,000 from Kuta/Ubud) to take you from your hotel on Bail, drop you off at the ferry, then pick you up in Lombok and switch cars a few times, then drop you off at the dock to the Gili’s and then on to a small boat. The whole trip takes about 12 hours and you will be subjected to unnecessary hard sells on booking return tickets (not necessary). The last stop you may be befriended by those talking up stories of mosquito born illness, then try to be sold repellent and coils at extortionate prices. These products are reasonably priced on the Gili’s.

Source: gilicat.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@bali-gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

ABOUT THE GILI ECO TRUST
The Gili Eco Trust is the sole authorized association in the Gili Islands for the protection and conservation of the environment. Gili Eco Trust was formed in 2002 to help SATGAS (local security) fight against dynamite and cyanide fishing, which dramatically damaged the eco-systems of the Marine Protected Area Gili Matra.

SATGAS and Gili Eco Trust have worked together in partnership since that period to enhance and preserve the marine resources of the Gili islands. New eco-projects are launched continously to avoid further destruction and to encourage education through the respect of nature.

The Trust is funded by the 50,000rp “EcoTax” paid by guests, divers and snorkelers in the Gili Islands.

How the Trust spend your money?
* Ensuring an effective patrol and enforcement policy within the boundaries of the Marine Protected Area. The patrol boat is making sure the rules and regulations of the area are enforced with the collaboration of the DKP (Marine Conservation and Fisheries Department).

* Coordinating and managing agreements with the local fishermen to ensure the health and abundance of underwater eco-systems

* Installing mooring buoys and maintaining them; stopping boats dropping anchors which can destroy our precious marine life.

* Financing the Gili Biorock® Reef Restoration Project: creating, building and maintaining Biorock® structures that allows marine life to flourish.

* Preventing the islands beaches from disappearing by installing anti-erosion systems.

* Organizing a “Clean Up Day” on the first Friday of every month

* Collecting data and archiving the state of the eco-systems: reef survey and reef gardening

* Educating the next generations in the local schools about the importance of the natural resources, as well as which eco-behavior is appropriate in order to keep a clean and healthy environment.

* Setting up a recycling program together with FMPL (rubbish collection company), the program covers education, smart purchasing, re-use, compost, recycling plastic, etc…

* Organizing social improvements on the island such as medical clinic, kindergarden playground, renovation of the schools and the rubbish dump, planting trees.

* And much more…

Thank you for purchasing this log book. All profits from the sale goes to SATGAS-Gili Eco Trust.

Source: gilicat.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

The three Gili islands are located of the northwest coast of Lombok, a little over 37 miles (60km) from Padangbai harbour in Bali, and  20 miles from the most easterly cape of Bali.

They were first discovered by back-packers in the 1970’s, and soon became a popular if not well-kept secret among an adventurous crowd seeking to escape to an island paradise, and as far from the madding crowds of Kuta and Bali as possible. Here the waters are crystal clear and teeming with marine life, and the beaches pure white sand where you can snorkel straight off the beach. Til this day, many would say that the Gilis are the best place in Indonesia to enjoy an island lifestyle.

Although the first to develop homestays was Gili Air (the nearest island to Lombok), it is Gili Trawangan that subsequently became known as the ‘party island’ where a young, adventurous European crowd had way too much fun far away from home. Simple bungalows with generator supplied electricity soon proliferated catering to a crowd eager to get off the beaten track.

In recent years the scene has changed rapidly on Gili Trawangan, whereas Gili Meno and Gili Air are developing at a far slower pace. Trawangan still maintains its timeless tropical paradise charm, but now has a wider range of facilities and caters to a broader spectrum of travellers. There’s still plenty of back-packer rooms priced around US$10 / night, but there are also some very chic bungalows, villas and hotels complete with private swimming pools and all mod cons. All have been constructed in harmony with the islands’ local charms – natural materials and simple elegance being the dominant theme of most developments. There are no high rise hotels, and definitely no tour buses or McDonald’s, but rather plenty of Dive Centres to help you explore the islands’ famous coral reefs.

The Gili Islands are today the site of a fascinating experiment in sea scaping, one perhaps unique in the world. Gili Trawanan has become the defacto world center of the coral reef regeneration known as Biorock, the name patented by its discoverers, Dr Wolf Hilbertz and Dr Tom Goreau. Biorock first came to the Gilis in 2003 via Pemuteran in N Bali under the sponsorship of Vila Ombak Dive Academy. These first “electric reefs’ inspired many local dive centers to follow suit and with the support of PADI, hotels and local business, resulted in a series of Biorock Workshops in 2006 and 2008 which were also the focus of two international documentary movies.

Biorock technology is tantalizingly simple – a giant saltwater electrolytic cell is created by passing a 10 watt current thru an anode coated with exotic elements, and a steel frame cathode. The resultant electrical field “accretes” calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide – the building materials of coral – onto the steel cathode. Viola !! Instant reef!! Tom Goreau understood the exciting possibilities offered, and further experiments showed that the “free metabolic energy” from the electrical field allowed coral to grow up to six times faster than normal expectation.

While aid organizations and scientists may be sceptical, divers see the incredible results and   embrace Biorock enthusiastically, sometimes to the point of messianic zeal. Delphine Robbe, the current head of the Gili EcoTrust is one such believer. In 1998 the reefs of the Gilis and North Bali suffered the fate of all coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans – widespread coral bleaching due to El Nino. Delphine’s life-long mission is to restore the Gili reefs back to their former glory. She has attended four Biorock Workshops, the last of which she organized entirely by herself.

What makes the Gilis so special as regards Biorock is this on-going enthusiasm. Biorock has prospered here and is collaborative like a Linux operating system, with a different Gili dive center stepping in to expand it: VODA for developing a PADI Speciality course; Manta for funding and logistic support; Big Bubble for training and organization; Karma Kayak for shore erosion control. All seven Gili dive centers collect a “reef tax” from divers which is paid to the Gili EcoTrust and used for marine conservation. Biorock has been adopted by the local community as well – Pak Taufik, the current “mayor” of the Gilis, is a keen diver and attached broken coral onto the first structures at Hotel Vila Ombak!!

To date the Gili Ecotrust has overseen the installation of 1.5 kilometers of coral reef in the Gilis. Reef engineering is a lifetime’s work and the progress on the Gilis will intrigue  both new and returning visitors for many years to come.

Source: gilicat.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

History of Gili Matra Marine Natural Recreation Park

Gili Matra Marine Natural Recreation Park has a total area of approximately 2,954 hectares, consists of 3 islands namely Gili Meno (± 150 hectares), Gili Air (± 175 hectares), Gili Trawangan (± 340 hectares), and ± 2,289 hectares of marine area. In 1993, Gili was designated a recreation park under the Minister of Forestry Decree Number 85/Kpts-II/1993, dated 16 February 1993, based on the proposal of the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Province.

Management Objectives
The management of Gili is based on Act Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Resources and Their Ecosystems. Therefore, the aim of the management of this Park is to protect the Park and its ecosystems, and also to utilize in sustainable way, the parks resources. The resources should be used for research, science, education, recreation and tourism purposes. The main objectives of the management of Gili are outlined as follows:

The main objectives of the management of Gili are outlined as follows:
1. To promote sustainable use of the Park’s resources.
2. To encourage and integrate local participation in park management to protect biological values of the park and to eliminate further disturbances or alteration of natural habitats, to protect endangered and threatened wild animal species and their habitats, to maintain the locations designated for recreation and tourism development, to maintain sustainable use of commercial fish habitats, and to achieve compatible use and careful management of species’ and their habitats.

Management Authority
The responsible institution to manage Gili is the Natural Resources Conservation Office of West Nusa Tenggara (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Nusa Tenggara Barat) under the Directorate of Forest Protection And Nature Conservation (DG of PHPA), Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia.

Problems
The actual problems in Gili are those faced directly such as fishing using bomb blasting and poisoning. Anticipating the problems, sources of problems are first identified and then addressed. To do so, coordination among related institutions and parties is required since the problems cannot be managed by only a single agency such as West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office.

Based on continual identification, the problem sources can be grouped into management intensity, social-economic conditions of the local communities, and the awareness of communities. However, the Park’s management ability is still limited. This is due to lack of facilities, lack of expertise in marine ecology, limited human resources both in quality and quantity, and lack of technical guidance.

Many related institutions and parties are not really aware of the designation of Gili as a Park. Therefore, some conflicts between biodiversity conservation efforts and other development activities still exist. Thus, the benefits from Park management are not easily observed.

Other problems in Gili include muro-ami fishing. This method is very destructive to coral reefs, therefore West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office in collaboration with Taskforce Gili Patrols, must patrol and inform users not to engage in this sort of fishing, especially in the conservation area.

In July 2002, Taskforce Gili Patrols and West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office caught a group of muro-ami users. This case was solved using awiq-awiq, a law based on local customs. Fortunately, blasting and poisoning of fish and other marine species has not been observed stopped since August 2000.

Figure 1. Transplanting corals at Gili Islands.
Successful Management

1. Established designated management plan year 1998 – 2008.
2. Zoning for protection zone and exploitation zone.
3. Education of Youth Conservation Group. This group then forms a Youth Front Foundation of Taskforce Gili Patrols.
4. Joint protection operation between West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office, Police, and Community (Taskforce Gili Patrols) in 2000 has succeeded to catch fish bombers that were sentenced to 9 months in jail.
5. Implementation of the agreement with coastal community in Northern West Lombok, which was signed by Head Of the Village and Head of Tanjung District, Gangga District, and Head of Pemenang District for:

* The establishment of the Foundation of Fisherman Community Organization in Northern West Lombok to help the implementation of coastal security activities by Taskforce Gili Patrols.

* Building and implementing a traditional rules, “awiq-awiq,” which was implemented since 19 March 2000.

The maximum penalty is a fine of Rp. 10,000,000. There have been 6 cases recorded: bombing, 2 poisoning, and use of muro-ami. The sum of the collected fines was Rp. 25,500,000.

The sea and coastal security activities is done by the community, funded by NGO’s, with awiq-awiq penalties. Activities include:

+ Conducting daily patrols.

+ Installing Park border signs.

+ Supporting infrastructure for coastal security activities.

+ Helping on community awareness and sustainable use of marine resources

+ When patrols arrest someone, the system of penalties is as follows: Firstly, awiq-awiq system. The sanction will be a penalty or a property seizure and signing a statement not to repeat the offence. Secondly, processing by law to conduct a further investigation by the police, and then bringing the case to court.
6. Installing mooring buoy in Gili Meno, Gili Air, and Gili Trawangan, 10 units each.
7. Sea turtle conservation programme.
8. Coral reefs inventory was conducted by West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office, in cooperation with Mataram University and NGO’s.
9. Making audiovisual documentation in Gili, in cooperation with Diponegoro University, Mataram University, and West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office.
10. Establish environmental conservation groups in Gili to clean organic and inorganic pollutannts.
11. The development of buffer zone area and coastal community building was done through coral rehabilitation using transplantation system, conducted in cooperation with Taskforce Gili Patrols and West Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Office.

Current Legislation and Further Needs
There are many laws in Indonesia pertaining to conservation. Listed below are some that could apply to management of Gili Islands.

1. Act Number 9 of 1985 concerning Fisheries.
2. Act Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Resources and Their Ecosystems.
3. Government Regulation Number 68 of 1998 concerning Sanctuary Reserve and Nature Conservation Area.
4. Sea and coastal management strategic plan 1998, Provincial Development Board (Bappeda) of West Nusa Tenggara Province.
5. Policy and strategy on coral reefs management in Indonesia, 2000.
6. Decree Head of Provincial Development Board of West Nusa Tenggara Province Number 5 of 1998 concerning Provincial Task Force Building in the Implementation of Coral Reefs Management and Rehabilitation Activity in West Nusa Tenggara Province.
7. Governor instruction Number 2 of 1998 concerning Prohibition of Coral Reefs Mining.
8. Governor Decree Number 141 of 2000 concerning Local Communication Forum Building in West Nusa Tenggara.
9. The “Awiq-Awiq” (traditional rules) of fisherman community of Northern West Lombok in March 2000, is a coastal community agreement in Northern West Lombok on sanction toward people who destroy marine resources, signed by Village and Sub District Officers.

The future efforts to increase the quality of marine resources in the context of community welfare through tourism are:

1. Capacity building by training and education.
2. Supply of supporting infrastructure for officers in Gili.
3. Publicizing the zoning scheme in Gili in order to conserve marine resources.
4. Strengthen coordination amongst stakeholders.
5. Technical and non-technical cooperation with domestic and international NGO’s.

In order to implement those efforts, it is necessary to obtain:

1. More support from local government, other agencies, and local community.
2. Support from central government to strengthen relationships with international NGO’s.

Strategy and Program
A conservation strategy for Gili was developed by considering groups of problem sources, the Park’s potential values, regulations, as well as environmental and socio-economic conditions of the surrounding communities. The strategies developed are:

* Promoting management activities for the Park and its resources.
* Assisting local communities to find other sources of income.
* Increasing the awareness of local community.
* Strengthening coordination among related institution and parties.

Each strategy is being detailed in action programs as the basis of management activities to be implemented. A five-year action plan was established in the form of a Five Year Plan that was described and detailed an annual plan. The annual plan is used to propose to the government to obtain budget for technical cooperation with other institutions.

Action programs formulated may vary from year to year. However, the basic program remains the same. The action programs implemented are shown as follows:

* Conservation planning:
o Annual plan preparation
o Proposed program activities plan preparation

* Monitoring and inventory:
o Coral reefs monitoring and inventory
o Database development and management

* Biodiversity management and safeguarding:
o Hawksbill turtle semi-natural hatching development
o Artificial reefs establishment
o Integrated operation
o Regular patrolling

* Data and information:
o Providing data on visitors, disturbances, and Park biodiversity

* Manpower management by training

* Facilities provision and maintenance:
o Provision of facilities and equipment
o Maintenance of facilities and equipment

* Assisting local community development:
o Providing demonstration plots of marine flora and fauna, managed by local community

* Promoting community awareness:
o Coordination meetings on planning and sustainable utilization
o Conservation education and extension
o Conservation exhibitions
o Information dissemination

Conclusion
The paper provides a brief overview of the present management status of Gili. Inputs based on experience from other marine parks will be adopted and integrated for better management at Gili. It is hoped that the experience of management from Gili may one day be useful for other marine protected areas.

Edi Djuharsa
Natural Resources Conservation Office
Mataram – West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Source: gilicat.com

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

Here is things to do and see in gili islans while you visit the islands:
Snorkeling and Diving
There are no sights as such on the islands themselves, but the excellent snorkeling and diving all around is a major draw. Sea turtles are also common, especially around Turtle Point just north of Gili Meno. You can rent masks and fins off the beach, or contact any of the numerous dive shops to arrange snorkeling or diving at choice spots nearby.

Gili Trawangan, most offshore, is with 3,5 sq.km. the biggest of the three Gili’s. Many of the residents are, like the other people of the Gili’s, descendants of Buginese migrants from South-Sulawesi. They have interchanged with the local Sasak-population and speak the Sasak language as well.

On the climax of the tourist season, the months July and August, many of the daily flood of tourists which leave from Bangsal find a place to sleap on the beach. All losmen are located along the eastern coast. The young, mainly European tourists which come to the Gili’s, spend their days on the beack, sunbathing. Snorkling and playing frisbee are the favorite sports. On many places you can rent goggles and other diving gear. The reefs off the eastern coast of Trawangan are reasonable, but beware of the strong currents futher off the beach, they can be dangerous. A walk around the island takes about four hours.

You can find good equipped diving centers on the Gili’s. Most centers also take care of the beginners, but also can provide you with the heavy things, like diving in the strong currents off the west coast of Trawangan, where divers can see huge shells (tridacna), as well as sharks, mantha’s, and blue tailed rays.

High Recommend Dive Clubs in Gili Islands
Buddha Dive & Resort
Dream Divers
Blue Marlin
Manta Dive
Big Bubles
Trawangan Dive
Villa Ombak Dive Academy

Biking
On Gili Trawangan (as well as the other two Gilis), there are no motorized vehicles. The main means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and cidomo (a small horsedrawn carriage). For traveling to and from each of the Gilis, locals usually use motorized boats and speedboats.

The biking around the islands is one of the best things to do if you don’t like to swim, snorkeling or diving.

Nightlife
Trawangan has more of a “party” atmosphere, than Gili Meno and Gili Air, with all-night parties that rotate amongst a group of venues each night. The largest of the parties takes place on a monday night at Blue Marlin and a wednesday night at Tir Na Nog. While during the day, the popular activities for visitors are scuba diving (PADI certified), snorkeling (mainly along the northeastern coastline), kayaking and surfing. There are also stalls that offer horseback riding as a pastime activity. As small as the island, you can circle the island with a bicycle within only 45 minutes. Path along the way is very sandy which makes it more difficult to pedal your bicycle.

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

Gili Trawangan is the largest of Lombok’s Gili Islands and is the only one to rise significantly above sea level. It is 3km long and 2km wide with a population of about 700. Of the Gilis, Trawangan has the most tourist facilities; the pub Tîr na Nôg claims that Trawangan is the smallest island in the world with an Irish pub. The most crowded part of Trawangan lies on the eastern side. It is administered under Lombok Barat Regency along with Senggigi Beach.

On Gili Trawangan (as well as the other two Gilis), there are no motorized vehicles. The main means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and cidomo (a small horsedrawn carriage). For traveling to and from each of the Gilis, locals usually use motorized boats and speedboats.

Some of the first inhabitants of Gili Trawangan were from Sulawesi who are fishermen and farmers. Previously Gili Trawangan was covered in forest and deer lived on the island. (Source: Inhabitants of Gili Trawangan — no printed source available)

The economy of Gili Trawangan centres on tourism, as the island is too small to support any broad scale agriculture, and too remote to allow economically viable industry or commerce.

There are now seven dive operators on the island which run a full range of PADI courses, starting from the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) course or the Open Water, right up to Instructor courses at certain times during the year. The schools organise Fun Dives with local dive masters who have a wealth of knowledge about each site.

There seems to be a dive centre for everyone, whether you like the hustle and bustle of a big busy school like Blue Marlin or Manta Dive, or more relaxed smaller groups at laid back schools such as Vila Ombak Diving Academy and Trawangan Dive. There are also some schools which are more tailored to French speaking divers (Big Bubble) and German speaking divers (Dream Divers).

The diving is very easy and varies from walls, slopes and plateaus. The maximum depths at many of the sites range from 24m-18m, making it perfect for beginners and more experienced divers alike. Almost all the dive sites can be reached by boat in 10 minutes and all the dive shops are located on the beach front making access very easy.

Some of the fascinating marine life you may see include: black and white tip sharks, turtles, frog fish, leaf fish, ghost pipe fish, moray and ribbon eels, pygmy seahorse, eagle rays, octopus, cuttlefish, snakes and bumphead parrot fish.

SNORKELING
Snorkeling in the waters off Gili Trawangan is very easy and doesn’t require a boat. Simply walk into the clear blue waters from the beach and you’re away! The main snorkeling area is along the main beach area, but there are other less busy areas with great snorkeling to be found up and down the east and northeast sides of the island.

Along the main beach front there is usually an easy current which takes you along making snorkeling all the more easy as you drift with the current, get out at the end, and walk back up the beach and start again.

A host of amazing marine life can be found while snorkeling, ranging from parrot fish, moorish idols and puffer fish, to barracuda, trumpet fish and baby cuttlefish, and if you’re really lucky, turtles!

Masks, snorkels, fins and life jackets can be found for rent all along the beach front.

BOAT TRIPS
If, heaven forbid, you’re getting a little bored on Gili Trawangan, hiring a boat and snorkeling of it around all three of the islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan) makes for a fun day out. You can also take in the Bird Park and Beatles museum on Gili Meno, and have lunch on Gili Air at Vila Karang, where the pizzas are delicious! (Phone in advance for pizzas at lunch time so the oven can be fired up: 0813 3990 4440)

If you don’t enjoy swimming or snorkeling, but still want to see what’s going on under the surface of the water, then you can always take a Glass Bottom Boat trip. From the comfort of the boat you get a glimpse of some of the fishes, and even the turtles, swimming underneath.

HORSE RIDING
BaliKana Hotel and Stud are the two ‘stables’ on the island. You can arrange to take a horse out for an hour or more and ride around the island and along the beach. A guide will either accompany you on another horse or on foot. Most of the horses are actually ponies, although there are one of two larger horses.

KAYAKING
Kayaks are available to hire at a couple of locations along the beach area. If you’re feeling very energetic and want to try to kayak over to Gili Meno, beware of the currents which can be very strong – and don’t forget you’ll have to come back over again!

SURFING
While it doesn’t draw huge crowds of surfers, when the winds are right there is some good surfing to be found. There’s a crowd of local surfers on the island who have all the useful local knowledge, and who knows, maybe they’ll come along and lend you their boards.

SPA/MASSAGE
If you want to indulge yourself there are at least two spas on Gili Trawangan who can pamper you with massages, facials, reflexology, hair treatment manicures and pedicures and even waxing. The higher end spa is located at Vila Ombak Hotel, while the other is nearer the beach area.

Individual masseuse also offer their services on the island and signs can be found dotted around the main strip informing of their details.

Source : http://www.gilitrawangan.org

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

Gili Meno is the middle of Lombok’s three Gilis. It has a population of about 400, mainly concentrated on the center of the island. The main income of the population comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing. On the west side of the island there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season. Until a few years ago there was also a small production of seaweed on the reef at the north end of the island. It has swimming beaches all around the island, as well as an impressive bird sanctuary.

The island attracts fewer tourists than Gili Trawangan and is the quietest and smallest of the Gilis. However, honeymooners are often drawn to the crystal clear water and idyllic, secluded white beaches.

There is no fresh water on the island, it is imported daily. Electricity is supplied by generators, although there are plans for renewable energy sources to be developed. There are also no cars or motorbikes and only a limited number of tourist accommodation options.

The second island between G. Air and G. Trawangan. The most quiet island and probably the water is cleanest.
Electricity is available 24 hours but very unstable. The water system has not been installed to this island therefore most of cheap hotels use light salty water and only expensive hotels buy pure water from the main land but most

The boats from Lombok arrive at the East coast of the island. The accommodation is spread m ainly to S(left as you land) and some to North

Gili Meno is the middle of Lombok’s famous three Gilis. It has a population of about 400, mainly concentrated on the center of the island. The main income of the population comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing. On the west side of the island there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season.

With a population of just 300, 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.

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. This is sometimes quite full, and at others very dry. It is though always very saline.

HOW TO GET THERE:
From Lombok
Public boats depart from Bangsal between 8AM-5PM, take about 30 minutes, and cost Rp 10,000. They depart only when there are enough people (normally a minimum of 15). Dedicated boats to Gili Meno are few and far between, and best looked for early in the mornings and mid-afternoon. The boat office at Bangsal will though make sure you get dropped off by a Gili Trawangan-bound boat if necessary. A chartered boat from Bangsal to Gili Meno will cost about Rp 200,000.

Perama  has a tiny office (tel:+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.

From Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno
Public inter-island boats run twice daily. The morning boat leaves Gili Air at about 8:30AM arriving in Meno at 8.45AM. The same boat goes onto Gili Trawangan picking up there at 9.30AM, and returning to Gili Meno at 9:45AM. The afternoon boat runs the same route leaving Gili Air at 3PM and Gili Trawangan at about 3:30PM. The fare from either of the other islands to Gili Meno should be about Rp 20,000, but is prone to impromptu fluctuations.

A charter boat from Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno will cost about Rp 200,000 – a relatively huge sum of money for a 10 minute ride.

WHAT TO SEE:
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. A single trip should cost Rp 40,000-60,000.

*  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. Donation.  edit

* Taman Burung (Bird Park)
Sadly, this aviary is not as well kept as it was, and the formerly very popular komodo dragon died in 2007. Still worth a visit though, with a large range of birds present. Rp 50,000.

WHAT TO DO:
Diving:
Blue Marlin,
This is the only dive shop actually on Gili Meno. It is a full blown operation though, with the same range of PADI courses and fun dives as are offered on the other islands.

Snorkelling
There are several good spots for snorkelling, and gear can hired at almost any cafe or hotel for about Rp 30,000. 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. 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, 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-6:45PM), perhaps stationed at Good Heart Cafe with an ice cold Bintang.

WHAT TO BUY:
There is no ATM, nor is there much to buy on Gili Meno. If you run out of cash, Blue Marlin is probably the only option for a credit card cash advance, and they charge a 10% commission.

WHERE TO EAT:
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. The other widesperad option is wood-fired pizza which has become something of a Gili Meno speciality.

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.

* Aroma Cafe,  Well prepared wood-fired pizzas are the deal here.

* Good Heart, Serves good local dishes and is located directly on the beach overlooking the sea. This hotel and restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, on the northeast side of the island. You can take the track around the island or a shortcut across the middle to get there. If you are not staying here, this might be a better choice for lunch as walking through the island in the dark may not be comfortable for some travelers. Rp 20,000-70,000.

* Jali Cafe, Serves Sasak food and it is quite authentic. The chicken curry is excellent, as is the obligatory fish barbecue every evening The old Gili Island ethic is very much still alive here. Expect the locals to be strumming a few Bob Marley tunes.

* 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, there is no real need to even think about eating anything else. Rp 20,000-100,000.  edit

* Yaya Warung. Choose your fish and let Yon cook it on the open fire. Inexpensive, expect to pay around Rp 40,000 for a fresh fish with nasi goreng and vegetables. If the fish all gets too much, they have a pasta menu, and make a passable job of preparing it. Nasi goreng is Rp 10,000 and fresh juices around Rp 8,000. About 100m north of the boat landing. Slow service, but a chat with the owner and the view will distract you

WHERE TO DRINK:
Nightlife is very laid back here, and somedays you might not notice any at all. This is very much the anti-Trawangan.

* Diana Cafe, ? +62 818 0577622. Very good choice for a sunset beer or cocktail and somedays it goes on until quite late here. The beruga pavilions are comfortable and allow you to look right at the setting sun.

WHERE TO STAY:
In general terms, accommodation on Meno is more expensive than on Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, and the standards of service distinctly lower.

Budget
* Amber House
Popular circular bungalows on the north coast. Set back from beach in a very quiet spot. A good choice if you really want to be away from it all. From Rp 450,000.

* Tao Kombo
These budget bungalows away from the beach have been around a long time. They are a bit worn and distinctly rough and ready, but that does not seem out of place on Gili Meno. Probably the most popular backpacker option on the island. Backpacker huts from €14, bungalows from € 30.

* The Sunset Gecko.
A Japanese-owned small resort, with a couple of cabins and one beachside family house. Rooms are simple and clean, great atmosphere and they do their best to be eco-friendly Rp 250,000-450,000

Mid-range
* Biru Meno
Nice quality bungalows on the south coast, with verandahs and decent bathrooms. About a 10 minute stroll from the boat loading point. From US$ 50.

* Hotel Gazebo
The ten individual cottages here are a bit run down, but the location near the southeast beaches is very nice indeed. Choice of fan-colled or air-conditioned rooms. Has a communal pool right by the beach. US$60-95.

* Kontiki Cottage
You will enjoy staying here due to the location, right by one of the best bits of beach anywhere on the 3 islands. You will also wish they had thought about the design a bit more, and tried a lot harder. The cheaper rooms are fan-cooled and there is quite a premium if you want air-conditioning. Rp 475,000-700,000.

* Malia’s Child
Very cute looking thatched roof bungalows on the east coast near the boat harbour. Right on a lovely stretch of white sand beach. From US$ 60.

* Royal Reef Cottages (formerly Janur Indah)
Thatched roof bungalows set in nice gardens very close to the boat landing. Each bungalow has its own little private terrace and ceiling fan, but no air-conditioning. A few steps from here and you are on the beach. From US$ 48.

Splurge
* Villa Nautilus
The swankiest accommodation on Gili Meno. Five detached villas which are fairly well appointed. Guests might wonder why they fitted those ugly tiled roofs when such good natural materials are available here. Still, a nice enough option. From US$ 95 – 150

Stay healthy
There is small, simple clinic with an attendant nurse in the middle of the island next to Taman Burung. While this 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 possible.

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com

Gili Air is the smallest of the Gilis and it’s closest to the Lombok mainland, making it popular with honeymoon couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat. It has a population of about 1,000 and administratively lies in the West Nusa Tenggara province. The island offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving off its east coast, and turtles can be seen along the coral reef.

The island still maintains its rural charm, as tourism is relatively new. In the early eighties it was backpackers who first discovered the three little islands of Air, Meno and Trawanggan, (gili, means small island) and basically not much has changed on Gili Air since then except that the level of services and facilities has grown little by little over the years.
Coconut Cottages and The Frangipani Garden Restaurant are located in a Coconut grove on the east coast of Gili Air only 100m from the beach where you can enjoy some of the best snorkeling on the island. Coconut was opened in 1992 by Kamil and his Scottish wife Elaine and together with their family hope to make your stay on the island relaxing and enjoyable.

The island of Gili Air is, with approximately 1,800 inhabitants, the most densely populated island of the archipelago made up of three small atolls (Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan). The local inhabitants (the Sasak) are very kind and hospitable to tourists.
Muslim is the prevailing religion, and is observed assiduously by the inhabitants of the island. Their religious ideas are in no way disturbed by the comparison with other cultures, customs and different uses, above all from western cultures.

The island economy has only recently been transformed from the fish market to a prevalently tourist market. There are continually new small resorts and restaurants springing up, which last just one season, whilst others, with greater experience, manage to establish themselves, and provide modest and primitive services that are of great interest to the tourists arriving on the island, in search of primitive adventures.

A holiday on the island of Gili Air will long be impressed on the visitor’s mind, as a kind of ‘Terrestrial Paradise’ that still exists on earth

The Sasak are worth noting for their splendid rites and their beautiful dances.
On the island, the only means of transport are the cidomo, which are small horse-drawn carts that transport people from one part of the island to another.
Gili Air has rich tropical vegetation, with many coconut palm trees, and is one of the most beautiful and still unpolluted natural areas.

Bali Gili Fast Boats

Gili Trawangan Island
North Lombok
NTB-Indonesia
Phone : +62 817 395 631 / Call us for direct booking
Email : tanaemelva@hotmail.com

Contact by Email:
booking@gilifastboats.com

Website : www.gilifastboats.com