While the Secret Gilis are (for now at least) off the beaten track, the Eastern Gilis are still known to none but a few well informed locals. The Eastern side of Lombok has long been the least touristed, but the entire island has recently had its major road system upgraded so travellers to this side of the island can now reward themselves with reliable access through what is still a pristine and largely unexplored wilderness area.
The Eastern Gili’s are broken into two clusters with the two largest islands, Gili Lawang and Gili Sulat, sitting off the north eastern corner. Both are covered in mangrove forests and are part of a marine conservation area. The waters around these islands are incredibly clear and surrounded by well preserved fringing reefs and a wide variety of marine life can be found especially in the body of water between the two islands.
Although there is no accomodation on either of these islands there are a number of sandy beaches suitable for a picnic and swimming. Gili Surat also has a boat dock and a raised board walk through the forest making it suitable for bird watching and viewing local monkey populations.
A further four islands lie a short distance south in the Alas Strait that separates Lombok and Sumbawa. Of these, Gili Kondo is the smallest yet most scenic and most popular, especially on weekends, when it can be frequented by varying numbers of locals. The coral reef is part of a marine protection area and alltough there is talk that the government has plans to turn this into a resort island for now there are only basic facilities available including change rooms, a food stall and a camping area.
Perhaps the most fascinating island in this group is less an island than a glorified sandbar which becomes all but submerged during high tide. Gili Kapal, also known as Gili Kosong (empty) is nevertheless note worthy for its stunningly clean blue water as well as the long distances that, at low tide, you can wade, swim and snorkel through the warm shallow waters in any direction.
Gili Bidara, is the only island in the group that is permanently inhabited though again, there is no accomodation offered here. The island is however surrounded by beautiful coral fringed beaches offering excellent snorkelling.
The largest island in this group, Gili Petagang, is also known as Gili Lampu due to an old lighthouse that was built here during the Japanese occupation. Gili Petagang is covered in mangrove forest which can only be navigated during high tide. The fringing coral reef however, hosts a wide variety of marine life.
Although accomodation on the southern group of Gilis is limited to camping only, the islands are easily reached by boat from the mainland and can easily be seen together as part of a day trip.