LombokBeaches / Southwest Peninsula / Gili Asahan
SECRET GILIS - SEKOTONG
Gili Asahan
The most secluded and upscale of the Secret Gilis, healthy coral, horseback riding and the beach and two of the area's best sunset viewpoints.
SAND
White sand
SWIMMABLE
Yes, calm & clear
BEST TIME
Dry season, sunset
ACCESS
CROWD LEVEL
Very low
Boat from local operators
OVERVIEW
The secluded Secret Gili
Gili Asahan is a small island, roughly 5 kilometres around, opposite the Sekotong Peninsula, and consistently rated one of the best of the Secret Gilis for anyone chasing genuine seclusion. Its size naturally limits development, so what's there leans toward a handful of high-end lodges, Gili Asahan Eco Lodge, Pearl Beach Resort, and Amahelia among them, rather than a busy village strip.
The underwater environment here is the main draw, healthy coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove ecosystems support turtles, moray eels, and reef sharks, and the diving and snorkeling scene is genuinely well regarded, suitable for all experience levels in the calmer areas, with more serious dive sites like Belongas Bay nearby for experienced divers.
Wellness
Horseback riding
Diving & Snorkeling
SAND & WATER
Conditions on the ground
Clear, calm water surrounds the island with genuinely healthy coral close to shore, good for snorkeling directly off the beach. For something different, horseback riding along the sand is available through some of the island's lodges, a distinctive touch not found elsewhere in this cluster.
GETTING THERE
Access & parking
Reached by boat from Sekotong Harbour, best arranged through Tembowong Harbour specifically for the closest crossing, roughly 1.5 hours from Senggigi by car. Most visitors arrange transport directly through their accommodation, since this island functions more as an overnight destination than a
WHAT'S THERE
Facilities & sunset spots
A small number of upscale lodges provide the island's only real infrastructure, each generally arranging meals for guests. Two sunset viewpoints are worth knowing about, a path up to a yoga shala near the Eco Lodge with panoramic views, and the Bukit Batu Nangkok Seribu Tangga observation deck to the northwest, best reached with a torch for the walk back.
COMPARISON
Gili Asahan vs Gili Gede
At a glance
Village
Sekotong, West Lombok
Entry fee
None
Parking
At Sekotong / Tembowong Harbour
Toilets
At lodges
Shade
Available at lodges
Water entry
Sandy, coral close in
Nearest Town
Senggigi, ~1.5 hrs
GOOD TO KNOW
Bring a torch if walking to the sunset viewpoints, the path back can be dark, and watch for hermit crabs crossing the sand at night.
WHY CHOOSE THIS ONE
Gili Gede offers more variety, a working village alongside its resorts. Asahan trades that range for a more consistently upscale, secluded experience, better suited to a couple of nights of genuine quiet rather than a quick day trip.