LombokBeaches / East Lombok / Gili Kondo
EAST COAST · SAMBELIA
Gili Kondo
An uninhabited island off Lombok's northeast coast, genuinely different from the famous three Gilis in the west, and still a quiet local secret.
SWIMMABLE
Yes, calm water
SAND
White sand
BEST TIME
Morning, calm seas
ACCESS
Drive + boat
CROWD LEVEL
Very low
OVERVIEW
Lombok's other Gilis
When people talk about "the Gilis," they almost always mean Trawangan, Meno, and Air on the west coast. Gili Kondo sits on the opposite side of the island entirely, off the northeast coast near Sambelia, part of a small cluster locally known as Tiga Pulau, Three Islands, alongside Gili Bidara and Gili Petagan (with Gili Kapal sometimes included in tours of the group).
Unlike its famous western cousins, Gili Kondo is uninhabited and genuinely low-key, popular with local weekend visitors but still largely unknown to international tourists. The island is covered in lush greenery that gives natural shade, wrapped in clear water and a healthy coral reef, the whole area is oriented around conservation rather than nightlife or development.
Snorkeling
Camping
Uninhabited island
SAND & WATER
Conditions on the ground
The water is clear and calm, well suited to swimming, with a lively reef just offshore for snorkeling, visibility is often good enough to spot marine life on the boat ride in, roughly the last 15 minutes before arrival, according to regular visitors. Conditions are generally gentle here, this sits in a sheltered part of the Alas Strait rather than facing open ocean swell.
At a glance
Village
Sambelia, Lombok Timur
Entry fee
Usually bundled in boat/tour fee
Parking
At the depature harbour
Toilets
None, small food stall only
Shade
Natural tree cover
Water entry
Sandy, coral reef offshore
Nearest Town
Kuita Lombok, ~2.5-3 hrs (approx)
GOOD TO KNOW
No lifeguard on duty, and this is a remote, boat-access-only island. Bring your own supplies for anything beyond a simple lunch, and book transport through a reputable local operator.
GETTING THERE
Access & parking
Getting here is a two-part trip: a drive out to Sambelia district, then a short boat crossing. Boats run from the Sambelia Transat coast (around 20 to 30 minutes) or from Kayangan Port at Labuhan Lombok (around 45 minutes). Most visitors arrange this as a guided day trip or overnight camping package rather than travelling independently, since transport and permissions are more straightforward that way.
WHAT'S THERE
Facilities
The island itself is small and undeveloped, no hotels, just a small food stall for a simple lunch. Bring your own supplies for anything beyond that. On the mainland nearby, in Sambelia and Labuhan Pandan, there are a handful of simple lodges and resorts if you'd rather stay on land and visit as a day trip.
TIMING
When to visit
Morning departures give the calmest seas for the boat crossing and the best underwater visibility for snorkeling. Some visitors extend the trip into an overnight camping stay, if that appeals, bring your own tent and supplies, or book a package that includes them.
COMPARISON
Gili Kondo vs Gili Petelu
TWO VERY DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE ISLAND
Gili Petelu sits in the southeast Sekaroh cluster near the pink beaches, an easy add-on to that circuit. Gili Kondo is a genuinely separate trip on the northeast coast near Sambelia, further from Kuta and requiring its own dedicated day. Choose based on which part of the island you're already exploring rather than trying to combine both in one day.
