Is Gili Islands Safe in December 2026?

On Gili Trawangan, individuals offer drugs to tourists and then signal to accomplices posing as plain-clothes police who appear moments later and threaten arrest. Victims are told they can avoid jail by paying a large on-the-spot bribe, typically 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 IDR. Real police are rarely involved. This is one of the most financially damaging scams operating across the Gili Islands.

How to avoid: Refuse all drug offers from strangers under any circumstances. If confronted by plain-clothes individuals claiming to be police, demand to see official identification and insist on going to the nearest police station rather than paying anything on the spot.

Cidomo horse-drawn carts are the primary transport on all three Gili Islands. Drivers routinely quote fares several times the standard local rate to tourists unfamiliar with the going prices. On Gili Trawangan, fares between the harbor and the far side of the island are often quoted at 150,000-200,000 IDR when the standard is closer to 50,000 IDR.

How to avoid: Ask your accommodation for the standard cidomo fares to your intended destination before hailing a cart. Agree on the exact fare in Indonesian rupiah before getting in, and confirm there are no additional fees for luggage.

Unlicensed dive operators on Gili Trawangan advertise PADI Open Water courses at prices 40–60% below market rate, then issue unofficial or forged certification cards that are not recognized by dive operators elsewhere. Some use equipment that has not been properly serviced, creating genuine safety risks. Students often only discover the fraud when they attempt to dive elsewhere and their certification cannot be verified.

How to avoid: Book only with PADI or SSI-registered dive schools — verify the shop's affiliation number on the official PADI or SSI website before paying. Do not pay the full course fee upfront. Ask to see the instructor's current certification. Budget Open Water courses on Gili T typically run IDR 3.5–4.5 million from legitimate operators.

Dive operators on Gili Trawangan advertise introductory or fun-dive prices online but add equipment rental, dive briefing fees, marine park levies, and boat fuel surcharges that can inflate the final bill by 50-80%. Some operators pressure tourists into buying dive packages they do not need, claiming single-dive booking is unavailable.

How to avoid: Request a fully itemized written quote including all taxes, equipment, and marine fees before booking. Comparison shop across at least three operators and check certifications on the PADI or SSI databases.

Boat ticket sellers near the Gili Trawangan harbor sell tickets for fast boats to Bali or Lombok at inflated prices, sometimes with vague departure times. In some cases the boat is seriously late, cancelled, or different from what was booked. Touts selling on behalf of multiple operators switch customers to inferior boats without disclosure and pocket the difference.

How to avoid: Book boat tickets only through your accommodation or a well-reviewed agent with a physical office. Confirm the boat operator name, departure pier, and exact departure time in writing. Avoid ticket sellers who approach you at the pier.