Is Gili Islands safe?
Safe and relaxed with normal care. Bike theft, rough boat crossings and drink spiking are the main problems; the islands have no police presence at night.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Indonesia: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Indonesia: 11.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Gili Islands at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bike theft, bag theft from beaches, and drink spiking at bars and parties. |
| At night | Trawangan is lively late; other islands quiet by 10 pm. Pitch-black paths: carry a torch. Never accept drinks from strangers. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Stay in guesthouses near the main strip and watch drinks at parties. |
| Other risks | Rough or cancelled boat crossings; Strong currents at some snorkel spots; Dengue and food-borne illness |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts selling overpriced or fake tickets at Bangsal or Padang Bai
- Magic mushroom or drug dealers setting up arrests
- ATM skimming and out-of-service machines forcing costly cash advances
Take care
- Late-night beach party venues: spiked drinks and drugs
- Boat crossings in rough seas: overloaded fast boats
- Unlit sandy tracks at night: bike collisions with cidomo carts
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- From 2026, sex outside marriage and unmarried cohabitation are crimes, prosecuted only on a spouse's, parent's or child's complaint
- Drug trafficking can bring the death penalty; even small amounts mean prison
- Disrespecting temples or sacred sites in Bali can lead to deportation
How Gili Islands compares in Indonesia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ubud | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Canggu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seminyak | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Penida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Raja Ampat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bandung | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amed | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Batam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bintan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Surabaya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jimbaran | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jakarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kuta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Medan | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Gili Islands safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Stay in guesthouses near the main strip and watch drinks at parties.
Is Gili Islands safe at night?
Trawangan is lively late; other islands quiet by 10 pm. Pitch-black paths: carry a torch. Never accept drinks from strangers.
What is the crime rate in Gili Islands?
Bike theft, bag theft from beaches, and drink spiking at bars and parties. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Gili Islands?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Gili Islands
Going to Gili Islands solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.