We booked the classic three-island snorkelling trip from Gili Air, the one that promises turtles, a drift over coral, and the famous underwater statues off Gili Meno. The morning began with that mix of excitement and mild faff that comes with family adventures. Masks sorted, reef-safe sunscreen on, a last check for snacks and water.
Stop 1: Turtle point, beautiful and busy
The first site delivered what it is known for and everything that comes with it. Boats converged. Skippers called instructions. People slid into the water in clusters and drifted over each other like slow traffic. It felt manic at first. We gathered the kids close, took a minute to float, and let it settle. Then the moment arrived. A turtle appeared out of the blue, unbothered by the commotion, just gliding. Another followed. The chaos did not vanish but the turtles took the edge off it.
Stop 2: Quieter water, softer colours
The second stop was calmer above the surface but the visibility was not on our side. The shapes were there, patches of coral and flickers of fish, but the water had a milky cast. We kept expectations low, pointed out what we could, and saved some energy for the finale. Sometimes it is fine to treat a snorkel like a gentle swim rather than a wildlife show.
Stop 3: The Gili Meno statues, worth a look
The statues were as striking as promised, a ring of figures turning ghostly and then clear as you move. There were loads of fish and even more people. This is where the flippers in your face happen. It is part of the deal. We chose a quick look, took turns so one adult always had eyes on the kids, and moved around the crowd rather than through it. The art is impressive, the swirl of bubbles and fins is real, and both can exist at once.
Lunch on Gili Meno
We beached on Gili Meno for lunch and let the day reset. Shoes back on, sandy toes, cold drinks, something simple to eat. The stop was exactly what the children needed, a break from masks and mouthpieces and a chance to sit on a chair that did not move. By the time we headed back towards Gili Air everyone had a second wind.
A gentle finish outside Alibaba
Back near where we are staying, just outside Alibaba, we finished the day with a last dip. I hung back with Dotty who had run out of steam. I have swum that patch a few times this week and knew what to expect. Ali and Georgia went in and soon spotted a few more turtles and a burst of colour from reef fish. The water felt calmer, the pace was slower, and the day ended the way family days should, with easy smiles and no rush to be anywhere.
What started out noisy and crowded found its rhythm. It was a half-decent trip that landed well in the end, and that is often how these things go with kids. You ride the busy bits, lean into the quiet bits, and keep the day moving.
What we learnt and what we would do next time
- The first stop can be hectic. Plan for it, set a simple buddy rule, and float a minute before swimming off.
- Visibility changes by tide and wind. If one site is murky, do not force it. Save the energy.
- The statues are a quick-look stop with children. In, wow, round the ring, out.
- A sit-down lunch on Gili Meno resets moods and energy better than snacks on the boat.
- Finishing with a swim near home is gold. Familiar water, fewer people, calm heads.
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