Gili Meno Turtle Point
The verdict
- Best for: Snorkellers and value travellers who want the Gilis' best turtle sightings and the underwater statues straight from the sand, with no boat trip to pay for.
- Best spot: The reef just north of the pier for turtles, then the early morning swim out to the statue circle before the snorkel boats arrive.
- Know this: Turtles are wild and never guaranteed, but your odds here beat Trawangan and Air. Go at first light and you get the reef, and often the statues, to yourself and for free.
Published 3 April 2026. Last reviewed 3 May 2026
Turtle Point sits on the northeast shore of Gili Meno, the smallest and quietest of the three islands, and it is the single best reason a value traveller comes here. Green and hawksbill turtles graze the seagrass and reef right off this beach, and the honest truth is your odds of seeing one are better at Meno than at Trawangan or Air. Best of all, you do not pay a rupiah for the privilege. Walk in from the sand with a mask and you are snorkelling the same water the boat tours charge for.
The famous underwater statue circle, the ring of life sized figures sunk off this side of the island for coral to colonise, is the other draw, and here is where the smart money saves. Plenty of visitors book a boat tour from Trawangan or Bali to reach it, yet from Turtle Point a confident swimmer can reach the statues straight from the beach on a calm day. Go at first light and you get the reef and often the statues in near silence, before the daily run of snorkel boats arrives around midday and turns the spot busy and choppy. The reef is fragile, so float, never stand, and keep your fins clear of the coral.
This is a snorkeller's beach first and a sunbathing beach second. The sand is narrow and the facilities are thin, with only a few warungs and dive shops within walking distance, so it suits day trippers and snorkel keen travellers more than anyone after loungers and service. If you want a wide beach with food and drink on tap you will be happier on Meno's west coast or over on Gili Air. Come to Turtle Point for the water, bring your own mask to skip the hire fee, and treat the marine life gently.
Clubs on this beach
Turtle Point is reef and quiet sand rather than a club strip. A few warungs and dive shops sit nearby, but they change through the season, so check the current options in our Gili Islands beach clubs directory.
Beachfront warungs near the point
A scattering of simple warungs and small beach cafes serve drinks, snacks and the odd plate of grilled fish within a short walk of the point. They are informal, cheap and a world away from a glossy club. Specific names, opening status and prices change through the year and are to be confirmed.
Dive and snorkel operators
The dive shops near the point rent masks and fins and run guided snorkel and dive trips to the turtles and statues. Hiring gear here costs more over several days than bringing your own. Operators and rates vary and are to be confirmed before you visit.
Gili Meno is reached by boat, with the public slow boat from Bangsal on Lombok the cheapest crossing and the tourist fast boats from Bali and Lombok the quicker, pricier option. Boats land at the harbour on the east side, and from there Turtle Point is a short walk or cidomo pony cart ride to the northeast shore. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island, so you cover the rest on foot or by hired bicycle.
The island is tiny and you can walk its whole shore in well under two hours, so you rarely need to pay for transport once ashore. Carry small cash for warungs and gear since cards are not always taken and ATMs are scarce, bring reef safe sun cream and water shoes for the coral, and pack your own mask to snorkel the point for free.
Reserve a day at Turtle Point
Tell us the date and party and we will match you to a beach bar or daybed on or near Gili Meno and pass on your request. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Gili Meno Turtle Point free to snorkel?
Yes. Turtle Point is public beach and snorkelling straight off the sand costs nothing. You pay only if you hire a mask and fins or join a boat tour, so bringing your own gear keeps the day completely free. It is the best value snorkelling in the Gilis.
Will I actually see turtles at Gili Meno?
Often, but never guaranteed, as the turtles are wild. That said, green and hawksbill turtles feed around Gili Meno year round and your chances here are better than at Trawangan or Air. Swim slowly over the seagrass and reef north of the pier and keep a respectful distance.
Can you reach the underwater statues from the beach?
On a calm day a confident swimmer can reach the statue circle straight from Turtle Point, which saves the cost of a boat tour. Conditions change with the tide and current, so judge the water honestly and turn back if it picks up. There are no lifeguards on the Gilis.
When is the best time to visit Turtle Point?
First light on a calm dry season day, roughly May to September. The water is clearest in the early morning and the snorkel boats from the other islands tend to arrive around midday, so an early start gives you the reef in near silence and for free.
Are there facilities at Turtle Point?
Only a few. A handful of warungs and dive shops sit within walking distance, but the beach itself has little in the way of loungers or service, and Meno has few reliable ATMs. Bring cash, water and your own snorkel gear, and treat the spot as a swim rather than a full service beach day.
