At Slow Villas & Spa, we believe travel is a privilege — and with that privilege comes care.
Gili Air isn’t just an island getaway. It’s home to coral gardens teeming with life, gentle turtles drifting through clear shallows, and a close-knit community rooted in Sasak culture and Islamic traditions.
Whether you’re here to snorkel, sip coconuts, or simply slow down — how you move through this island matters.
Here’s your simple, Slow guide to leaving a gentle footprint on both the ocean and the community that calls Gili Air home.
🌊 10 Ways to Respect the Ocean: The Gili Way
1️⃣ Choose reef-safe sunscreen
Most sunscreens damage coral. Pick mineral-based reef-safe options and apply well before swimming.
2️⃣ Leave no trace
Carry back every piece of trash — yes, even tiny things like bottle caps or cigarette butts. Waste management is delicate here.
3️⃣ Keep your feet off the reef
Corals are living creatures. Never stand, touch, or kick them with fins.
4️⃣ Swim gently with marine life
Spot a turtle? Lucky you. Observe calmly, never chase or feed.
5️⃣ Book ocean-friendly tours
Pick operators who don’t anchor on reefs, feed fish, or touch wildlife. Ask questions — good ones love to share their eco-practices.
6️⃣ Refuse single-use plastics
Bring your own bottle. Say no to straws and plastic bags. Many cafés happily refill your water for free.
7️⃣ Join a beach clean-up
Gili Eco Trust often hosts them. It’s fun, social, and makes an instant impact.
8️⃣ Support eco-minded businesses
Stay at and spend with places (like Slow!) that prioritize the planet and the local community.
9️⃣ Speak up kindly
If you see someone harming the reef or littering — gently share what you know. Many just don’t realize.
🔟 Be an ocean lover, not just a visitor
The sea is a living home — not a theme park. Cherish it, respect it, protect it.
🌺 Island Life, Shared Gently — Cultural Respect on Gili Air
Gili Air’s heartbeat is its people — families who’ve lived here for generations, guided by prayer calls, local wisdom, and community spirit. As a guest, a little cultural awareness goes a long way:
🌿 Dress thoughtfully
Swimsuits belong at the beach. Wear a sarong or light cover-up when exploring the village.
🕌 Pause for prayer
You’ll hear the call to prayer five times daily. Shops may close briefly — this is part of island life, not an inconvenience.
🙏 Ask before taking photos
Especially of elders or children. A smile and a quick “Boleh foto?” makes a big difference.
🏝️ Support local, leave nothing behind
Eat at family-run warungs, hire local guides, shop small. Take only memories, leave no trace.
At Slow, we live by these values — in how we build, host, and care for this island that gives us so much.
✨ Thank you for moving slowly with us
Every choice you make helps keep Gili Air beautiful for everyone — turtles, coral, and people alike.
See you under the palms. 🌴💙🐢
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