Lombok’s high season is upon us, which means more people and a little less space to stretch out on the sandy shores. Still, there is always enough pristine sand to go round for every serious beach bum. So where to find a back-to-basics unhurried tropical island experience without the crowds? Of course it has to be the ‘Secret Gilis.’ We’ve extolled the beauty of Sekotong’s little island gems on many an occasion, but the super-chilled seclusion still rings true even today. The pace of progress is still thankfully slow in this corner of Lombok.

The perfect example of this is laid back charm of Gili Asahan.  Just a short hop from the Sekotong mainland, it is still every bit a castaway’s dream destination. It literally feels a world away from the more buzzworthy Gilis of the north. You’ll be sharing this secret with a flotilla of day trippers here to snorkel and island hop, but trust me, there is enough space for everyone. It’s just the idyllic spot to unplug, unwind and experience tropical island life as it really should be.

Keen to explore? First up, you’ll not be able to take your gaze away from the white sandy beaches the moment they come into view. Take your pick as sugary white sand beaches fringe the entire coastline and numerous snorkelling spots lie just offshore. Reefs are still pristine and brimming with fish, various sea critters and turtles. With a few days to kill Gili Asahan is a great base to learn the basics of scuba diving on uncrowded reefs throughout Sekotong Bay and beyond. For most of the island hopping daytrippers, frolicking in the water is the main attraction before heading off to explore other islands, but Gili Asahan has many more secret experiences up its sleeve.

For such a small island it has remarkable natural diversity. Aside from the aforementioned beaches, there are shady coconut groves, dense tropical undergrowth and undulating hills which unlock awesome ocean views across to the other Secret Gilis. Small mammals hide in the undergrowth while a look skyward may be rewarded with a sighting of a sea eagle swooping down for food. Being so sparsely populated the starry night skies are as bright as anywhere in Lombok.

Apart from just a handful of resorts spread around the coastline, the main hub of local life is the small village. Other than a gaggle of smiling kids keen to say hi, life revolves around fishing and a little boat building. Fishing nets hang up to dry in the sun while goats and chickens nonchalantly wander past. Gili Asahan also has a small but important pearl farming industry. It is a friendly local community eager to welcome curious visitors to share in their way of life. Days can be filled with a yoga session, kayaking around the islands or venturing a little further afield on a fishing trip. Everyone needs some time to unplug this busy summer season, and Gili Asahan certainly ticks all the right boxes for the quintessential desert island experience.

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