What to Pack for Bali & the Gili Islands (2026 Travel Guide)🌴

Planning a trip to Bali and the Gili Islands? Packing for this kind of holiday is actually easier than you think — but there are a few things you definitely don’t want to forget.

After travelling to Bali and the Gilis multiple times, staying in private pool villas and spending days snorkelling with turtles, I’ve worked out exactly what you need… and what you don’t.

This is your complete, stress-free packing guide 💼✨

This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend stays and experiences that suit the style of travel shared on Island Escapes Bali & Gili.

☀️ The Essentials (Don’t Leave Home Without These)

Before we get into the fun stuff, make sure you have:

• Passport (with at least 6 months validity)

• Indonesian Visa - Visa on arrival - official site The Official eVisa website for Indonesia

• All Indonesia Arrival Card, for customs & health declaration - official site All Indonesia

• Tourist Levy - official site Welcome to Bali, the Island of Gods - Love Bali

• Travel insurance

• Flight details + accommodation confirmations

• Debit/credit cards (let your bank know you’re travelling)

• Some cash (Indonesian Rupiah - I usually convert some prior, just enough to pay our driver and a bit spare just incase and then convert the rest once I get there for a better rate

• If Travelling to the Gilis pre-book fast boat tickets - I personally use Ekajaya from Padang Bai as this is the least amount of boat time - offical site Ekajaya Fast Ferry Official Website| Book Your Tickets Now

💡 Tip: Most places in Bali take card, but the Gili Islands are still quite cash-based.

👗 What to Wear in Bali & the Gilis

Think: light, breathable, effortless island style

Pack:

• Flowy dresses

• Linen shorts + tops

• Light shirt for men

• Swimwear (at least 2–3 sets)

• Light cover-ups or kimonos

• A sarong (you’ll use this more than you think!)

• Comfortable sandals

• Thongs

• Sneakers (for travel days or walking)

• Hat

• Sunglasses

💡 You’ll spend most of your time in swimwear and something thrown over the top — especially in private villas.

🏝️ Pool Villa Must-Haves (Don’t Forget These!)

If you’re staying in a private pool villa (which I highly recommend), these are game changers:

• Floaties (optional but fun!)

• Bluetooth speaker

• Reusable water bottle

• Snacks for late-night villa hangs

• A good book or Kindle

💡 Some villas are so beautiful, you’ll want to spend full days just relaxing by your pool.

👉 Looking for the best villas? Check out my guides on where to stay in Bali and the Gili Islands.

🐢 Snorkelling Essentials (Gili Islands Must-Pack)

Snorkelling in the Gili Islands is one of the highlights — especially swimming with turtles 🐢

Pack:

• Snorkel & mask (better fit than rentals)

• Reef-safe sunscreen

• GoPro or waterproof phone case

• Hair tie (trust me!)

• Reef Shoes (lots of dead broken coral in the shallows)

• Rashie

💡 You can rent gear, but having your own mask & snorkel makes a huge difference.

🧴 Toiletries & Health

You can buy most things in Bali, but I always bring:

• Sunscreen (expensive in Bali)

• After-sun lotion or aloe vera

• Insect repellent (very important - I usually get the Soffel once I get there!)

• Basic medications (pain relief, travel sickness, etc.)

• Hand sanitiser (I always like antibacterial wipes as well)

• Electrolyte sachets (great for hot days)

💡 Mosquitoes can be around, especially near villas with gardens or pools.

❌ What NOT to Pack

This is just as important!

Don’t bother bringing:

• Heels (you won’t wear them and the paths just make heels a nightmare)

• Too many clothes (you’ll live in a few favourites)

• Heavy makeup (it’s too humid)

• Towels (provided everywhere)

• Hair styling tools (humidity wins 😅)

✨ My Personal Must-Haves

These are things I never travel without now:

• A sarong (beach, temples, cover-up — everything!)

• A crossbody bag

• A portable charger

• A light jacket (for flights + air con) - I must admit I don't take one but use a sarong to wrap around if aircon is a bit cold

• A good playlist downloaded offline 🎶

• Phone charger

• Power point adaptors

🌴 Final Tips Before You Go

• Pack light — you’ll probably shop while you’re there

• Leave space in your suitcase

• Keep it simple — island life is all about relaxing

• If going to the Gili Islands suitcases with 4 wheels just dont work (I have been through that many suitcases before I came to my senses)- try a backpack or a bag with 2 bigger wheels

  
  

If you’re still planning your trip, don’t miss my guides on:

• Luxury Stays in Seminyak (Best Private Pool Villas and 5 Star Resorts)

• Luxury Stays in Nusa Dua Bali

• Luxury Ubud Bali (The Ultimate Private Pool Villa Escape)

• Best Pool Villas Gili Trawangan for Couples

• Best Pool Villas in Gili Air

• Best Pool Villas in Gili Meno (Peaceful Island Escapes and Boutique Stays

• Best Snorkelling in the Gili Islands

• What to Look for When Booking Villas in Bali and the Gili Islands

✨ Bali and the Gili Islands are all about slowing down, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the moment — and once you’re packed right, you can do exactly that.