The year 2024 is coming to a close. And while we’re all about looking toward the future, it is fun to look back at everything we did over the last 12 months. And perhaps nobody has a few on that like Google.
Each year, the search giant releases its Google Year in Search, showcasing the top trending searches over the last year, which reflects queries that had a high spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2024 compared to 2023. And while Google’s data showcases everything from which sports teams got the most attention (New York Yankees) to which TV show we were all looking for (“Baby Reindeer”), we’re most interested in one key data point: The most searched destination by those living in the U.S. And that honor went to the Gili Islands.
It’s a surprising honor when you consider the Gili Islands are just three teeny, tiny islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air) in Indonesia, nestled close to Lombok. However, when you look at a few Google images of the Gili Islands, it’s easy to see why more people are searching for a way to get there. They are, quite simply, drop-dead gorgeous.
The islands are surrounded by gin-clear waters that lap warm, white sand beaches. The landscape is a lush, tropical forest punctuated by swaying coconut palm trees, making it a picture-perfect escape. And for divers, things get even better, thanks to the underwater installation titled “Nest” by Jason deCaires Taylor, located off the coast of Gili Meno, which includes 48 figures circled on the ocean floor, which has also become a stunning marine habitat teaming with life.
To get there, you’ll have to first fly to Lombok, which can take upward of 24 hours from the east coast of the U.S. and about 22 from the west coast. Then, you can hop on a ferry, which takes between 30 minutes to one hour. And finally, you’ll be in paradise. (However, it’s also critical to note that the islands have indeed become very popular — as evidenced by this trending report. The islands are currently facing a severe clean water crisis, with many locals losing access to water.)
But if you don’t want to travel quite that far, that’s OK. Google also shared the rest of its most-searched destination list by U.S. users, which included Washington, DC in second, followed by Miami; Amsterdam; Asheville, North Carolina; Banff, Canada; American Samoa; Canary Islands; Turks and Caicos; and the Azores in Portugal rounding out the top 10, giving you plenty of options for your 2025 global adventures.
See all the trending searches at trends.withgoogle.com.
