Crystal clear blue waters, snow-white beaches, and a vibrant nightlife: there is always something to experience on Gili Trawangan! Relax on the beach, discover the beautiful underwater world, and dance in one of the cozy bars at night. Are you ready for an island filled with fun, parties, and stunning beaches? Then absolutely do not miss Gili Trawangan!
Gili Trawangan
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→ Hotel tips: Gili Mesari Cottages & Homestay, PinkCoco Gili Trawangan & Nero North
How to Get to Gili Trawangan
The Gili Islands are easily accessible from both Bali and Lombok. But how exactly do you get to Gili Trawangan? There are several options:
From Lombok
If you are in Lombok and want to go to the Gili Islands, you can take the local boat from Bangsal. This ride costs you around 3 euros and in 20 minutes you will be on Gili Trawangan! Upon arriving at Bangsal, they often try to sell you the fast boat, but for this short trip, the public boat is a much cheaper and just as fast option. The public boat departs approximately every 20 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to reach Gili Trawangan. Along the way, the boat also stops at Gili Air and Gili Meno.
From Bali
From Bali, several speedboats depart daily to the Gili Islands, all from Padangbai. The crossing takes about 1.5 hours. If you are traveling from the north or east of Bali, you will depart from Padangbai. If coming from the south of Bali, it is more convenient to depart from Sanur. Be sure to compare reviews of different providers before you leave, as prices and boat quality can vary greatly. It is recommended to choose the boat from Eka Jaya. This organization offers a larger and more stable boat compared to the smaller boats from other companies. The sea between Bali and the Gilis can sometimes be quite rough, so it is nice to be on a sturdier, larger boat.
What to Do on Gili Trawangan?
Curious about where to go and what to do on Gili Trawangan? Here are the places you definitely want to visit:
Bicycle Around the Island
Of the three Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan is the largest, but it is certainly not big. You can cycle around the entire island in about 1.5 hours. The special thing about Gili Trawangan is that there are no cars or scooters allowed, which makes the island wonderfully quiet. The ideal way to explore the island is by bike, in pure Dutch style! You can rent bikes at almost every corner for just a few euros a day, often even directly at your accommodation. Cycle along the white sandy beaches, discover the best snorkeling spots, and stop by the local stalls for fun souvenirs. In between cycling, you can relax in the cozy cafés you find all over the island. In short, the bike is the best means of transport to discover Gili Trawangan at your own pace!
Snorkeling with Turtles
Gili Trawangan is known for its crystal-clear waters and amazing underwater life. Many turtles swim close along the coast around the island. In the north and northeast of Gili Trawangan, you have the greatest chance of encountering turtles. Turtle point is one of the spots where turtles are frequently found. Especially in the morning between 9:00 and 11:00 and in the afternoon around 16:00, the turtles are active. It is then high tide, giving you the best chance to spot them. You can also rent snorkeling gear for about €1.50 per day and return it at the end of the day. At Turtle point, there is a nice beach club elevated above the water, from where you can enter the water via some steps.
A Day Trip to the Other Gili Islands
Every day, a local boat sails between Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. This boat costs a few euros and is the ideal way to make a day trip to Gili Air and/or Gili Meno. In the harbor, you will find a counter where you can buy tickets for this boat. Just be sure to check when the last boat returns to Gili Trawangan so you don’t miss it! The current schedule for this local boat can be found at the counter where you purchase the tickets. You can also deviate from these times and take a speedboat, which will of course cost more than the local boat.
Beach Cinema Gili Trawangan
One of the most unique activities is watching a movie on the beach. This is possible at several places today, but Aston Sunset Beach Resort is the most famous. Every evening, two movies are screened. The offerings are a mix of timeless classics and popular Disney films. This movie night is free and accessible to everyone.
The Nightlife
Gili Trawangan is known for its vibrant party scene. The main street is the beating heart of nightlife, with countless bars and eateries inviting you out for the evening. In addition to bars, there are also several cozy clubs.
Some popular bars to visit are:
- The Jungle Bar: A atmospheric bar with a relaxed, tropical vibe.
- Tequila Sunrise Bar: This bar offers a wide selection of cocktails and is an excellent place to start the evening.
- Sama Reggae Bar: For lovers of reggae and a laid-back atmosphere, this bar is highly recommended. It is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed evening with live music.
If you’re looking for a different trip, you are in the right place at Gili T. On the west coast, you will find several beach shacks that sell mushrooms in the evenings.
Best Restaurants
You can obviously enjoy snacks and drinks at more than enough places here. For example, check out one of these spots:
Coffee & Thyme: A super fun hotspot for a healthy breakfast and lunch is Coffee & Thyme. Here you can enjoy the best coffees on the island and eat delicious western dishes. They offer smoothie bowls and fresh juices among other things.
Coco Cafe & Ice Cream: This cafe offers delicious breakfasts, lunch dishes, and good coffee. They serve various types of wraps and sandwiches.
Kayu Cafe: At Kayu Cafe, you can enjoy a great breakfast or lunch at the beach. Especially if you’re in the mood for a healthy meal, this is the right place. They have delicious salads and hearty sandwiches.
Trawangan Night Market: If you are looking for a more local experience, you cannot miss the night market in Gili Trawangan. Here you can enjoy various Indonesian street food dishes, such as satay, nasi goreng, and grilled fish, at a reasonable price.
Francesco’s Pizza: At this restaurant, you will feel as if you are in Italy. Here you can eat amazing pizzas, perhaps even the best on the whole island!
La Cala Beach Club: La Cala Beach Club is a stylish beach club and a popular spot for both a refreshing swim and delicious meals and cocktails. The club has a modern design, sunbeds along the beach, and sometimes hosts live music or DJ performances.
Accommodation
It is important to book accommodations, especially in the high season between June and September, in advance. Popular places close to the beach fill up quickly.
1. Gili Mesari Cottages & Homestay: This budget-friendly homestay is located 200 meters from the lively boulevard, making it very central. The homestay has a cozy garden with several huts where you can also rent a bike.
2. PinkCoco: A unique stay on Gili T can be found at PinkCoco. This place is entirely painted pink, and the rest of the styling is also pink. The hotel is centrally located close to the lively boulevard, on the beach, and is adults only.
3. Nero North: This hotel is directly on the beach and features a beautiful swimming pool. The rooms are spacious and clean, but the hotel is on the pricier side.
Plan Your Trip to Gili Trawangan
Are you excited to go to this Gili? Book your accommodation directly:
- Gili Mesari Cottages & Homestay
- PinkCoco Gili Trawangan
- Nero North
→ Also very cool: Tropical stay on the Gili’s: Le Pirate Gili Trawangan
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Gili Trawangan is similar to that of the other Gili Islands, Bali, and Lombok. In principle, you can visit the Gili Islands year-round, as the weather is difficult to predict.
During the rainy season, which runs from December to March, there is often a lot of rain. Another downside is that the sea can become rougher, which may make diving and snorkeling more challenging. The ideal months to visit Gili Trawangan are from May to October, when it is dry and the weather is most pleasant.
Other Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan is the largest and most popular of the Gili Islands. The island is the perfect base as there is the most to do here. There is a wide range of restaurants and hotels compared to the other islands. If you’re looking for tranquility, I would still recommend staying on one of the other Gili Islands, such as Gili Meno or Gili Air. These islands are smaller and less visited compared to Gili Trawangan, but just as beautiful. You can read more about the other Gilis in the blog:
- Discover all about the 4 most beautiful Gili Islands of Indonesia
- Little paradise in Indonesia: Gili Nanggu
- Explore the secret Gili Islands: Gili Kondo, Gili Lampu & Gili Kapal
- Gili Air: This is what you should do on this paradisiacal mini island
- Snorkeling at the Gili Islands!
Ready to plan your trip?
Useful links:
- Flight deals to Indonesia
- Plan your trip with Riksja’s building blocks
- The coolest hotels on Gili Trawangan
→ Check out all articles about Indonesia here
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