Quick Gili Trawangan guide: the party Gili

Gili Trawangan is one of the three Gili islands located in Northwest Lombok, Indonesia. Also known as Gili T, it is the largest and most popular of the Gili Islands. It has become the party island of the three, offering many bars, pubs, swimming pool parties and beach clubs. It also offers the most variety in terms of activities, including snorkeling tours, scuba diving and surf. Discover the top things to do, where to stay and where to eat in Gili Trawangan in this quick Gili Trawangan guide!

If you’re visiting Gili Trawangan, you’ll probably find these posts useful:

READ: Quick Gili islands guide: a starters kit for paradise seekers in Indonesia

READ: Where to eat in Gili Trawangan: best restaurants and what to order

Aerial view of Gili Trawangan. Foto de Danny de Groot en Unsplash

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Gili islands guide: Top 5 things to do in Gili Trawangan

1. Relax at the beach

The Gili islands are home to some of the most paradisiac beaches in all of Indonesia. In particular, Gili T offers the most incredible sunsets from the beach. Since it is the furthest away from Lombok, you’ll have unobstructed views to Bali and Mt. Agung, with the sun setting behind it. Pair this gorgeous sunset with a cheap drink and a beach pillow! And if you’re an instagrammer (unlike me), don’t miss out on taking a picture at one of the beach swings.

Foto de Tom Bixler en Unsplash

2. Go scuba diving

While all of the Gilis are a scuba diving hotspot, Gili T has the most options when scuba diving. Being the biggest and most popular island, there are plenty of dive centers to choose from. While snorkeling will allow you to see A LOT, including turtles and tropical fish, those more adventurous will definitely enjoy scuba diving at Shark Point or one of the ship wrecks around the island.

Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan. Foto de Uber Scuba Gili en Unsplash

3. Go on an island hopping snorkeling tour

All Gili islands are great for snorkeling. That being said, the reefs and marine life around the quieter Gili Meno or Gili Air are much more abundant. Why not join an island hopping tour that will take you to the best snorkelling spots? We booked a tour through our hotel that, although it was crowded and disorganized, it allowed us to see some of the best spots in the three islands, for only 100k IDR (6€) including the gear. And we saw almost 20 turtles!

There are MANY companies all over the island offering similar tours. I doubt there’s any that has a very good organization unless you book a private one, but that would increase the price. To be honest, the snorkeling you can do without any guidance is top notch. The only benefit is that it includes the gear and the boat to visit the three island in one go. For that price it is a great deal.

4. Walk or cycle around the island

The Gili islands are quite small. So small that you can literally walk across Gili T in like half an hour! The fact that there are no motor vehicles in the island makes walking through it all the more charming. Also, the colorful streets and gorgeous sea view don’t hurt! If you’re in a hurry, you can rent a bicycle for as little as 50k IDR a day (that’s 3€), but in most cases your accommodation will offer free use of bikes!

There are no motor vehicles allowed in any of the Gilis, so walking in their colorful streets is a pleasure! Foto de Timur Kozmenko en Unsplash

5. Learn how to surf

Gili T offers really good surfing spots in its southern coast. While other areas of Indonesia, Like Bali and Lombok, have been a hotspot for surfers for quite a while now, the Gili islands are only now waking up to it. Take advantage of this “secret” surfing spot before the word spreads! All three Gilis offer decent surfing, but Gili T is the most constant and easier for beginners.

Two of the most praised surfing schools in Gili Trawangan are Bongkas and Sunny Surfing School.

Gili Trawangan is has the best waves to learn how to surf. Photo by Renan Brun in Unsplash

Bonus. Avoid riding a horse at sunset on the beach or use a horse cart as a taxi

Is there anything more paradisiac than riding a horse at sunset in a tropical island, probably wearing a flowy white linen shirt? Probably not. However, the horses in all the Gili islands that carry people’s luggage during the day and carry people to fulfil romantic novel fantasies during the night are generally not treated well. Entertainment by animal labour does not sit well with me, but if you’re planning to do it anyway, try to make sure that the horses are well treated and not overworked.

The same goes with the “taxi” horse carts. They are widely used by tourists to carry their luggage or just to move around. The island is small enough to cross it on foot or using a bike, so there is no need to perpetuate the mistreatment of animals for a quick ride.

How to get to Gili Trawangan

Getting to the enchanting Gili Islands is a breeze. However, they do not have an airport of their own, so you’ll first have to get to Bali or Lombok.

Getting to Gili Trawangan from Bali

The most common way to reach these tropical gems is by taking a fast boat from Bali. Boats depart from various ports in Bali, such as Padang Bai, Serangan, or Sanur. This journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the port and weather conditions. I must say that, in our case, when we returned from Gili T it took almost 4h to get to Padang Bai. We stopped at all the other Gilis as well as Lombok. You can book your speed boat ticket in advance in the link below, although I must say we booked it at the pier the day before. The boat arrives first in Gili T and then stops in the rest of the islands and circles back through Lombok.

Getting to Gili Trawangan from Lombok

If you’re in Lombok, the ferry ride to the Gili islands is much shorter and cheaper. In our case, we were coming all the way from Komodo National Park in a boat expedition. We made our way to Bangsal harbor (north of Senggigi), were the ferries to the Gili islands depart from. If you’re staying in one of the main areas in Lombok, chances are your accommodation can book a shared transportation for you. In Bangsal we took the local boat, which is quite basic but really cheap at only 20k IDR (1.2€). You can get the deluxe version if you book the tourist boat in advance below. It should take you back around 150k IDR (9€).

Where to stay in Gili Trawangan

Budget

For budget-conscious travelers looking for a little more privacy, check out Lima Bintang, a bungalow hotel offering double rooms with bathroom for as little as 150k IDR (9€). The rooms don’t have air conditioning but they include breakfast. If party is what you’re after, I suggest you book a room at Jati Village, Party Hostel and Bungalows, where you have the option of a dormitory or a private room. For something in between the two previous options, go for La Boheme Mini a small but quirky accommodation with bunk bed or private room options and a chill social atmosphere.

Mid-Range

We stayed at Gili Kulemba Bungalow and we were very happy with the quality for the price. One unit (bungalow-style) for two people including breakfast and bicycle costed us 300k IDR (18€), although it was a discounted rate, and the swimming pool area was calm, private and beautiful. For a little bit more, you can find Kubuwatu Boutique Acommodation, a hotel with a gorgeous swimming pool that, even though it is shared, has a sense of privacy. The rooms face the pool in a one-floor building that reminds a bit of Greece.

If you’re looking for a resort experience, I cannot think of a better option in this range than Pearl Sunset Resort. This beachfront resort hotel is located on the Western coast, offering the best views of sunset. It has a modern architecture but with a local taste, and the rooms are very singular. If you’d prefer a bungalow-style accommodation, definitely visit Absolute Villa. This hotel offers stunning bungalows with a mix of rustic and modern styles that have private terraces that fall directly in the pool!

Luxury

If you’re willing to splurge, the tiny island of Gili Trawangan offers many options for tropical luxury. Check out Cantika Villa or Pera ONE Villas if you want the full tropical villa with private pool experience. If you’re two couples or a family, some options are Villas Edenia, Senang Private Villa or the luxurious Amalika Private Pool Villa, all with a private pool. If resort hotels are more your thing, worry not! Gili Teak Beach Front Resort or Gili Eco Villas will offer everything you need. If you’re in a honeymoon, have a romantic getaway at Majo Private Villas or Gili Treehouse, both gorgeous wooden villas with a private pool.

If you’re looking for a more affordable but still luxurious hotel with a gorgeous and delicious restaurant right in front of the beach, check out Pearl of Trawangan.

Where to eat in Gili Trawangan

The Gili islands are quite a popular tourist destination. As a consequence, a big part of the restaurants tend to cater their food to tourists. This is particularly true in Gili Trawangan, since it is the most popular of the three. However, due to the wide offer of restaurants, there are many that can give you an authentic culinary experience! Find out the best spots to eat Indonesian or international food as well as the best places to get a drink in the link below:

Where to eat in Gili Trawangan: best restaurants and what to order

Closing statement

As you can see, the Gili islands can be a relaxing paradise but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! Gili Trawangan will offer you a more social and upbeat experience and keep you active with its water activities, as well as helping you de-stress with its gorgeous beaches and fun parties.

Since you’re in Gili Trawangan, why not checking out some of the other Gili islands?

Quick Gili islands guide: a starters kit for paradise seekers in Indonesia

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