Embark on a Journey to the enchanting Gili Islands! Explore this extraordinary destination, a magnet for dream vacations. From pristine white beaches to turquoise waters, magnificent coral reefs, and breathtaking sunsets, Gili Trawangan has it all. Uncover the best attractions and top-rated restaurants with my comprehensive guide to Gili Trawangan. Plan your dream vacation effortlessly and experience the allure of this tropical paradise today!
Table of Contents
Guide to Gili Trawangan: Introduction
The Gili archipelago, where “gili” in the Sasak language means a small island, consists of three islets located near the northwest coast of Lombok: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
Due to charming white beaches, crystal-clear water, coral reefs, and picturesque sunsets, these islands are a favorite holiday destination, especially for budget-conscious tourists seeking tranquility away from the commercialism of Bali.
In addition to snorkeling and diving, visitors can enjoy other forms of active recreation such as kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
The Gili Islands are so small that one can walk around them in just a few hours, with traffic limited to bicycles and cidomos, traditional horse-drawn carts. The use of any motorized vehicles on the islands is prohibited.
Guide to Gili Trawangan: Which Gili Island to Choose?
The largest of the islands, Gili Trawangan (Gili T), permanently inhabited by around 1500 people, boasts the most developed hotel infrastructure and offers the most attractions, making it the most visited by tourists.
In addition to bars and restaurants, the island features numerous clubs and discos that come alive after dark, earning Gili T a reputation as the loudest and most party-centric island.
For this reason, families with children and those seeking tranquility should head to Gili Air, the closest to the mainland, where they’ll encounter the largest percentage of the local community.
Conversely, the smallest of all the islands, Gili Meno, with its intimate character and fewer tourists, is an ideal retreat for couples.
Moreover, being the least developed, Gili Meno offers some of the best diving spots and the most beautiful beaches in the entire archipelago.
The island is also home to a recommended ornithological park, where one can admire various rare bird species.
When is the best time to visit the Gili Islands?
The optimal time to visit the Gili Islands is from May to September, characterized by dry weather and calm seas. Avoid traveling during the rainy season from November to March. Choosing the dry season ensures ideal conditions for a relaxing getaway.
Guide to Gili Trawangan: How to Get to the Gili Islands?
There are at least a few ways to reach the Gili Archipelago from Bali.
The fastest and most convenient way to get to the islands is a direct speedboat transfer from one of the ports in Bali: Sanur or Serangan in southern Bali, or Padang Bai or Amed on the east side of the island.
There are many daily connections, all of which travel to Lombok, and some of them also stop at Nusa Lembongan.
Tickets for the speedboat can be purchased directly from the operator or at a local travel agency. You can also book a ticket in advance online through portals such as Gilibookings and Gilitickets.
On both portals, you can easily find your desired connection and check seat availability. You will also find information about prices and departure times. Ticket prices range from $35 to $100 for a round-trip transfer, and the travel time and comfort depend on weather conditions.
Generally, if you choose the route from the southern tip of Bali, expect about a two to three-hour journey, and if you depart from the east side of the island, it’s approximately a one and a half-hour trip. Keep in mind that the last boat to Gili departs in the afternoon, long before sunset.
For one leg of the journey, we used the services of the Australian operator Blue Water Express, and for the other, we used Gili Getaway. The ticket price included discounts to use at various establishments on the island, free transport from the hotel to the Padang Bai port, and… motion sickness tablets, just in case, considering the local waves and strong winds, which happen quite often.
Another way to get to the islands, mainly practiced by locals and avid backpackers, is a public ferry crossing. The ferry departs from the port in Padang Bai on the east coast of Bali and docks in the town of Lembar on the southwest tip of Lombok.
To reach the Gili Islands, you’ll still need to travel to the Bangsal port on Lombok and take a local boat to the islands. The advantage of this option is a significantly lower cost compared to the speedboat, but the downside is a considerably longer travel time (about 6-8 hours) and not the best onboard conditions
Guide to Gili Trawangan: Where to Stay?
On Gili Trawangan, there are numerous accommodation options available, ranging in standard and price, so everyone should find something suitable. During the peak season, it’s advisable to book accommodation in advance, unless spending the night on the beach doesn’t bother you.
The main cluster of hotels and the best diving conditions can be found on the east side of the island. However, due to the opportunity to admire beautiful sunsets every evening, we opted to stay on the southwest corner of the island.
After a brief search, our choice fell on the unique hotel with a charming name, PinkCoco, which we can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone. The hotel is located right on the beach and offers spacious rooms designed in a boutique style.
Each morning, we could enjoy a delicious breakfast served on the terrace overlooking the turquoise sea. The hotel also has a restaurant, a large and beautiful pool, and a bike rental. An ideal place for a blissful and leisurely vacation. We were reluctant to leave!
Guide to Gili Trawangan: Best Things to Do on Gili Trawangan
Engage in Fascinating Water Sports
Engage in Fascinating Water Sports
One of the main reasons why hundreds of tourists flock to the island every year is undoubtedly the opportunity to engage in water sports and admire the colorful underwater world.
On the island, you’ll find numerous places offering diving courses at various skill levels, including those leading to certification (Dream Divers, Blue Marlin Dive). There’s also the option to rent snorkeling equipment.
A popular spot for observing reef sharks is Shark Point, located on the northern side of Gili T. Excellent diving conditions can also be found at Manta Point, south of the island.
Go on a Cycling Tour Around the Island
Due to the total ban on cars and motorcycles on Gili Trawangan, the perfect way to explore the island is to cycle around it.
The entire ride should take us no longer than an hour, and along the way, we can take a break at one of the atmospheric beachside cafes.
On Gili T, there are plenty of places offering bike rentals. We used the services of the rental located within our hotel (PinkCoco).
A nighttime bike ride on the island among wild animals (read: goats) will stay in our memory for a long time!
Admire Extraordinary Sunsets
With all honesty, we must admit that the sunsets observed from the beach at our hotel on Gili Trawangan were among the most beautiful in our lives. We could gaze at them every day!
The setting sun gently reflects on the endless water, creating a magical palette of colors. With good visibility, you can also glimpse the outline of the majestic Mount Agung in the background. Something incredible!
Unforgettable sunsets can also be admired from the swings on the beach at the Ombak Sunset hotel, as well as from many other places on the west side of the island.
Try Local Specialties at the Night Market
Everyone during their stay on Gili T should at least once venture to a real Indonesian (and more!) feast at the night market.
The market is located on the east side of the island, right by the main street, and is open every day from 6:30 PM to 1:15 AM.
Here, you can taste freshly caught seafood (including lobster, crab, squid, shrimp, mussels, barracuda), various grilled meats, as well as cakes and desserts, including spring rolls and pancakes.
In addition to typical Indonesian cuisine specialties such as nasi goreng, soto ayam, or bakso soup, you can also try aromatic Chinese dishes prepared in a wok.
An ideal option for budget travelers is the so-called warung tegal, a buffet where you can compose your own rice dish. Meal prices at the market range from 10,000 to 50,000 rupiahs.
Unfortunately, recently, this place has become so popular that to have dinner, you have to stand in a long line winding between the stalls. But it’s definitely worth it!
Enjoying the Nightlife on the Island
f you are someone who can’t imagine a vacation without an evening out with friends, Gili Trawangan is the perfect place for you.
The island comes alive after dark (unless you visit during Ramadan), and the bars compete to offer attractions for their guests.
Some of them (e.g., Tír na nÓg) even organize free movie nights. In others, you can listen to atmospheric live music. Excellent reggae performances can be enjoyed at the Sama-Sama Reggae Bar on the east side of the island.
Fans of open-air parties cannot miss the so-called Full Moon Parties. These unique events attract crowds during the full moon, and in places like Exile Sunset Bar & Bungalow, music echoes throughout the night.
Explore the Neighboring Islands
If you get tired of sunbathing, diving, and partying on Gili Trawangan, you can always sail to the nearby, less crowded islands.
Public ferries from Gili T run twice daily (at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM) to both Gili Air and Gili Meno, costing 35,000 rupiahs per trip.
A faster but more expensive way to reach the other islands from Gili T is by taking a speedboat, which operates every hour from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The ticket price is 85,000 rupiahs, and the journey between each island takes only 15 minutes.
While on Gili Meno, it’s worth visiting the sanctuary for rescued turtles, and on Gili Air, you can rent equipment for paddleboarding. I recommend exploring both islands to enjoy a variety of attractions.
Guide to Gili Trawangan: Where to Eat?
Pearl Beach Lounge
We chose the Pearl Beach Lounge restaurant on our first day, guided by positive online reviews.
This place is reportedly one of the best on the entire island, offering a wide selection of international dishes.
The restaurant is located in an atmospheric bamboo building with stunning views of the turquoise sea. Prices at Pearl Beach Lounge start at 70,000 rupiahs and go up to around 300,000 rupiahs for a main course.
We opted for Indian samosas, saffron risotto with shrimp, a beef burger, and coconut ice cream. All dishes tasted excellent! It’s just a pity that the service wasn’t top-notch… Nevertheless, a place worth recommending.
Scallywags Seafood Bar & Grill
If you’re looking for a place for a romantic dinner for two, you should definitely visit Scallywags Seafood Bar & Grill.
This restaurant offers beachfront tables with views of Mount Rinjani and the coast of Lombok. The specialty of the establishment is freshly caught seafood, prepared in the traditional barbecue method.
You can choose from options like crabs, calamari, shrimp, mahi-mahi, and tuna. We opted for juicy swordfish served with aromatic sauce, fries, and salad, and we paid around 500,000 rupiahs for everything.
Le Petit Gili
he last place we want to recommend is Le Petit Gili – a laid-back restaurant that supposedly serves the best burgers and sandwiches on the entire island.
It’s an ideal spot for those craving Western cuisine.
Each burger is served with crispy fries and salad, with prices ranging around 80,000 rupiahs per set. We tried the double cheeseburger with fries and were very pleased with the choice 😉
It’s worth mentioning that at Le Petit Gili, you can enjoy not only tasty sandwiches but also other dishes, including traditional Indonesian specialties and vegetarian meals.
Final Thoughts
The picturesque island of Gili Trawangan invites you to unforgettable vacations. Beautiful sunsets, delicious local dishes, heavenly beaches, vibrant nightlife, and fascinating coral reefs create a unique atmosphere in this Indonesian paradise. Each day is filled with unforgettable experiences, and the friendly atmosphere makes you want to come back. Gili Trawangan is not just an island – it’s a magical place that will stay in our memories forever.
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Which Gili Island is your top pick? Share your thoughts in the comments! If you found this guide to Gili Trawangan helpful, be sure to share it with your friends for the perfect island getaway insights!
Bali is high on our life bucket list! Thanks for such an awesome comprehensive guide! I love all of your beach and sunset photos. The PinkCoco looks charming…
Be sure to add Gili islands to your Bali trip. You would be delighted!
These islands sound amazing. I love a variety on my vacations and it sounds like this would provide everything I would dream of!
It is a perfect place. I was hesitating for some time to go there but I don’t regret that I’ve decided 😉
The islands have been on my bucket list for a long time. I absolutely love your sunset photos, how stunning it must’ve been to experience them. I’d 100% take a bike and cycle around the island.
I’d love to check out Gili Meno someday!! I’m hoping to learn to dive at some point and it’d be awesome to go biking all over + try out the food at the night market! Thank you for putting this together!
What an incredibly beautiful island to visit. I’d love to hop on one of the bikes or paddle on the island. The food at the Night Market looks so yummy. There is nothing like seafood straight from the ocean. Lovely photos.