More and more visitors to mainland Bali are taking a side trip to the Gili Islands and particularly to Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three islands (though Gili Meno and Gili Air are becoming more popular too).
Gili Trawangan has a reputation for its party vibe and it’s certainly true that it’s a great place to go to indulge in a little hedonism but there’s more to Gili Trawangan than parties and our guide will share everything that you need to know about the biggest of the three Gili Islands.
Where Is Gili Trawangan?
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the Gili Islands and they are all just off the Northwest Coast of Lombok.
It is worth noting that the name “Gili Islands” isn’t very helpful as the word “Gili” means “Island” and nearly all the islands around Lombok have “Gili” in their name.
However, when we use the term “Gili Islands” we mean Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The people of Lombok know these collectively as the “Gili Indah” or “beautiful islands”.
One interesting thing about these islands is that in recent history, they’ve only been permanently occupied from the 1970s onwards.
There are remains from World War 2 from the POW Camp that Japanese forces constructed on the islands, but otherwise, they were first settled in the 1970s by former prisoners who were asked to cultivate plantations on the island.
This program wasn’t terribly successful but thanks to the arrival of tourism in the 1980s, the Gili Islands remain inhabited today.
How Do You Get To Gili Trawangan From Bali?
If you want to visit Gili Trawangan from Bali, you need to take a fast baot (sometimes also called a “ferry” but not actually a ferry in a traditional sense).
You can pick up a boat from Padang Bai, Amed Port, Sanur Port or Serangan Port.
The most popular departure point is Padang Bai and the boat ride takes about 1.5 hours from here. Boats generally only leave in the mornings and it’s a good idea to book in advance, particularly in high season.
Occasionally, high-season demand is so high that an additional ferry runs in the afternoon, but there is no official schedule for this.
You should be warned that if the weather isn’t good, the ride to Gili Trawangan can be fairly hairy and seasickness is not unusual.
We’d recommend that if you’re at all prone to sea sickness that you take a preventative tablet prior to boarding.
How Do You Get To Gili Trawangan From Lombok?
If you’re flying to Lombok, you will fly to Lombok International Airport and then you need to reach the port of Bangsal Harbour.
This is about 1.5-2 hours drive from Lombok Airport and you can get a taxi or rent a private car for the trip. Expect it to cost around $20 USD to $30 AUD.
The route out to Bangsal Harbour is quite pleasant and you can often see families of monkeys running along the edge of the road.
As always, with monkeys in Indonesia – we remind you that these are wild animals and you shouldn’t provoke them or get too close, they may not be as friendly as they look.
There is a public fast boat that runs out to each of the Gili Islands from the harbour and it costs 85,000 IDR (that’s about $6 USD or $9 AUD).
These boats run hourly from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
There is also a slow boat for just 22,500 IDR ($1.50 USD or $2.25 AUD) which only leaves when it’s full and takes about 30 minutes.
However, if you miss the public boats in Bangsal Harbour, don’t worry, you can rent a private boat for just 180,000 IDR (that’s about $12 USD or $18 AUD) instead or you can stay overnight in one of the guest houses in the harbour area.
How Do You Get Around Gili Trawangan?
There is no motorized traffic in Gili Trawangan and thus, you have only three forms of transport available to you:
- Your feet – these three islands are all very small and you can easily walk around each island in less than a day.
- Horse-drawn carriage – this is a novelty and quite expensive. It’s a pleasant way to see the island, of course, if you feel it’s worth the investment but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
- Cycle – you can rent a bicycle (more on this in a minute) and go around the island on two wheels.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Gili Trawangan?
We maintain that there is no bad time to visit Bali and this is generally true for Gili Trawangan too.
However, we would note that the seas tend to be calmer during the dry season and if you want an uneventful fast boat ride to the island, it’s best to aim for April to October.
It’s fine to go during the rainy season, mind you, and we still see on average 8-9 hours a day of sunshine at that time of year, the tropical climate ensures that the weather is warm and pleasant all year round.
As we’ve already noted, if you’re coming from Bali, the best time to arrive on Gili Trawangan is on the early fast boat as there’s no guarantee of a later boat.
Things To Do In Gili Trawangan
Rent A Bicycle
It’s a small island and it takes about an hour to cycle all the way around the perimeter. That means, by far, the best way to get around for most people is to cycle.
You can rent a bike for approximately 50,000 IDR ($3 USD/$5 AUD) for a day or for 15,000 IDR ($1 USD/$1.50 AUD) for an hour.
However, it is important to note that the roads out here on the islands are not very well maintained and you should cycle slowly and keep a close eye on the road in front of you, it’s all too easy to get a wheel stuck in a pothole and come crashing to the ground if you don’t.
There are no cars or scooters on the road, which means you’re much safer cycling on Gili Trawangan than on the mainland.
We would urge you to remember that the locals are mainly Muslim and that modesty is important, so please wear a shirt and something to cover your legs while cycling. This will also help prevent sunburn.
Walk The East Coast
If you like boats, then they’re all parked on the main jetty on the East Coast of the island.
The beach is a nice place to get a tan and there are some decent bars selling great food in the area.
Don’t try and swim in the crystal clear waters here, however, as the public ferries and boats make it fairly dangerous to do so.
You can walk from the South Beach to the North Beach in under 30 minutes and you’ll discover plenty of shops, restaurants and watering holes as you do.
The only downside to this experience is that you may get hassled by touts for snorkelling tours and other goods, but they’re not pushy and you can safely ignore them and keep moving.
Chill On The White Sand Beaches
One of the best things about Gili Trawangan is its lovely beaches which see far fewer visitors than the beaches of Bali and are thus, a little cleaner and calmer.
The beaches here all have restaurants, bars, etc. nearby so if you’re in the mood for a drink or a snack, you’ll be fine by the beach.
North East Beach
This is just 5 minutes from the jetty where you disembark. It has very few crowds and you can often spot turtles in the waters here.
Sunset Beach
As the name suggests, this is the place to be at sunset, though it’s fairly lovely all day long. It’s also home to the swings (more on this in a bit).
Malibu Beach
This beach on the Southwest Coast has loads of bars and beanbags to lounge on while you enjoy cocktails and a cool breeze.
South/Good Heart Beach
If you want a party, this is the place to go and it starts early in the day on Good Heart Beach and keeps going into the small hours of the morning.
It’s super popular with backpackers and tourists and the local vendors all offer great happy hour deals!
See The Sunset On The West Coast
You don’t have to go to Sunset Beach for this. Any place on the West Coast is fine for sunset watching.
The Ombak Sunset Hotel, for example, offers a great view over the ocean and some very nice cocktails.
Visit The Gili Swings & Sea Hammocks
These are super popular, particularly at sunset, so we recommend that you get there when it’s high tide and before sunset to ensure that you get access in a sensible amount of time.
The most famous are on Sunset Beach but you can find swings and hammocks all over the island. Most charge a small fee for their use.
Go Scuba Diving Around The Island
The Gili Islands aren’t considered a diving hotspot. But there are some decent dive shops and training centres and it’s a great place to learn.
Visibility is great in the waters here and you can see sea turtles on nearly every dive!
Except to pay about 500,000 IDR ($35 USD or $50 AUD) for a dive including equipment rental and instruction. This price is fairly standard and there’s not much point in hunting around for a deal on diving.
Gili Trawangan Turtle Sanctuary And Hatchery
You’ll find this to the right of the main jetty on the North of the island and it’s a non-profit dedicated to helping sea turtles (a protected species in Indonesia).
They have regular release ceremonies if you want to see the babies return to the sea.
Go Snorkeling Around All The Gili Islands
You can either rent a private boat or share a boat with a tour group depending on how much you want to spend and then do a 4-hour snorkelling tour around all three islands.
Don’t miss the underwater sculpture garden created by Jason deCaires Taylor.
Take A Day Trip To Lombok (Or Longer If You Want To Climb Mount Rinjani)
If you’ve never been to Lombok, it’s worth a day trip from here.
However, if you do want to climb Mount Rinjani, you should know that this is a multiple-day excursion and not something that can be done in a day.
Enjoy A Snack Attack At Gili T Night Market
The night market is a great place to eat in Gili T and one of the cheapest places to eat too.
Get there early as the stalls close as they run out of food.
Party All Night Long
Yes, Gili Trawangan is a place for partying and the area around Good Heart Beach, in particular, is made for drinking and having a good time.
We should note, however, that if you are offered magic mushrooms, they are illegal in Indonesia and can get you into serious trouble with the police if you are caught with them.
Visit A Spa
There’s nothing quite like a massage by the beach and Gili Trawangan’s relaxed atmosphere lends itself to pampering.
Most hotels have a spa and there are a few private spas to choose from too.
Enjoy A Sunset Cruise Around The Island
Why not enjoy a few drinks on deck and a boat tour around the island as the sunsets? This is not expensive and can easily be arranged near the main jetty.
Try Your Hand At A Cooking Class
The Sweet and Spicy cooking school is very popular and a great way to learn some Indonesian cookery and enjoy some Indonesian food while you do.
Places To Stay In Gili Trawangan
There are some great places to stay that can suit every budget in Gili Trawangan including:
- Pondok Santi Estate Gili Trawangan – this luxurious resort has a fantastic ocean view and an amazing pool area.
- PinkCoco Gili Trawangan – this is an adults-only resort with a great pool and party vibe.
- Kardia Resort Gili A Pramana Experience – this beachfront resort offers a charming and relaxed vibe.
- Ponte Villas – if you want your own private villa, this is the place to be and the pools are excellent.
- Wilson’s Retreat – this charming boutique hotel is all about relaxing by the beach and has a great pool too.
Places To Eat In Gili Trawangan
There are plenty of pleasant places to eat on the island including:
- Sendja @ Kardia – this hotel restaurant does amazing barbecue, cold beers and even vegetarian curries!
- Tiki Grove – as you’d expect from the name, it’s big tiki cocktails and Caribbean fusion food all the way.
- Francesco’s Pizza – this hidden gem offers excellent Italian food with a great view of the ocean.
- Oh Warung Gili – this is a lovely local warung that offers tasty and filling Indonesian food for a very sensible price.
- Biraku Japanese Restaurant – if you love some fresh sushi made with the catch of the day, you can’t go wrong here.
The Other Gili Islands
Gili Air
Gili Air is smaller and quieter than Gili Trawangan and it’s worth combining in your visit. We recommend Gili Air (the name “Air” means “water” and it’s the only island of the three with its own groundwater supply), particularly for people seeking a romantic and quiet destination.
Gili Meno
Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest island and a place to completely disconnect from crowds and tourism and just chill. It’s a great place to be with a book and a cold cocktail.
FAQs
Is Gili Trawangan Cheaper Than Bali? Are The Gili Islands Cheaper Than Bali?
Yes, the Gili Islands are generally a little cheaper than Bali when it comes to activities and accommodation and, of course, there are no transport costs (unless you want to rent a bike).
However, food and drink are a bit more expensive as they need to be brought to the island on a boat ride from the mainland.
So, don’t expect to save a fortune and if you want to spend all day in the beach bars, it might work out a little more to spend time on this tiny island than it would staying in Bali’s beach towns.
How Many Days Do You Need In Gili Trawangan?
You can see everything on the island in 24 hours if you really want to, but we’d recommend you take 3 days to enjoy Gili Trawangan, work on your tan and have, at least, one night of wild fun and then recover from that fun before you take a fast boat ride back to the mainland.
If you find that you get bored, you can always take a trip to Gili Air and Gili Meno to add a little more adventure to your visit to this Gili Island.
Is It Safe To Go To Gili Trawangan?
The Gili Islands are, generally, considered to be very safe. The locals are friendly and kind and violent crime is incredibly rare.
However, as with all of Indonesia, petty crime is still possible and it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your things at all times. This includes any rental bicycles that you may borrow – otherwise, you may be paying to replace them.
You should also be aware that in “party environments”, there are potential dangers from other partygoers, particularly to solo women travellers and take appropriate precautions.
How Long Is The Ferry From Bali To Gili Trawangan?
The journey from Bali to Gili Trawangan by ferry takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from Padang Bai. It’s 1 hour and 15 minutes from Amed.
However, if you want to travel from Sanur or Serangan, the journey can take much longer.
Can You Swim In Gili Trawangan?
Yes, but you should be aware that the water flow around high tide on Gili Trawangan creates very strong, and potentially dangerous currents, that can trap a swimmer and pull them out to sea.
This means you should start your swim prior to high tide (you can use an app to check when the tides are coming) and then stop your swim before low tide commences.
You should consider wearing an exposure suit after rainfall to avoid exposure to jellyfish and sea lice.
It’s also important to watch out for swells, especially on the Northwest Coast.
Finally, it’s cool to watch the amazing marine life while you swim, but please don’t touch it especially coral reefs and sea turtles.
Is It Worth Going To The Gili Islands From Bali?
Only you can decide if it’s worth going to the Gili Islands from Bali. Many people love the chance to be somewhere where the air is clean, the sands are white and soft and there are no cars or other forms of motorised transport.
However, it’s quite a journey to get out to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno and if you’ve only got a short time for a tropical getaway, it might be better to stay on the mainland rather than visit these three islands.
Our team has very much enjoyed previous trips to the Gili Islands and if you’ve got time, we think you will too.
Is Gili T A Party Island?
Gili T has a fierce reputation for parties and it’s somewhat justified.
However, you can easily go to Gili Trawangan and not take part in a party and just enjoy the fresh air, warm sun, soft sands and quiet natural beauty of the place.
It’s very much up to you. However, if you want a quieter experience than you might get on Gili Trawangan, you might consider spending time on Gili Meno or Gili Air, instead.
How Do You Book A Holiday On Gili Trawangan?
We always recommend that you book your holidays in and around Bali including at the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air) through the Bali Res Centre.
They’re a locally owned and operated travel service that specializes in Balinese travel. They can get you the best deals on flights, hotels, tours, transport, etc. and provide you with local knowledge to have the best possible holiday.
Final Thoughts On The Party Island Of The Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan has a reputation as a place for partying and there’s no denying that it’s somewhat justified, but it’s also a live place for scuba diving, relaxing on the beach, and more.
The Gili Islands aren’t far from Bali or Lombok and if you want to visit Gili T and you have the time to do so, we’d recommend that you do.
When you return, you can always come down to FINNS Beach Club, the best of the world’s beach clubs, and tell us all about it.
