To begin, some fundamentals: Gili Trawangan, sometimes referred to as simply Gili T, is the biggest of the three islands that make up the Gili archipelago, which is situated just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Gili Meno and Gili Air are the names of the other two islands.
Gili Trawangan has developed into somewhat of a hotspot for budget travelers and tourists in general due to its notoriety for scuba diving and its vibrant nightlife. Even if there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors, the island is still a tranquil haven.
Due to the island’s limited space, driving a vehicle is strictly prohibited. You may choose to go by foot, by renting a bicycle, or by going in a horse-drawn cart as your mode of transportation.
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Contents
How to Reach Gili Trawangan
Because of its popularity, local tour providers should be accustomed with delivering travelers to Gili T regardless of where in Indonesia you are launching from.
I was able to negotiate the price of a roundtrip boat ticket on the Eka Jaya speed boat service down to 450,000 IDR, which is equivalent to $34, coming from Sanur. This price included minivan transportation to and from the docks. Confirm the timetable with the local tour operators, but know that there are several departures every day.
The east side of the island, which is where most of the development is located, is where the boats that come bringing tourists. The vast bulk of the island’s pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs are concentrated in this area. This is without a doubt the location of the parties that are going on. If, on the other hand, you are more in the mood for unwinding and resting, you may want to think about reserving a room on the western half of the island. This side of the island is home to a number of luxurious resorts and is most likely a better option for families and couples on their honeymoon. On the other hand, the beaches on the eastern side of the island are among the most beautiful on the whole island, but the beaches on the western side are much more rocky and, depending on the tide, may be rather shallow.
Best Time of The Year to Visit
The months of February, March, April, and November are considered to be the island’s low season.
The months of January, July, August, and September together with December make up the peak season.
The months of May, June, and October make up the shoulder season.
Be careful to check the calendar for any local or Muslim holidays that fall outside of Western holidays, since they will effect tourism and hotel pricing regardless of the season. Check the calendar for any local or Muslim holidays that fall outside of Western holidays.
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Where to Stay
On Gili Trawangan, visitors may choose from a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from inexpensive guesthouses to extravagant five-star resorts. There is really something available for every price point. It is possible to arrive at a hotel during the off season or shoulder season without a reservation and then negotiate a lower rate with the front desk. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you utilize Booking.com or another online booking service in order to get a room in advance before the busy season begins.
The Martas Hotel was where I stayed on my most recent trip to the area. The hotel consists of a collection of bungalows that are spread out around a central pool. One of the aspects of the property that I liked most was where it was situated. Because Martas is situated just off the main road, it is convenient to all you want to see and do, while yet being far enough away that you won’t be disturbed by the late-night partying. To read an in-depth analysis of the hotel, please visit this link.
What to Do
Gili Trawangan is widely regarded as one of the top destinations in the world for scuba diving and snorkeling, so be ready to get wet! Freediving is another activity that has gained popularity in recent years. Since the prices are the same everywhere on the island, it is in your best interest to just show up and browse around a number of different stores to choose which one has the atmosphere you want. During my time here, I have used the services of both Dive Central and Gili Divers, and I am able to recommend both of them. You may also hire kayaks to go around the island and see more of it. You have the option of going on a guided kayak trip or paddling about on your own. The starting price for a guided day trip is 300,000 IDR, which is equivalent to $22 USD per person.
A bonfire on the beach is something that is offered by many establishments, such as restaurants and hotels, when the sun starts to drop. Grab a beach chair when you see the workers piling up wood, place an order for a drink, and settle back to watch the sun go down as the logs begin to crackle.
Nightlife The island is well-known for the wild late-night lifestyle that it has. If going out to parties isn’t really your thing, be sure you get a room on the side of the hotel where the boats don’t dock or at least far enough away from the main road to block out the noise of the music that plays late into the night. Drink promotions are available all week long at a variety of establishments, including pubs and clubs, for customers who want to stay out late.
Explore the island by renting a bike for as little as 20,000 IDR (about $1.50 USD) each day. Bikes are the ideal mode of transportation for touring the whole island since they give you the freedom to stop wherever you see anything fascinating along the route. The part of the island that is less populated and busier than the other half has some fantastic restaurants and beach clubs that are well worth checking out.
Nothing – Gili Trawangan is the ideal destination for finding a hammock or beach chair, unwinding, and working on your tan while sipping drinks and posting Instagram photos that will turn your friends and family back at home green with envy.
Where to Eat
Gili Trawangan is a fairly small island, yet despite its size, it has a diverse selection of eateries from which visitors may choose and choose. It is possible to find restaurants that specialize on Western food in close proximity to those that serve traditional fare. If you are in the neighborhood, there are two locations that you just must go to: the night market and the Roast House. The Roast House is well-known for its skillfully roasted chicken and vegetables (where local dishes are prepared fresh in front of you while you wait).
For a full post covering the best places to eat on Gili Trawangan click here.
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Would you consider Gili Trawangan for your next holiday? Let me know in the comments section below.
On the island, one may easily get their hands on a variety of illicit substances, namely marijuana and magic mushroom shakes. Although the mushroom shakes are openly promoted, and even though you may be given drugs while walking along the main street in the middle of the day, none of these things are legal. Laws regarding narcotics in Indonesia are quite stringent.
On the island, there is no hospital; however, there is a tiny clinic located on the main road that is open around the clock. Lombok has the closest hospital to the other islands.
There is a common misconception that there are no ATMs on the island, which is supported by older or out of current guidebooks. This is not the case at all. Although the majority of the island’s inns and eateries are cash-only establishments, major credit cards are accepted at the island’s bigger hotels, and there are at least four automated teller machines (ATMs) available.
FAQs
Is it worth going to Gili Trawangan?
The Gili Islands are without a doubt one of the most visually stunning locations that can be found in Indonesia. That truly puts a lot into perspective! However, there are stretches of untouched, snow-white sand, azure waters teeming with sea turtles and coral gardens, and pockets of verdant palm trees strung along the coast, so the expense is understandable.
How long does it take to walk around Gili Trawangan?
Approximately two hours
Walking the perimeter of Gili Trawangan takes around two hours, while walking the perimeter of Gili Meno takes about an hour and a half, and walking the perimeter of Gili Air takes little under two hours. This is assuming that you do not make any pit stops along the route at any beach bars or investigate any of the side streets. Because the islands are so tiny, there is little risk of getting lost if you explore them.
How many days are enough for Gili Islands?
If you’re only going to be able to visit one of the islands, I strongly suggest you do what I did and spend at least two nights and two full days on the Gili Islands. If this is the case, the second day of your trip should be spent on a snorkeling expedition that visits all of the islands.
How many days do you need in Gili T?
We suggest that you begin with at least three nights and give yourself some wiggle room in your plans so that you may put more days on afterwards. After all, almost everyone who visits Gili Trawangan ends up deciding to extend their trip there by at least a few of days at the absolute least.
Is Gili Air better than Gili T?
Gili Air, on the other hand, is known for its laid-back vibe and lack of formality in comparison to Gili T. The island has the most permanent inhabitants among the three islands, making it seem the most traditional. It also has the biggest number of permanent residents. In spite of the fact that this location is known for its peace and quiet, there are many exciting things to do here.