Visiting Gili Trawangan
Alongside Gili Meno and Gili Air, Gili Trawangan makes up the small Gili Islands archipelago sitting northwest of Lombok. In Sasak, the local language spoken in this part of Indonesia, Gili translates to small island. Gili Trawangan is indeed the largest of the three, spanning a mere 3.4 km²! Motorized vehicles are banned across these islands, meaning you will get around strictly on foot, by bicycle, or via horse-drawn carriage. In 2018, the area was struck by a magnitude 7 earthquake that caused widespread damage.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Gili Trawangan
The primary draw on Gili Trawangan is unquestionably diving and snorkeling. Grab a boat tour out to Nest, located just offshore from Gili Meno. This underwater art installation features human figures sculpted by Jason deCaires Taylor, consisting of 48 statues arranged in a circle on the seabed to form a giant nest. The project was designed to help regenerate the coral reef in this corner of the Indian Ocean. Another underwater highlight is the local population of sea turtles, which you might encounter while swimming.
The beaches on Gili Trawangan are exceptionally scenic, offering front-row seats to sunsets on the western side of the island, particularly around the famous overwater swing at the Ombak Sunset hotel.
Things to Do on Gili Trawangan
The island invites exploration, whether you are riding a horse along the shoreline or hiking inland to the summit of the 73-meter hill for panoramic views sweeping across the Gili Islands, Lombok, and Mount Rinjani. For downtime, you can alternate between yoga sessions, lounging on the sand, and traditional Indonesian massages.
Gili Trawangan is equally famous for its nightlife, where parties run until dawn on the beach or even aboard floating boat parties.
Down by the port, a nightly street food market pops up where you can sample regional specialties like Nasi Goreng, a plate of spiced, stir-fried rice with vegetables, or Satays, which are small grilled skewers of meat or fish. Near the market, you might stumble upon a traditional stick-fighting martial arts tournament.
When to go
The optimal window for visiting Gili Trawangan in Indonesia falls during the dry season between May and September. July and August form the peak season for heading to the Gili Islands as a way to trade the heavy crowds found on Bali during those months for a more relaxed island atmosphere.
How to get there
You can reach Gili Trawangan by boat from Bali, departing from the ports of Amed, Sanur, and Padangbai via regular ferry or speed boat. From Lombok, departures leave out of the port of Bangsal. You can also hop between the neighboring islands of Gili Meno and Gili Air by booking crossings locally through island agencies.
Accessible by boat from Bali, the three Gilis each have their own personality. Gili Trawangan is known for being the most festive. Popular with groups of young travelers, you will indeed find plenty of bars and clubs in a paradise setting. Relaxation, swimming, snorkeling, diving: you have plenty to enjoy for several days. For families or couples, I would recommend a stay on Gili Air instead, which is my favorite. As for Gili Meno, it will delight those who are looking for peace and quiet.