Gili Trawangan is often called Gili T for short. It is a small island located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. It’s one of the three Gili Islands, along with Gili Meno and Gili Air.
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How to get here from Bali or Lombok, Indonesia?
I booked my shuttle and ferry transport from the popular transportation website 12go.asia. It’s very straightforward just input your starting point and destination. I was coming from Ubud and it was relief not having to worry about the traffic/ potentially missing the ferry.
The DPS airport (in Bali) and LOP airport (in Lombok) are the two closest airports to the island Gili Trawangan. Regardless of which one you land in, there will be a commute day of driving and ferry transport.
P.S. Make sure you bring cash for the ferry port fee.
Are there ATMs on the island?
Prior to coming to the island, I read multiple blog posts and had locals on the mainland warn me about no ATMs on the island. I was told to bring plenty of cash with me from Bali. However, once I arrived on Gili I noticed a few ATM machines around. A lot of the popular restaurants take cards too. Smaller shops and warungs (local restaurants) typically only take cash.
Top things to do on Gili T
Go Snorkeling
You can book a snorkeling tour that takes you to multiple spots around the three Gili islands.
Rent snorkel gear and head to the beach yourself
If you don’t want to go on an organized tour, there’s a perfect spot on the north part of the island for snorkeling. It’s actually where a lot of the organized boat trips stop too. Here you are almost guaranteed to see a sea turtle. Most of the rental companies sprinkled along the shoreline have a tagline of if you didn’t see a turtle then you don’t have to pay.
Rent a bike to explore the island
Bike rentals are really popular. It’s actually the most common way to see the most of Gili T. The local law doesn’t allow motorized vehicles including cars and motorbikes. There are so many rental shops around and it typically costs 50,000- 70,000 IDR (or $3-5 USD dollars) per day.
The island is small. I actually walked the entire perimeter in just 2 hours. A bike is a quick and convenient way to get around and explore. The roads are a mix. Most roads are paved, but there are many that are sandy/bumpy the more inward on the island you go.
Relax on the beach
The best part of being on an island is relaxing on the beach. The best spots for a beach day are up north. You can bring your own towel or sit at one of the beach resort lounge chairs. Don’t forget to order a fresh coconut!
Watch the sunset in the evening
You can watch the sunset from the beach or comfortably from any of the bars and restaurants that line the beach. My favorite spot to watch the sunset was at the beach resort called Pink Sunset Kiss. The atmosphere was phenomenal. There was live music and shortly after sunset at 7 pm there was a fire show.
Watch a movie on the beach
Every day at the Aston Sunset Beach Resort there’s a movie night. Outside the venue you can always find the weekly schedule to see which movies are playing. The best part is it’s completely FREE. You can of course purchase snacks or drinks, but it’s not a requirement.
Go shopping for souvenirs
Souvenir shops are sprinkled around everywhere! Don’t forget to bargain. While traveling throughout Indonesia I did notice the variation in souvenirs. If you don’t buy the souvenir on Gili T then you mostly likely will not find the same souvenir on the next island over. However, the souvenirs are the same from shop to shop so make sure to negotiate as it isn’t “one of a kind”. Hopefully that makes sense 😄
Go paddleboarding
Enjoy the nightlife
Lots of venues have live music. Gili T has a reputation as the “party” island so be forewarn that there will be backpackers anywhere you go. I recommend checking out Sama Sama Reggae Bar or The Irish Bar.
Helpful Tips for Planning your Trip to Indonesia
Are you also planning on visiting?
Book your Flight
Start by comparing airfare early to get the best deals.
Use tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to track price trends and flexible travel dates.
Book your Accommodation
Whether you’re looking for hostels or boutique hotels the Indonesia has a wide range of options.
Booking.com is great for hotels and guesthouses across the country.
Hostelworld is ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.
Travel Insurance for the unexpected
Always, always have travel insurance! Travel insurance is essential. It protects you from unexpected events like flight delays, illness, theft, or accidents.
I recommend SafetyWing, which offers flexible and affordable plans perfect for long-term travelers and digital nomads.
Best Resources to book Tours and Activities
GetYourGuide is great for booking everything from city tours and museum tickets to outdoor adventures. It’s easy to use, has tons of reviews, clear pricing, and offers free cancellation on most bookings.
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