East coast
NightlifeBars and the harbour.
Gili Trawangan island guide
Things To Do In Gili Trawangan
A small coral island with no motor vehicles, where you snorkel with sea turtles off the beach, cycle round the island in an hour and watch the sun set behind Bali's volcano.
32
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 19,307 reviews
0
Motor vehicles
1 h
To cycle round
3
Gili islands
The island without engines
Gili Trawangan is the largest of three small coral islands off Lombok, and there are no motor vehicles: people get around by bicycle, on foot or by horse cart. It takes about an hour to cycle all the way round.
The water around it is full of sea turtles, and it is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive. At sunset, the whole island gathers on the west coast to watch the sun go down behind Bali's Mount Agung.
The neighbouring islands, Gili Meno and Gili Air, are quieter. Three days is right.
Where to stay
The east coast, around the harbour, has the bars, dive shops and most of the hostels; it is busy and loud at night. The west coast is quieter, with sunset beaches and bungalows. The island's interior has cheaper guesthouses, a short walk or bike ride from both coasts.
West coast
QuietSunset beaches.
Interior
ValueCheaper guesthouses.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, the largest of three small islands off Lombok, has white-sand beaches, clear water and no motor vehicles; you get around on foot, by bicycle or by horse cart.
Snorkel with green and hawksbill turtles off the east and north coasts, often just metres from the beach. Diving is excellent and cheap, with many schools for beginners; Shark Point and Turtle Heaven are classic dives.
Cycle around the island in about an hour, and watch the sunset from the west coast, with Bali's Mount Agung on the horizon; the swings in the water are a famous photo spot. Climb the small hill in the south for views of Lombok's Mount Rinjani.
Gili Meno, the quietest island, has an underwater sculpture of figures in a circle, and Gili Air is relaxed, between the two in liveliness. Island-hopping boats link all three.
Lombok, a short boat ride away, has waterfalls, Mount Rinjani and quieter beaches.
Free things
Free things to do in Gili Trawangan
The beaches, snorkelling from shore with your own mask, and the sunset on the west coast are free.
Walking around the island is free, and watching the turtles off the beach costs nothing.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Gili Trawangan
The night market by the harbour sells fresh grilled seafood, satay, nasi campur and sweets cheaply. Warungs inland serve Indonesian food for less than the beachfront restaurants.
A warung meal is €2 to €4; a beachfront meal €5 to €12.
Nightlife
Going out in Gili Trawangan
Gili T is the party island of the three: bars on the east coast host parties on different nights of the week, with a famous Irish bar and beach parties that go late.
A beer is €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Gili Trawangan
Fast boats from Bali take about one and a half to two hours; from Lombok, public boats from Bangsal take about twenty minutes. Seas can be rough; boats are cancelled in bad weather.
There are no motor vehicles; walk or cycle. Many people avoid the horse carts, cidomo, over welfare concerns about the horses.
Costs
What Gili Trawangan costs
Gili T is mid-priced. Dorms start around €8 and a careful day is €25 to €35.
An island levy is charged on arrival. A fun dive is €30 to €40, and an Open Water course €300 to €400. Bicycle hire is about €3 a day.
The currency is the rupiah (IDR), at roughly 17,000 to 18,000 rupiah to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Cards work in tourist areas; carry cash for warungs, boats and small islands, where ATMs are few. There are ATMs, but they can run out; bring cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Gili Trawangan
Gili T is safe, but drugs are illegal, including the 'magic mushrooms' sometimes openly advertised, and penalties in Indonesia are severe. Watch your drink.
Currents between the islands are strong; do not swim across. Do not touch turtles or coral.
Most visitors need a visa on arrival, best bought online as an e-VOA before you fly, and must complete Indonesia's online arrival declaration, All Indonesia, before landing; check the current rules for your passport.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Gili Trawangan
Underwater statues, a relaxed island and Lombok.
Gili Meno
Underwater statues and quiet beaches.
Gili Air
A relaxed island.
Lombok
Waterfalls and Rinjani.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season.
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Live DJ Set
A house mix starts at 5 PM and carries the mood from golden hour through twilight while the sky does its thing over the…
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Foam Party
A lively poolside foam party featuring live DJ performances, music, dancing, and a high-energy beach club atmosphere. Guests can enjoy foam-filled pool fun, sunset…
2 Jul – 28 Dec
Gili T Island Pub Crawl
Gili Trawangan's bar scene comes alive on this guided crawl through the island's most popular nightlife spots. You will hop between venues, drinks in…
7 Jul – 29 Dec
Games Night & Karaoke
A night of games and karaoke kicks off at 8:30 PM with some serious prizes up for grabs. The Code Blue Box challenge includes…
9 Aug – 31 Dec
Gili Trawangan Nightlife
Gili Trawangan's bar scene runs on a rotating schedule, with a different venue taking the spotlight each night of the week. The island's car-free…
29 Aug – 24 Feb
Gili T Boat Party
A four-hour cruise around the Gili Islands pairs DJs, ocean views, and happy hour drinks aboard the Stingray boat. You'll meet at Mad Monkey…
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Quiz & Karaoke Night
A weekly social entertainment series at Lava Bar featuring interactive games, quiz competitions, karaoke nights, and music bingo. Guests can participate in trivia challenges,…
1 Jul – 27 Dec
Live Acoustic
A small stage on the beach hosts acoustic covers of 90s and early 2000s hits, the kind of songs you probably still know every…
Hostels
Where to stay in Gili Trawangan
The top-rated places to stay in Gili Trawangan right now, live from Hostelworld.
Gili Beach Bum
Dorms from €7 a night
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Gili Castle
Dorms from €15 a night
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Compass Divers Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
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M Box Gili Trawangan
Dorms from €12 a night
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Tipsea Turtle Gili Trawangan
Dorms from €13 a night
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Gili Pirates Dive & Social Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
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Sustainable
Lay Day Gili Trawangan
Dorms from €6 a night
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Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan
Dorms from €10 a night
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Atlas Gili
Dorms from €7 a night
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The House Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
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Crashpad
Dorms from €7 a night
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Good Vibes Bungalows
See dates and bookWhen to go
April to October is dry, with the calmest seas.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Wet
Mar
Wet
Apr
Drying
May
Dry
Jun
Dry
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Wet
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupiah locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes diving.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Gili Trawangan travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Which Gili is best?
Gili T for parties, Gili Air for a balance, Gili Meno for quiet.
Can I see turtles?
Yes, often from the beach while snorkelling.
Are there cars?
No motor vehicles; walk, cycle or take a horse cart.
Are the horse carts ethical?
Many visitors avoid them over welfare concerns.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
When is the best time to visit?
April to October.
Is it safe?
Yes, but drugs are illegal with severe penalties, despite what is advertised.
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