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Post updated March 21, 2025

There’s a reason why Gili Trawangan is becoming an increasingly popular stop on Indonesia travel itineraries – the island is incredible. From its postcard-perfect beaches to its amazingly chilled-out vibe to its unreal sunsets, Gili T, as it is called, is an ideal place to while the days away. Trust me, I’ve done so on more than one occasion.

I’ve now visited Gili Trawangan a handful of times, spending at least 2 to 3 weeks on this magical little island each time. So, I think it goes without saying that I absolutely love this place – there are just so many cool things to do in Gili Trawangan! Honestly, whether you’re looking to let loose or just relax, the Gilis really do have a way of sucking you in.

At this point, I’ve been able to get to know the island pretty well. So, if you’re considering adding Gili Trawangan to your travel itinerary, I hope this Gili Trawangan guide helps you plan the perfect getaway!

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A Complete Gili Trawangan Guide

Where and What is Gili Trawangan?

Gili Trawangan belongs to a cluster of three tiny islands – Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan – that radiate off the coast of the island of Lombok, Indonesia. With their proximity to Bali, the Gili Islands are also a popular stop on many Bali itineraries. While you can stay on all three islands, Gili Trawangan remains the most developed and is by far the most popular choice for travelers.

Gili Trawangan has gained a reputation as a “party island.” While this is definitely true, Gili Trawangan isn’t all about partying. In my experience, it’s a great option for travelers of all types. Families, backpackers, couples, honeymooners and everything in between can be found on Gili T. So, is Gili Trawangan worth visiting? Well, that entirely depends on what you’re after.

How to Get to Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a teeny tiny island. There are no cars here, let alone an airport, so the only way to reach the island is via ferry from either mainland Bali or Lombok.

If you’re coming from Bali, you can depart from the ports in Pandangbai, Sanur, or Amed, depending on which location is the most convenient for you. Do note that not all ferries are created equal. You can choose between the fast boat or slow boat, which can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 5 hours, depending on your departure point and boat.

I suggest booking ferry tickets on this fast boat from Pandangbai to Gili Trawangan. The cost is $48 and the journey will take you roughly 1.5. Plus, you’ll have the option of getting a shuttle from your hotel to the Padangbai port, which will be far cheaper than getting a taxi.

If you’re headed to Gili Trawangan from Lombok, you can get tickets online to take the ferry from Bangsal Pier, near Sengiggi, to Gili Trawangan. The journey on this fast boat takes roughly 20 minutes. Alternately, you can wait for one of the public slow boats to fill up and make the journey for roughly $1.

How to Get to Your Gili T Hotel

When you first get off the ferry on Gili Trawangan, you might feel a little bit overwhelmed with all the hustle and bustle around you. You should expect touts to aggressively try to sell you hotel rooms and hotel transportation.

My best advice is to make sure you have internet on your phone so you know how to navigate your way to your hotel. The island of Gili Trawangan is easily navigable and many of the hotels are located a short stroll from the pier, which means walking is a breeze. Don’t be fooled into paying for transport when your hotel is just a short walk away!

That being said, if you did choose an accommodation option that isn’t located in the main town near the pier, you’ll want to arrange transportation through your hotel ahead of arriving. Most hotels that are located further afield will offer complimentary shuttle service. If not, you’ll need to haggle with one of the horse and buggy drivers at the pier.

Getting around Gili Trawangan

It is important to note that there are no motorized vehicles on Gili Trawangan. The only modes of transportation here are walking, bicycle and horse-drawn carriage, with the occasional scooter.

I personally don’t love the way horses are treated on Gili Trawangan, so I never use the horse and buggy services on the island. But it’s up to you!

This island is small, so you can easily get everywhere on foot. You can even walk around the whole island if you’d like! Alternately, bicycles are very popular on Gili T, and most hotels offer complimentary bikes for guests to use.

Things to Do in Gili Trawangan

Watch the Show at Sunset Point

The sunsets in Gili Trawangan are out of this world. It’s no wonder why every tourist and local on the island flocks to Sunset Point on the western side of the island to watch the sun sink behind Gunung Agung (a massive volcano on Bali) every evening.

Snorkel with Turtles Right Offshore

One of the coolest things to do in Gili Trawangan is to go snorkeling right offshore. The best offshore snorkeling spots on the island are on the eastern and northern sides of the island. You’ll find Turtle Point on the northern tip of Gili Trawangan, which is one of the most popular spots to go snorkeling with sea turtles.

Go on a Snorkeling Trip

Another one of the most popular Gili Trawangan activities is to go on a snorkeling trip. This snorkeling trip takes you to some of the coolest Gili T attractions, like the famous underwater sculptures, the fish-filled Meno Wall diving and snorkeling site and Gili Meno’s Turtle Paradise snorkeling spot. I loved taking this trip because swimming with sea turtles, which you’ll inevitably get to do, is always a magical experience!

Go to a Cat Café

Gili Trawangan is famous for its cats. So if you’re a cat lover like me, you should definitely visit KAFE KUCING. The café is run by the charity organization Cats of Gili, which has worked for years to help Gili T’s cat population. They do amazing work. Rest assured, everything that you purchase from the café goes to help Gili Trawangan’s cute kitties.

Walk or Cycle Around the Island

Gili T is blissfully small, making it the perfect island to circumnavigate in a day. You can either walk or bike, stopping off at beaches, restaurants, bars and cafes along the way. It’s the perfect way to spend the day.

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Where to Eat in Gili Trawangan

For such a small island, Gili T has a surprisingly great dining scene, including plenty of local and international options. Here are some of my favorites:

Trawangan Night Market

No trip to Gili T is complete without going to the Trawangan Night Market, which is held every evening near the pier. When it comes to fresh seafood, this is the place to be. But they have loads of Indonesian eats for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike, and the prices can’t be beat!

Fat Cats

Fat Cats is my favorite beachfront option. From elevated pub grub to healthy salads and bowls to Indonesian eats, there’s a lot to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

Regina Pizza

For handmade pizza and pasta, Regina Pizza will not disappoint. You’ll find the Italian owner slinging hand-tossed pizzas into the pizza oven every night. This is definitely the best pizza on the island.

Bliss Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine

As a vegetarian, I love Bliss Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine. Not only do they have healthy and hearty veg food, but the boho-chic vibes and outdoor terrace are awesome.

Coffee & Thyme

I love Coffee & Thyme because they serve all-day breakfast, as well as really good sandwiches and wraps. They also have some of the best coffee on the island, as well as super refreshing smoothies, lassies and juices.

Random Warungs

A lot of travelers don’t realize that there are tons of local warungs (restaurants) scattered around the island. If you veer off the main drag and head to the island’s interior, you’ll see tons of little restaurants serving up Indonesian staples like nasi goreng, gado-gado, nasi campur, gorengan and more.

Gili T Travel Tips + Things to Know

Get an eSIM Before Getting to the Gilis

Gili T is a bit remote which means that wifi is not going to be reliable on the island. Some hotels, hostels and restaurants do have decent connections but the internet will likely cut out throughout the day. And power outages are very normal here.

If I need to work and use my phone as a hotspot, I usually buy a Telkomsel SIM card in Bali or Lombok before I get to Gili T. I was told this would be the most reliable provider on the Gilis because there is a Telkomsel cell tower on mainland Lombok. The connection was surprisingly good (if a bit slow).

Alternately, if you need a last-minute option, you can always get an Indonesian Airalo eSIM through the website, and that should help you stay connected.

Be Respectful of the Culture

Unlike Bali, the Gili Islands and the rest of Lombok are predominately Muslim. There are two mosques on the island and you will see plenty of women (both tourists and locals) in headscarves. While the people on Gili T are no strangers to foreigners and their ways, it’s still important to be respectful.

Don’t worry ladies, it is fully acceptable to lounge on the beach wearing a bikini, but you might want to throw on some clothes while walking around the island and hanging out in bars and restaurants.

Mind the Mosques

Again, the Gili Islands are Muslim, and there are two mosques (masjid) in Gili Trawangan. You will hear the call to prayer five times a day, from sunrise to sunset. Because I used to live in Indonesia, the sound brings back fond memories for me. But it can be loud! Trust me when I say the sound won’t be so soothing if your hotel is located right next to the mosque.

Before booking your hotel, you might want to read over some reviews to make sure your hotel isn’t too close to the island’s mosques, or else you will be jarred awake at 5:30 every morning.

Bring Cash in Case the ATMs Don’t Work

There are now quite a few ATMs on the main drag of Gili Trawangan. But this is a fairly remote island, so don’t be surprised if the ATMs run out of cash or stop working. It’s happened to me during multiple visits and I’ve encountered some pretty frustrated travelers who can’t get money. It’s best to at least bring a little backup cash with you from Bali or Lombok, just in case.

Reduce Your Waste

Trash is an issue in Gili Trawangan. Again, it’s an island so there’s no great way for locals to properly dispose of all the trash tourists produce. I always attempt to try and at least reduce the amount of plastic and trash I create.

I always travel with a reusable shopping bag and water bottle. I usually buy the largest water bottle I can find and just refill my reusable water bottle using that. On Gili Trawangan, there are numerous restaurants and hotels that will allow you to refill your small and large water bottles for a small fee.

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Have you been to Gili Trawangan? If you have any questions or travel tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!