Lombok is a tropical paradise that should make your must-visit list when going to Indonesia for a vacation. Located not too far from Bali and only separated by the Lombok Strait, Lombok offers serene beaches, stunning view, and a beautiful sea ecosystem.
A must-stop in Lombok is Gili Trawangan, one of the three popular gilis known for its beauty. The island offers a chance to relax on its soft white-sanded beach, sheltered by the many palm trees.
Find out more about what the island has to offer and the awesome things to do in Gili Trawangan below.
Gili Trawangan in a Nutshell
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Gili Trawangan is the largest of its neighboring gilis, Gili Air and Gili Meno. It also means that compared to the two other islands, Gili Trawangan offers more activities you can partake in.
It has inviting white-sanded beaches, stunning coral reefs, and beautiful tropical scenery for you to explore during the daytime. There are a handful of fun activities that will make your trip unforgettable.
Even more, once the sun sets, Gili Trawangan has a vibrant nightlife that comes with great foods, beverages, and entertainment. Find out more about all the things to do in Gili Trawangan in the following section!
Read Also: 5 Best Things to Do in Kuta Lombok
12 Awesome Things to Do in Gili Trawangan
1. Relax at the Island’s Best Beaches
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What’s the point of visiting Gili Trawangan if not to relax and bask in the beauty of its various beautiful beaches? What’s more, each beach offers different activities, so there’s always something new to discover!
For example, North East Beach is the best place to spot turtles. Sunset Beach is most suitable for sunset lovers looking to make their Instagram feed prettier. Looking for great cocktails and a party vibe? Malibu Beach and Good Heart Beach are the right destinations for you.
2. Explore the Island
Cars and motorbikes are prohibited around the island, giving it a much more serene and peaceful atmosphere. To explore the island, you’ll have to rent a bike which will cost around Rp50,000 a day. The island isn’t too big, so you can fully explore it in just 2 hours.
Aside from visiting the beaches, you’ll also get an authentic view of how the locals live and witness the sights of a field of palm trees on the way.
3. Join a Cooking Class
Having tasted the tasty local foods, you probably wonder if you can ever recreate it. Fret not, because you can learn the recipes by joining a cooking class at Gili Trawangan!
At Sweet and Spicy Cooking Class, you’ll participate in a fun 4-hour long cooking master class suitable for beginners and those with advanced cooking skills.
Best part about it? Not only can you meet fellow participants and exchange tips & tricks, you can also enjoy your creations together by the end of the class!
4. Snorkeling
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Gili Trawangan is the best place to snorkel thanks to its warm water and high visibility. On top of that, the island is home to an incredibly diverse marine life. You’ll be able to swim with various sea creatures such as sea turtles, lionfish, sea snakes, eels, octopuses, and many others.
If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, you can even head to Shark Point on the west side to witness white or black-tipped sharks.
5. Diving
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If you’re already certified or are looking to get certified, Gili Trawangan is also a great place to dive. Aside from swimming with various sea animals, you can also explore some magnificent wrecks like the Glenn Nusa 1 or Bounty Wreck.
Read Also: Bali Map for Kids: 7 Fun and Educational Places to Explore
6. Try Out other Water Activities
You can also have some fun water activities above sea level! From going on a leisurely paddle to learning how to surf. Or you can also try out other types of water sports such as subwinging in which you get towed by a boat to glide underwater, parasailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing!
7. Partake in Sunset Cruise
Sunset cruise is suitable for young couples who want to mix romance and adventure. The cruise usually departs at 2:30 PM from Gili Trawangan.
You’ll be taken around all three Gilis to snorkel. After that, it’s a mix of discovering underwater statues at Gili Meno, swimming around with colorful tropical fishes at Gili Air, and sunset-watching sunset as well as enjoying a nice BBQ dinner.
Read Also: Romantic Paradise: 3-Day Sumba Itinerary for Sunset Lovers
8. Enjoy Gili Trawangan Nightlife
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Whether you enjoy a chill vibe or you’re into loud party music, Gili Trawangan has everything for you. You can go to Sama Sama Reggae Bar for a laid-back night out accompanied by reggae music, or to The Irish Bar Grill for cold beers and live sports broadcasts.
Alternatively, you can go for a full-on wild night out by visiting The Jungle Bar. It’s the perfect place to take shots, dance to EDM, and party all night.
9. Taste the Culinary Delights at Trawangan Night Market
A fun night out can also come from spoiling your taste buds. Be sure to visit Trawangan Night Market and try out various traditional Indonesian food at a cheap price.
You can delight yourself with fresh seafood, skewers, and tasty barbeque. It’s also the perfect spot to mingle with locals.
10. Unwind with Yoga & Spa
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Find some time to heal yourself spiritually through yoga and spa. There are plenty all over the island. But if you prefer something unique, try Fly High Yoga at Sunset Beach Yoga or challenge yourself by trying out paddle board yoga at sunrise.
Read Also: Cultural Nightlife in Ubud: 5 Memorable Things to Do in Ubud at Night
11. Immortalize the Moment at Gili T Swing
Gili Trawangan has a famous photo spot called the Gili T Swing, a huge swing located in the sea waters with a picture-perfect view in the horizon. The best time to take a picture here would be during the sunset.
12. Island Hopping
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To make the most out of your trip, you can also make time to visit Gili Air and Gili Meno. They are both only a short boat ride away. You’ll get to visit more beaches and discover more rich sea life during your trip!
Gili Trawangan Travel Guide
The best time to visit Gili Trawangan would be during the dry season, specifically around July to October. During these months, you’ll be greeted by the ideal weather to go swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
You can get to Gili Trawangan by booking a flight either to Bali or Lombok. Here is how you can get to Gili Trawangan from there:
1. How to get to the island from Bali
You can take a speed boat that departs daily at 9 AM from Padang Bai. The trip will take around 2 hours. Be sure to book your ticket online.
You can even get a charter service that includes a pick-up at your hotel in Bali, so you won’t have to worry about how to carry your luggage to the port.
2. How to get to the island from Lombok
- You can get there by public ferries that depart daily from Bangsal Pier. The commute will take about 30 minutes and the boat will depart only when it fills up to 40 people.
- You can get there by speed boats that leave every hour daily. The commute will be much faster; you’ll get to the island in about 15 minutes!
Stay at Bobocabin Gunung Rinjani for the Perfect Vacation
Bobocabin Gunung Rinjani is the perfect place to forget all about your daily responsibilities and simply relax in nature.
Powered by the Internet of Things, give yourself some privacy with the smart window, adjust the lighting for a more relaxing mood, and put on some music for a great ambience—all within your fingertips.
With our grill facility, you can even enjoy some great dinner while gazing into the clear skies and the majestic view of Mount Rinjani.
Download the Bobobox app on Play Store or App Store for booking and more information.
Writer: Sheila Lalita
Header image by: Danny de Groot via Unsplash
