Gili Trawangan, also known as Gili T, is a small island that is a part of Lombok, situated between Bali and Lombok Island. Gili T is a well-known island mainly for its party scene but also for its fantastic beaches, dive sites and how easy it is to spot a turtle while snorkelling. While many non-partygoers avoid the island due to its reputation, I recommend a few days on Gili T, regardless of whether you are interested in its nightlife.
How to get to Gili Trawangan
The only way to get to Gili T is by ferry. Due to its popularity, many different ferries are coming from other ports. You can get a ferry to Gili T from Lombok, multiple ports in Bali and the Nusa Islands.
How to get to Gili Trawangan from Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu
The closest port to Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Uluwatu is Sanur. Direct ferries operate in the morning with companies such as Scoot Fast Cruises, Semaya One and Starfish Fast Boats. Direct ferries depart Sanur between 8:30 and 9:30 am daily, with the journey taking around 2.5-3 hours. Depending on which company you go with, the price will be between 338k-570k Indonesian Rupiah ($22-37 USD). Beware: Sanur Port is quite busy, and the local sellers are relentlessly trying to sell you things. To read my full tips and recommendations for navigating the ferries in Bali, click here. You can book all transport online at 12GOAsia.
How to get to Gili Trawangan from Ubud and Sidemen
If you’re coming from Ubud, Sidemen or the north of Bali, Padangbai port will be the closest port to depart. Again, another super busy port with everyone trying to sell you things. This port is further east than Sanur, and multiple boats travel to the Gili Islands at different times. A few other boat companies go to Gili T, including Gili Gili Fast Boat, Sunfish Fast Boat, Semaya One, D PRabu Fast Boat, Kurnia Jaya Fast Boat, Golden Queen Fast Boat, Ostina, Eka Jaya and Blue Water Express. The journey will take around 1.5-3.5 hours to get to Gili T. Depending on which company you go with, it will cost between 243k-454k Indonesian Rupiah ($16-$30 USD). The first boat departs at 8:30 am, and the last boat for the day departs at 1 pm.
How to get to Gili Trawangan from Amed
My recommendation if you are coming from Bali is to spend a night in Amed, which is in the east of Bali and then get the ferry there. Not sure if Amed is worth visiting? Read my full travel guide on Amed here. Freebird Express operates between Amed and Gili T daily, and the travel time is only 45 minutes (ideal if you experience seasickness on long ferries). The ferry departs at 9:30 am and costs around 450k Indonesian Rupiah ($31 USD). The port is much quieter in Amed, with barely any salespeople. Freebird Express also offers complimentary hotel pickup for those staying in Amed and surrounding areas.
How to get to Gili Trawangan from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
This a popular route when backpacking Indonesia, so there are plenty of ferry options with companies such as DPrabu Fast Boat, Sunfish Fast Boat, Starfish Fast Boat, Semaya One, Ek Jaya and Wijaya Buyuk. Ferries depart daily from 9:30-1:30 pm, and the journey lasts 1.5- 3.5 hours. Expect to pay between 243k-529k Indonesian Rupiah ($16-$35 USD). If you’re departing from Nusa Lembongan, the prices and journey times are similar; however, the latest ferry departs at 10:45 am.
How to get to Gili Trawangan from Lombok
If you’re already in Lombok and want to head to the Gili islands, you will need to make your way to the port in the very north of the island called Bangsal. From Bangsal, there are two options for getting to Gili T. The first option is a speed boat run by Karya Bahari ferry company, which departs every hour between 9 am and 4 pm. The journey only takes 45 minutes and will cost you 148k Indonesian Rupiah ($10 USD).
Alternatively, a local boat departs Bangsal harbour every few hours but not to a schedule; it leaves when 40 people are heading to the Gilis. There are local warungs where you can wait for the boat to fill up. The local warung owners will let you know when the boat is ready if you notify them you are going to Gili T. The journey only takes 45 minutes and costs 20k Indonesian Rupiah ($2 USD). As it is a local boat, often you’ll be the only tourist there. When I made this journey, locals transported various goods such as a motorbike, cartoons of fruit and local fabrics.
How many days to spend on Gili Trawangan
How many days you spend on Gili T depends on whether you are planning to party, go diving or want to experience the island. Most people spend a minimum of 2 days there, and I recommend 4-5 days if you’re going to both party and experience the island.
Where to Stay on Gili Trawangan
Gili T is such a famous island that there is no shortage of hostel options, so it’s super easy to find the right hostel for whatever your vibe is. One key thing they all have in common is dorm size. There’s a local law on Gili T that dorms can’t have more than three people in them, which is quite nice because there are fewer people to share with. On the other hand, it does mean that meeting people in the dorm is trickier as there are only two different people. You can book all accommodations here.
Mad Monkey Hostel
While usually a pretty crazy hostel in other parts of Asia, Mad Monkey Gili T is relatively tame comparatively. They still have day parties, pool parties and free drink offers, but they also switch the music off at 11 pm every night. They have a great pool, comfortable beds and many social events daily, so it’s ideal for a solo traveller. While they don’t include breakfast, they have a restaurant and bar on site that does great food and strong cocktails. One downside of Mad Monkey is that it is on the other side of the island, meaning it is a long walk (or short bike ride) to get to the clubs and bars. However, it is on the right side of the island to catch a stunning sunset every night.
My Mates Place Hostel
If you’ve come to Gili T to party, this is the place for you. My Mates Place is a short walk from the main bar/club area, and they have a restaurant and bar on site. Every day you will find groups of people playing drinking games and pre-drinking hard before heading out for the night. The hostel also runs a boat party every Thursday and Saturday, which you can book from any hostel. However, they all meet at My Mates Place for pre-drinks before heading off. One downside of My Mates Place is that they don’t have a pool (but the beach is within walking distance).
Tipsea Turtle Hostel
I personally booked this one after needing to detox from staying and partying at My Mates Place and Mad Monkey. Tipsea Turtle is in a central location in the town but is also surprisingly quiet. They have a nice little rooftop that does cocktails and a pool downstairs. There’s a social vibe here, but it’s not as busy or party-heavy as the other hostels in Gili T.
How to get around Gili Trawangan
Fun fact and one of the main things I love about Gili T- there are no cars or scooters on the island. But don’t let that deter you. The island is relatively small, so you can get around quickly by walking or cycling.
Getting Around Gili Trawangan on foot
It’s super easy to get around the island on foot and safely, given there are no cars, scooters or aggressive stray dogs (dogs are banned on the Gili Islands). My only caveat is that it can be a hot and sweaty walk from the harbour to your accommodation carrying your luggage. I met a few people who left their luggage in Canggu/ Ubud and just took a small bag with a few days worth of clothes to the Gili Islands. I took all my luggage and was fine walking with it, even when I stayed at Mad Monkey, which is far from the port (about a 30-minute walk).
Getting Around Gili Trawangan by Bicycle
Another fun way to get around the island (mainly if you are staying on the island’s west coast, which is further away) is cycling. You can rent a bike from literally everywhere on the island for 50k Indonesian Rupiah for 24 hours of usage (around $3 USD). Ensure you get a bike lock with the combination (my bike got stolen from the hostel when I forgot to lock it), and check the brakes are working before cycling off.
Getting Around Gili Trawangan by Horse and Carriage
Also, you can get around by horse and carriage, which is a better option when you have luggage. Horses and carriages are everywhere on the island, including waiting at the port for new arrivals, so it is accessible to flag one down. However, I didn’t use a horse and carriage because I didn’t love how the horses were treated.
What to do on Gili Trawangan
While you could spend your whole time on Gili T partying and enjoying its beautiful beaches, there are also many activities on the island.
Boat Party
You can’t miss the boat party every Thursday and Saturday if you love a good party and being out on the water. The boat party leaves from My Mates Place Hostel just after midday (12:30), but you don’t have to stay there to book it. For 350k Indonesian Rupiah ($24 USD) per person, you can party on a multi-level pirate ship with a DJ and enjoy unlimited alcohol, including spirits.
Three Island Snorkel Tour
A must-do activity in Gili T! The tour runs for about 5 hours from 10 am-3 pm and is one of the best experiences for snorkelling with turtles. You make five stops, including the underwater statues at Gili Meno and lunch on Gili Air. You can book it at most hostels or on the street at any tour agency, and it should cost roughly 150k Indonesian Rupiah ($10.50 USD).
Sunset Snorkel Trip
Want more time with the turtles? You can also opt to go on an additional snorkel tour at sunset to see more turtles. This means you also experience a stunning sunset from the water as this tour goes from 3-6 pm. You can book this activity through hostels or travel agencies on the street for around 100k Indonesian Rupiah ($7 USD).
Sunrise Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga
Probably one of the strangest activities to do on what is known as a party island, but honestly can’t recommend this more! Firstly, I’m not super into yoga or SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), and I loved it. However, I did fall in quite a few times because I was so uncoordinated. Marky runs the class, and she is an absolute darling (book direct with her on Whatsapp). It is quite an early morning (6am start), but the sunrise views are worth it. For 250k Indonesian Rupiah ($17 USD), you get a stand-up paddle board rental for the duration of the class, Marky’s instruction and Drone footage of the course.
Rent a Bicycle and Explore the Island
Another must-do! Even if you’re not a confident cyclist, the island is super flat, and the only traffic you have to watch out for is horses and carriages or other cyclists. Also, pre-warning, if you decide to make a big loop of the island, there is a part on the northern tip of the island where you need to drag your bike through the sand (I managed it easily, though). There are many incredible beaches, cafes, and bars to stop at along the way.
For photographers/ anyone who wants a nice Insta shot, I recommend stopping at PinkCoco and Kelapa Villa Road. PinkCoco is an iconic all-pink restaurant where many an Instagram photoshoot happen. Kelapa Villa Road is a lesser-known stop in the island’s centre, featuring lovely flowers and scenery. Bike Rental is 50k for 24 hours (and bikes can be rented everywhere on the island). Remember to get a lock, use it (my bike got stolen), and check the brakes work before you take off.
Alternatively, do a cycling beach bar hop- cycle the island and stop at every beach bar for a drink (note, not for the faint-hearted; there are a million beach bars).
Alternatively, do a cycling beach bar hop- cycle the island and stop at every beach bar for a drink (note, not for the faint-hearted; there are a million beach bars).
Watch a Movie at the FREE Nightly Beach Cinema
Want a night off from partying? Head to the Aston Resort, where a free open-air cinema is set up on the beach. They show new-ish movies at 7 pm and 9 pm every night. They have free snacks such as chips and iced tea, or you can purchase food and drinks from the servers.
Where to Eat on Gili Trawangan
Gili T is a small island, but there are many great restaurants, cafes and eateries to enjoy.
Kayu Cafe and Restaurant
Fancy a brunch on the beach? Kayu Café has great all-day breakfast options, coffees, and smoothie bowls, which you can enjoy from a table on the beach. Alternatively, they also have indoor airconditioned tables (both upstairs and downstairs) and a massive balcony upstairs with ocean views.
Banyan Cafe
Another great beachside café with lush smoothie bowls and good quality coffee. They have plenty of tables indoors, upstairs and on the beach.
Francescos Pizza
A fan favourite for dinner on Gili T! Tasty, authentic Italian pizzas and pasta. Their burrata pizza is legit to die for. They have seating both upstairs and downstairs, but it gets pretty busy. Located near the port, it’s super central for a bite before heading out for a night out.
Jali
This one is a bit of a walk from the main area but 100% worth it. They have amazing cocktails and food; go for the burgers. Highly recommend trying the peanut butter burger (it sounds weird but is so delicious).
Nightlife
Gili T is known as the party island of Indonesia, but the way the nightlife operates is slightly different to other destinations. Every night is a different club or venues “late night”, meaning they are allowed to be open after midnight, while every other venue has to close by law. That means that regardless of where everyone pre-drinks, the whole island ends up at the same venue after midnight because nothing else is allowed to be open. I loved this rotation as it forced everyone to try different venues instead of always ending up at the same club. It also meant that whatever club was open after midnight was always packed and had good vibes!
If you’re staying in a hostel, the staff will always know where the party is due to be that night. Otherwise, there are giant banners down the central area of Gili T telling you where the party is (near the port). If you can’t find the signs for whatever reason, you can ask any local on the island or follow any crowd of party-goers.
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