Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is one of the Gili Islands off the northwest coast of the island of Lombok in Indonesia. The island is known for its breathtaking beaches with fine white sand and turquoise waters.

• Gili Trawangan is often abbreviated to “Gili T” and is the largest of the three Gili Islands (Gilis), measuring around 3.5 square kilometers.
• The other two are Gili Meno (neighboring island) and Gili Air (closer to Lombok).
• They are located between the larger islands of Bali and Lombok in the province of West Nusa Tenggara.
• With its numerous bars and clubs, Gili T is considered the “party island” of the Gili Islands and offers a lively nightlife and beach parties.
• There are no motorized vehicles on Gili Trawangan. The most important means of transportation are bicycles and horse-drawn carriages.
• The permanent population of Gili Trawangan is relatively small and consists mainly of locals who work in tourism and fishing.
• There are a variety of accommodation options on Gili T, including hotels, resorts, guesthouses and hostels.
• The majority of the population of Gili Trawangan belongs to Islam, although there are also a small number of Hindus and Buddhists.
• The Jl. Pantai Gili Trawangan leads along the coast once around Gili T. Depending on the breaks, you can cycle around the island in about 1-2 hours.
• Like many other regions, the Gili Islands and their underwater world were hit particularly hard by the tsunami on December 26, 2004 with its epicenter in Sumatra and the earthquakes on Lombok in August 2018.

Dry season

Rainy season

• The harbor is the place where boats and ferries arrive and depart from nearby islands such as Bali, Lombok or the other Gili islands.
• The boats that call at the port of Gili Trawangan range from small motorboats to larger ferries, depending on where they come from and how many passengers they can carry.
• The port has landing stages and facilities such as ticket offices, waiting rooms and sometimes small stores or cafés for passengers.
• From the port, visitors can easily walk to their accommodation or hire a bike or carriage to get around the island.

Gili Beach is one of the main beaches on Gili Trawangan and stretches along the west coast of the island.

• The beach is covered with fine white sand that feels soft and pleasant underfoot. The sand is ideal for sunbathing and relaxing walks by the water.
• The water at Gili Beach is crystal clear and has a breathtaking turquoise blue color. It is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving and is home to a variety of marine animals and coral reefs.
• Along the beach there are numerous providers of water sports activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling and diving.
• Gili Beach has a variety of beach bars and restaurants offering refreshing drinks, tasty meals and snacks. Many also offer sun loungers and parasols.

• Gili Castle is located near the center of the island and only a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
• There are dormitories with bunk beds and private rooms. The facilities are basic but clean and comfortable and the staff are very friendly.
• The hostel has communal areas such as a bar and a pool, which often serve as a meeting point for travelers from all over the world.
• You can ring a bell on the 6-meter-high climbing wall and jump straight into the pool.
• The Gili Castle regularly organizes events and activities and has earned its reputation as a “party hostel”.
• On Sundays there is always the legendary “Pool Party” with lots of games to entertain the guests.
• Gender bender, where people take on other traditional gender norms or roles, e.g. by changing their clothes, is also a popular activity at Gili Castle.
• For those who prefer things a little quieter, the nearby partner hostel Gili Mansion offers a suitable alternative.
• Guests of the Gili Castle receive a discount on the offer at Gili Divers.

Gili Divers is located directly on the beach and is one of the leading diving schools on Gili Trawangan.

• Gili Divers offers a variety of diving courses for beginners and advanced divers, including Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and various specialty courses.
• The courses are led by professional and experienced diving instructors.
• The diving school organizes daily boat trips to the best dive sites around the Gili Islands.
• They also offer various diving packages that can combine diving and accommodation.
• Guests of the Gili Castle receive a discount on the offer at Gili Divers.
• Gili Divers offers a selection of high quality diving equipment for hire. They also offer maintenance and repair of diving equipment.
• The diving school is committed to environmental protection and supports various projects to protect the marine environment, such as cleaning up dive sites and supporting coral conservation initiatives.
• Once the prospective diving instructors have passed their final examination, the so-called “snorkel test” takes place. The new guides have to prove themselves during an evening that is as fun as it is boozy. Without a dive the next day, of course!
• In addition to Gili Divers, there are many other recommended diving schools on Gili T.

Turtle Shore is a popular diving and snorkeling spot on the coast of Gili Trawangan near the reef that surrounds the island.

• As the name suggests, this area is known for its rich population of sea turtles.
• Divers often have the opportunity to observe green sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles in the shallow waters of the reef.
• As sea turtles are an endangered species, it goes without saying that they must be treated with respect and their habitat protected.
• In addition to the turtles, divers can observe a variety of other marine life such as colorful fish, corals and possibly other sea creatures such as octopuses or seahorses.
• The diving conditions at Turtle Shore are generally excellent with clear water and a rich underwater world.
• Several diving schools on Gili Trawangan also offer diving trips to Turtle Shore.

Sunset Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Gili Trawangan and is famous for its breathtaking sunsets.

• Sunset Beach is located on the west coast of Gili T and offers a picturesque view of the horizon where the sun sinks behind the sea.
• The main attraction of Sunset Beach is the spectacular sunsets that can be seen here every evening.
• The unobstructed view of the horizon and the shallow water make this beach an ideal place to watch the sunset and enjoy the colors of the sky over the sea.
• Depending on the weather and light conditions, you can make out the silhouettes of the volcanoes on Bali.
• Apart from the sunsets, Sunset Beach is also a great place to relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
• There are a number of beach bars and restaurants offering drinks, snacks and meals along Sunset Beach. Many of these restaurants have special offers for sunset.
• There are campfires and the opportunity to ride a horse along the beach.

• The Trawangan Night Market is located in the center of Gili Trawangan, close to the harbor and the island’s main street.
• It usually opens in the late afternoon or early evening and runs late into the night.
• There are many stalls and vendors selling local fish, seafood and Indonesian dishes at the market.
• The Trawangan Night Market offers a lively and sociable atmosphere with plenty of seating.
• The prices at the market are generally affordable and offer an inexpensive way to get to know and enjoy the local cuisine.

The Sama-Sama Reggae Bar is a well-known and, in my opinion, the best bar on Gili Trawangan.

• The Sama-Sama Reggae Bar is located in the center of Gili T on the main street near the harbor.
• The bar is known for its relaxed atmosphere and its love of reggae music.
• Every evening, guests can enjoy live performances by local reggae bands on two stages.
• The Sama-Sama Reggae Bar offers a selection of drinks, including cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks.
• It attracts a colorful mix of locals, tourists and travelers and creates a friendly and sociable atmosphere.
• The bar regularly organizes themed evenings and events with live music, DJ sets, karaoke and much more.

Impressions from various places on Gili Trawangan.

• The boat party includes a trip of several hours along the coast of Gili Trawangan and the surrounding islands.
• During the trip, participants can listen to music, dance, enjoy alcoholic drinks and chat with other boat guests.
• During swimming breaks in the sea, you can jump into the water from the boat.
• The Gili Boat Party attracts a colorful mix of international travelers, backpackers and partygoers.
• It is organized by various promoters and companies on Gili T.
• Tickets can be purchased in advance online or on site, and participants usually meet at an agreed meeting point or at the port before boarding. One of the possible starting points is My Mate’s Place .
• The Gili Boat Party is the successor to the Jiggy Boat Party.

The Jiggy Boat Party is the forerunner of the Gili Boat Party. It was based on a similar concept and was carried out until 2020.