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Gili TrawanganLombok, West Nusa Tenggara8.35° S · 116.04° E
The largest of the three Gili Islands off Lombok, with no cars, white sand and turtles just off the beach. Here is how to get there, what to expect and whether a quieter Gili suits you better.
Gili Trawangan is a small, flat coral island just off the north west coast of Lombok. There are no cars or motorbikes: you get around by bicycle, on foot or in a cidomo, a small horse-drawn cart. A sandy path circles the whole island, and you can cycle around it in about an hour, stopping for a swim wherever you like.
The water is the main draw. Green and hawksbill turtles graze on the seagrass close to shore, and snorkelling or diving with them is easy and memorable. On the west coast, the sun sets behind the volcanoes of Bali, and the east side looks across to Lombok's Mount Rinjani.
Trawangan is the liveliest of the three Gilis, with a strip of bars, dive schools and a nightly food market. That suits many travellers, but not all. Gili Air and Gili Meno are a short boat ride away and are much quieter.
Every journey below is private and tailor-made, so we can choose the right Gili for you and handle the boats and transfers.
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The three Gili Islands sit in a row, only minutes apart by boat, but each has a very different mood.
The biggest and busiest, with the widest choice of places to stay and eat, dive schools and nightlife.
The closest to Lombok, with a relaxed village feel, good snorkelling and enough cafés without the late-night noise.
The smallest and calmest, with long empty beaches and very little going on after dark.
The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
Turtles feed on the seagrass close to shore, especially on the north and east sides. Ask locally about currents, which can pull along the channel.
Warm water, gentle reefs and plenty of schools make the Gilis one of the easiest places in Asia to take a first course.
A ring of life-size statues set on the seabed, now covered in coral and visited on snorkelling trips around the islands.
The coastal path loops the island in about an hour. Some sections are sandy, so take it slowly and stop for a swim.
Watch the sun drop behind Bali's mountains from the beach, with swings in the shallows and a much calmer atmosphere than the east side.
A short walk up the small hill in the south gives views over Lombok and Rinjani at dawn.
Stalls near the harbour serve grilled fish, satay and Indonesian dishes every evening, a simple and sociable dinner.
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Customise My TripMost travellers come by fast boat from Bali. The crossing can be choppy, so in rough season it is more comfortable to fly to Lombok and take a car to the north coast, then a short boat across. There is no pier for cars, so expect to step off the boat into shallow water.
The best way to get around, rented almost everywhere on the island.
Best for: ExploringThe main village and beaches are easy to walk.
Best for: Short distancesPublic and private boats link Trawangan, Meno and Air in minutes.
Best for: Other GilisPlaces that pair well with Gili Trawangan, with approximate travel times.
April to October is the dry season, with calm seas and clear water for snorkelling. July and August are the busiest months. November to March brings rain and choppier crossings, but there are often dry spells and fewer people.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppPartly. The east coast strip has bars and late nights, especially on certain evenings. Away from it, on the west and north sides, the island is calm. If nightlife does not appeal at all, Gili Air or Gili Meno will suit you better.
By fast boat, usually two to three hours depending on the departure point and stops. In rough weather, flying to Lombok and taking a short boat from the north coast is a smoother alternative. We arrange the whole journey.
Very likely. Turtles are common in the shallow water around all three islands, and many travellers see them snorkelling from the beach or on a boat trip. Keep your distance and never touch them.
Two or three nights is enough for snorkelling, cycling and sunsets. Divers or anyone taking a course may want four or more.
It can be, as there is no traffic and the water is warm. Families usually prefer Gili Air or a quieter part of Trawangan, away from the bars, and should check currents before swimming.
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