Gili Trawangan, A Romantic Island Getaway Near Bali, Indonesia
About Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is a tropical paradise located in the east of Bali island. This small island provides unique experiences for travellers around the world. Famous for its honeymoon experience, surely this guide will make a memorable trip for you and your partner. For family trips with kids, Gili T-its nickname-is very exciting too.
In this island, all kinds of travellers are welcome. There are no motorcycle or car allowed, so travelling in Gili T creates a different kind of tropical paradise, where you will be transported around the island by bicycle or cidomo (local horse carts).
Gili T is also one of the world's cheapest & safest place to learn to dive, with beautiful underwater scenery.
What to Prepare
1. Indonesian Rupiah, you can exchange your money BEFORE getting to Gili T, for a better currency. There are many money changer in Gili T, but usually their rates are quite expensive.
2. Your own diving or snorkel gears if you plan to go diving or snorkelling. Renting them in Gili can be expensive as it's a tourist destination.
3. Swimsuit (2-pieces are welcome, there are no strict rules for fashion in Gili T) and its accessories.
4. Beach appropriate clothes, sunglasses, sunblock, and a pair of comfortable flippers.
5. It is recommended to bring your belongings using a backpack, because you can carry it everywhere using bikes. There are many people who bring suitcases too, but keep your luggage light to avoid hassle during your stay in Gili T. Expect a lot of walking, cycling, and swimming.
6. Doctors & Medical Centers are available throughout the island, but make sure you provide your own daily / specific medical needs, because they have limited supply of medicine.
How to Get There
There are 2 main gates to get to Gili Trawangan, which is from Lombok Island, the nearest mainland with international airport (check out my other guide about Lombok, a very beautiful island with Rinjani mountain range and various beaches), or you can get to Gili T using fastboat from Bali Island (many tourists do this everyday).
A. Travelling from Lombok Island
Travelling to Gili T from Lombok, its mainland, is the fastest and cheapest way. It is also how locals commute daily to get to Gili T.
If you travel by plane from your country to Lombok, set your destination to "LOP" (Lombok Praya Airport). It's directly accessible from most airports in Indonesia. Singapore & Kuala Lumpur airports also have direct budget friendly flights to Lombok Island.
After you arrived on the airport, just by the building's main gate you can find various transport to Bangsal Port, which is the port to Gili T. I recommend you to choose DAMRI stall, as they have fixed price (budget friendly) and provide comfortable vehicles. If you want private transports, there are many taxi stalls too. Just be sure to check the price and compare between 2 or 3 stalls.
The trip from Lombok Praya Airport to Bangsal Port by car will take approx. 90-120 mins.
After you arrive at Bangsal Port, go inside through the main gate, and find the ticket office just across the carpark. To get to Gili T from Bangsal Port, you can use public boat which cost IDR 23.000 ($1.5).
It's 30-45 mins trip from Bangsal Port to Gili T Port, using Public Boats.
If you want to use private fast boat, you can go to the ticket office and ask for one. Usually it cost around IDR 150.000 ($10) per pax, and took around 20-30 mins travel time.
If you're travelling in group and want a private fast boat, I recommend you to contact Mr. Dani, a fast boat captain (+6281907749481). He is one of the most affordable fast boat service with a good attitude. It cost around IDR 350.000 ($24) per boat, max. 6 passengers (you can tell him that you are Aston Hotel's guest to get the best deal, even if you're not!)
B. Travelling from Bali Island
Many tourists find Gili T a new charm, so they will continue their trips from Bali to Gili T using fast boat.
From Denpasar (Airport code: DPS), Bali's capital city, you can get taxi or travel to Padangbai Port in eastern Bali. Then in Padangbai Port, you will find many boat ticket providers to Gili T such as below:
The boat will take approx. 90 mins to Gili T, and cost ranging from IDR 275.000 - 550.000 ($18-35).
Where to Stay at Gili T
There are so many choices of villas, hotels and B&B in the island. You can read their reviews on Agoda, Trip.com or other hotel websites. I will review from my own personal or my friend's experience during stay in Gili T. Please do your own review before make a booking.
What to Consider:
- Nearby Attractions
If you seek local thrive, lively atmosphere, lots of restaurants & cafes, you might want to stay near Gili T Port (south-east side of the island). But if you seek more relaxed, calm & private holiday, you can choose more of the luxurious hotels located on the west & north side of the island (it's a gorgeous sunset point too). And if you like snorkelling & diving, you might want to consider to stay near the turtle point on the east side of the island (sunrise point).
- Locations
There are hotels / villas / B&B located just by the beaches, and there are many that located in the middle of the island (you can reach it using bicycles only as it placed on tiny alleys).
- Budget
Places to stay at Gili T are widely ranged from a simple B&B to world-known-luxurious hotel chain such as Aston Hotel. For a relaxing trips, you might want to stay at a hotel with complete packages. And for adventurous one, you might want to consider less for hotel budget and more on the beach & sea activities outside of the hotel, such as glass bottom boat trip around the island.
Some Recommendations
1. Aston Sunset Beach Resort Gili Trawangan
(+) Kids-friendly, big swimming pool, spa service, free movie night, horse riding activity on the beach just in front of the hotel, relaxing & calm environment, great spot for sunset.
(-) Far from the port & night market (must use horse cart to get there -IDR 300.000 ($20) for one-way trip), limited choice of food (though the hotel's food are delicious), old building (in good condition though), can't swim at the beach in front of the hotel (rough waves)
2. Marc Hotel Gili Trawangan
(+) Best location at the heart of Gili T (300m from the port), calm beaches nearby, lots of cafes & pubs, modern interior, swimming pool available, affordable price considering the location & facilities, live music every night right in front of the hotel (beach area)
(-) smaller size pool, smaller size rooms, limited space for family with kids.
What to Do at Gili T
Beach & Sea Activities
You can rent a boat (sharing or private) and go snorkelling / diving all day long. There are some beautiful spots near the island such as turtle point, underwater statue, and beautiful under-the-sea scenery.
For you who prefer to stay dry, there are many cafes on the beach, you can just relax on the bean bag and enjoy the sea view while the kids build sand castles. There are also canoe activity and horse riding (at the eastern side of the island).
Hotel Activities
Most of Gili T accommodation provides some activities for those who prefer to enjoy the island from their hotel. There are swimming pools with sea view, spa, jacuzzi, and kids activities throughout the day.
Island Activities
To-do list on Gili T can go nonstop from the morning until late at night. From riding bicycle around the island (or cidomo - the horse cart) to dance your heart out on the beach, Gili T surely has a lot to offer on its island entertainment.
Start your morning routine by taking a quick dip at the hotel pool or taking a walk around your hotel and indulge in the beautiful morning (if you stay on the eastern side of the island, you can enjoy the picturesque sunrise view).
After breakfast, you can go to nearest stall to rent a bike, or go snorkelling & diving (there are many stalls that offer complete packages. Price is negoitable if you rent a full boat, but can be varied depend on the season (mid year & end year holiday seasons are typically 30-50% more expensive than the usual rate).
Spend your day cycling around the island, enjoying a hearty lunch with a gorgeous sea just one step away, or go snorkelling and island hopping (Gili T is actually the biggest of 3 Gili Islands north of Lombok, the mainland).
On the afternoon, you can take a nap or replenish yourself at the local massage service, to get ready for the later half of the day. Don't be late for sunset viewing at the western side of the island. If you enjoy horse riding, you can do so with a view in front of Aston Sunset Beach Resort. The horse keeper will gladly help you taking pictures for your memento.
What to Eat at Gili T
Breakfast & Lunch
Breakfast are usually provided at your hotel, villa or B&B, but you can try local food as well.
Dinner
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