Discover The Best Sunset Points On Gili Trawangan: My Complete Guide
West Sunset Point Gili Trawangan Is The Winner
Picture yourself kicked back on a comfy bean bag, fresh coconut in hand, watching the sky light up with amazing oranges, pinks, and purples over the Bali Sea. I spent three incredible weeks on Gili Trawangan, and trust me – this isn’t just another pretty sunset for your Instagram. It’s the kind of view that’ll leave you speechless every single time. However, I must admit that Sunset Point Gili Trawangan was the best area to watch the sunset!
After chasing sunsets all over Southeast Asia for months, I can honestly say Gili T’s sunsets hit differently.
Whether you’re into photography, looking for a romantic spot, or just love a good sunset, I’m going to show you exactly where to catch the best sunsets on the island.
I’ve checked out all the spots – from quiet corners of the beach to amazing rooftop bars with views for days.
Ready to find the most incredible sunset spots on Gili Trawangan?
Let’s go!
Discover the best things to do on Gili Trawangan and find out where the best hotels are when planning your trip.
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Best Sunset Points On Gili Trawangan
Sunset Viewpoint
One of the best sunsets in Gili Trawangan can be witnessed at Sunset Viewpoint.
This is almost at the southern tip of the island, but not quite. Also, it is where Sunset Beach begins, just a little further to the west.
When we visited Gili T, we spent many evenings cycling around on a shabby bike and considered stopping at this viewpoint.
Many people will be walking onto the beach here to catch a glimpse of the sunset before eating at the nearby restaurants such as Pinkcoco Beach Club Gili T or having an evening drink or two at Always Happy Hours or Bora-Bora Beach Club.
Gili Trawangan Sunset Beach
Once you whizz around one of the only bends on the road in Gili Trawanagn and past the Geological Site (C-12) Monument, you will come across Gili T’s Sunset Beach.
Honestly, it’s a long stretch of beach heaven, if I can put it that way.
The very first night we went to see the sunset, we parked our bikes right beside Captain Jack’s Bar at the southern point of the beach and danced happily across the sand in search of a bean bag.
We were greeted by dozens of people and bean bags that were free, which we duly jumped on.
We spent about an hour and a half here just watching life slowly pass away in front of our eyes.
People were laughing and dancing. Horses paraded up and down the beach, sometimes at great speed. This was to entice tourists to pay for the experience.
While I didn’t manage to mount the horse, the sunset was exquisite.
Thankfully, my drone cooperated, and I captured some beautiful photos of the beach.
What impressed me most was the epicness of Mount Batur and Mount Agung all the way across the Balinese sea in the far distance.
Even from here, they looked huge.
PRO TIP – Don’t miss feeding the goats that are randomly placed beside a bar about 250 meters north of Captain Jack’s Bar.
The barman didn’t ask for money for this. He gave us the bottle and said, “Be my guest.”
Many other people were drawn to the goats as if by magnetism—a genius move by the barman.
Walk along the road, and you will hear or see them.
In my experience, I found these goats to be oddly placed, but it was strangely satisfying to feed them in such an exotic location.
Make sure you don’t get caught up feeding the goats and miss the sunset!
Kardia – Best sunset spot in Gili Trawangan
Another epic spot for one of the best sunsets in Gili Trawangan is Kardia.
This location is about 700 meters north of Sunset Beach.
Again, the West Coast is literally dotted with amazing restaurants, bars, and clubs, so you will have a great array of options to choose from.
Kardia is just another great one!
The Kardia Resort is located right beside this viewpoint, hence the name. You can have dinner after the sunset and enjoy a drink here beforehand.
Right here you can also rent a ebiks if you feel less energetic.
Grab a coconut or cocktail from Cold Beach Bar, only a short walk away and sit in peace as the sun sets.
Gili Trawangan’s Highest Point
Want the best vantage point found on Gili Trawanagn? Then you can make the 30-minute trek through the forest.
While you won’t be facing the sun per see, the trees will likely block most of your view west, the sky will still transform beautifully, and the views to the east are terrific.
We loved the view when we visited, even though Guada stepped on barbed wire along the trail. A tree had fallen and pulled it down, so watch out!
While we returned to the doctor on Gili T after this little incident, we still had amazing views once we returned again.
West Sunset Point Gili Trawangan – Best Sunset In Gili Trawangan
Yes, it’s true. The best sunset viewpoint, in my opinion, is West Sunset Point Gili Trawangan!
We stayed on the east side of the island, and I loved the fact that the only road through the middle of the island literally takes you right to this location! Perfect!
Anytime we visited this part of the island, day or night, it had many people. Cycling, walking or horse and cart, you can expect to see many of these right here.
I recommend you eat at Lalapan or The Wave Bar & Grill. The staff were super!
The beach was covered in hammocks and bean bags where, once your meal was finished, you could sit out and relax with only the sound of the waves and light reggae music humming in the background.
Or, you can get an epic photo for your socials riding a horse along the sandy beach with an amazing sky if that’s what you’re into.
I couldn’t imagine a nicer way to end our days in Gili Trawangan.
Sunset Time On Gili Trawangan
Want to know exactly when to catch those dreamy Gili T sunsets? Here’s what I learned during my time on the island and from some research:
| Season | Months | Sunset Time | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Dry Season | April-May | 6:00-6:15 PM | Clear skies, moderate crowds |
| Peak Dry Season | June-August | 6:00 PM | Clearest visibility, busiest period |
| Late Dry Season | September-October | 6:00-6:15 PM | Spectacular colors, good visibility |
| Early Wet Season | November-December | 6:15-6:30 PM | Dramatic cloudy skies |
| Peak Wet Season | January-March | 6:15-6:30 PM | Occasional rain, fewer crowds |
Best Viewing Tips:
- Arrive 45 minutes early during peak season (June-August) for prime spots
- Book sunset restaurants 1 day ahead in high season
- Bring mosquito repellent and a camera
- Cloudy days often produce the most vibrant colours
- Stay 15-20 minutes after sunset for afterglow photos
Here’s a little tip from my experience: head to your sunset spot about 30 minutes early. Trust me, you’ll want to grab a good bean bag and maybe a cold Bintang before the sky starts putting on its evening performance.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
For me, the best place to watch the sunset in Gili Trawangan is West Sunset Point.
Easy to access from the east side of the island, and there are many places to eat, and some venues have great reggae music.
The sunsets are truly brilliant all along the west coast of the island. Even the east side of the island can experience amazing views and colours.
However, if you want a postcard photo of the sunset, then head west.
For me, it was a wonderful experience visiting the island. You can experience amazing tours, sunsets and water activities like no other.
I urge you to make a visit to Gili Trawanagn once in your life, even for the sunsets alone.
If you enjoyed this post, you can find out more about travel in Indonesia with my in-depth guides and vlogs.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Where Does The Sunset In Gili Trawangan?
The sun sets on the west coast of the island. You can see Bali’s volcanoes in the distance, and when there are clouds in the sky, they create a special photo opportunity. I recommend spending your sunsets at the west beach. Anywhere along there, you’ll find numerous beach bars and restaurants to have a memorable time witnessing nightfall across Indonesia.
Which Part Of Gili Trawangan Is Best?
The best part of Gili Trawangan depends on what you’re looking for. The east side near the pier is the heart of the island’s nightlife and party scene. Meanwhile, the west coast’s Sunset Beach offers breathtaking views. During my visit, I loved watching horses trot slowly across the sand while the sun dipped behind Mount Agung and Mount Batur in neighbouring Bali. This was the closest thing I felt to heaven on earth.
Where Is The Best Place To Watch The Sunrise In Gili Trawangan?
The best place to watch the sunrise on Gili Trawangan is on the northeast of the island, close to the turtle snorkelling spots. You’ll experience an amazing sunrise over the neighbouring islands of Gili Meno and Lombok. Many mornings, I woke up and went to the gym, watching the sun filter through the trees—it was truly special. However, some mornings, it was cloudy, and we couldn’t see a thing. This was in August for your consideration.
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