Gili Trawangan Beach – Which One Is Best?
Where Are the Best Beaches on Gili Trawangan?
Have you ever dreamed of finding that perfect tropical beach? Well, I’ve got something amazing to share with you. After spending 3 incredible weeks on Gili Trawangan (or Gili T as everyone calls it), I’ve literally checked out every single beach this magical island has to offer.
These shores offer the kind of paradise you dream about – powdery white sand between your toes, crystal-clear waters stretching to the horizon, and sunsets that paint the sky in colours you didn’t even know existed.
After exploring every inch of coastline, I can tell you exactly where to find these slice-of-paradise spots!
From the best spots to catch those stunning sunsets to the hidden corners where you might spot a sea turtle popping up to say hello, I’m about to spill all my beach secrets.
Let me guide you through the absolute best beaches Gili T has to offer.
Trust me, by the end of this post, you’ll be booking those flights!
Before we dive in, you can explore all the fun activities Gili Trawangan has to offer, and you’ll be even more excited about visiting!
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GiliTrawangan Beach Map
Gili Beach
Gili Beach is found on the southern part of the island.
Usually, it’s quieter than the other beaches here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax on the sand or enjoy a swim.
Just by looking at the map, you can see how shallow the water is here. Without water shoes, it can be quite uncomfortable to walk around in the water.
Still, you can have a dip here and cool off with amazing views of Lombok not so far away.
As you head further west along the beach, you’ll come across the helipad. Here you can take part in morning or sunset yoga sessions. How unique is that?
When I passed the helipad, I first thought what a cool way to travel around Indonesia – by chopper, but I was shocked to learn that people use it as a place to do yoga.
Brilliant idea, I thought.
You can enjoy amazing seafood at Aksata Beach Restaurant, which overlooks Gili Beach.
Whenever we walked past this restaurant, we could see the chef preparing food on a barbecue, and it instantly caught my nose’s attention.
There’s also a pull-up bar and callisthenics area near the Gili Trawangan Surf School, perfect for a quick warm-up before catching some waves!
Where To Stay Near Gili Beach
There are plenty of amazing places to stay close to Gili Beach. Below are some well-respected hotels which look out of this world:
Gili Trawangan Sunset Beach
Stunningly long and mesmerisingly beautiful, Sunset Beach is where the sky turns magical colours.
This beach goes along the entire west coast of the island. Over 2 km of amazing beach.
Most nights we found ourselves sitting on a beanbag with a cocktail in hand from one of the many bars along the beach.
As you can guess, this place comes to life in the early afternoon until the sun sets.
When I visited, I was lucky enough to get the drone up to capture some amazing views. Here, you can ride horses along the beach with a guide as the sun sets.
You can chill with some nice vibing music in the background and eat dinner here too.
My favourite thing to do here was feeding the goats found right beside Samadhi Sunset. The owner offered us a bottle and these cute little goats loved every second.
So be prepared to hear some goats maa! What a great way to capture people’s attention!
When we visited Sunset Beach, we didn’t normally see many people swimming at Sunset Beach.
It felt more like a place where everyone on the island comes to sit on the sand and spends an hour watching the orange sun fall below the horizon before heading off to find somewhere more lively for the evening.
Where To Stay Near Gili Trawangan Sunset Beach
Again, Sunset Beach is so popular there are an abundance of hotel options. Click below for more details:
Gili Teak Beach Front Resort ****
Hotel Lumi Gili Trawangan ****
Turtle Shore
At the top of the island, you’ll find Turtle Shore.
Another epic spot to swim with turtles. To be honest, the entire island offers chances to see large turtles and swim with them.
The long stretch of beach starts at Coral Beach Pizza Cottages and extends west for about a kilometre.
I suggest you walk along the beach or cycle the path around the island to get there.
We made our way there from North East Beach after swimming with some turtles and were pleasantly surprised to see how the amazing beach just kept on going.
There are some amazing accommodation options in this part of the island too, so it’s worth checking them out before booking anything.
Along with some shipwrecks, you can spot sea turtles and jukungs (traditional fishing boats) in the water.
Also close by is the Halik Dive Site and Halik Reef where you can see some amazing underwater life which is teeming.
When we ended our snorkelling tour the boat took us right out on the reef where we played some music and watched the sun go down from our long tour boat.
Trust, me it was a great way to finish the day.
For some nice views and drinks visit The Tipsy Goat Bar and Cafe!
Where To Stay Near Turtle Shore
Turtel Shore has some great hotel options for every budget including:
Villa Penyu Gili Trawangan ***
Coral Flora Villa Beach Front ****
North East Beach
Saving the best till last – Turtle Shore was my favourite beach on the island.
As the name suggests, you can find groups of turtles swimming side by side here. The water is incredibly clean.
You’ll find patches of the softest sand and can swim out with rented snorkelling gear from the beach.
Be aware that if you need to use the toilet you will have to go into one of the restaurants and ask, likely you need to buy something.
This is the same all over the island. No beach toilets from what I saw.
Moreover, you can even take stunning selfies with a GoPro, which you can also rent along the beach. When we visited, we sadly broke our GoPro and drone when they landed in the water.
I managed to get some good images after drying it out for a couple of days.
You can rent a sun chair here too. Interestingly, when the tide comes in, most of the beach disappears, making it tricky to find a spot to base yourself for the day.
Still, Turtle Shore offers breathtaking views of Gili Meno and Lombok in the background. It perfectly captures Indonesia’s stunning natural landscape beauty in every possible way.
Do note, that Atmosphere Bar and Madman Bar are two great options for a drink and some reggae music to set the scene even more.
Where To Stay Near North East Beach
Some options to consider at North East Beach Include:
Wah Danima Resort & Restaurant ***
Vamana Resort – CHSE Certified ****
East Beach
The east beach is extremely popular.
It’s close to the busiest part of the island, the eastern part near the pier. The water right beside the pier is the best on the island in terms of depth.
However, you’ll need to walk about 500 meters north along the beach to find a nice place to lay on the sand, away from the constant boat traffic coming in and out of the pier.
Be prepared to compete for a sunbed.
You can rent them from the many merchants along the beach. You can buy drinks, rent snorkelling goggles, or grab other items, but you’ll need to walk north to find a private spot on the sand.
While the road on the island is dotted with restaurants it is the most popular area to swim.
It is close to Turtle Point and you can see all the life of the island in front of your eyes.
When we visited, we got a couple of drinks while the sun was setting on the other side of the island, which is normal.
Interestingly, we could see the sky change dramatically over the hour or so it took to set.
This means you don’t have to rush to Sunset Beach for amazing colours in the sky.
Where To Stay Near East Beach
Here are some good options for all budgets near East Beach
Samba Villas Beachfront View ****
Tropica Gili Total Body Fit – Free Access Gym and Coworking Space ****
Is Gili Trawangan Clean?
Gili Trawangan is a super clean island. But…
If you go to the centre of the island where most people don’t spend their time, you can find a large dump full of rubbish, which I found disappointing to see.
The ring road that circles the island is kept mostly pristine.
It is one of Indonesia’s most popular islands and, in fairness, it is kept very well for the most part.
The waters are visibly perfect. Rarely if ever did I see a bottle floating anywhere between Gili T, Gili Air or Gili Meno.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Gili Trawangan has some of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia in my opinion.
The crystal-clear waters speak for themselves, perfect not just for relaxing, but for snorkeling and scuba diving too.
I recommend you visit in June or July when the weather is not too hot but just right.
We took several fantastic tours exploring the waters around the Gili Islands, and I highly recommend you do too. They’re pleasantly affordable compared to Thailand’s prices, so take advantage while you’re there.
While some beaches are harder to swim in because of sharp rocky areas, you can still dip your feet in, just be careful to avoid any unpleasant foot injuries.
For the safest swimming, head to North East Beach and Turtle Shore. Don’t be afraid to try the other beaches too, as conditions can vary with the tides.
Don’t forget, you can cycle between beaches, walk, or get a horse and a cart. I recommend using a bike for a more practical and healthy way to move around.
If you need somewhere to stay in Gili Trawangan, there are amazing options available—from budget-friendly deals to luxury accommodations.
I am dying to get back!
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Can You Swim In Gili Trawangan?
You can swim on most beaches on Gili Trawangan. However, swimming becomes challenging near Gili Beach and the pier area due to shallow waters and heavy boat traffic. For safety reasons, I don’t recommend swimming in these locations. You also need to be a little careful on Sunset Beach.
Is Gili Trawangan Worth Going?
Absolutely yes! The island is small and compact, meaning you can easily get to any part of it within a twenty to thirty-minute bicycle ride. When we visited, we had our doubts. Would it be full of party-goers who would ruin the experience? Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. We loved every second on the island, especially the beaches!
Which Gili Island Has The Best Beaches?
Gili T has outstanding beaches, as do Gili Meno and Air. I was lucky enough to visit all three islands. While I found the best beaches on Gili Trawangan, the smaller islands also boast stunning shores with crystal-clear water visibility. That’s exactly what you’re looking for when visiting these islands.
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