Things To Do In Gili Trawangan: 13 BEST Activities
Gili Trawangan Fun Things To Do
Looking for exciting things to do in Gili Trawangan? You’re in the right place.
After spending nearly 3 weeks exploring every corner of this incredible Indonesian island with Guadalupe, I can confidently share the absolute best activities that make Gili T so special.
From swimming with sea turtles and watching breathtaking sunsets to partying until sunrise, this comprehensive guide covers everything worth doing on the island.
Having experienced it all firsthand – from budget-friendly activities to luxury experiences – I’ll help you plan the perfect Gili T itinerary.
Whether you’re staying for a few days or a few weeks, here are the 13 best things to do in Gili Trawangan that you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
But before we start, make sure you figure out what to pack for your trip to Indonesia!
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Map Of Gili Trawangan
1. Complete A Snorkelling Tour
I was shocked at how amazing the snorkelling was in Gili T.
The water was so clear that we could see many meters ahead of us.
Actually, the best part was spotting turtles and watching everyone swim over excitedly for a closer look.
We took a tour to visit the underwater statues, which were magnificent. The tour guide brought a GoPro and took pictures for everyone to share on social media.
You can rent a private GoPro for the day for about 300,000 IDR if you really want to be the photographer.
After spending about 45 minutes at each of the three stops, we zipped around to the west side of the island and sat peacefully watching the sunset. A few other boats joined us for the view.
Snorkel, fins, lunch and water are normally included for about 250,000 to 300,000 IDR
Our driver played The Cranberries as everyone reflected on what had been an incredible tour.
This has to be one of, if not the best, things to do in Gili Trawangan.
2. Go Scuba Diving
Guada went scuba diving on many occasions and loved it.
She encountered sharks and turtles during her dives with Gili Divers and considered it one of her best experiences.
Because the dive sites around Gili Trawangan are so close, it takes very little time to reach them.
This proximity makes diving much cheaper in Indonesia than in Thailand.
While Thai dive trips often require a full day on the boat for just a couple of dives, in Gili, you can reach the dive sites in twenty minutes.
This convenience gives you more flexibility and leaves plenty of time to explore the beautiful island.
3. Watch The Sunset At Sunset Beach
One of our favourite activities was watching the sun go down every night while we ate dinner.
I witnessed some of the most epic sunsets on Gili Trawangan.
All the island’s guests flock to the west side of the island around 5:00 PM each evening.
To get the full experience, grab a bean bag to sit on and a cocktail to enjoy.
When we visited in July it was the peak season. So sometimes we didn’t always manage to get to a good place if we were running late.
Still, if you do run late, you can stand anywhere along the coast and watch the sun fall slowly on the horizon.
4. Cycle Around The Island
Another great thing about Gili Trawangan is that there are no cars on the island.
We cycled anytime we needed to go further than a few hundred meters. It costs us 50,000 IDR per bike for 24 hours.
Bike rentals are cheap, and you’ll get a lock and key. The island’s ring road is lined with bikes—just pick one and keep it for your entire stay.
Alternatively, you can hire a horse and cart to take you around the island, though I don’t recommend this option. We were quoted 300,000 IDR for this service.
Pro tip – since there are so many bikes lining the street, it can take time to find which one is yours.
I left a coconut in my basket so I could easily spot my bike—I’d just look for the one with a coconut, trot over, and pedal away. Time saver!
I am kind of a genius.
5. Attend The Outdoor Cinema
We discovered the outdoor cinema on one of our first nights, but there were no seats available.
When we came back, we had the chance to watch Ratatouille on the beach while a lovely lady brought us our drinks. This felt like a total luxury, though it was actually free to attend.
The drinks, of course, were paid for. It was a very nice end to an evening on the island.
6. Ride Horses On The Beach
Every day we watched people being led up the beach on horseback.
While I didn’t ride one myself, the backdrop of the surrounding islands at sunset time was pretty exceptional.
Occasionally, the horse and guide would dash along the sand, startling nearby people for a split second before everyone laughed it off as entertainment.
Several tourists rode along with their partners as a couple of guides took photos of them for Instagram and TikTok, etc.
I have to be honest, all of this combined made Gili Trawangan look extra special.
7. Party The Night Away
Okay, partying is kind of a thing on Gili T.
Most nights, there was a pub crawl. Many started at our accommodation – Sama Sama Bungalows and went around to the main bars and clubs nearby on this side of the island.
Additionally, I hope you like country music and Reggae! I can tell you now – you will hear “Country Roads” at least 5 times per day!
Almost every night, there was live music at Sama Sama. Along the East Coast, musicians performed every 20 meters or so, giving you plenty of entertainment options to choose from.
From 6:00 PM onwards, the atmosphere becomes fun and exciting. Make the most of it while exercising caution, of course.
We heard stories of people being drugged on the island. Like anywhere else, it attracts both good and bad people and experiences.
Exercise caution when drinking or drugging.
8. Explore Gili T Night Market
The Gili Trawangan Night Market was my happy place.
The fish was superb. Like other night markets across Asia, it offered a fantastic buffet-style selection that we absolutely loved.
Though slightly pricier than basic restaurant dishes, the abundant food here was worth every penny.
The fish was always fresh, and the atmosphere was hopping. You’d find a mix of people who’d had a great day on the water and those fueling up before a night of partying.
The staff here were fun and would compete for your attention.
When we visited, we tried out different vendors to see if we could find a favourite. Honestly, we couldn’t – they were all so good!
Watch out for the singing reggae guy who is there every night without fail. He takes requests!
I recommend the Red Snapper, which will set you back around 200,000 IDR.
9. Spend A Day At The Beach
Each beach on Gili T was special.
My personal favourite was along Turtle Spot 1. I loved it because you could see the other Gili islands in the background, and this is where we got up close and personal with many large turtles.
This was a “pinch yourself” moment. Realising the dream in the cleanest water I’ve ever experienced was magical.
You can easily do the same. Rent a snorkel from one of the many stalls on the beach and find a nice place with shade under the trees.
Be aware that the tide can come right up to the road, so watch your stuff and watch the tide.
10. Hike To The Island’s Highest Point
Another fun thing to do in Gili Trawangan is hike up to Mer’s Three Island Viewpoint.
While it was a little challenging to make the trek (it took us about 40 minutes), it was worth the effort.
In the distance, we could see Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Lombok.
Guada did cut her foot on some barbed wire along the steps on the way up, so watch out for that.
Additionally, when we made it up, we had the viewpoint to ourselves. Nobody to ruin the moment.
You may have to walk through the overgrowth, but make sure you download Google Maps so you can find your way back.
However, it’s likely you won’t need to do that as it’s pretty straightforward.
11. Get A Relaxing Massage
There are numerous places to sit back for an hour and let a masseuse take your feet to heaven.
We did this a few times to indulge in the rest and relaxation aspect of our trip. Who could blame us?
Even during high season, we had no issue walking right up to the premises and getting a massage straight away.
You may notice as you walk past each place, they will entice you, so be prepared to be hassled a little.
Not in an awful way, but I can be a little annoying after day 3.
12. Take a Day Trip to Gili Air Or Meno
You can visit another Gili island when staying on Gili T.
During our snorkelling tour, we stopped at Gili Air for lunch after our second snorkelling session.
This brief visit gave us a glimpse of these magnificent islands. The beaches there were equally stunning—perhaps even more beautiful than those on Gili T.
We wished we could have spent more time exploring these two islands, with their private and peaceful beaches. Though we adored Gili T for different reasons.
The smaller Gili islands offered beautiful soft-sand beaches where you could truly relax and unwind.
My impression was that these islands were perfect for honeymooners and romantic getaways, whereas Gili T catered more to families and party-goers—though not exclusively.
13. Morning/Sunset Yoga At The Helipad
Start your day or end it with a peaceful yoga session at the helipad.
Several instructors offer morning classes with breathtaking views of the sunrise on the south side of the island.
Classes typically run for 90 minutes and cost around 400,000 IDR.
Sunset Yoga Helipad Gili Trawangan looks like the most satisfying way to embrace the self-healing trend that Indonesia is known for.
Where Is Gili Trawangan?
Gili Trawangan is located in Indonesia. Just to the northwest of Lombok.
The island is the largest of the three Gili Islands, measuring approximately 3 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide.
Despite being the biggest Gili, you can easily walk around the entire island in about 2-3 hours.
The coolest thing about Gili Trawangan is that it sits right between Bali and Lombok in waters full of beautiful coral reefs.
Since it’s part of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands and gets those warm Indian Ocean currents, it’s basically paradise for sea life.
Getting To The Gili Islands From Bali
Most people visit the Gili Islands after staying in Bali. The best way to get to Gili Trawangan from Bali is by ferry from Padang Bai Pier.
You can purchase tickets below or through your hotel in Bali. There are numerous ticket shops all over Bali, so finding them won’t be an issue.
Your hotel can also help arrange tickets for a fee.
Travellers used to be able to get the ferry from Amed to Gili T, but this service has been discontinued in recent times.
How Do You Get Around Gili Trawangan?
The main way to get around Gili T is by bicycle.
There are no cars on the island. While you can hire a horse and cart for transport, cycling is the best option.
Rental bikes are available everywhere on the streets. Though they might not be in perfect condition, they serve their purpose well.
During our visit, we cycled almost every day, and when we weren’t biking, we walked.
Since the island is so small, getting around is easy. The absence of noisy traffic made such a difference in the best way.
Places To Stay In Gili Trawangan?
When we visited Gili Trawangan, we stayed right beside the pier where the boats come in.
Sama Sama Bungalows offered comfortable, cosy rooms. While we did get locked inside one day (the key broke in the door and we had to climb through the window), the stay was pleasant.
We ate breakfast right by the sea every morning as the sun was rising over the neighbouring Gili islands and Lombok.
It was a special way to start the day if I’m honest.
Some other highly rated places to stay include:
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
I have such fond memories of my time at Gili Trawangan.
The highlights include amazing tours where we explored underwater statues and swam with large turtles—it was pure magic. The beaches are stunning, and the water is some of the clearest I’ve ever seen.
It’s easy to understand why this island is so popular.
The party atmosphere was fantastic, and I loved the reggae music playing throughout the island. We even sang with locals as the sun was setting.
You can rest assured that there are countless amazing things to do in Gili Trawangan.
When leaving the island just be prepared for an additional 50,000 IDR departure tax when you leave the island. No one mentioned this to us beforehand, so we had to rush back from the pier to pay for it. Many other travellers were annoyed by this too.
If you enjoyed this post, then you may be interested in Bali where we stayed for over one month. Many people visit Gili T after coming from Amed.
Thanks for reading,
James
How Many Days Do You Need On Gili T?
I suggest spending 3-5 days in Gili T. During your stay, you can enjoy various fun tours, explore all the beaches by bicycle, ride horses along the shore, and party the night away. While most people I met only stayed for a couple of days, you’ll need more time for a fuller experience of everything the island has to offer.
Is Gili T Still A Party Island?
While Gili Trawangan has a big party vibe to it you can still relax on the beach during the day. However, once the sun goes down, the atmosphere changes. You can spend your nights and early morning dancing and partying. It can be a fun time if you like that, but Gili T isn’t just about partying.
What Is There To Do In The Gili Islands?
You can ride horses on the beach, scuba dive with sharks, party until the sun comes up, or simply lie on the amazing beaches. Gili Trawangan is full of things to do, and you won’t be bored here, that’s for sure. There is great food in the night market and some amazing tours which take you underwater. The marine life is superb.
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