Visiting Gili Trawangan

About Gili Trawangan

The largest of the Gili Islands has no cars or motorbikes, so visitors get around by bicycle, on foot or by horse cart. It is the base for many dive schools, with sites such as Shark Point and Turtle Heaven nearby, and the east coast is lined with cafés and bars; at sunset crowds gather on the west coast for views of Bali's Mount Agung.

Tip: Rent a bicycle and ride the coastal path anticlockwise in the late afternoon to arrive on the west coast for sunset.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1–3 days.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Gili Trawangan, the largest, liveliest Gili, with dive schools, beach bars and sunset swings.

Best time to visit Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• August: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds.
• July: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
• September: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, busy crowds.

When to visit Lombok has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Lombok itinerary visits Gili Trawangan on day 1, together with Mount Rinjani trek and Gili Meno and the Nest.

• No. 1 of the 16 sights in our Lombok things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
• One of the picks in outdoors in Lombok.

If you like Gili Trawangan

• Mount Rinjani trek — Senaru, 2–4 days
• Gili Meno and the Nest — Gili Meno, Half a day to 2 days
• Gili Air — Gili Air, 1–3 days
• Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls — Senaru, 2–3 hours

Staying near Gili Trawangan

Stay in Gili Trawangan ($$) to walk here: the largest, liveliest Gili, with dive schools, beach bars and sunset swings. All areas to stay in Lombok.

Questions travellers ask