Go to Bali then a visit to one of the Gili islands cannot be missed. The islands of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan are the most popular with travellers. These 3 small paradises are surrounded by clear blue sea, white beaches and palm trees. What makes these islands so unique is that you will not encounter any motorised traffic! They are therefore wonderful islands to unwind on. But also for a good party, diving and snorkelling adventures you must have been here. In this blog, we focus on Gili Trawangan.
All about Gili Trawangan
Pinning on Gili Trawangan
Before leaving for an island, it is always wise to bring enough cash. However, there are plenty of ATMs on the Gilis and especially Gili Trawangan. Besides cash, always bring your credit card (VISA or MASTERCARD).
Transport to and on Gili Trawangan
From Bali to Gili Trawangan is about 1.5 hours by fast boat. Tickets can be bought at the port or at your hotel for around IDR 300,000 to 400,000 (€25.00 to €30.00). Choose in advance which port you want to leave from.
- Departing from the east of Bali, opt for a boat from Padangbai.
- Departing from the south of Bali, opt for a boat from Sanur.
We recommend always booking your boat ticket a day in advance. Whether you are going from Bali to the Gili Islands or back. You can easily book these tickets through your hotel, hostel or at one of the ticket counters at the port itself. It's a lot more relaxing if you can go straight through. Also, always keep in mind that your travel time may be a bit longer.
Tip: Always agree on a price in advance, so you never pay too much.
Tip: Make sure you book a hotel in advance for Gili Trawagan. This is because when you arrive, it will be extremely crowded. With maps.me you can easily find the route to your hotel.
On the Gili Islands and also Gili Trawangan, you will not find any motorised vehicles. However, you can get around easily on foot, on horseback or by bike. Almost all hotels/hostels offer a bicycle service, an ideal way to explore the island.
- Cost of bicycle: From IDR 40,000 (€2.70) per day
- Where to rent: Easy to rent from a roadside rental company or from the hotel/hostel where you are staying. .
Want to travel from Gili Trawangan to Gili Air or Gili Meno? You can! A public ferry sails between the islands every morning.
Where is the best place to stay on Gili Trawangan and for how long?
The Gili Islands are hugely popular. So it is wise to book a hotel or hostel in advance. This way, you can be sure that you are in a nice place. You will find beautiful hotels and hostels all over the island, equipped with all conveniences. Don't want to make it too expensive? Then we advise you to book at the hostel MBOX book a private room or a bed in a dormitory. Close to the beach and boat arrival point, this hostel has a swimming pool and is full of backpackers.
How long you want to stay on Gili Trawagan depends entirely on what you want to see. If you want to visit all the places below, we definitely recommend staying 3 to 4 days.
What's on Gili Trawangan?
Snorkelling and diving: We did one of the most beautiful snorkelling trips so far on Gili Trawangan. During this snorkelling trip, you pass the underwater statue at Gili Meno, Turtle point and the colourful fish at Gili Air.
Tip: Should you not see the turtles during your tour go to turtle point.
Cycling on Gili Trawangan: As we mentioned above, it is very easy to rent a bike. We definitely recommend doing so. You can cycle around the whole island in about 2 hours. You'll pass cute eateries, beach clubs and pearly white beaches.
Night market on Gili Trawangan: You must have eaten here! Even though we love sitting in a restaurant, a night market always wins. You can get cheap, delicious and local food here. Besides, it's a good place to meet other travellers.
Sunsets and parties on Gili Trawangan: There is a beautiful sunset here every evening. Do get to the beach in time, as it is crowded every night. And... once the sun has set, the fun party nights begin.
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