Gili Trawangan, better known as Gili T or “the party island”. Gili T is often written off as a party paradise by many travelers. With lots of cool beach bars and clubs, it is no doubt that this island has a nightlife scene, but that is not all that Gili T has to offer!
I am in my late twenties and I still had a ton of fun here – granted I do like to go out every now and then, but my sole reason of going to Gili T was not for partying.
I came to Gili T as a weekend getaway from Bali and had so much fun here, so I’ve put this guide together on how to explore Gili T in 48 hours and experience the best of what the island has to offer – both for partiers and non-partiers alike! I hope that this guide inspires you to visit this little paradise and decide for yourself!
HOW TO GET THERE
If you are traveling to Gili T as a side trip from Bali or Lombok, then getting here is relatively straightforward. If you are flying here internationally, then you will need to fly into the nearest airports in Bali or Lombok. Gili T is VERY tiny, so this means no airports on the island. The only way to travel here is to take the public ferry, a group speed boat or hire a private charter.
If spending money is not an issue for you, then opt for a private charter to sail to the Gili’s in style (and without dealing with the hundreds of other people taking the fast boat or ferry!)
I decided to take the speed boat or “fast boat” as the locals call it because this is the quickest and most efficient way to get to Gili T from Bali. The speed boats are run by many different private companies that offer daily transfers to and from Gili T. They are pricey, but they are SPEEDY and well worth the time you will save if you are coming from Bali. The trip only took around 1.5 hours, but it can be longer during high season with the amount of time it takes to load and unload the EXTREMELY packed speed boats (~70 to 100 passengers). I highly recommend both Blue Water Express (~$60 roundtrip) and Gili Gili Fast Boat (~$50 roundtrip).
Travel Tip: Both the speed boats and the public ferry depart from Padang Bai in Bali, so make sure to plan transport ahead of time or book with a speed boat company that includes the transport in the cost (most do!) Padang Bai is around 1h from Ubud and 1.5h from Canggu/ Seminyak.
If you are coming from Lombok, then the speed boat will only take around 20 minutes from Teluk Nara. Teluk Nara is the main speed boat terminal on Lombok that services the Gili Islands, so make sure to book transport to here accordingly. Tickets cost around $39 and Gili Island Transfers is a great site to look at the different speed boat operators.
The public ferry is the most inexpensive option, but it is also the slowest, taking around 8 hours from Bali. However, if you are coming from Lombok, the ferry is a not a bad option. Tickets cost less than $1 and the trip takes around 2h from Bangsal.
GETTING AROUND GILI T
There are no cars on Gili T, which is one of the many charms about visiting the Gili Islands. You get the FULL island experience here and since the island is soooo small, there really is no need to have car to get around.
So what are your options then? You can either walk, rent a bike or hire a horse-drawn cart. If you are staying somewhere central near the harbor on the east side of the island, then you will easily be able to walk to many of the bars and restaurants in the town center. However, if you are staying further from the harbor or would like to see the sunset on the west-facing beach, you will need to rent a bike.
Bike rentals are very inexpensive here (~$3 to $5 a day). I decided to go for this option because we wanted to explore the island and ride to the west side for the sunset. If you are staying at a hotel, it is likely that they already have bikes available for you to rent or can recommend a nearby rental spot.
If you are staying far on the island and have a lot of heavy luggage, then a horse-drawn cart may be needed. Otherwise, I do not recommend taking this a mode of transport because it’s expensive and damaging to the horses!
WHERE TO STAY
There are so many cute hotels and guesthouses on the island, which is one of the great things about choosing to stay on Gili T instead of one of the other smaller Gili Islands.
If you’re like me and what to be in the action, then stay on the east side of the island. If you want to escape all of that action, then Le Pirate, Pink Coco, and Kelapa Villas are trendy properties on the quieter west side.
During my visit to Gili T, I decided to stay at Pesona Beach Resort & Spa. Located only a few minutes from the harbor, this resort is centrally located on the beach near all of the restaurants, bars and shops.
Pesona is a super-hip, super-chill spot to escape to after a long day of adventures or a long night of dancing. With an awesome pool and spa, an amazing Indian restaurant and a beachside bar and hookah lounge, you can see why it is such a hot-spot for travelers looking for a boutique hotel with a that cool Gili T vibe.
The staff is soo friendly and happy to help you set-up any diving lessons, excursions or shuttles to visit the other Gili Islands. They also plan fun activities and a weekly Monday Movie Night with a projector set-up outside on the pool deck!
Did I also mention that the breakfast is DELICIOUS and you can also have it floating in the pool? Breakfasts in Indonesia are truly the best!
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE: Pesona Beach Resort & Spa
WHAT TO DO
Ok, so now you have decided to take your side trip to Gili T from Bali or Lombok, but what is there to do?! Let me show you how to spend the perfect 48 hours in Gili T with my itinerary below (& some extra activities if you decide to extend your stay!)
DAY 1
Arrival day! It might have taken a lot to get here, but you have finally made it to this little paradise! Once you are settled in and refreshed at your accommodations, rent a bike and go for a relaxing ride around the island. Check out some of my favorite spots to bike to:
Lover’s Lane
Lover’s Lane is a bougainvillea-covered alleyway located at Kelapa Villas. This is THE photo spot on Gili T and it is very clear why – this spot looks like a little slice of tropical paradise!
Palm Groves
Once you get past the main part of town, Gili T is full of lush palm groves like this one just outside of Kelapa Villas. Just make sure to watch your head from falling coconuts!
Sunset Beach
After riding around town, take your bike to Sunset Beach on the west side of the island. The beach is lined with beach bars and restaurants with those iconic Gili T sunset swings. You might be wondering why I don’t have a picture with one of those… well, I traveled here during the low-tide in September so that means not enough water close enough to the shore for the swings! Make sure to check the tide calendar before you go.
If you are here during the high-tide, the best beach bar swings are at The Exhile, Casa Vintage, Hotel Ombak Sunset and Pink Coco. Be prepared to stand in line for a a sunset photo, but people are usually quick!
After you snap a photo, watch the sunset while sipping a drink and enjoying a delicious Jamaican dinner at the super-cool Casa Vintage Beach. All of the food is made from scratch with vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian options. After dark, they sometimes host a beach bonfire, so stick around!
DAY 2
SNORKEL OR DIVE
Start the day with an early morning wake-up call. Why? Because this is the best time to go snorkeling or diving around the Gili Islands to avoid huge crowds. The Gili Islands have some great marine-life like sea turtles and manta rays AND super-cool underwater sculptures like the Nest (pictured below), which is a must-see here!
Book an excursion with your accommodation or check-out one of the many dive shops along the main harbor strip. Don’t forget to bring your Go-Pro for those epic underwater shots!
After all of that swimming, grab a quick lunch near the harbor at Casa Vintage Living and a sweet treat at Honeyst.
BEACH, PLEASE
At this point, you are probably a little tired from your half-day excursion. Now its time to work on that tan and relax by the beach. Gili T is pretty much surrounded by beaches, so you will have no problem finding a spot nearby to where you are staying!
LET’S GO OUT!
Now you finally get to experience what has made Gili T so famous – the party scene! Watch the sunset by the beach and grab a hearty asian-fusion dinner at Jali Kitchen. Then, it’s time to hit the bars! Start the night off easy at Sama Sama Reggage Bar or the beach bar & hookah lounge at Pesona. Afterwards, head to Tir Na Nog or Pearl Beach Lounge depending on what bar-scene you are looking for.
DAY 3
RELAX & RECOVER
After a long night out, order breakfast-in-bed and sleep-in a bit. Today is all about relaxation and recovery. Book a spa treatment or take a dip in the ocean or pool one last time.
TRY VEGAN
Indonesia is known for having some of the best vegan food & Gili T has some amazing spots. If you’re going to try vegan food for the first time, Pituq Waroeng is THE place. I’m not vegan, but I do enjoy a good vegan meal and this restaurant is one of my all time favorites! Plus all of the healthy food will help detox some of the damage from your night out 😉
IF YOU DECIDE TO EXTEND YOUR STAY
- Take an Indonesia Cooking Class and learn how to spice it up!
- Go boutique shopping in town. There are so many cute stores here like Lost in Paradise and Casa Vintage
- Watch a movie on the beach at Pearl Beach Lounge
- Stay forever young and go on a wild Booze Cruise
WHERE TO EAT
For such a small island, Gili T has some amazing food and PLENTY of bars. If you’re in the mood for island-style cuisine, try Jamaican at Casa Vintage Beach or local Indonesian food at Ikan and vegan hotspot Pituq Waroeng. For international tastes, check out Asian fusion at Jali Kitchen, Southwestern & Hawaiian fusion at Tiki Grove, Korean at Honeyst or vegan & international fusion food at Fat Cat’s. For a cool cafe, boutique and bar all-in-one, check out concept store Casa Vintage Living for some delicious healthy eats and great drinks.
If you’re looking for great bars, scroll back up to check out some of my favorite spots to watch the sunset and go out in Gili T!
WHAT TO WEAR
Gili T is all about the laid-back island lifestyle. Wear comfy pieces in breathable fabrics with a boho vibe for both daytime and nighttime activities – no need for heels or bodycon dresses to go out here!
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