Theme: Gili Trawangan
Since the COVID situation, I have talked with a few friends who have visited Gili Trawangan lately. They mentioned that it is quieter than before. The Gili Islands used to be the famous party islands near Bali but now you might find them more quieter than before. Due to the fact no cars or motorbikes are allowed on the island, those seeking a blissful escape might love to come here.
Travelers
Selamat Pagi! Congratulations! A new day has come and another destination on your list is waiting to come true. Flashback memories come to you, reminding you of the first time you decided to travel overseas. You are a fresh graduate ready to explore the world, young and free.
Good news, good news! After waiting for two years, the Bali border has finally opened. News has been spreading fast across the globe lately. Sure some of you have read the latest news about Bali reopening. Now or never it is a good time to start traveling, another journey back to Bali.
Read also :
30 + Useful Words You Can Practice Before You Travel To Bali
Safe and sound landing in Bali with visa on arrival allowing you to spend 60 days in Indonesia. Why not explore other islands apart from Bali?
Aha! What about near Lombok, the famous Gili trio of islands. Gili Trawangan, the biggest, for your next destination.
Gilis Island is the perfect island for young and free spirits like you. Gili island has so many activities. From a dance party on the boat, to live music at the cafes overlooking the beautiful sunset. Swim and swing by turquoise water. Snorkeling, and diving with sharks or turtles, exploring the island with bicycle. Check out local food at a night market. Relax by the shore while sipping coconut water. Reading your favorite book in a very comfortable bean bag. Island Hopping to the other Gili sisters island, Gili Meno and Gili Air.
How to get there?
The easiest way to go to Gili is by using a fast boat, either from Sanur or Padang Bai. Currently, there are only three fast boats operating. All fast boats at the moment depart from Padang Bai in Karangasem. Here is a list of fast boat companies you can use if you want to travel to Gili Trawangan from Bali.
1. Bali-Gili Fastboat
Address : Gg. Salak II No.14, Batubulan, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582
Phone : +62851-6158-5472 (Whats app)
Email : Baligilifastboattickets@gmail.com
Website : Bali-Gili Fastboat
- Gili-Gili Fastboat
Adress : perkantoran simpangsiur, Jl. Setia Budi, Kuta, Kec. Kuta,
Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Phone : +6281808588777 (Whats app)
Email : reservation@giligilifastboat.com
Website : Gili-Gili Fastboat
- Eka Jaya Fastboat
Address : Jl. Setiabudi no 18 Kuta
Phone : +623618496222 / +6287708496222 (Whats app)
Email : Info@baliekajaya.com / salesadmin@baliekajaya.com
Website : Eka Jaya Fastboat
Already booked your ticket? Check. Two and half hours from Bali using a fast boat and you’ve arrived. The first destination is Gili Trawangan. Once you arrive there, the island welcomes you, with its peace and quiet – no bikes or cars on the whole island.
What if you are already in Lombok? A trip from Lombok is way closer and a much cheaper trip than from Bali. There are two options you can choose if you are in Lombok.
Depart from Bangsal pier to Gili Trawangan
- Ferry Boat known as public boat (this boat use by local people to commute from Gili to Lombok)
- Fast boat depart from Bangsal Pier to Gili Trawangan (You can book your ticket at Bangsal Pier)
Fun Fact :
Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno don’t have motorised transportation.
Book your accommodation before hand
Booking your accommodation beforehand will make your journey way more smooth. I know some of you might be up for a challenge, nothing wrong with that. But just in case you are coming during an Indonesian school holiday, when people come from around Indonesia for holiday, a little bit of preparation will save you a lot of hassle. By booking your accommodation beforehand not only will you be assured of a place to stay, you will also most likely be picked up from the boat by a hotel staff and shown the way to your hotel.
Hotel Recommendation :
- Budget Friendly Under $50
- Affordable Under $100
- Fancy Villa $100++
Dinner With Live Music in Gili Trawangan
Discover nice restaurants with affordable prices overlooking the ocean. Take a moment to order your food, and relax while waiting for your order to come. There are many local bands playing reggae or blues music. Lucky you arrive at a good time for live music and a beautiful sunset.
List of restaurant and cafes with live music before sunset :
- Sama-sama reggae bar
Sunday – Friday : 07:00PM – 01:00AM
Saturday : 07:00PM – 03:00AM
Phone Number : 0812-3763-650
- Iris Bar (Tir na Nog)
Tuesday, Friday & Saturday
Phone Number : +62 (370) 619-5461
- Lava Bar
Sunday – Saturday : 09:00AM – 12:00AM
- Ombak Bar
Sunday – Saturday : 06:00PM – 12:00AM
Phone Number : +62823-5918-3894
- The Jungle Bar
Sunday – Saturday : 08:00PM – 01:00AM
Getting back from dinner, a belly full of yummy food. Bringing back beautiful photos of sunsets and picturesque scenery on your camera. Tomorrow you can explore the island by bicycle. Stop by the reception at your hotel. Have some chit-chat about available bicycles to rent and beaches to visit.
Cycling at Gili Trawangan
Wake up and open the window overlooking the blue tranquil water, peaceful….
“ Slow and steady wins the race”- Proverb
First morning at Gili Trawangan. Order room service of a colorful smoothie bowl, and fresh juice with fresh fruits of the season. Enjoy breakfast from your balcony, absorbing the fresh sea air with the gentle wind blowing upon your face. Such a great combination to start the day.
Done with your breakfast. It Is time to explore the island.
Here a list of Items you should bring with you on your journey :
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Phone
- Camera
- ID
- Wallet
- Extra clothes
- Swimwear
- Books
- Headset
- Band-aid and ointment (Optional)
Gili Trawangan is the biggest of all the Gili Islands. You can explore Gili Trawangan from north to south, east to west in only 30 minute by bicycle. Good thing about Gili is there are no motorized vehicles on the road. You do not need to compete with motorbikes while cycling, only the beautiful beach as company by your side. Of course with less pollution than Bali too.
Must visit beaches in Gili Trawangan
- Gili Trawangan Beach
- Gili Beach
- Pantai Karang Beach
- Gili Trawangan Sunset Beach
- Gili Trawangan Pantai Timur
After 30 minute cycling around the island, a swim will help you to refresh yourself. Before swimming, let’s find a cute cafe with colorful bean bags. Get your best spot at the cafe overlooking the water. Looking over the menu, you decide to order Nasi Goreng (fried rice : a famous dish from Indonesia) and Kelapa Muda (young coconut). Once you try Nasi Goreng you are never getting over it. Swim time while waiting for your lunch to be ready.
Activities Should Try in Gili Trawangan
Cycling in the morning makes you exhausted. Thinking about a lazy afternoon after going back to your hotel and reading the brochures you have from the cafe.
List of Gili Trawangan excursion suitable for you
- Day trip snorkeling with turtle
- Day trip island hopping
- Diving with shark at Shark Point
- Going to massage
- Horse riding during sunset
- Sunset boat party
- Glass bottom boat
- Kayaking
- Beach swing
Done with reading all the brochures, debating about whether to snorkel with turtles or go island hopping. Contemplating for a while, finally you have some ideas for the next excursion. Sea breeze makes you sleepy. Doze off for a little while. Zzzzzz. Wake up two hours before sunset. Go out with your bicycle to the jetty to catch the last rays of sun.
Tomorrow’s excursion goes to….. island hopping to Gili Meno and Gili Air, the two sister islands of Gili Trawangan. Book your island hopping ticket at the ticket counter for tomorrow. With the hope to stay longer on one of the islands.
Info
Boat will depart from Gili Trawangan at 9:30AM in the morning to Gili Meno and then Gili Air. The latest boat to go back to Gili Trawangan at 3:00PM in the afternoon.
Maybe Last Sunset Swim? Maybe…
One more swim will be nice while waiting for sunset. Find the picture perfect spot where you can sit on the beach swing and glide out over the water. Perfect afternoon to just relax and enjoy the moment. Another beautiful sunset with red orange color painting the sky. Contemplating going to Gili Trawangan Night market, luckily the location of the night market is not far from where you are.
There are so many different traditional foods. Grilled fresh fish calling you, home cooked nasi campur (mixed platter of food) and satay. All for an affordable price.
Night market is only open from 06:30PM – 01:30AM, just in case you are hungry in the middle of the night. If your hotel is nearby you can just pop up to Gili Trawangan night market for a late night snack.
It’s time to go back to the hotel with a loaded belly from a yummy dinner and have a rest before tomorrow’s journey. Island hopping to Gili sisters. Decide to sleep early to save your energy for tomorrow.
You wake up at sunrise, bag packed, ready for your next adventure…
To Be Continued…
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I hope you will consider using my affiliate link to book your next stay. It’s a great way to support my blog.
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