Seven Things to Do in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

What is it about island getaways that is so irresistible? Is it the feeling of a free laid back life while being surrounded by nature that makes the beer/cocktail/milkshakes taste that extra smooth? Especially on an island like Gili Trawangan – also known as Gili T – where shenanigans of the outside world take a backseat and are almost forgotten. An island so small that it can be circled around in one hour riding a bicycle yet it is big enough that even four days of fun might seem less. Once having set foot on the shores of the island one does not need a second invitation to say “When in Gili T, be like how this place deserves us to be”. Here is a list of seven things to do in Gili Trawangan and good reasons to visit this island at least once in your lifetime.

Slow Down and Do Nothing

Well, this is the most obvious and easiest thing to do on this island. Gili Trawangan is the perfect place to completely change the pace of your fast lives and slow down. The first feeling whenever I set foot here is that of everything from the outside world coming to a halt. Your worries, your regular job if you have one, the sound of motor vehicles, visuals of tall skyscrapers etc, all of these seem like from a different world. Here, you can walk the island for hours while stopping anywhere for a drink or coffee while sitting right on the beach with the gentle waves at your feet. The weight of the world seems to be off your back, your shoulders feel lighter and the world in general seems a much more beautiful place.

Explore the Marine Life

The entire shoreline of Gili Trawangan and the two other Gili islands is surrounded by a network of coral reefs which are home to a diverse marine life. Some of the world’s best dive sites are around the three Gili islands as under the ocean surface the ecosystem here is quite spectacular. Once on the ocean or under it, you will be amazed at the kind of underwater life that lies beneath. Head out on a snorkeling trip or even better, go on a scuba diving adventure and get a chance to spot giant see turtles, sharks, sting rays and colourful species of fish you’ve never seen before. For snorkeling, you don’t even need to go out on a boat for. You could just rent the equipment from the many shops/bars/restaurants along the beach and head out yourself. This is an experience you will never forget for sure.

Become a certified scuba diver

If you have an adventurous soul and are looking to change your life for good, then you have to take a scuba diving course. For me, becoming a certified scuba diver has been the most life changing experience. Gili Trawangan is a perfect place for scuba diving as you get to explore some amazing reefs and wrecks. A Japanese shipwreck is probably the highlight of all the dive sites here and it is an unforgettable experience to be cruising around this sunken ship witnessing all the different species of underwater life. There are quite a few dive centers on this island where you can take your PADI or SSI certification course. I would personally recommend Gili Divers Dive Centre which is affiliated to SSI. The folks over there are the best and the overall vibes to this place is just so happy. Once you dive with Gili Divers, you go back as a scuba diver for sure but also as a part of their family. I have made some amazing friends there and I always dive with them whenever I visit Gili T.

Witness the best sunsets

Words are not enough to describe the magical sunsets from this island. Every evening there is a grand spectacle on the west coast of Gili Trawangan with the setting sun along with the clouds, sea and the island of Bali at a distance. At around 5:30 PM, people from all over the island throng to the several sunset bars and the beaches on the west cost of Gili T. With a cold Bintang (yes I can’t stop gushing about it!!) and a beanbag chair, I enjoyed watching the sky turning from blue to orange and even purple on some days. Admittedly, this was the first time I witnessed folks clapping at the sheer beauty of a sunset. However, during my most recent visit, I decided to experience the sunset from the southeast coast and it was incredible. The sun went down in the West but from this spot I was fortunate enough to witness a magic unfold as volcanic peaks at the nearby island of Lombok lit up in orange and pink hues. Who said you can enjoy a sunset only while watching the sun go down?

Explore the World War 2 Ruins

Not many know that this island was a small but important part of World War II. The hill at Gili T has remains of a huge machine-gun bunker which was used by Japanese forces during the war. The hill itself is not at all high and the walk up to the top takes not more than 20 minutes. Soak in a little piece of history as you have a look at the several small bunkers and the machine-gun post. For the believers in the supernatural, get up to the top to defy a local myth of the hill being haunted. Honestly, the place did feel a bit spooky as it bore a desolate look in the middle of the afternoon with nobody around. Read more about this place here.

Eat and Drink Your Way Around

Being an island gives this place an advantage of being an obvious paradise for seafood lovers. However, the food here is beyond just seafood. Cuisines from almost all over the world are to be found here. Places serving Western, European, Chinese and even a restaurant with Indian food are dotted all around the island – especially near to the harbor. Dine it at these many restaurants/cafes or head to the famous night market if you want to experience Indonesian cuisine and delicious barbecue in an open communal setting. For as low as 2$, you can have a decent meal while being in the company of unknown friends.

Make Lifelong Friends

If you are traveling by yourself to this place, chances are that at the end of your trip you will have made at least 4-5 friends. The celebratory vibes of this island makes it so easy to say or respond with a “Hello” to a complete stranger. Be it meeting folks on a snorkeling trip or dancing with folks in to the New Year and even the bartender remembering you after one evening of drinks, making new friends is the way to go here. As I have mentioned above, I have made some lifelong friends on this island. You really are never alone here.

People keep saying that Gili T is too much commercialized and is overcrowded. Well, there is a reason why “crowds” of people come to this place and it is because they love this place. Yes, like every place there are a couple of drawbacks to this island. There is an underbelly of drug abuse (which is rampant across most tourist places in Indonesia) on this island due to the party atmosphere during the evenings and late nights. The “crowds” like all other tourist destinations will always have a few bad apples. It gets really really hot here – I mean this is probably the hottest place I’ve traveled to. The horse-driven carts – I did not use them just by looking at the state of those poor horses. I can’t imagine those creatures dragging baggage around all day.

But even with the above drawbacks, I love Gili T. For me it is one of the best island getaways that can ever be. For its beaches, the friendly turtles, the amazing sunsets and for all the memories I’ve had with people, I will go back there someday soon. And sometimes in life you want to slow down, figure things out and just be you. This island is the perfect place to do that. I have already been to this island six times and I will always be back whenever I travel to Indonesia.

How To Reach

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Information:-

• Gili Trawangan is the largest among the group of three Gili islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno. These three islands are located in the Lombok Strait between the islands of Bali and Lombok.
• Renting a bicycle should actually be the first thing you should do after you check-in to your accommodation. The island of Gili T (also the other two Gili islands) does not have a single motorized vehicle which is one of the major reasons I love this place. Bicycles and horse-driven carts are the only two modes of commute here.
• Luxury resorts, hostels and homestays are the three types of accommodation available here. For a more social experience, opt for a homestay.