Gili Trawangan

Island Vibes and Crystal Waters

Lombok’s Gili Trawangan is a small island in Indonesia known for its white sand beaches and clear blue waters. The island sits just east of Bali, making it easy to reach by ferry or speedboat. On land, the village offers simple local restaurants and shops selling souvenirs made from seashells and coral. Underwater, vibrant reefs attract divers who want to see colorful fish and sea turtles. By day, motorbikes are a common way to travel around the island’s narrow roads. The pace stays relaxed despite steady visitor numbers each year.

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Island in Indonesia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.0

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	4

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, dive shops, and restaurants. Many locals working in tourism are quite fluent, making communication easy for English-speaking tourists.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Gili Trawangan Summary

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Excellent for beaches and island relaxation. Swim in clear waters, go snorkeling and diving, cycle around the island and enjoy sunset beach bars.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Sea

Islands

Beaches

Natural sites

Diving

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

💻 9

Digital Nomads

Indonesia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) £1 ≈ IDR 24,141.20
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas of Indonesia, particularly in larger cities. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like GoPay and OVO are widely accepted in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Indonesia. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not commonly seen in Indonesia. Alcohol is consumed mainly in licensed establishments such as bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, shopping centres, and public transport.

Independence Day (17 August)	A national holiday with celebrations and ceremonies
Nyepi (March/April)	The Balinese Day of Silence, celebrated with unique rituals and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	GoJek, Grab
Other:	Indonesia is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and jungles. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

⛈️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

⛈️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

🌦️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🌦️

Nov

⛈️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season November to March: boat crossings from Bali and Lombok are often rough or cancelled

Nyepi in March (Bali's day of silence): fast boats from Bali stop for one to two days

Don't miss

🐢 Snorkel with sea turtles in crystal-clear waters
🚴‍♂️ Cycle around the island exploring beaches and cafes
🌅 Watch the spectacular sunset at Sunset Point
🤿 Try scuba diving or get certified with local dive shops
💆‍♀️ Relax with a traditional massage at beachfront spas

You've been here?

Why travel to Gili Trawangan?

If you love white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs and a chilled-out atmosphere, Gili Trawangan is a dream come true. During the day, you can snorkel with turtles or practice yoga and when the sun sets, the island transforms into a lively spot with beach bars and night markets. Keep in mind, the island's popularity can make it feel crowded in peak seasons and accommodation can fill up fast, so plan ahead.

🎡Places for activities

1 Blue Marlin Dive
2 Gili Eco Trust
3 Pearl Beach Lounge

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Sunset Beach
2 Turtle Point

🎈Events

Gili Trawangan New Year's Party
Full Moon Parties
Gili Eco Trust Events
Underwater Clean-Up Days
Sama Sama Reggae Music Nights

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

No motorized vehicles; rent bicycles or horse carts for island transport.
Prime snorkeling spot with sea turtles; join boat tours from northeast beaches.
Visit during dry season May-October for calm seas and optimal diving conditions.
Explore east side for swings and sunsets; avoid party west if seeking tranquility.

How to travel to Gili Trawangan

Fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP) or Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). From there, take a fast boat from Bali or a ferry from Lombok to Gili Trawangan. Boats run frequently but can be bumpy, so choose a reputable operator.

Access summary

From Lombok Airport (LOP): 1.5-hour drive plus 10–20 minute speedboat.
From Bali (Padang Bai): Fast boats, generally around 1.5–2.5 hours.
Island note: No cars; bicycles and cidomo (horse carts) for getting around.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Gili Trawangan

Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to upscale resorts. Many beachfront bungalows and eco-lodges are available, offering a mix of luxury and laid-back island charm. Book early during peak seasons.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Vila Ombak Hotel

8.4

Gili Beachfront Suites

9.1

Ombak Sunset Hotel

8.0

Pearl of Trawangan Resort

8.9

Aston Sunset Beach Resort - Gili Trawangan

8.6

Jambuluwuk Oceano Gili Trawangan Resort

8.1

FRii Resort Gili Trawangan

8.1

Pondok Santi Estate

9.5

Jali Resort - Gili Trawangan

9.1

Scallywags Resort Gili Trawangan

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Gili Trawangan

With no motorized vehicles, the best ways to get around are by renting a bike, walking or taking a 'cidomo' (horse-drawn cart). The island is small and you can cycle around it in about an hour.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-79 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 79% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to IDR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Mataram, Indonesia - 27 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£25	£53	£140
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£8	£13	£46
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£2	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£3.40
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£0.75
🍟 Fast food combo	£1.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3
☕ Cappuccino	£1.15
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.44
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.60
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.48

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£9
🤧 Cold medication	£1.60
💇 Basic haircut	£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Gili Trawangan is generally safe. Petty theft can occur, so keep valuables secure. Be cautious at night, especially if consuming alcohol and avoid unlit areas when walking alone.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities on the island are basic. For serious conditions, transfer to Bali or Lombok might be needed. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is recommended. Drink bottled water to avoid stomach issues.

Accessibility

Accessibility is moderate. Sandy paths and the lack of paved roads make it challenging for wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. Cidomos can help but are not always accessible-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or filtered water and avoid ice unless you’re sure it’s made from safe water. Bring a refillable bottle as many places offer filtered water refills.