This April 2023 trip was part of a larger 8 day journey in Lombok, where I spent 4 days in Gili T and the next 4 days hiking Mount Rinjani, the second highest volcano in Indonesia.

Gili Trawangan: Sun, Sea, and Serenity

Gili Trawangan (or Gili T) – an island gem nestled within Indonesia's Lombok region. Imagine turquoise waters against powdery white sands, while the sky turns into hues of pink and orange as the sun sets for another day. This is the essence of Gili T, the largest among the three Gili Islands, which also include Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Gili T is a bucket-list destination if you're seeking a location with unparalleled natural beauty and a laid-back atmosphere to disconnect. Although small, it's an island packed with activities suitable for any kind of traveller. Engage in water sports like surfing or paddle boarding, or relax by the many beach bars and clubs that line the shoreline overlooking crystal clear waters.

The island is so small that it is essentially car-free; this means no blaring honks and chaotic traffic like other touristy regions of Indonesia (i.e. Bali)! Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will be delighted by the vibrant marine life thriving just beneath the surface, with the famous underwater Gili Meno Statues (more commonly known as Bask Nest underwater sculptures) just a short boat ride away.

When to visit?

Because Gili T is a short boat ride from Lombok mainland, you could either visit as part of a day trip or spend a few nights here for an immersive experience. It is more ideal to visit Gili T during the dry season, spanning from May to September. During these months, you can expect sunny days, calm seas, and temperatures suitable for outdoor activities. However, if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and don't mind occasional showers, the shoulder months of April and October can also be great times to visit, with fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates.

Getting there

Transport options for reaching Gili T are varied; There are 2 main ways of getting to Gili T - Either from Lombok or Bali.

From Lombok mainland

If you're coming from abroad, you can take a flight to Lombok International Airport. From there, it's around 1.5 hours to the harbour (Bangsal Port) before hopping on a boat over to Gili T. You can catch a speedboat or public ferry to the Gili Islands, with Gili T being the first stop on most routes.

Warning #1!

Beware though, private hire drivers at the airport will swarm you with their signboards offering you the 'best' prices. Do your due diligence and get a sense of the market price by checking GoJek, a ride hailing app (akin to Uber or Grab) and bargain accordingly.

Warning #2!

Many drivers are in cahoots with private boat operators to overcharge tourists. Your driver might tell you that you're going to the harbour when he will instead drive you to a more secluded pier (or beach!) where private, expensive boat operators are waiting, telling you that that's the harbour. Be very clear to your driver that you're going for the public boats departing from Bangsal Port.

To be extra safe, buy your tickets online in advance. I would recommend Gili Island transfers, which offer seamless car + boat transport from Lombok airport to Gili islands and back.

Warning #3!

There're tourist traps even at Bangsal Port, so be very alert. 'Kind' locals will assist with your luggage only to demand a fee after their job is done, or ticket brokers will attempt to facilitate ticket purchases for you at a higher price. You would be better off ignoring them and proceeding straight to the ticket counter to purchase the boat ticket, which should not cost you more than IDR 30,000.

From Bali

if you're arriving from Bali, fast boats depart from various ports, offering a scenic journey across the Bali Sea. Popular ports in Bali include Serangan Harbour (2.5h boat ride) and Padang Bai Harbour (1.5h boat ride). If you're leaving from Tulamben area, various boat operators could ferry you over from Amed beach as well. Plan accordingly and factor in travel time from your hotel / villa to the harbour since traffic can be very heavy especially in Denpasar area. If needed, find packages that include hotel transfer as well. Some reliable operators available for booking online include Gili Bookings and Blue Water Express.

Getting around the island

Locals and travellers alike get around either in carts pulled around by horses or cycling, and electric scooters are available for rent as well for the lazy traveller. AS Gili T islands is small, it is possible to get around by foot. That being said, it takes around an hour of walking to get from one point of the island to another, so I'd recommend renting a bicycle which is predominantly the main form of transport on the island.

Renting one is cheap and costs between IDR50,000 - 70,000 per day. Rental shops can be found all over the island with most of those situated in the island center near the ferry terminal when you first step foot on the island. Lazy me opted for the electric scooter instead which costs around IDR200,000 per day:

Engaging horse taxis is an option too, where a horse would be connected to a carriage and steered by a local to transport you to your destination. I would recommend against this as horses in Gili T are known to experience a significant amount of abuse.

There're almost no motorized vehicles on the island and that means no private-hire services like Grab and Gojek are available on Gili T.

Day 1 - Gili T eccentricities

What a beach..

As for me and my friends, we flew in to Lombok, got on a private hire car and ended up at Aisyah Arsyila Speed Boat, a 10min drive from Bangsal port (Yes, low-key gotten scammed although our driver was very friendly throughout). After haggling, we got a 2-way transfer via speedboat for IDR400,000 and were well on ur way to Gili T.

After a quick 10min ride, we disembarked by the beach right beside Gili T ferry terminal, getting shin-deep into the water while struggling not to get our luggage wet.

Our hostel was at the other end of the island, and we 'intelligently' made the decision to walk all the way there (and yes, with our luggage). For 30mins, we cut through small alleyways, passed many shophouses and plantations under the afternoon sun before arriving at..

Mad Monkey hostel

A hostel that offers amazing customer service and unforgettable experiences? It's probably Mad Monkey Hostels - A well-known hostel group with presence in Southeast Asia.

Situated right along the edge of Gili T, the beachfront resort gets a great view of the Bali sea round the clock. We were immediately greeted with a 12 meter infinity pool amid a vibrant atmosphere of hostel guests already partying away in the afternoon sun. This comes as no surprise, since Mad Monkey Hostel is known to have an excellent social scene and community engagement. The hostel has even been featured in prominent lifestyle platforms like Lonely Planet and Cosmopolitan.

Mad Monkey Hostel has a variety of activities lined up for guests to participate in. Some of these include a foam party and a weekly games night where hostel guests come together to have fun as a group (Full information can be found on the hostel's website).

There're also numerous options for staying in Mad Monkey hostel, whether you're coming alone or with a group of friends. If you're running on a tighter budget, go for their standard 3 bed dorm option (USD8 per night) and if something fancier suits you, opt for their Bungalow option (USD64 per night). All rooms come with air-conditioning and showers include hot water. Bathrooms are mainly shared unless you're staying in the bungalow, which comes en-suite. If you're coming alone, you may end up staying with strangers, so bring a simple lock to secure your valuables in locker cabinets provided in the rooms.

Food and drinks are available for purchase via the hostel kitchen, so don't worry about going hungry! From smoothie bowls and poke bowls to burgers and local cuisines, there's definitely something for every hungry guest. All guests are provided with a complimentary welcome drink, which was a lifesaver after walking under the hot sun all the way from the pier with our luggage. View their full menu here.

Happy juice?

One of the first things you'll notice stepping onto Gili T is the bold and open marketing of drugs on the island. Don't be mistaken - Drugs are illegal in Indonesia and have serious consequences. Possession of illegal substances is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment with a fine of up to US$896,000.

This clearly does not deter locals from offering it to tourists - We were approached multiple times on the streets by shop owners inviting us to try psychedelic mushroom shakes. As we explored the island, we also passed numerous stalls along the beachfront with exotic signboards openly advertising the sale of "magic juice" or "mushroom shakes".

If you're ever thinking of trying anyway, there're many online sources citing safety concerns of consuming drugs on the Gili Islands, and visitors are highly recommended not to consume drugs while on Gili Islands given that the contents and strength of street drugs are completely unknown.

Regulations? Gili Islands have minimal police presence but is instead managed by a security force formed entirely by locals. This means there isn't much control over how the island is run and how rules are enforced. A popular example featured the parading of tourists in a 'walk of shame' around the island with a hanging sign around their necks saying "I am thieve, don't do what I did..!".

Disclaimer: I am in NO way affiliated with anything regarding mushrooms or drugs in Gili T, and do NOT support the consumption of such substances nor encourage anyone to do so while in Gili T.

Evolution bar

After an entire afternoon of walking, we made it back to the bustling area of Gili T and settled for a simple and relaxing dinner at Evolution bar, complete with live music.

At this point I gotta caution travellers who are alone and gotta take a night walk in Gili T islands. Do note that only areas around the ferry terminal are well-lit since there're more bars around that area. Venture further out and you'll find yourself walking in complete darkness because there're no street lights and you'll have to use a flashlight to know where you're going. Plan ahead and avoid walking in the dark where possible!

If you rented a bike, it should come up with blinking lights to light the path ahead and warn other cyclists around you.

Day 2 - Crystal beaches, golden sunsets

Hello, Capitano (cafe)!

The day started with a quick scoot down to Hello Capitano Cafe, a vibrant cafe just a few minutes from the ferry terminal. Stepping in feels like walking in to a mini garden, with plenty of indoor greenery giving the cafe a vibrant splash of color. The interior is cozy with plush cushions spread across the seats. In the day, sunlight from the glass roof streams in and creates a nice natural light effect.

The menu is extensive, offering healthy food options such as smoothie bowls. After much contemplation, we went with the smashed avo and a banana nutella crepe, accompanied by ice cold latte which was rich and aromatic.

The smashed avo toast was a great choice - Avocado was spread neatly atop the crusty bread, adorned with poached eggs and mushrooms on the side. Though I felt the portion could be slightly bigger, each bite was as satisfying as it could get. The crepe, on the other hand, was served in a generous portion, leaving us feeling rejuvenated and ready for the day ahead.

Horizon views from Gili T

The afternoon was spent scooting around and absorbing the picturesque landscape as seen from Gili T. We stopped by a popular sunset viewpoint along Pantai Karang Beach situated along the southern end of the island. It wasn't time for the sun to set yet, but look far ahead and you can see Mt Agung towering above the clouds all the way from Bali (Read about my experience hiking up the highest volcano in Bali).

If there's another unique thing about Gili Islands, it's the ocean swings situated all over the island (mostly western part facing the sunset), promising the best insta-worthy shots. It is common to get a shot at an ocean swing during golden hour and mostly belong to some form of establishment like a hotel or beach bar. Beach swings only gained traction after locals realized how popular it was among tourists to get a golden hour shot overlooking the sea from a swing.

We were lucky enough to spot an ocean swing while scooting along the roads, so we stopped for some shots as well. The swing above was hanging by a tree (Labelled Sunset Viewpoint on Google Maps) just a short walk up northwest from Pantai Karang beach.

Golden Hour @ Window Bar

After heading back to the hostel and resting for a bit, we scooted a short distance down western Gili T to find a suitable spot to catch the golden hour sunset. Some googling and we ended up at Window Bar, a bar situated right by the beachfront with amazing views of the horizon. Window Bar is just a 5mins walk from Mad Monkey hostel. If you're cycling, you can easily get here in 10-15mins from Eastern Gili T.

Chill by the wooden chairs and tables to soak in the atmosphere while having a meal here, and if you just want a cocktail, perfect - The bar is lined with comfy bean bags on the sand for you to lie back with your friends and enjoy the view of the setting sun. The menu offers a range of food and drinks - From beer, cocktails and wine to burgers, tacos and other finger food. If you have nothing planned for the evening, then you can't go wrong spending it here.

Since the beach bar is right in front of the sea, don't miss the chance to head into the water and snap some great silhouette shots.

Gili Jungle Gym!!

Bonus shoutout! Right beside Window Bar is Gili Jungle gym, a unique outdoor gym right on the soft sand. It's hard to miss this when you're passing the area - A fitness corner where equipment is mostly made out of logs (yes, even dumbbells and barbells). And yes, they're heavy enough to get a decent workout in to burn off all that beer belly. Not a problem if you're not a fan of weights - There are pull up bars and monkey bars too! Although the outdoor gym is not as well-equipped as a regular commercial gym, working out here is definitely interesting just for the experience.

No pictures here but I did post an Instagram reel of my quick workout.

Day 3 - Snorkelling around Gili Meno

Kayu Cafe

The final day started simple with a morning breakfast down at Kayu Cafe, which was, once again, a 15min scooter ride from Mad Monkey Hostel. The cafe is situated very near the ferry terminal and is almost right beside Evolution Bar, which we visited on day 1 evening.

Kayu in Bahasa translates directly to wood or timber in English, and that's what you can expect walking in to this cafe. Almost everything, from the tables and chairs to the ceiling beams and cashier counter, is made of wood. The cafe specializes in organic cuisine and serves up a range of dishes like paninis, coffee and all-day breakfast, so you're likely to find something suited to your taste buds here. Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu if that's what you're after too.

The cafe is split into 2 levels - A cozy first floor if you want to be surrounded by wood and an open-air second floor for fresh air with a slightly obstructed (by trees) view of the sea. I opted for the second level and ordered a ham and cheese omelette since I was feeling pretty basic that morning.

It's not obvious from the picture, but the portion is huge, and the food tasted great. The omelette wasn't too dry and the bread was just the right amount of chewiness. The butter is hiding in the little dish but it went super well with the bread (and even omelette). Although the price on this cafe is slightly on the pricey end, the quality and the portion of food makes up for it. Overall, a must-have on your list if you're in Gili T!

Snorkelling & Gili Meno Statues

The Gili Meno statues are a popular hit among tourists visiting Gili T islands. The blue waters surrounding the island makes snorkelling a must-do activity, and that's exactly what we did. Read more about my experience snorkelling in Gili T, including costs and what to expect.

Seafoody Scallywags

After an afternoon of watching marine life, we went with a seafood dinner at Scallywags Organic Seafood Bar & Grill. The restaurant is situated just a little south of the harbour and offers a unique dining experience overlooking Lombok's coastline. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, with wooden tables adorned with flickering candles and fairy lights, adding a touch of warmth to the evening.

The restaurant is well known for serving up fresh seafood ranging from prawns to lobsters. Non-seafood fans will not want to miss their steaks and ribs as well.

Ordering at this restaurant comes in 2 forms. If you want food items from the menu, order straight via the service staff, but if you want the grilled seafood (which is what the restaurant is more prominently known for), you have to walk up to the grill station (Image above) and place your order there. You will be able to select the seafood you want and it will be served right to your table once it's ready.

We settled for grilled prawns and fish (I think it was barramundi) - I would say the food was cooked well, and I could almost taste the ocean with each bite. The food is tender and juicy and is well infused with the the undertones from the grill.

Anyway, I would recommend this place for experiencing seaside dining with stunning views and great, quality seafood.

On a side note, the night sky in Gili T is just as stunning as the sunsets. Here's what the sky looked like on my last evening here:

Day 4 - Back to Lombok

Getting back to Lombok mainland via speedboat was straight forward as we had purchased a 2-way ticket. We simply arranged our pickup with the boat captain and he was ready to pick us once we were back at the ferry terminal. Another quick 10 minutes on the speedboat and we were back at Aisyah Arsyila Speed Boat. With this, it was time to commence the second leg of the trip - conquering the climb up Indonesia's second highest volcano, Mount Rinjani.

This concludes my 4 day journey in Gili T, Lombok. The island paradise is definitely a place for travellers wanting to get away from the city and fade away in the beaches of GIli T. Mark this place on your travel bucket list and may this island's laid-back charm captivate your heart one day.