If you have heard that Gili Trawangan is a party island, you only know a part of what this island has to offer. Yes, it may be small — only 3 km long. But Gili Trawangan is rich with marine diversity, beautiful beaches, and is a growing scene for sustainable tourism. There are many things to do beyond visiting the main strip’s restaurants and bars, making Gili Trawangan a haven for travelers with all types of interests.
Each part of Gili Trawangan offers a unique vibe, from the west side’s beautiful sunsets to the south side’s surf spot and panoramic views. From where to find drinking water to knowing the ideal times to spot sea turtles, here are the things to know before visiting Gili Trawangan that no one tells you.
Sustainable Tourism in Gili Trawangan Is a Real Movement Visitors Can Be Part Of
Residents of the island are passionate about preserving its rich, beautiful nature both on land and under the sea and are always happy when visitors are interested in practicing sustainable tourism in Gili Trawangan. Travelers who want to practice sustainability while visiting are invited to get involved in a variety of ways.
- Trash pickup: The Gili Eco Trust runs a public beach clean-up. Anyone can join, and the weekly hour-long sessions remove around 7,000 kg of debris a year.
- Refill your water bottle: There are more than 100 refill stations across Gili Trawangan to help cut down on single-use plastic. You can check Refill My Bottle’s map or ask anyone where to find them. A common question is if you can drink tap water in Gili Trawangan. No, you shouldn’t! And it is easier now to find purified water across the island.
Hotels like Villa Almarik are involved in sustainability work in a variety of ways and are your best resource at learning how to engage in and be mindful of sustainable tourism on the island. Villa Almarik uses zero single-use plastics in rooms and sourcing local food and goods when possible. When measures were implemented to improve beach conditions for turtle nests, Villa Almarik was one of many hotels that removed permanent restaurant tables and umbrellas from the beach. And Villa Almarik supports and educates guests about Gili Trawangan reef restoration work.
Gili Trawangan Is a Haven for Shark Lovers
Gili Trawangan is famously known for spotting turtles, but visitors hoping to spot a shark will be thrilled to know that much care has been put into preserving natural environments to care for the sharks that call these waters home. Gili Trawangan sits inside the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve, and Gili Shark Conservation runs ongoing photo-ID research and citizen-science dive programs you can join through participating dive shops.
If the word “shark” makes you nervous, the ones you see off the coast of Gili Trawangan might change your mind. The reef sharks are blacktips and whitetips — small (1.5–2 m), shy, and harmless to humans. Larger species like tigers and bulls aren’t found in these waters, making it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. Shark Point, off the northwest side of the island, gives you the best chance of spotting a shark on a 15-minute boat ride, where juvenile whitetips often shelter under coral bommies.
Gili Tawangan Is A Car Free Island — The Best Ways to Get Around
There haven’t been cars or motor scooters on Gili Trawangan since the 1970s, making the island famous for cidomos, small horse-drawn carts. Walking and biking get you most places faster than you’d expect, as the island is so small.
For example, from Villa Almarik you can reach the following parts of the island:
- Turtle Point is a 5-minute walk
- The harbor is 12 minutes on foot
- The night market and main strip: 13-minute walk
- The main bar area: 4 minutes by bike, 10 on foot
- Gili Trawangan Hill: 25 minutes’ walk plus a 15–20 minute climb
- A full island loop (6 km): about an hour by bike
One of the best things to do in Gili Trawangan is take a bike ride around the island. If you do, the western trail gets sandy in stretches and you may need to walk the bike. If you time it right, you can enjoy a leisurely walk to enjoy the sunset.
Walking and biking around Gili Trawangan also lower the demand on the working horses. Since the mid-2010s, local advocacy groups and authorities have been steadily improving cidomo horse welfare with regulations on how much horses can work each day and educating on signs of poor health or being overworked. Horses of Gili, an NGO operating under Gili Eco Trust, runs free vet clinics and works to support owners provide care.
The Best Times to See Turtles in Gili Trawangan
Whether you are snorkeling with turtles during your trip in Gili Trawangan or simply trying to spot them on the beach, there are ideal times to go looking. Green sea turtles graze the seagrass beds along the north and northeast coast, often in waist-deep water just off the beach. Hawksbills appear less often, and a scuba or snorkeling guide can help guide you to see them.
Some tips for spotting turtles either snorkelling or from the beach include:
- Go early. Mornings mean calmer water, better visibility, and fewer boats.
- Check the tide. High tide is the best time to see turtles, as the seagrass is covered enough for turtles to feed close to shore
And in case no one has told you yet, it’s best to simply observe the turtles without chasing or touching them.
There’s a Surf Spot on Gili Trawangan
Surfing is not necessarily one of the most popular things to do in Gili Trawangan, but there is a surf spot where you can try to catch some waves — or simply watch the locals. The southwestern tip of Gili Trawangan is the best spot on the island for surfing, as there is a reef break about 300 meters offshore. Pro tip: wear foot protection for broken reef in the waves. The best timeframe for surfing is January through June, as this is when the waves are strongest.
There Are ATMs on Gili Trawangan, But Plan Your Cash Withdrawals
You can get cash out at ATMs in Gili Trawangan, and while many larger restaurants, dive shops, and hotels accept card, you’ll need cash for renting bikes, beach bars, smaller shops, and shopping at the market. What many visitors don’t realize is that the ATMs often run out of cash in Gili Trawangan — especially on weekends and during peak season (June–September, plus Christmas and New Year). So bringing cash to cover most of your trip is advised, or plan your ATM visits intentionally. You can easily make cash withdrawals in Bali or Lombok before you arrive in Gili Trawangan.
Each Side of Gili Trawangan Has a Different Vibe and Experience
Gili Trawangan may be small, but each coast has a distinct energy. Travelers who spend all their time on the east side of the island’s main strip miss the magic of the other parts.
East Side — The Main Strip
Here you’ll find the harbor, the night market, dive shops, and the bars that built Gili Trawangan’s reputation as a party island. For early risers, things are quiet during the sunrise and this is an excellent viewpoint of Lombok’s Mount Rinjani. Villa Almarik sits at the northern, quieter end of this strip — within walking distance of everything but far enough to sleep in peace.
West Side — The Quiet Side
This side of the island is less developed, where you’ll mostly find resorts. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere and a great place for a romantic sunset viewing. You’ll also find some of the best beaches in Gili Trawangan on the west side.
North Side — For Snorkeling With Turtles in Gili Trawangan
Here you’ll find quiet beaches, Turtle Point, and beach shacks renting snorkel gear. A place to escape the noise of the main strip and enjoy nature.
South Side — The Best Viewpoint in Gili Trawangan
For a bit of exercise, make your way to the south side of the island to walk up Gili Trawangan Hill. Climb the hill for the best viewpoint in Gili Trawanga, soaking in panoramic views of Lombok and Bali and exploring a WWII bunker midway up.
Inland — Where Locals Live
To appreciate Gili Trawangan’s local culture, you have to go inland. It’s worth eating at a warung or the night market for the most authentic food on the island.
If you are looking for things to do in Gili Trawangan beyond the parties, these tips help to highlight what this island has to offer that no one tells you. From sustainable practices to surfing to spotting turtles and sharks, the staff at Villa Almarik can help answer questions and guide your stay based on what interests you most.
Frequently Asked Questions: Things to Know Before Visiting Gili Trawangan
- When is the best time to see turtles in Gili Trawangan? To see turtles from the beach or shallow waves, the best time is mornings or just before high tide, off the northeast coast near Turtle Point. If you are snorkeling with turtles, visibility is best in the dry season (June–September), but turtles are around year-round.
- Do I need cash on Gili Trawangan? Yes, as ATMs often run out of cash on weekends and in peak season. Withdraw in Bali or Lombok before you arrive, or visit the ATM early in the day.
- Are the horses on Gili Trawangan treated well? Welfare has improved significantly since the mid-2010s, thanks to local NGOs like Horses of Gili and enforced rules through cidomo cooperatives. Conditions still vary by operator. Walking and biking remain the simplest and most sustainable way to get around.
- What is each side of Gili Trawangan like? The east side of the island is known for nightlife, the west for quiet sunsets, the north for turtles, and the south for hiking up Gili Trawangan Hill. You can easily bike or walk around the island to explore every corner.
- Is there sustainable tourism in Gili Trawangan? Yes, there are many local and government initiatives to make tourism to the island more sustainable. These include community-wide trash pickups, water refill stations, and measures to preserve beaches and coral reefs for marine life. You can always ask the staff at Villa Almarik about ways to get involved.
- Is Gili Trawangan worth visiting? This Gili island is worth visiting for its beautiful beaches, close encounters with nature, and range of things to do. If you only know about Gili Trawangan as a party island, you’ll enjoy discovering what each side of this island has to offer.
