Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan
The liveliest of the three Gilis — turtles by day, barefoot by night.
- 2Daily departures
- 1h 30mCrossing time
- Rp 400.000From / adult
Gili Trawangan — "Gili T" — is the largest and most sociable of the three Gili Islands, a car-free strip of white sand and turquoise water off the north-west coast of Lombok. There are no motorbikes and no cars: you get around on foot, by bicycle, or by cidomo (pony cart). By day it's snorkelling with sea turtles and lazing on the beach; by night the east coast comes alive with beach bars, live music and fresh-seafood grills.
It's the easiest Gili to reach from Bali by fast boat, and the best base if you want a mix of things to do, places to eat and a bit of nightlife alongside the postcard beaches.
Gili Trawangan highlights
- Swim with green sea turtles straight off the beach
- Car-free — explore by bicycle or on foot
- The best nightlife and dining of the three Gilis
- Sunset over Bali's Mount Agung from the west coast
Why go to Gili Trawangan
Gili T hits the sweet spot between paradise and convenience. The snorkelling is superb — green turtles graze the seagrass just off the beach, and you can swim out to them straight from the shore. Dive schools run trips to reefs and the famous underwater statues, and the island has more restaurants, cafés and bars than the other two Gilis combined.
Because there's no traffic, the whole island feels relaxed. Rent a bicycle and you can circle it in under an hour, stopping at quiet west-coast beaches for the sunset over Bali's Mount Agung.
Things to do
Snorkel or dive the reefs and the underwater sculptures, take a glass-bottom boat island-hopping trip to Gili Meno and Gili Air, learn to freedive, or simply find a beanbag on the west coast for sunset. Sunrise yoga, beach volleyball and the lively night market round out the day.
Getting to Gili Trawangan by fast boat
Fast boats run daily from Bali — from Padang Bai in East Bali (the shortest, calmest crossing at around 1.5 hours) and from Sanur in the south. Morning departures are smoothest, as the Lombok Strait is calmest early in the day. Compare every operator's schedule and price below and book an instant e-ticket.
Best time to visit
May to September (dry season) has the calmest seas and clearest water. Take a morning fast boat for the smoothest crossing year-round.
Getting there
Fast boats to Gili Trawangan
Today's sample times — pick your date at checkout for live availability.
- GGGili Getaway★ 4.808:002h 30m→10:30Rp 650.000Book
- EJEka Jaya★ 4.609:301h 30m→11:00Rp 400.000Book
Gili Trawangan — frequently asked questions
How long is the fast boat to Gili Trawangan?
About 1.5 hours from Padang Bai and roughly 2–2.5 hours from Sanur, depending on the operator and sea conditions.
Do I need to book the boat in advance?
In peak season (July–August, Christmas and New Year) boats sell out, so book ahead. In quieter months a day or two in advance is usually fine.
Are there ATMs and Wi-Fi on Gili Trawangan?
Yes — Gili T has ATMs, plenty of Wi-Fi and the best infrastructure of the three islands, though it's wise to bring some cash.