Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan (Terawangan, or Gili T) is the largest and most visited of the three Gili Islands off Lombok.

Gili Trawangan Halal Travel Guide

Thit is the largest of the three Gili Islands with an estimated permanent population of about 1400.

Trawangan was the first of the three islands to attract visitors in any numbers, and it was backpackers who led the way.

The thriving dive industry of the Gili Islands is centred here (although some operators have outposts on the other two islands), and since about 2005 and the island has gone through a massive development boom, and a number of upscale sleeping, eating and drinking establishments have opened. Any visitor to Trawangan should be prepared for a real mish-mash of fellow travellers; some will be ensconced in US$400 per day, unashamedly Bali-style villas, while others would be quite happy to sleep on the beach after a tough day on the mushies.

Orientation

Most of the lodging and other facilities on the island are on the eastern side, sheltered from the winds and rough seas of the Lombok Strait which sometimes batter the opposite side of the island. Boats dock here as well, on the beach just north of the market. This generally means a walk in the shallow water to disembark. There is also a private concrete and wood jetty used by a few companies.

A footpath circumvents the whole island and various tracks criss-cross, nearly always leading back to this coastal path. The area set back behind the east coast beachfront establishments is where most of the local residents live (and where there is a lot of good lodging), and is known as "the village". There is a low lying hill in the southern centre of the island, which is easily reached from the tracks heading southwest from the back of the village.

Travel to Gili Trawangan

The sea is calmest in the morning and all transport stops running in the late-afternoon, well before dark. During periods of southerly winds and in July and August especially and the swell can be a bit hairy and you are very likely to get wet on the crossing. It is advisable to place laptops, cameras and handphones in waterproof bags for the crossing. You will need to wade through shallow sea when disembarking, so wear either appropriate footwear, or none at all.

From Lombok

BlueWater Express departs daily from Teluk Kode at 11:30, arriving in Gili Trawangan in around 15-20 minutes. From June-October and there is a second departure time at 14:30.

The daily Perama service will take you directly from Senggigi departing 09:00 to Gili Trawangan in under 2 hours for a flat Rp 200,000, plus optional Rp 20,000 for pickup at your lodging in Senggigi. Other operators can provide transfers for Rp 85,000, but these often involve going through Bangsal.

Another option is to arrange a speedboat charter or pickup with your hotel, or a dive shop on Trawangan. These speedboat services run in and out of the lovely Teluk Nare bay in Lombok, south of Bangsal and thus avoiding the thoroughly unpleasant experience of combating the agents there. A speedboat charter normally takes up to three passengers, crosses in 20-30 min, and will cost about Rp 650,000-500,000.

The drive north from Senggigi follows the coast and the road offers panoramic views and glimpses of roadside village life. It is not a lengthy trip and the road has recently been upgraded throughout almost the entire length to either Teluk Nare and Bangsal a little further to the north. It is a quite scenic trip and glimpses of the Gilis can be seen as the road rises over the headlands whilst travelling up the coastline.

Public boats

The cheapest way to reach Gili Trawangan is on a public boat which departs from Bangsal from 08:00-17:00 (but rarely later than 16:00). The official price is Rp 62,500. Sometimes these depart only when there are enough people, normally a minimum of 15 is enough. If numbers are insufficient you might be in for a long wait. The official maximum is 20 people but sometimes the boat is overloaded by the time it is ready to depart. The experience of departing from Bangsal is commonly pleasant due to the very persistent agents who infest the place. Try to ignore them and do not listen to their generally fanciful tales that involve you paying them money to solve an imaginary transportation problem. They often provide a chorus of gloomy predictions regarding the alleged unavailability of services and then if successful they put unknowing passengers upon the normal scheduled service or a private charter at an often seriously inflated prices.

Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Groups direct from the official Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari office. In Bangsal thit is inside the main building on the waterfront, find the ticket desk in the notheastern corner of that building. The Koperasi operate the public boat and the shuttle boat and the island-hopping boat and also offer (official) charter boats.

The public boat office on Trawangan is right on the beach north of the unused concrete jetty, near where you are dropped off. It is somewhat hard to see from the street. If you have trouble finding it, ask some local residents, who will kindly give you directions. The office counter faces to the beach. You may need to wait until 15-20 others show up, so it's best to be there early in the morning (07:00-08:00) if you want to get moving quickly. The last boat leaves Trawangan around 15:00.

Public boat (ferry)

Thit is the standard method to reach Gili Trawangan and is used by local residents and tourists. The maximum number of passengers is fixed at 20 persons but it is often overloaded with goods and or passengers. If it seems clearly unsafe due to either overloading or prevailing weather conditions then it is most likely best not to board it.

Bangsal to Gili Trawangan 1 way is Rp 62,500
Gili Trawangan to Bangsal 1 way is Rp 62,500

Shuttle boat

This service supplements the public boat (ferry) service and departs Gili Trawangan to Bangsal (on the main island of Lombok).

Bangsal to Gili Trawangan departs at 17:00; the official price is Rp 68,000.
Gili Trawangan to Bangsal departs at 08:15; the official price is Rp 68,000.
(Thit is more expensive than the standard public boat cost which is fixed at Rp 20,000).

Charter boat

The official charter boat service provided by Koperasi Angkutan laut Karya Bahari is permitted to carry a maximum of 12 persons.

Bangsal to Gili Trawangan one way is Rp 285,000, return Rp 750,000
Gili Trawangan to Bangsal one way is Rp 285,000, return Rp 750,000

Informal and unofficial charters are also available from private operators to travel from Bangsal to Gili Trawangan. If you decide to hire one, try to deal only with the boat operator, ignore the agents and 'facilitators' and use your time over a negotiation, any hint of haste or urgency is sure to raise the price.

From Gili Air and Gili Meno

To move from one island to another the formal procedure is to take the public boat (ferry) to Bangsal and then a further similar ferry to the required island departing from Bangsal. To return the reverse is required. This can be confusing and co-ordinating the timing with the connecting boat departing from Bangsal may be either difficult or elusive. There is also a limited official inter-island "island-hopping" service provided that departs once in the morning and once in the evening.

The tariff for all Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari services was last set by decree of the Regency of West Lombok in May 2023. This koperasi now falls under the new jurisdiction of the Regency of North Lombok.
Departure and arrival times may vary due to operational conditions and other random factors such as loading times and delays arising from waiting for sufficient numbers of passengers prior to departure. Overloading may occur and caution should be exercised if considering boarding or travelling on an overloaded boat. If there are too many people requiring transport they may be left behind and a substitute service may or may not be available. Try to limit your dealings to official koperasi personnel only and avoid entering into any discussions or negotiations with local agents and facilitators. Only a few of them will be of any assistance at all and most will endeavour to confuse the traveller so that they accept an inflated price for the provision of an existing service. Do not buy tickets from anyone other than an official ticket seller.
Official Koperasi services include:

Public boat
Shuttle boat
Island Hopping boat
Charter boat (Koperasi)

Ferry operators may sometimes enter into informal arrangements with passengers to journey inter-island. In this situation a passenger boards a boat that is meant to go directly to Bangsal from one of the three Gili islands but instead it detours and sets down on the beach at another island whilst en route. The prices are a movable feast but people will normally pay a price of around Rp 65,000. Inter-island access on the public boats in this manner is dependent upon timing, weather, loading, payment and the inclination of the crew to facilitate an inter-island journey and such arrangements are not officially sanctioned. The standard procedure is to travel to Bangsal and make a separate trip to the different island or to use the very limited official service. The price for a single journey public boat ferry journey from Gili Air to Bangsal is Rp 8,000. The price for a public boat from Gili Meno is Rp 9,000. The price for the subsequent public boat to Gili Trawangan from Bangsal is Rp 20,000, this assuming the required connection was made at Bangsal.

Island-hopping boat

A limited formal island-hopping boat service is provided by Koperasi Angkutan Laut Karya Bahari. Thit is the same local koperasi (maritime transport co-operative) that provides the public boat ferry service.

Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan departs at 08:50 and the official price is Rp 75,000

Gili Air to Gili Trawangan in the morning is an indirect service. Take the Island Hopping boat leaving Gili Air for Gili Meno at 08:30. The same boat then departs Gili Meno for Gili Trawangan at 08:50. The official Gili A to Gili T island-hopping boat price is Rp 60,000. Hopefully you will only pay once.
Gili Air to Gili Trawangan departs at 3PM and the official price is Rp 60,000

Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno departs at 09:30 and the official price is Rp 60,000
Gili Trawangan to Gilli Air departs at 16:00 and the official price is Rp 63,000

Charter boat

The official charter boat service provided by Koperasi Angkutan laut Karya Bahari is permitted to carry a maximum of 12 persons.

Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno one way is Rp 290,000, return Rp 750,000
Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan one way is Rp 295,000, return Rp 750,000

Gilli Trawangan to Gili Air one way is Rp 295,000, return Rp 750,000
Gilli Air to Gili Trawangan one way is Rp 295,000, return Rp 750,000

Gili Trawangan to Senggigi one way is Rp 690,000, return Rp 890,000

From Bali

For more detailed information on fast boat companies, routes and travel advice see Gili islands main page.

All fast boat services are subject to weather conditions and the trip across the Lombok Strait can get quite bumpy especially in July–August. Turbulent seas may sometimes arise for a while during the monsoonal influenced months of January–February. Most operators offer pickups and drop offs but all cover slightly different regions. Prices usually include land transport from/to your destination in Bali. Double-check with operators for seasonal discounts, schedules and current operational status.

You may get a better price by booking from a travel agent in Bali rather than booking directly with the boat company as the agents get discounts and some may pass them on to their clients. The only way to compare live seat availability and book boat tickets online is with the Gilibookings for the most reputable fast boat services, or it's sister site Gilitickets for some of the cheaper budget operators. You can view all routes, timetables and pricing for many of the most popular regional fast boat operators. Prices on Gilibookings range from USD80-70 one way, USD98-136 return. Higher prices are offset by discount vouchers. Fast boats are around 30% cheaper on Gilitickets.

Prevailing weather conditions in the Lombok Strait can lead to rough crossings and occasional cancellation of services especially during the peak of the monsoon season around January–February. The vessels currently serving the fast boat routes are generally of a light-duty hull construction and are powered by petrol fuelled outboard engines. Crew training, operational standards and safety equipment are of a mixed standard and may be below the normal expectations of many foreign visitors.

If you have legitimate concerns about either the vessel and the operator or the prevailing weather conditions do not board the boat, immediately seek a refund of your fare and make alternative arrangements for your trip. Consider your options and choice of provider very carefully. During rough weather flights across the Lombok Strait may provide a more comfortable and safer journey.

How to get around in Gili Trawangan

Bicycles are available for rent and the main tracks are good enough for riding. Expect to pay between Rp50,000 to Rp70,000 per day, often the cheapest places to rent are inland from the waterfront. A ride around the island is less than an hour, but you need to walk your bike at a few points due to the sandy nature of the track. A bike is also great for adventuring the inland areas, where you can see a lot of cows, goats and chickens as well as local homes.

Unsurprisingly though on a tiny island, walking is the preferred and most appropriate way of getting around.

If you have heavy bags and are staying well away from the departure area, you will need a cidomo (horse cart) to get too and from the boat. A short trip should cost about Rp 60,000.

See and do

Gili Trawangan is the centre of a thriving dive industry for the Gili Islands. All of the operators have their main dive shops located here. There are about a dozen active dive sites, and all of the shops run a regularly rotating program of daily fun dives to one of more of these.

Fun dives, muckdiving, technical diving and wreck dives are a staple and Gili Trawangan is well known as a world-class teaching centre. The operators are very professional and the warm waters offering a wide range of easy to challenging dive sites (including some with fairly strong currents), and the visibility very good. Gili T makes for an ideal teaching environment, whether you are a first timer, or a diver looking to extend your qualifications.

Freedive Gili is close to the harbour on Gili Trawangan, and offers freedive and apnea (breath holding) courses for beginners to advanced. It is the only freedive centre in the region and is owned and operated by British freedive record holder Mike Board.

Gili Cooking Classes, in the Art Market on Gili T, offers a unique opportunity to learn the secret of six tasty Indonesian dishes as well as Lombok specialities during a 3-hour course. Experienced teachers guide a hands-on, enjoyable session in English. All the necessary equipment is provided.

Dive shops

The dive shops have some variation in the level of facilities, services, experience in the local dive sites, and varying levels of staff accreditation and experience, so do ensure that you are choosing the right provider for your own individual needs and expectations. Most dive shops are located on the primary street, close to the main harbour. Try walking up and down the street to browse around. The price is fixed at To 490 000 with an extra Rooms 50 000 for the first dive. Thit is an eco conservation fee and is only paid once. Below is an incomplete listing of dive shops in alphabetical order.

Snorkelling

The easiest spot to find some productive snorkelling is off the main beach, north of the boat landing. Enter the water roughly in front of the Almarik hotel. If you start north of the beach (about where you can see seaweeds growing at low tide roughly level with Gili Meno's northern extent), and go with the current back towards to the most crowded sunbathing area, you will likely need to kick only when you want to stop to look at something. The healthy corals are around the area where the wall drops off and the deeper water begins. Nearer the shore you will find only dead coral. Turtles can be seen often, and also the occasional trigger fish amongst the more common reef inhabitants. At low tide it is difficult to get in without reef shoes. Always watch out for potential waves that can push you into the coral that are just below water level.

A better coral reef is off the northwest coast, but you have to be very keen to go through the hardship of getting out there. The only access to the reef involves walking over a substantial area of dead, sharp coral, and back again when you have finished. If you are a keen snorkeller the effort is worth it, and you are very likely to have the waters to yourself.

Small, purple jellyfish are sometimes plentiful around the island, and they seem to love stinging snorkellers. The reaction is one of considerable irritation, but the stings cause no serious harm.

Surfing

Gili Trawangan has a fast right hander which can really pump with the right conditions. The best waves are at high tide, and the underlying reef can be sharp so booties can come in handy. The surf break is off the south coast - just follow the local residents who will be out and jogging with their boards whenever the surf is decent. You will find no shortage of local residents ready, willing and able to rent you board. There are a few breaks off Gili Air and Gili Meno, but they are more difficult to reach and smaller. The best season is the January–June wet season, with swells from 1-2 meters. Daily conditions can be checked out at Magic Seaweed.

Walking

There are some walks to be had on the island, although the perimeter coastal track (about 7 kilometers) is perhaps not as scenic as those on Gili Meno and Gili Air. A leisurely stroll all the way around will take 90-120 minutes, depending on just how leisurely you are.

The hill in the south can be easily reached by taking one of the tracks that lead west or southwest from the back of the village. Dawn and dusk are the best times to climb up here. The sunset views back towards Bali are quite lovely, and in the mornings the sun rises over majestic Mount Rinjani on Lombok. On the top of the hill lie the remains of a World War II Japanese gun bunker.

Yoga

Gili Yoga center shares an office with Freedive Gili and boasts its own yoga pavilion. Daily yoga classes are given in the open air, surrounded by a tropical garden and the sounds of nature. Offers services including daily meditation and pranayama, twice-daily yoga training, lodging, group activities (snorkeling, sunset boat ride) and Vegetarian food.

Horseback riding

Stud Horse Riding Adventure | A small stable of horses available for riding around the island. Book more than a day ahead for a sunset ride.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gili Trawangan

There are over 12 ATMs on the island, with most located on the eastern side on the island close to the jetty. Most ATMs have a maximum withdrawal of Rp 2,500,000 and will either provide Rp 70,000 or Rp 200,000 notes. The exchange rates offered on the islands are not as good as from the better ones on Lombok or Bali. Do not believe the agents at Bangsal that there are no ATMs or money changers. They will try to convince you to change money with them and charge you up to 10% commission for it.

The Art Market (Pasar Seni) next to the pier has a few scruffy stalls hawking souvenirs, but it's all brought in from elsewhere, and the selection is far more limited than what you'd find on Bali or even Lombok.

Halal Restaurants

Trawangan has a huge range of eating options from simple local Halal warungs up to fairly grand places serving inventive modern cuisine. Many of these are attached to hotels or dive shops, and are not independent restaurants as such.

Budget places are thinner on the ground that they used to be, but still not hard to find. If you really want to watch the pennies, do as the local residents do and eat at the push carts along the beachfront which set up every evening. These serve the usual range of Indonesian staples: fried Rice, fried -food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles and bakso (meatball soup).

Barbecued fish is excellent here and every evening many of the better restaurants fire up the charcoal. The deal is that you chose your fish - red and white snapper and trevally are especially good - and it is grilled on the spot.

Main market In the evening the main market pops up in an open square. Full of carts selling good quality food. There is a cart selling dessert pancakes and these pancakes are not like anything you've ever had as breakfast and are delicious.

Juku | Probably the best fish grill on any of the three islands. They get a bit creative with the marinades, but the fish is otherwise prepared in the traditional open wood grill manner.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Gili Trawangan, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gili Trawangan. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Gili Trawangan and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Gili Trawangan. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Gili Trawangan. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Gili Trawangan: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Gili Trawangan.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Gili Trawangan: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Gili Trawangan, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Gili Trawangan.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Gili Trawangan, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Gili Trawangan, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Gili Trawangan and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Gili Trawangan, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Gili Trawangan, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Gili Trawangan without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Gili Trawangan is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Gili Trawangan.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Gili Trawangan is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Gili Trawangan, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Gili Trawangan Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Gili Trawangan

eHalal Group Gili Trawangan is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Gili Trawangan. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Gili Trawangan.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Gili Trawangan ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Gili Trawangan. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Gili Trawangan, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Gili Trawangan are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Check https://hotels.ehalal.io for a full list

Medical Issues in Gili Trawangan

See Main Gili Islands Travel Guide for more information.

There is a small clinic adjacent to Vila Ombak. They are quite used to treating travellers with minor ailments, including some stomach problems, but any visitor with a serious medical issue should make their way to Mataram hospital on Lombok.

Telecommunications in Gili Trawangan

There are several internet cafes on Trawangan for feeding your Internet addiction, although connection speeds can often be slow. Printing is feasible in a few internet cafés and you can even hook up your laptop in some. Lightning Fast, just north of the jetty, costs Rp 700 per minutes but the supposedly fast service rarely is. Of the restaurants providing wifi, Scallywags is the best option with a fast, dedicated ADSL service from mainland Lombok.

William's Bookshop, right behind the Art Market on Gili Trawangan, acts as a de facto post office, sells stamps and can mail out your postcards.

Cope in Gili Trawangan

See Gili Islands main Halal Travel Guide for further information.

There is a affordable and cheerful public laundry service at the back of the Art Market. Laundry is normally returned the next day, and when compared to the prices charged by hotels, this can save you a fair bit of money if you are on the island for anything more than a day or two.

News & References Gili Trawangan

Travel Next

If travelling to somewhere on mainland Lombok and then you could get the early morning local ferry to nearby Bangsal for Rp 60,000. Then walk about 800 m inland to Bunga Bunga Cafe on the right hand side of the road. Thit is where the shuttle buses and cars pick up from. Here you can buy tickets or bargain for a seat in a taxi car. You can obtain breakfast here too. Note that anyone with a ticket already will be expected to walk here or pay for a ride on a horse and cart. If you get a vehicle for yourself and the driver might pick up extra passengers on the way. As a contingency plan, negotiate with the driver that if he picks up anyone else then you pay less. Agree what that lower amount is.

Lombok — if you are on one of the Gili islands you are already in Lombok, go to the main island to see the rest of it including nearby Tanjung and Senggigi a little further down the coast.
Gili Air — put your feet up after all that partying
Gili Meno — also a quieter Gili
Nusa Lembongan — last stop before Bali