Gili Trawangan Itinerary: 3 Days of Turtles, Sands & Magical Sunsets

Last Updated on November 5, 2025

Are you planning a trip to the Gili Islands and thinking of staying on Gili Trawangan?

My time on Gili T. was the highlight of my very first trip to Bali. There’s something truly magical about these islands — maybe it’s the laid-back island vibe, the white-sand beaches, the cows roaming freely through the palm trees, or the crystal-clear waters. Either way, a trip to the Gilis is always worth it.

In this post, I’ll share how to plan your Gili Trawangan itinerary, including side trips to Gili Meno and Gili Air, plus all my best tips to make your island escape as smooth and unforgettable as possible.

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Planning Your Trip to The Gili Islands

1. How To Get To Gili Trawangan?

Gili Trawangan is the largest of a group of three islands located just 5 km off the coast of Lombok. Despite being closer to Lombok, the Gilis are actually one of the most popular island escapes from Bali.

The journey from Bali usually takes around two hours by fast ferry, departing from Padang Bai in East Bali. Ferries run several times a day, but it’s best to plan a morning transfer — the sea is typically calmer then. You can book your ferry tickets in advance on this website.

If you’re already in Lombok, getting to the Gili Islands is much quicker — around 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat.

Several ports serve the islands; the main one is Bangsal, though Teluk Nare and Senggigi harbors also offer fast boats to the nearby Gilis. You can book your tickets online here (for ferries departing from Teluk Nare).

2. How To Get Around Gili Trawangan

You really don’t have to worry about getting around Gili Trawangan. The island is tiny and completely walkable — you could easily explore the whole thing in about two hours. But if walking that much isn’t your thing, there are easier ways to get around.

The most popular (and fun) option is to rent a bicycle. You’ll find plenty of rentals right around the port area as soon as you step off the ferry. Prices are usually around IDR 50,000 ($3) per day, and you’ll get a chain and a WhatsApp number to contact in case anything goes wrong.

Another option is to rent an electric scooter. It’s a bit pricier than a bike, with rates ranging from IDR 250,000 to 350,000 ($15–20) per day. If you’re looking for one, check out Best Electric Scooter Rental Gili T, located slightly inland on the east side of the island.

3. How Many Days on Gili Trawangan?

I believe three full days (or three nights if you’re leaving early in the morning) is the perfect amount of time to spend on the island — especially if you’re the kind of traveler who doesn’t love too much downtime.

Three days are ideal for casual snorkeling, exploring Gili Meno and Gili Air, maybe joining a boat trip, and still having time to unwind with some sunbathing or a couple of massages.

If you’re someone who enjoys slowing down and doing absolutely nothing but relaxing by the beach, you could easily spend a week or two here and never get bored.

4. Best Time To Visit Gili Trawangan?

The best time to visit Gili T is during the dry season, from around May to October, especially if you’re planning to see many sunsets or go snorkeling, as visibility in the water is much better.

If you’re hoping to save and avoid the worst of crowds, consider visiting in May, June, or September, when prices are lower and there are fewer tourists.

I personally visited during the rainy season, right at the start of 2025. I was lucky because all my activities went ahead despite the rain, though it did rain (a lot!). And I definitely would’ve loved to see a few more sunsets!

5. Where to Stay on Gili Trawangan

Despite the island being small, the atmosphere is actually very different from one side to the other.

Here’s a breakdown of the main areas:

• Northern Side: This is the calmer side of the island, ideal for couples, families, or those seeking a very peaceful atmosphere. This is also the best area for snorkeling. You can rent your own gear and start exploring the waters right in front of Wilson’s Retreat.

• Western Side: This area is lively during the day; however, the lights seem to turn off from sunset onwards. Here you’ll find some of the coolest beach clubs and more upscale resorts like Pearl Sunset Resort or Cocana Resort. The west side is also one of the best places to catch the sunset on Gili T.

• Southern and Eastern Sides: These areas are lively from morning to evening. The eastern side, especially around the harbor, has plenty of bars and clubs open till late, and you’ll also find some of the shops and boutiques to browse if you’re looking for souvenirs.

6. Where to Eat on Gili Trawangan

For such a small island, there’s a great variety of options when it comes to food and restaurants. Here are a couple of places you can check if you’re on Gili Trawangan:

• Malibu Beach Club: The first place I stopped by on Gili T after arriving was Malibu Beach Club. The food there is amazing, and you can choose to eat with your feet in the sand overlooking the ocean or by their swimming pool. I highly recommend the pizza or the seafood!
• Restaurant at Pearl Sunset Resort: The restaurant is housed in a striking bamboo structure, and everything at Pearl Sunset is designed to minimize its environmental impact. The vibe is extremely chill, and I highly recommend the hummus.
• Jali Kitchen: The most laid-back and fun vibe for a NYE dinner, in my case. At Jali Kitchen, you’ll find both Western and Asian specialties — plus the best desserts and cocktails.

Day 1: Arrival Tips, Exploration By Bike & Sunsets

I arrived on Gili T around 11 a.m. on my first day, and I have to admit — the arrival can be a little chaotic.

My first impression was definitely not “paradise on earth.” When my friends and I disembarked, the harbor was packed with people queuing for the return ferry to Bali, locals shouting offers for bike rentals and horse carriages — and to top it all off, it was raining.

1. Exploration By Bike & Lunch With Ocean Views

Right after I dropped my bags at our villa, we started exploring the island by bike. You can easily cycle across the entire island in about an hour — make sure to explore the inland areas too.

The roads aren’t always well-paved and can get muddy, but that’s where you’ll see the true soul of Gili T — animals freely munching on grass and locals’ daily life unfolding.

After some exploration, we set off to find lunch at Malibu Beach Club, which quickly became our base for most of our stay.

Malibu Beach Bar is located on the southwest side of Gili T., and if you’re craving the best pizza, this is the place.

We spent the afternoon here, lounging, napping, swimming, and walking along the beach. The staff was so kind to let us hang out on their beach beds for free after lunch, and you can even use their pool across the road. If you’re into padel, the island’s court is also here.

The water is shallow here, so it’s not the best spot for a swim, but it’s perfect for lounging on the sand and sunbathing. The sand is covered with coral and shells across Gili T, so water shoes might be a good idea. 

2. Sunset On The West Side of Gili T

We weren’t lucky with sunsets during my Gili T trip. It was the rainy season, after all, which means I’ll definitely be back!

If you’re looking for the best sunset spots, head to the west side of the island. Sunset Beach is particularly popular, thanks to its swing. Honestly, though, anywhere along that stretch of coast is perfect for watching the sunset.

I’d love to tell you all about sipping a cocktail while admiring the Indonesian sky transforming into a carpet of red, pink, and orange, but, unfortunately… I didn’t get to see it. The rainy season didn’t deliver any pink sunsets for us.

3. Dinner & New Year’s Eve on Gili Trawangan

We had dinner at Jali Kitchen, which is also a resort. The evening vibe of this place is so fun and alive. Reggae music drifted over from the nearby bar, and the restaurant was full of locals and tourists enjoying New Year’s Eve together. 

The atmosphere was fantastic; everyone was happy and laughing, and even the occasional power outage (we had a couple) didn’t seem to bother anyone. The food was tasty too, with a mix of Indonesian and Asian specialties, plus a few Western options and desserts.

As for my own wild Gili T New Year’s Eve… after dinner, we tried to find a spot at a bar, but the crowds were insane. Like everyone else who couldn’t find a seat, we ended up dancing in the street, squeezing into any free space we could find to watch the fireworks and sip our champagne. 

After the countdown, we ended up at Gili Sands Beach Club, which has a dance club out front. It was a good time – not too crowded, not too empty. Definitely a good place to check out if you’re into pop or reggaeton music.

Day 2: Swimming With Turtles & Island Vibes

1. Snorkeling Boat Trip Around the Gili Islands

So, I kicked off 2025 snorkeling around the Gili Islands. We chose this tour mainly because it included the most popular snorkeling spots around the area, along with some sightseeing on Gili Meno and Gili Air.

If you’re short on time like I was, a guided tour is the best option if you want a chance to spot more than one turtle while exploring the other Gili Islands.

Most tours include stops at the Gili Air coral gardens and the Nest underwater statues off the coast of Gili Meno.

Our tour started at 9 am from Gili T’s harbor. First stop: the Nest Underwater Statues. These sculptures are seriously mesmerizing! Imagine life-sized sculptures embracing the seabed, surrounded by colorful tropical fish. It felt like exploring a magical underwater world.

Next up: Turtle Point. Within minutes, we were swimming with peaceful green turtles munching on seagrass. We even got to see adorable baby turtles at the sanctuary on Gili Meno – those tiny creatures longing for the open ocean definitely melted my heart. 

Finally, we headed to Gili Air’s Coral Gardens—an explosion of color – pink, yellow, purple corals – and tons of vibrant fish. We finally stopped for lunch at Zipp Bar on Gili Air before heading back to the boat and Gili T.

If you’re looking to plan your own boat trip around the Gili Islands, whether with a tour or on your own, you should check out my guide to the best snorkeling spots around the Gili Islands.

2. Shopping, Pool Club & Massages

After a morning of salty water, my friends and I decided it was time for some relaxation and maybe a bit of shopping.

Leaving the port area behind, we cycled along towards the southern side of the Island. We started to notice plenty of surf shops with cool t-shirts and board shorts, souvenir shops selling the usual magnets, and even tattoo parlors.

We eventually made our way to Pine Tree Beach Hotel, on the southeastern corner of Gili T. You can’t miss it – they have the biggest pool on the island and some bright coral-colored bean bag chairs. 

We were on a mission for massages, and this place is highly recommended. For just IDR 250,000 (about $15), we got a one-hour traditional massage and access to their pool club, including towels.

Dinner at Pearl Sunset Resort

For our second night on Gili T, we had dinner at Pearl Sunset Resort. Surprisingly, the place was empty. All the crowds from the evening before seemed to have disappeared, and the place was entirely all to ourselves.

The weather probably played a role; it felt like we’d been given a break for New Year’s Eve, and now it was ready to rain again. 

The food at Pearl Sunset is delicious. Their hummus is amazing—thick, creamy, and flavorful. They give you a generous portion with some bread. I also got a small salad. 

It was the evening of January 1st, and whether due to the downpour or not, the island was strangely quiet. Almost all the bars and restaurants were empty – totally unexpected for the so-called party-island

Day 3: Exploration, Shopping Before Departure

My third day on Gili T started with the delicious pancakes at my accommodation (Absolute Villa, which is now unfortunately closed).

After the excellent breakfast, we grabbed our bikes to explore more of the island. We’d mostly stuck to the eastern, southern, and southwestern sides, so it was time to check out the western and northern coasts.

The north side is where you often see turtles while snorkeling, so if you have time, definitely spend some time swimming there.

That was my last thought as I cycled back towards the eastern side and stumbled upon the cutest, most feminine shop.

I hadn’t bought any souvenirs during my Bali trip, but when I saw “Another Day in Paradise,” I couldn’t resist.

If you’re looking for colorful sarongs, flowery tops, handmade crochet bags, or just the most feminine dresses, this is the place. They sell unique, high-quality pieces you’d only find in Bali (or another tropical island). I was so glad I’d waited!

1. Ferries Departure From Gili T

Depending on your departure time, you might have more or less time for biking and shopping. Or maybe it’s your last full day, and you can squeeze in more snorkeling on the north side or catch a final sunset on the west.

Ferries depart from the harbor between 10:30 am and 1:45 pm (the longest ride is about three hours). Keep in mind that the afternoon waves are usually bigger, so if you’re likely to get seasick, plan to leave earlier. We took the 11:30 am ferry with Ostina Fast Boat.

Saying goodbye to Gili T was so hard. My friend and I literally waved at the island as it got smaller and smaller in the distance.

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So, there you have it – how I spent my three days on Gili Trawangan during the New Year. Hopefully, this itinerary inspired you to plan your own Gili Trawangan Itinerary.

If that’s the case, you can check out this Gili Trawangan Guide. You’ll find practical tips and all the essential information before your departure.

If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to share it on Pinterest. If you have any questions about the Gili Islands or traveling there from Bali, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments. I’m happy to help!

Other Articles You May Like While Planning Your Island Escape

• Packing for The Gili Islands: 15 Best Tips You Should Know
• Gili Islands Snorkeling: The 5 Best Spots and Tours to See The Turtles (2025 Guide)
• Nusa Islands Vs Gili Islands: What’s the Best Island Escape for You?

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