Indonesia sits within Southeast Asia’s Coral Triangle and has some incredibly rich marine biodiversity, so adding Gili T to your itinerary is a great way to experience some beautiful underwater adventures. Fringed by white-sand beaches with stunning views of Lombok and Bali on either side of the island, and surrounded by biodiverse coral reefs, Gili T offers some of Southeast Asia’s best snorkelling and diving, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Its crystal clear and warm waters make it an ideal place to explore the marine wildlife just off the island’s coast. Because it’s not always obvious to figure out where the best coastal areas, we put together this guide on the Best Beaches and Snorkelling Spots in Gili Trawangan (Gili T) to help you plan your visit and get the most out of your time here.
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You might also be interested in these pages (coming soon):
Best Things to See and Do in Bali
Best Things to See and Do in the Gili Islands
The Perfect Three-Week Bali Itinerary
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Bali
Gili Trawangan: Location & Map
Gili Trawangan is one of three islands collectively known as the Gili Islands, alongside Gili Air and Gili Meno, just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Despite their greater distance from Bali, they are easily reachable within a few hours by fast boat.
About Gili Trawangan
Gili T is the largest and most built-up of the three Gili Islands. Although it’s the largest, it really isn’t that big, measuring only 3 km long by 2 km wide with a local population of around 1500. In fact, the local name of these three islands is Gili Indah, which means “small beautiful islands”.
For more information on Gili T and all the fun things the island has to offer, be sure to check out our detailed guide on the Best Things to See and Do on Gili Trawangan.
Beach and Snorkelling Safety Tips
1 – Do not attempt to swim between the Gili islands. Even though Gili Meno appears to be a stone’s throw away, the current between the islands is so strong that it will pull you out to sea.
2 – It’s highly recommended to wear water shoes (reef shoes) when entering the water from the Gili T beaches. The shallow waters are filled with sharp corals and shells. Water shoes will make your experience much more comfortable while also providing extra grip when walking over slippery, flat, rocky surfaces.
3 – It’s best to wear a t-shirt or a swim shirt when snorkelling. The sun in Indonesia is extremely strong, and you can get sunburned on your back very quickly, even on a cloudy day.
4 – Only use reef-friendly sunscreen. Mose types of sun protection, contain octinoxate and oxybenzone, which is damaging to marine life and therefore should be avoided if at all possible.
Gili Trawangan Beaches
Although the Gili Islands have a warm, tropical climate with a dry and wet season, they enjoy a slightly drier microclimate when compared to the surrounding Indonesian archipelago as they are somewhat sheltered from rain due to their location between the towering Mount Rinjani to the east on Lombok and Mount Agung to the west on Bali. This specific climate makes Gili T an ideal destination to enjoy some wonderful beach weather almost year-round.
You won’t have to look far to find a beach on Gili T, as the island is surrounded by a beautiful ring of white sand. No matter where you are staying, you’ll have a beach nearby. While all beaches are beautiful, they are not equal in terms of swimming and snorkelling opportunities. You will find the widest and longest stretches of beach along the west and east coasts.
Gili T East Coast Beach
-Swimming
Our favorite beaches on Gili T are along the east coast. We find them to be more scenic, ideal for swimming and snorkelling (more on this further below), and more lively (without getting too crowded). The ideal spot for swimming is along the northern portion of the east coast (essentially anywhere north of the Carpe Diem restaurant (link to Google Maps)), where there is a boat-free zone.
Swimming is at its best during high tide, but it’s even possible here during low tide, unlike in other areas around Gili T. (The pictures below were taken around low tide).
Even though this is the best beach for swimming, there are still some rocky sections to go through when heading out into the water, so wearing water shoes will make your experience significantly more comfortable.
-Sunrise
The East Coast beaches are also the best places from which to enjoy the sunrise. From there, you will get glorious views of the sun rising above Mount Rijani in Lombok.
-Boats
A fun area to explore on the east coast is the one around the ferry terminal (link to Google Maps), where you can find many photogenic traditional Indonesian fishing boats docked along the beach, with impressive views of Lombok in the distance.
Gili T West Coast Beach
-White Sands and Beach Views
The Gili T West Coast beaches are best for those who aren’t keen to get into the water but want to enjoy a relaxing time on the beach or in cozy and spacious beach clubs. They are also the best place to watch stunning sunsets.
The waters along the western beaches aren’t great for swimming, except perhaps at the very peak of high tide, as you have to walk through long stretches of rocks and coral before reaching swimmable water. We didn’t try swimming here, nor did we see anybody swim here during our time on the island.
-Sunsets
For sunsets, you can find plenty of open spaces along the beach or a cozy spot in one of several beachfront bars along the west coast. We don’t have any in particular to recommend, since you are there for the view and they all more or less share the same one!
Gili T North and South Coast Beaches
The north and south coast beaches are much smaller (the island isn’t very wide near the northern and southern tips). The South Coast beach is particularly narrow and isn’t appealing for a swim at low tide. However, the views of the “floating tree” (where a large tree appears to be growing out of the ocean (link to Google Maps)) are spectacular, and on clear days, you can see Bali’s towering Mount Agung in the distance.
The same is even more true for the north coast, as you can see how rocky and shallow the water is at low-tide.
Other Fun Beachside Activities
– Watch a movie under the stars: Several beach bars host free evening open-air cinema events on large screens set up on the beach. The most popular is the Aston Sunset Beach Resort (link to Google Maps). They usually have two showings per night, and it’s best to arrive early to ensure good seating. Food and drink service is available as well.
– Sunrise paddleboarding: If you are a fan of SUPs and sunrises, then this activity might be for you! You’ll enjoy a superb sunrise over Lombok while out on the calm morning waters. Tours start around 5h30 am, and can last between 1h and 2h30, depending on your preference. If you are a novice to stand-up paddleboarding, not to worry, beginners are welcome and will be assisted by the professional tour guide on-site:
– Sunrise/sunset beach horseback riding: This is another great golden light activity that will produce amazing photos. The tours are suitable for both experienced equestrians and beginners, last one hour, and take place at any time of day (not just sunrise or sunset).
Snorkelling and Diving on Gili T
Gili T is a Fanstastic snorkelling destination for several reasons. It’s home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundant and diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles. The clear waters offer excellent visibility, the warm waters make snorkelling a year-round activity, and the shallow depth of the corals make them very accessible. While some snorkelling spots are best reached by boat, others can be accessed directly from the beach, making it a great destination for both experienced and beginner snorkelers
Snorkelling at Turtle Point
The northeast corner of Gili T is also the best area to enjoy some snorkelling and, with some luck, see some green or hawksbill turtles. In our experience, the best area to see them is between “Turtle Spot” and “Turtle Point” (link to Google Maps). The are several street vendors that rent out snorkelling gear (fins, mask and snorkel) for about IDR 50,000. They are not necessarily the highest quality, but they do the job. You can also rent GoPros for about IDR 200,000 (cash only) to capture your underwater snorkelling adventures.
Snorkelling Trip to Gili Meno
Although some of Gili T’s marine life can be enjoyed from near the shoreline, you are likely to encounter a lot more by taking a snorkelling trip between the islands, particularly around Gili Meno.
We can highly recommend this GetYourGuide snorkelling tour, which, after several snorkelling stops, includes time for a nice stop for lunch on a Gili Meno beach and a short visit to the small turtle sanctuary. They will take tons of pictures with a GoPro and will share them with your group afterwards. You can select your preferred group size (regular, small or private) for the snorkelling activity:
Like most tours, this snorkelling tour will make 3-4 snorkelling stops around Gili Meno, including at the impressive Bask Nest underwear sculptures.
After a break for lunch, you are free to wander around Gili Meno and/or go visit the turtle sanctuary.
Sunset boat tour & Snorkelling
If you enjoy scenic boat rides during sunset, this tour is a great option. It combines snorkelling with a glass-bottom boat tour from which you can watch the sunset.
Scuba Diving
Gili Trawangan is a fantastic place for scuba diving, whether you are a novice or an experienced diver. The clear waters, healthy coral reefs where underwater life flourishes, and year-round warm temperatures have led to Gili T becoming a popular diving destination.
Many reputable dive operators have opened on Gili T over the years, so you have plenty of options to choose from. If you are a novice, most courses will begin with a short training period in a practice diving pool before heading out into the open water. If you are here for several days and take several classes, you might also be able to obtain your PADI Open Water Certification.
If you are a beginner or novice diver, Manta Dive (one of Gili T’s best-rated dive operators with excellent safety measures) offers this great introductory course:
Best Time to Visit Gili Trawangan
The best time to visit Gili Trawangan is during the dry season, which typically runs from late April to mid-October. This period offers the most favorable weather with less rain and lower humidity. During the dry season, the seas are also generally calmer, which is ideal for those wanting to snorkel or dive, and means that the Bali-Gili journey is more likely to be smooth.
Consider off-peak months like May-June or September-October for a more personal experience with fewer crowds.
If you visit during Ramadan, which usually takes place in March or April, know that some businesses will either completely close or close earlier (from sunset to sunrise).
How to get to Gili Trawangan
Getting to Gili Trawangan — From Bali
The best way to get to Gili T from Bali is to hop on one of several fast boats that connect the Gili islands with Bali, which are offered by several different private companies (including Golden Queen, Eka Jaya, Semaya One, Blue Water Express, Ganggari, Gili Getaway, Wahana Virendra, and Gili Gili Fast Boat).
The most common routes to the Gili islands depart from the Pandang Bai port, along Bali’s east coast. As to which fast boat company to choose, we did a lot of research to determine which of those had the best reputation regarding safety, timely departures and customer service. Those that consistently rank near the top are Blue Water Express, Gili Getaway, Wahana Virendra and Eka Jaya (Eka Jaya has had bad reviews in the past, but they have since significantly improved on several fronts).
Wahana Virendra is particularly well-regarded for trips to Gili Trawangan, and you can easily book your tickets here for about 30 US$/€ for a one-way trip:
Wahana Virendra offers two daily departures from Bali to Gili T (or Gili Air), 9 am and 11 am, which are ideal morning departures when the seas tend to be calmer. They also have two return trips to Bali, which depart at 10h30 and 12h30 from Gili T. Each journey typically takes about 1h30-2h30, depending on sea conditions and wind direction.
Tips for a Smooth Fast Boat Trip to Gili T
– Note that the waters of the Baduing Strait can get quite choppy, even on beautiful sunny days, and often regardless of the boat operator. As a general rule, the larger the boat, the more likely the ride will be comfortable. If you’re prone to seasickness, you might want to consider taking motion sickness tablets beforehand.
– It’s best to book your fast boat tickets at least several days in advance, especially during peak season (we bought them several weeks in advance). Fast boats can fill up quickly, so booking online beforehand ensures that you get your preferred travel day and departure time.
– Also, many ferry and fast boat operators, including Wahana Virendra, will message you with confirmation details and alert you of any delays via WhatsApp, so be sure to have the app installed on your phone.
– If you are not based near Padang Bai, your hotel or accommodation can generally arrange for a transfer from your lodging to the Padang Bai port.
Getting to Gili Trawangan — From Nusa Penida
We are not overly familiar with the provider (Gili Voyages), but they have received great reviews so far on GetYourGuide. If you would like to visit Gili T from Nusa Penida, you can pre-book single-trip tickets here:
Planning a Trip to Bali?
You might be interested in these pages: (coming soon)
Best Things to See and Do in Bali
Best Things to See and Do in the Gili Islands
The Perfect Three-Week Bali Itinerary
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Bali
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Bali: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is a travel insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for travellers. Includes Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Primarily geared towards long-term travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Bali guide on Best Beaches and Snorkelling Spots in Gili Trawangan and that it will prove useful for planning your trip.
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