Discover the beauty of Gili Trawangan, its unique history, and various exciting tourist activities that you can enjoy on this exotic island.
Gili Trawangan, a small island located north of Lombok Island, has long been a favorite tourist destination in Indonesia. The island offers extraordinary natural beauty, from stunning white sandy beaches to an underwater world rich in biodiversity.
Gili Trawangan is not only famous for its beauty, but also has an interesting history and various exciting tourist activities that can be enjoyed by visitors from all over the world.
Also Read
History of Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan has a long and interesting history. Initially, the island was used by the Karang Asem Kingdom in Bali as part of its expansion of power towards Lombok.
The King of Bali at that time sent Patih AA Gede Alit to occupy Lombok, and on that trip, around 350 rebels from the Sasak tribe (the native inhabitants of Lombok) were exiled to Gili Trawangan.
At that time, this small island did not have adequate detention facilities, making Gili Trawangan a place of exile for those considered a threat. Among the Things to do Lombok, exploring the history of this island adds a unique perspective to your visit.
Then, during the Dutch colonial period around 1870, the island became an attractive place for sailors from South Sulawesi, especially Wak Sokna from the Mandar Balanipa tribe, along with sailors from the Bugis tribe.
They settled on Gili Trawangan and developed together with the Sasak tribe, creating a community that has become an important part of the island’s history to this day.
Location & Access to Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is located in the northern part of Lombok Island, Indonesia. To reach this island, visitors can take a sea journey of about 20 minutes using a public boat from Bangsal Harbor in Lombok.
Gili Trawangan is one of the three famous gili (small islands), along with Gili Meno and Gili Air. Natural beauty, beautiful beaches, and exciting nightlife make Gili Trawangan a very popular tourist destination, especially for international tourists.
For those of you who are planning a vacation to Gili Trawangan, here are some routes you can choose to get there.
If you come through Lombok International Airport, you can continue your journey to Mataram City and then to Senggigi.
From Senggigi, you can continue your journey to Bangsal Harbor or Teluk Nare to board a boat that will take you to Gili Trawangan in about 20 minutes. For those who don’t want to bother, you can choose a tour package that already includes a trip to Gili Trawangan.
For those of you who are in Bali and want to visit Gili Trawangan, you can go to Padangbai Harbor, Bali, and take a fast boat to Gili Trawangan.
The sea journey takes about two hours, with a fare of around Rp350,000 per person for one way. Fast boat is a fast and comfortable option to get to this exotic island.
If you are coming from Lembar Harbor in Lombok, you can take public transportation to Senggigi, then continue your journey to Bangsal Harbor or Teluk Nare to continue your journey to Gili Trawangan. This is a more affordable option for backpackers.
Tourist Activities in Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan offers a variety of interesting tourist activities, which make visitors want to linger to enjoy the natural beauty of this island. Here are some exciting activities that you can do while on vacation in Gili Trawangan:
1. Snorkeling Trip 3 Gili
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in Gili Trawangan. With the natural beauty of the underwater world, you can see various colorful fish and stunning coral reefs.
Snorkeling Trip 3 Gili is one of the most popular tour packages, where you can explore the beauty of the sea in Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
This snorkeling package usually starts at 9 am and lasts until the afternoon, at a cost of around IDR 75,000 per person. If you want a more private experience, you can rent a snorkeling boat for around IDR 1,000,000 for one trip.
2. Tour the Island by Bike
For those who prefer to explore the island in a more relaxed way, renting a bicycle to get around Gili Trawangan is the right choice.
In just a few hours, you can tour the entire island, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and see traditional villages that are rarely known by tourists. Bike rentals usually cost around IDR 30,000 per hour.
3. Tour Gili by Cidomo
Cidomo, Gili Trawangan’s signature horse-drawn carriage, is a unique and fun way to get around the island. With a capacity of around three people per cidomo, you will be taken around Gili Trawangan, enjoying the beauty of the beaches and exploring the villages on the island.
This activity is perfect for travelers who prefer a relaxed and comfortable way to enjoy the beauty of the island. The cost for one cidomo is usually around IDR 150,000.
4. Diving in a Beautiful Spot
For those of you who love diving, Gili Trawangan has some amazing diving spots. This island is famous for its Blue Coral, a very rare type of blue coral that can only be found in two places in the world.
There are many diving service providers that offer courses, equipment rentals, and diving trips to the best spots around Gili Trawangan.
5. Horse riding on Gili Trawangan Beach
For a more exclusive experience, you can enjoy horse riding along the coast of Gili Trawangan. This activity allows you to ride a horse on the white sand, while enjoying the stunning ocean views. You can even bathe on the beach with horses, which makes for a very interesting and unique experience.
6. Enjoy the beauty of sunset and sunrise
Because Gili Trawangan is relatively small, you can easily enjoy both sunrise on the east side and sunset on the west side of the island. Both moments offer very beautiful views, especially when the sun rises and sets over the clear sea horizon.
7. Fun Water Sport Activities
For water sports enthusiasts, Gili Trawangan offers a variety of water sports options, such as banana boat, kayaking, surfing, and fishing. You can easily find water sports service providers along the island’s roads, allowing you to enjoy the thrill of sea activities.
8. Glass Bottom Boat Tour
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world without having to go down into the water, the Glass Bottom Boat tour is the perfect choice. This transparent bottom boat allows you to see Gili Trawangan’s marine life clearly without having to dive.
9. Culinary Tourism
Gili Trawangan also offers a great culinary experience, with a variety of restaurants serving food from all over the world. Many restaurants have international chefs from Europe and Australia, which ensures the quality of the dishes served.
Gili Trawangan is a tourist destination that offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, rich history, and various interesting activities.
Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, whether it is an adventure at sea or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery, Gili Trawangan, one of the top Tourist Attractions in Lombok, has everything you need. Don’t forget to explore all the activities this charming little island has to offer when visiting Lombok!