Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Gili Trawangan?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Gili Trawangan?
Most people spend two to four days in Gili Trawangan during their visit. The laidback island offers amazing highlights such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the nightlife scene, and the cuisine.
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the Gili Islands. It also attracts the largest number of tourists and has long been popular with backpackers who stay at cheap accommodation and enjoy the nightly parties. In recent years there's been an increase in high end accommodation and the island has shifted a bit in who visits. Today there are frequently families and couples who come to enjoy the idyllic setting and world class scuba diving.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Gili Trawangan? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Gili Trawangan?
Gili Trawangan enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So, three days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything on Gili Trawangan. Most visitors prefer to spend roughly two to four days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Gili Trawangan is popular with families, couples, and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
How to spend 3 days in Gili Trawangan
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Gili Trawangan is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Snorkeling Gili Island Including GoPro Camera ($49)
- Half-Day Private Guided Snorkeling Turtles Underwater Statues ($85)
- Private Snorkeling Gili Island (Coral, Statue and Turtle) ($63)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.
Gili Trawangan is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the island, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.
The beautiful beaches await you in Gili Trawangan, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Cruise ($83)
- Sunny Surf School Gili Trawangan ($55)
- Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Sunset Cruise ($83)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Learn to cook authentic Indonesian food at Gili Cooking Classes ($33)
The public transit in Gili Trawangan is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the island quite easily and affordably. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.
Don't miss beautiful beachfront setting during your trip to Gili Trawangan, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Gili Trawangan is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Sunset Cruise ($83)
- 5H Snorkeling & Sunset Cruise on Utopia Catamaran ($103)
- Sunset Snorkeling with Picture & Video in Gili Meno Turtle ($15)
Is 4 days enough time in Gili Trawangan?
Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything on Gili Trawangan. You can move at your own pace and take in the scenery and culture of the island. You could also use Gili Trawangan as a base for exploring the nearby destinations or get out on the water. You'll find some great day trips here for sure.
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
How to spend 4 days in Gili Trawangan
Having 4 days in Gili Trawangan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
After you've explored most of Gili Trawangan, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pergasingan Hill One Day Trip ($120)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Gili Trawangan?
Five days provides more than enough time to explore the entirety of Gili Trawangan at your own pace to snorkel or scuba dive, swim at the beach, enjoy an evening out, and dine out at amazing restaurants. Then, use your hotel as a base to take some day trips or get out on the water, as this island offers plenty of options
How to spend 5 days in Gili Trawangan
With 5 days in Gili Trawangan, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Gili Trawangan.
More Info
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