Gili Trawangan is the largest and most popular of the three Gili Islands. It is well known as a party island, but
there are plenty of chances to “get away from it all” and truly experience this chilled out island in the sun.
Tourists have been coming to the islands for more than 20 years now, drawn by the beautiful beaches, world
class scuba diving and laid back lifestyle.

Long gone are the days of backpackers being the only tourists on the islands, as the businesses have moved up
market. Families and holiday makers are now frequently found relaxing in the numerous beach restaurants and
bars, or around the various swimming pools on the island. This is Trawangan’s secret – the island has managed
to encourage new visitors to the island, while still being a firm favourite with travellers. Local businesses thrive
alongside the western owned companies, offering something to suit all budgets.

With “must see” sunrises over Lombok’s Mount Rinjani volcano, and breathtaking sunsets that illuminate Bali’s
Mount Agung volcano, together with Trawangan’s warm residents, world class beaches and diving, it’s no surprise
that most people end up staying much longer than planned.

Accommodation:
Trawangan now boasts some very classy boutique hotels, complete with air conditioning, hot and fresh water,
cable television and first class service. There is plenty in between for everyone else. Many places now have air
conditioning, and fresh water, while it is still possible to stay for 20,000rp in a basic fan room. You can spend as
much as $90 a night or as little as $2. It really depends on you and your budget. During the island’s high season
(July through September) it is essential to book your accommodation in advance, as the island gets extremely
busy. Please contact us for bookings at BIG BUBBLE or for more information on other places to stay.

Food:
Freshly caught fish, local mixed rice, oven baked pizza, japanese sushi, american style burgers, english fish and
chips, mexican fajitas, steak pies, fresh sandwiches, chinese noodles, roast dinners, salads, snacks, deserts…
You name it – the list goes on and on and on - the island has food to suit everyone.

Things to Do:
There’s plenty to do besides lying in your hammock, drinking a beer and reading a book….the islands are famous
for diving and snorkelling, and renowned for seeing Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles. For more information on
diving and learning to dive please click here DIVING. As the island has developed so have the number of
businesses offering more than the traditional diving. There’s the beach, surfing, kayaking, horseriding,
wakeboarding, water-skiing, beach volleyball, bike riding, day trips to the other islands, glass bottom boat trips,
sunsets, sunrises, partying, and plenty more…

Tours to Lombok can be organised from the island. Trekking up Mount Rinjani is always popular, but be warned
this is not a simple walk – be prepared for some serious climbing. For the more advanced surfers, there are
some famous surf breaks around Lombok Island – Kuta Lombok and Desert Point in Banko-Banko.

Lombok has not yet developed it’s tourist industry, and many people describe the island as “Bali 20 years ago”.
For travellers who want to see rural villages and peoples living a life unchanged for hundreds of years, Lombok
offers a rare glimpse into the traditional Indonesian way of life.

Other Information:

How do I get to the Gili’s from Bali?

You have a few different options -
The Very Cheap Way – which in effect means a 12 hour journey to the islands from various pick up points in Bali.
You will be taken by minibus (usually) to Padang Bai, then get the public passenger and car ferry to Lembar Harbour
in Lombok. The crossing normally takes about 4 hours, and then another minibus journey to Bangsal, where you will
get a public boat to one of the three islands. All tour and travel agents in Bali will sell these tickets to the Gili’s.

The Slightly More Expensive Way – is pretty much the same as above, but you use a private boat called PERAMA
which sails directly from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan. This way you don't have the journey accross Lombok to
reach the islands. Food and drinks are provided free of charge on the trip, and there are areas on the boat to lie
back and sunbathe. Tickets are available for single and return journeys in Bali, Lombok and on Gili Trawangan.

The More Expensive Way – means you fly to Lombok from Denpasar Airport. There are flights all day between the
islands, and it takes about 20 minutes. You have to check-in 1 hour before the flight, and it is essential to book in
advance as this is a very popular way to reach the islands. On arrival in Lombok, you get a taxi to the harbour
and a boat to the islands. If you have organised the trip in advance including a speedboat transfer – you can be
here in two and half hours. Please contact us for more information about speedboat transfers between Lombok
and Gili Trawangan.

The Very Fast Way – means using the new speedboat which goes between Gili Trawangan and Benoa Harbour
in Bali everyday. This is the quickest and easiest way to go to and from the Gili’s. Prices and schedule
are subject to change. Please contact us for more information.

Is There Malaria on the Island?

NO – there is no malaria on the Gili Islands. There has been reported outbreaks in Lombok however, so if you are
planning to spend anytime there then the best preventative measure is to always use repellent and cover up in the
evenings. However if you are still worried then consult your doctor about taking anti-malarial drugs.

Can I Take Money Out on the Islands?

YES and NO. There is NO ATM machine on any of the islands. If you need to withdraw money make sure you do
so BEFORE coming to the islands. There are ATM machines in Mataram and Senggigi. There are money changers
on the islands, and, for a small fee, you can also get credit card advances at some of the businesses on
Gili Trawangan. The best thing though is to be prepared before you arrive.