Accomodation

Gili Trawangan is roughly divided into four different areas - South Beach, Sentral, Snorkelling Beach and Secluded, which covers everything north of Villa Almarik. The majority of the dive shops are located in Sentral, and all dive operators have rooms available. There are two “boutique” hotels on Trawangan, Vila Ombak in South Beach, and Villa Almarik to the north. There is also one villa complex with eight spacious luxury villas, each with its own swimming pool.

Room options run the gamut from basic bamboo huts to fully air conditioned rooms with hot water, satellite TV and swimming pools. Sentral has the majority of the “losmen” style rooms which are primarily fan cooled with a “mandi” style bathroom. These rooms are the cheapest option, and can be had for under $10 in low season. The next level of comfort is roughly $20-30 and for this you get A/C and hot water, and sometimes mosquito nets. Things get trickier in high season when surcharges apply and there are not enough rooms to handle the demand. This can lead to price gouging in some of the cheaper accommodation.

Some “hotels” such as Vila Ombak, Dream Bungalows and Goodheart have “lumbung” style rooms. This is basically an elevated Balinese wooden rice-barn fitted out with a small verandah, beds and connected by ladder to a bathroom on the ground floor. They are air conditioned and comfortable and feel exotic. Marta’s Bungalows does the ultimate “lumbung” which is a concrete version complete with marble bathrooms, and two bedrooms.

How to choose ?? Well, it all depends upon your budget and what you want to do. Many visitors come to Gili T for dive certification, and staying with the dive operator is the logical choice in this instance. Otherwise, it’s a trade-off between luxury, comfort and adventure.

The two “boutique” hotels are at opposite ends of the island and offer a choice between proximity to restaurants and nightlife, or quiet and seclusion. The other “boutique” option is The Beach House, which is South Beach in the center of the action, and has one of the best bar / restaurants on the island. Tir na nog Bar next door also has a comfortable two bedroom villa for rent. If money is no object, the Villa Kelapa is a perfect solution. The luxurious, spacious two and three bedroom villas are built around a private 15m swimming pool and garden, and well suited to the indulgence of indoor-outdoor living in manorial style.

Those opting for seclusion head to the north end of the island for spectacular sunsets and uninterrupted views of Mt Agung on Bali. Desa Dunia Beda offers exotic Javanese style wooden houses and Balikana unusual “lumbung” style rooms.

Activities

Diving

The Gilis are most renown for their diving attractions - pristine water, colourful corals and a profusion of fishlife and turtles. The choice to swim, snorkel, dive or just sunbathe is the biggest decision most tourists deal with all day. With more than seven internationally accredited dive companies, the choice is not easy!! Blue Marlin Dive and Dream Divers are probably the biggest, with Manta Dive quickly closing up the gap. Big Bubble has excellent staff and is the acknowledged leader for marine conservation on the island. Hotel Vila Ombak Dive Academy is conveniently located in the island’s largest hotel, while Trawangan Dive and Gangga Divers are at the most northerly part of the beach.

Surfing

There is a shore break on the southern tip of Gili T that has waves year round, and some of the best in Indonesia on those rare days of “the perfect conditions”. A trip to Desert Point on the SW point of Lombok provides world-class waves for those with the skills to ride them. Surfboards and instruction are readily available on Gili T.

Sea Kayaking

The women who run Karma Kayak on the northern beaches provide guided excursions around the island, depending on one’s experience and fitness levels.

Watersports

The Beach House and Vila Ombak have speedboats and recreational equipment for hire for water-sking, wake boarding, biscuiting and parasailing. Fishing expeditions can also be arranged.

Glass Bottom Boats

When visibility is good, this is a peaceful way to experience the magical underwater world, especially when children are involved.

Horseback Riding

Nothing quite compares to galloping down a deserted beach as the sun sets over Gunung Agung over on Bali. Magic !! Stud Stables has some excellent specimens to choose from!!

Golf

There are two excellent golf courses on the Lombok mainland, and the closest is only 20 minutes away by speedboat.

Trekking

Two days treks to the top of Gunung Rinjani are easily arranged while on Gili T. You can arrange a trek yourself thru Lembah Rinjani in Sembalun Lawang. Or just wander around the island on foot - its only an hour’s walk and there’s no way you can get lost!!

Pony Carts

Public transport on the Gilis is all by pony carts known locally as cidomo. This is the easiest way to see the island and a great favourite with kids.

Restaurants

While the Gilis offer something for everyone, they are most famous for barbequed fresh fish - you chose your own fish from the local catch displayed in big steel drums brimming with ice. The Beach House and Scallywags are the considered having the best seafood, but every dive company and the big hotels also has their own version. While the hippest restaurant on the island is perhaps Horizontal Beach Bar, the busiest is surely Tirnanog Bar where pizzas are a local favourite, and the adjoining Ryoshi Restaurant which serves excellent Japanese food. The hands down winner for best food on the island is found at the Ko-ko-mo Resort, the island’s newest all luxury villas destination. The best coffee, breakfast and sandwiches are found at Coco’s. Yet the choice is not all western style food - most restaurants serve a selection of good, wholesome Indonesian food.