Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Gili TrawanganThe largest of the Gilis and now by far the most popular to visit, accommodation choices start from backpacker and budget hotels, a large selection of mid range hotels, through to resort style hotels and luxury villas.
Many new international restaurants offering everything from Pizza, to Sushi to Indian food and Spanish Tapas, and of course the seafood BBQ’s all along the beach front.
The largest of the three islands, Gili Trawangan attracts the majority of visitors, it is around thirty minutes boat ride from the northwest mainland of Lombok and regular daily fast boats depart Bali directly to Trawangan island and all boats stop off at Teluk Nare on mainland Lombok as part of the return journey.
The beaches of the Gilis are still powdery white, the water a beautiful clear blue and they are positioned perfectly for sunsets over Bali’s Mt Agung and sunrise over Lombok’s Mt Rinjani. Thirty years ago the Gili islands were uninhabited and only discovered by the seafaring Bugis people from Sulawesi. It was only a matter of time before the more adventurous backpacker types discovered the islands and developed Trawangan into a hippy party paradise destination.
Gili Trawangan now identifies itself as a great holiday destination suitable for families of all ages. Various new hotels, luxury villas, and boutique bungalows now cater to children and offer good value. Some have baby-sitting services, and with lots of activities on the islands families are sure to enjoy their beach holidays to the full.
Unique to the Gilis all forms of motorised transport are still not allowed - meaning the only way to get around is on foot, by bicycle and in pony carts known as Cidomos.
One sign of change is the recent introduction of the only ATM machine on the three Gili islands to be found at Hotel Vila Ombak.
It’s possible to follow the beach around the perimeter of the island in around two hours on foot. The most popular stretches of beaches are `Goodheart’ (the main stretch) and `North Beach’ where the best snorkelling is to be found.
All divecentres and many shack operations lining the beaches rent snorkelling equipment for around IDR 50,000 for half a day.
Hawkers are not so much of an issue on Gili Trawangan as in Bali; you’re likely to attract afriendly conversation from the locals rather than a hardcore sales pitch.
Beware of strong currents and do not attempt to swim between any of the islands.
With over twenty-five dive sites surrounding all three islands there are opportunities to dive any of the Gilis regardless of where you base yourself.
Most visitors stay on Gili Trawangan for the facilities and make the short hop out to the dive sites. Each dive school has its own fleet of traditional outrigger boats that ferry divers offshore to the walls and reefs where the best diving is to be found.
Aside from the obvious lure of snorkelling and diving, sunbathing and bar-hopping, Gili Trawangan has a fair amount of distractions to keep visitors both amused and entertained throughout the course of their stay.
Fishing trips and charters can be made with the local outrigger fishing boats who offer day trips with line fishing and trawling.
The Bio Rock is an environmental initiative set up by the Gili Eco Trust that over the last six years has hosted an annual Bio Rock workshop on Gili Trawangan. The artificial metal reef cages are fed a constant voltage of electricity to encourage coral regeneration and are a natural attraction for all forms of marine life. There are now thirty three individual projects in the Gilis and it’s possible to snorkel or dive around them and there’s even a PADI specialty course tailored to educate and involve a wider community.
THINGS TO DO -
Golf Trips to mainland Lombok and the very picturesque Lombok Kosaido Golf and Country Club are highly recommended. Suitable for all abilities this trip is a must as golfers arrive at hole four by speedboat where they are collected by a buggy and driven to the clubhouse prior to tee off. The course structure and landscaping makes for a relaxed golfing experience, neither too challenging nor too demanding.
Next door to the golf course is Hotel Tugu Lombok, perfect for a post-golf round of drinks before heading back to the islands by boat.
Horse Riding with the boys at the Stud Stables, is a great way to see the whole of the island. The perimeter of Gili Trawangan can be walked along the beach and Stud have experienced and professional guides. Even though the routes are very relaxed and not at all challenging the horse rides are best suited to more practiced riders.
Karma Kayak is the perfect way to combine sports with nature. Full training and a practice session with a qualified NKB/BCU instructor is given prior to embarking on a paddle across the channel to neighboring Gili Meno for a picnic lunch.
A good way to round off a beach day is to catch sunset at `North Beach’ with jugs of Sangria and fresh Tapas and BBQs.
Gili trawangan information - diving - snorkelling - surfing - fishing - Tropical paradise beach holiday retreat destinations - Island Promotions - Gili hotels - Gili fast boat
17 Sep 2009 admin
LUCE d’ALMA resort and Spa recently opened near North beach on Gili Trawangan with the aim to satisfy visitors wanting sheer luxury and relaxation with total quality.
Managed by the italian brothers Lucio e Antonio Sodano, Luce d’Alma has all the facilities and comfort you could wish for. Nestled in a unique atmosphere distinguished by style and design.
Luce d’Alma has 16 large A/c rooms opening out on to a magnificent 80m pool, with a Spa and hotel operated beach.
FACILITIES -
The facilities are structured and developed around the swimming pool and has 16 large, contemporary furnished cottages enhanced by ethnic pieces.
Each cottage features -
- Air conditioning
- King size bed
- Large closed bathroom (unusual by Inonesian standards)
- Fresh hot & cold water with showers or buthtub
- Bathrooms have elegent walled shower, hairdryer and robe included
- Safety deposit box
- Tea /coffee making facilities
- Mini Bar
Each air conditioned cottage also has a spacious living room with international satellite TV and DVD.
Each cottage has direct access to the main pool from its own private and furnished terrace.
Baby sitting service and laundry available upon request.
RESTAURAUNT -
The restauarant in the main dining room opens laterrally as tradition wants, unites the best of european essential design and balinese decor, enriched by precious wood.
The cuisine again reflects this euro-asian connubal elegance. next to the traditional local delicacies, you are likely to find obvious and perfectly interpreted italian fare enriched with local influence by the hotel’s chefs.
SPA and FITNESS CENTRE -
The Luce d’Alma resort also offers the optimimum of a travellers needs including a fitness area and spa facilities with jacuzzi and sauna under the supervision of well trained staff.
LOCATION -
The hotel operated beach, located at one of the islands best snorkelling sites is easily reached in a few minutes (about 600m) and offers comfortable sun-loungers, umbrellas and bar service.
Bicycles are available for hotel guests to freely ride around the island and reach beach sites easily.
If you take a look at our map [ click here ] we are located near the lighthouse.
HOW TO GET HERE -
For information on all the different ways to get here [ click here ]
Baruna Villa
We stayed at Baruna Villas on Gili Trawangan for 6 days, and had a wonderful time. It is a perfect place if you travel with children. Our two children at 5 and 7 years loved the pool and the large and cool rooms. It was peaceful, luxerious and clean. The staff was very friendly and gentle. It was located approximately 200 meters away from the beach which made it a quiet place at night away from the main “road”, but still just two minutes walk from the nicest beach, snorkeling spots and restaurants. Bikes were included in the rent, which made it easy to explore the island.
Thanks for a great holiday!
Thanks for all your help getting us to the gillies.
Hey Yani, thanks for organizing everything for our trip to gili t last week, everything ran like clockwork :).
have a great time until we see you again next year
P & C
Two very successful events over the past few months have raised around Rp 65 million in funds, which Gili Trawangan businesses have pledged to be used to improve education facilities and conditions for local school children on this paradise island.
The Fun Day Sunday hosted by the Gili Trawangan Development Association on 18 July 2010 raised over Rp 25,000,000 in funds for the local school, while providing a fun day out for everyone involved. Over 300 children and adults took part in everything from traditional sack races, sand-castle building competitions, the very popular “sponge the boss” game, and a Tacro Tournament. Everyone was entertained by a live band playing on the white sand beach, a beverage bar and delicious food supplied by all the local restaurants.
All hands were on deck for the event with local businesses donating raffle prizes, refreshments, beach games and their time to host the Fun Day for everyone. Lucky participants won generous prizes such as luxury villa stays, fast boat tickets, complimentary meals at Gili Trawangan restaurants and free dives.
The SD-SMP Gili Trawangan (the local school on Gili T) has already presented the Gili Trawangan Development Association with a “wish list” for the school which includes fans, new desks for the students and playground equipment. Funds raised from this initial Fun Day are being used to purchase new fans for the classrooms and water coolers and dispensers for the students. Desks are being manufactured and will be supplied for teachers and students in the near future.
This wonderful event was followed by the Gili Trawangan Charity Triathlon when, for his birthday on Monday 11 October, Manta Dive instructor, Shaun Terry, wanted to compete in a friendly Triathlon. As the idea started to take shape and grow, Shaun decided to make the event a fundraiser for the local community. With the help of all the other dive centres and local businesses, a huge day was pulled together and over Rp 40,000,000 was raised.
The Triathlon started with an Olympic-level swim from the beach in front of Trawangan Dive, where over eighty people, including locals and tourists, tested their strength and fitness against some of the Gili island’s fittest and fastest. The second leg of the Triathlon comprised a bike ride from Trawangan Dive to The Beach House, followed by a very competitive run around the island.
Mike Board from Gili Free Dive & Yoga came in first in the Individual category with an amazing time of 53 minutes, just ahead of Shaun from Manta Dive.
In the Team category, the SMK Tourism High School Team came in first, ahead of the Blue Marlin Dive Team, winning the event in just 55 minutes.
Andy Whitecroft, from Manta Dive, won the Individual Handicap, ahead of Graham from Kelapa Villas; while the girls put on a magnificent performance with Delphine Robbe from the Gili Eco Trust clocking the fastest female time, just minutes ahead of Vanessa Lill fromBlue Marlin Dive.
After the Triathlon, everyone joined in at a special charity BBQ and Buffet at The Beach House, before moving on to Blue Marlin Dive for a huge after-party where the raffle was drawn!
Funds raised by the Triathlon are being donated to the SMK Pariwisata (Tourism School), a special branch of the local school that was opened last year to allow the older children to stay on the island for higher education, specialising in training in the tourism industry. The generous sum raised by the community event will go a long way toward developing the new school, with the aim of bringing equipment and facilities up to national standards.
The Gili Trawangan community is committed to supporting the local environment and community and is really setting the standard in Lombok; working with local communities for effective and sustainable development on the island.
Lets see if the government can match the donation or help with the maintainence of the school and all the new projects started by the Gili Eco Trust and the Gili Trawangan Development Association.
Here is an update on the fogging to eradicate the mosquito population on Gili Trawangan.
After a rather under whelming response, the amount contributed is Rp2,730,000 with a large contribution of that from Trawangan Dive. Thank you to the people and businesses for their support and use of boats.
As we are Rp5,070,000 short of the required amount we are uncertain of the next course of action. We can either give back the money to the businesses that have contributed and we don’t fog, which means the problem doesnt go away, or use the money that has been donated for those houses/businesses to be fogged and see what we get for our money, which doesnt work unless we do the entire island. So the real long term solution for the island is everybody contributes, this really does need to be an all or nothing project.
You would think that all businesses on the island can afford Rp140,000 each time they fog, and they can even for a small amount more, put pellets in any standing water. It was suggested should we name and shame those who did not contribute, actually not a bad idea, why is no one doing collective projects that cost very little money against something that cound be very detrimental to the islands inhabitants and visitors.
But of course, The Gilis have just been voted the 10th must see destination of the year 2011 by the Lonely Planet, so who cares, we just make as much as possible now and dont care about the future.
We would appreciate feed back from those that have contributed with their thoughts so we can make a decision together. We have also inquired about the pellets we can put directly into standing water. The head of the island promised to ask in Tanjung for these pellets but we need to follow that one up. The foggers also have these and can distribute them whilst they’re going about their fog, which makes the most sense.
We look forward to hearing some feedback from you soon, positive please, so we can implement this and make the island a safer healthy destination for many years to come.
A note:
Van Nostrand’s Scientific Encyclopedia describes mosquitoes quite simply: “A small two-winged fly with slender body, long legs, and narrow wings bearing scales along the veins.”
Sounds innocuous, right? Not a word about the mosquito’s mouth, which is designed to furtively slip through your flesh. Nothing about the itching you feel as your body tries to decompose and eliminate chemicals the mosquito injected during the bite. Not a word about the grave diseases you could catch from mosquito: West Nile, encephalitis, yellow fever, dengue, malaria, etc.
Not a word about the clever anti-coagulants the whiner makes so your blood will flow freely into its gut.
Not a mention of the need that females (of many mosquito species) have to suck blood so they can reproduce.
Blood — supplied by an unwilling coyote, a cow, or a three-year-old playing in the backyard — supplies protein for the skeeter’s eggs. (This should not sound strange — after all, you probably eat eggs to get protein. Mosquitoes just have it backwards, that’s all.)
The Trawangan
Located on the Paradise island of Gili Trawangan, THE TRAWANGAN resort brings a superior level of comfort and sophistication to your Gili islands experience.
Our Resort offers stylish villas, from 1, 2 and 4 bedrooms, each tastefully finished with luxurious furnishings and appointments.
Let our professionally trained staff take care of your every whim and need, leaving you free to enjoy the relaxing and beautiful environment we have created that we call home.
Villas
Single Suites - Rp. 765,000 ++
Perfect for couples or two persons sharing, our single suites offer affordable luxury to discerning travelers.
Enjoy all the facilities and services of our Resort while staying in our spacious and comfortable suites.
Bedrooms feature queen-sized or twin beds, individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, flat screen televisions, DVD players, fully stocked mini bar, and tea and coffee making facilities.
Each en-suite bathroom has hot and cold fresh water showers and western standard fittings.
Close to the heart of our Resort, the suites open onto the communal swimming pool
Two bedroom villas - Rp.2,400,000 ++
Six spacious villas, combining Balinese and contemporary design influences, provide the ultimate in high end accommodation for the discerning traveler.
All villas feature individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, LCD televisions, DVD players, stereo systems, hot fresh water, fully stocked mini bar, and tea and coffee making facilities.
These villas have two separate bedrooms, each with private ensuite bathrooms.
Separated by decking to give personal space, each bedroom looks out onto the pool and sun deck. The spacious living area creates a comfortable space for when you wish to relax together.
A romantic dining area, large modern couches and a self contained kitchenette provide convenience and comfort for two couples sharing or parents with children.
Shielded by privacy walls, the courtyard gardens feature private swimming pools, a poolside bale for relaxing on the cushions in the shade, and sun lounges for working on the perfect tan.
Four bedroom villa - Rp.3,500,000 ++
The Trawangan is one of the few Resorts on Gili Trawangan that has a 4 bedroom villa available for guests.
Ideal for large families, or groups of friends holidaying together, our 4 bedroom villa offers a home large enough to bring everyone together, while still enjoying your private space.
Bedrooms are large and airy with queen-sized beds, and have individually controlled air conditioning and satellite televisions, ensuite bathroom with private fresh water shower, hot and cold fresh water and western fittings.
We understand that sometimes you don’t want to dine out and just want to make something quick and easy to eat. The villa features a self-contained kitchenette with gas stove, large refrigerator, kettle, cutlery and crockery and basic cooking equipment.
Our 4 bedroom villa is screened from view with careful plantings and has its own swimming pool and sun deck areas for family and friends to play in privacy.
Please note - all price are subject to plus 21% government tax and service. Minimum stay of 2 nights. Full payment in advance is needed to secure your reservation.
Check in time is 14.000 and check out time is 12.00pm, for day use of any of the rooms or villas will be charged at 50% of the room rate until 6pm, and full room rate applies for check out after 18.00pm.
Facilities -
Tree houses on the beach
What better way to enjoy the sunset than our tree houses on the beach over viewing Bali when the sun goes down, fully serviced from our restaurant, other facilities include our day spa and Resort pool.
Restaurant
The Trawangan Resort’s restaurant has a complete Western and Indonesian Menu for every need. Eat in our restaurant, on the beach in one of our tree houses, or simply pick up the telephone and order room service
Spa
Our purpose built Spa has been designed to offer you the very best in body treatments and relaxation.
Let our trained therapists massage away your stress, revitalize your body with herbal skin treatments and rejuvenate your spirit with a range of traditional Indonesian treatments, using the highest quality skin care products.
Traditional Indonesian massage techniques use a combination of pressure point therapy to release pressure and long stretching strokes to soothe tired muscles.
Choose from a range of fragrant blended oils to leave your skin feeling soft and silky and tropical scents to enhance your mood.
The Trawangan is all about luxury and relaxation…
Location
We are located on the beautiful undeveloped southern part of the island, only a 2 minute walk to the main restaurants and nightlife.
For more information and reservations [click here]
I cannot thankyou enough for all your kindness, thoughtfulness and assistance.
If you have a higher manager please inform he or she that we (my family and I) are sincerely grateful for all your wonderful assistance and customer service that you have provided.
Upon my arrival back to Bali I will stop by to thank you in person at your office in Kuta.
You have really made my experience with your company a delightful one! I very much look forward to re-booking with you with our future trips to your beautiful island which we adore so very much.
Your’s Sincerely
Sandy
(Australia)
<p>Gili Trawangan is a fantastic place to while away a few days. We went there for four days and loved every minute of it. </p>
<p>There are some fantastic hotels in the Gili Islands and you will not be unhappy spending time there.</p>
<p>There are many ways to get there. we used the blue water express fast boat. </p>
<p>it can be found at www.gili-fastboat.com</p>