Get Away From Your Bali Getaway: 8 Must-Dos on Gili Trawangan
PUBLISHED April 6th, 2017 05:00 am | UPDATED July 28th, 2024 01:38 am
If you’re looking to get away from your getaway, hop on a ferry, and make your way across the Lombok Strait to Gili Trawangan. The island draws travellers with its cheerful beach shack ambience and gorgeous white sand beaches. But there’s more to the island than just the sun, sand and sea. To experience the best of Gili T, here are eight activities to put on your itinerary:
Stretch it out at a yoga class
Stretching it out on a yoga mat while taking in the sea view and the ocean breeze is an incredible experience – one that’s worth waking up early for. You’ll have a handful of options on Gili T: The Yoga Place features a charming treehouse-esque studio, Gili Yoga offers a diversity of classes – from aerial yoga and yin classes, to the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program and Soraya Yoga conducts sunrise and sunset classes along the coast on alternating days of the week.
Enjoy spectacular views from the Gili Trawangan Hill viewpoint
The best views out to the turquoise waters and rugged coastlines of Bali and Lombok are from the peak of the Gili Trawangan viewpoint. This excellent vantage point is located along the southwestern shores of the island, away from the bustling bar-lined coasts of the east. To arrive at the peak, you’ll need to ascend a 15 to 20-minute trail that snakes through the forest from the base of the hill. The best times to hike are during the golden hours of the day, when the clear skies are painted over with colours of the sunrise or sunset.
Battle it out with a stick fight
For a glimpse into the lifestyles and culture of the locals, carve out time on Sunday afternoon to watch a stick fight at the marketplace around Pasar Seni. Known as ‘presean’ in Sasak (a language largely spoken by the natives of Lombok), the traditional combat is fought between two randomly selected fighters using a stick and shield. The fight is accompanied by gamelan music, and dancing is sometimes incorporated into the combat. Travellers are welcome to join, but do be prepared to endure at least a handful of sharp hits from your opponent!
Go street food feasting at the night market
At 6pm each evening, the market square in front of the boat pier comes alive with a hive of street vendors, tables, benches and hungry travellers. Here’s the place to go for a wide range of tasty, inexpensive fare – from grilled seafood and satays, to nasi campur, grilled corn on cob with sambal sauce, and desserts.
Experience Avatar with UV night diving
UV night diving is an extraordinary underwater expedition that’ll let you see marine life in a whole new light – with the aid of a UV torch. Cast the UV light on the night active creatures, and watch as they transform into exotic neon-coloured species, such scorpion fishes in a fluorescent pink or corals in hues of bright greens and yellows. This colourful sight has been likened to the best night scenes out of Avatar, and is an experience available only to divers with the Advanced Open Water Diver or PADI Night Diver certifications.
Indulge in a beachfront dinner
When you’re vacationing on an island known for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters, eating at a feet-in-sand venue is a must. And with coasts lined with one dining venue after another, you’ll be spoilt for choice – and will appreciate having your options narrowed down to a select few.
Casa Vintage Store stands out with its nightly bonfires, quirky vintage decor and fresh seafood. Pearl Beach Lounge makes a great all-day hangout with its beautiful bamboo fittings, comfy loungers, and burger-centric menu while The Exile boasts a rustic decor and a swing set in the ocean (a highly coveted Instagram spot). Got a couple of hours to spare before dinner? Venues like Paradise Sunset Bar, Malibu Beach Club and The Restaurant at Ko-Ko-Mo are popular choices for sipping sundowners and catching spectacular sunset shows.
Let your hair down at a themed party
The vibrant party scene at Gili T means that there’s something for every party goer on just about any night of the week. Come down early to Tir Na Nog for beers and football matches in the evening, but don’t be fooled by the Irish bar’s seemingly calm exterior. At nightfall, the bar comes alive with fun and revelry, and is the venue of choice for themed full moon parties and a weekly bash held every Wednesday.
The centrally located Sama Sama Reggae Bar is hard to miss with its live music and bright lights. Party nights are scheduled for Thursdays and Saturdays, but the bar is typically packed to the rafters through the week. And if you need to beat the Monday blues, Blue Marlin’s Monday night parties – with its four lively bars and skilled DJs – offers a fun way to start the week. Make sure you’re dressed to kill; we heard that they offer great prizes at the costume competition every week.
Unwind with cocktails and popcorn at a beachfront movie night
For a relaxed evening, nothing beats the combination of the sand, ocean breezes and…a movie. Open-air movie nights at Gili Trawangan are a popular activity among vacationers, with venues across the island laying out comfy loungers and bean bags around a large projector screen set up along the coasts. The best movie nights (complete with popcorn and cocktails) are found at Le Pirate Beach Club and Hotel Vila Ombak.
Top Image: Jorge Láscar
