The sights
The east-coast strip and harbour beach
The island’s front door: a long beach of white sand and blue water, backed by the main lane of dive shops, cafés and bars. The sand is at its widest and the swimming easiest just north of the boat landing; south of it the beach narrows and the boats take over.
ℹ️ Free, always open. Liveliest from late afternoon. Allow as long as you like.
Sunset Point and the west-coast swings
The south-west corner faces straight across the Lombok Strait to Bali, and on clear evenings Mount Agung stands black against the sky. The sea swings that fill so many photographs stand in the shallows in front of the beach bars here.
ℹ️ Free; a drink at the bar is expected if you use its swing. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset. 10–15 minutes by bike from the harbour.
The hill viewpoint
Trawangan is the only Gili with a hill, about 70 metres high, reached by a short path from the southern end of the island. From the top you look east over Gili Meno and Gili Air to Mount Rinjani and west to Bali. The remains of Japanese wartime positions lie in the undergrowth near the summit.
ℹ️ Free. A 15–20 minute climb; wear shoes rather than flip-flops and take a torch for the way down after sunset.
Turtle Point and the north-east reef
The stretch of beach north of the harbour is the best place on the island to see turtles without a boat. Green and hawksbill turtles graze on the reef edge 30–50 metres out. The current usually runs along the shore, so walk up the beach, drift back and get out where you started.
ℹ️ Free; mask and fins for rent along the beach. Best at mid to high tide and in the morning. Reef shoes help at low tide.
The turtle hatchery
A small, locally run hatchery on the main beach raises hatchlings in tanks before releasing them. It is a pleasant stop for children, though conservationists are divided on how much such head-starting really helps wild turtles.
ℹ️ Entry by donation. Usually open during daylight. Allow 15 minutes.
The night market and the beachfront after dark
Each evening food stalls set up by the harbour selling grilled fish, satay, noodles and trays of point-and-choose Indonesian dishes at a fraction of restaurant prices. Along the beach, restaurants lay out their own seafood barbecues by lantern light.
ℹ️ From around sunset until late. Bring small notes. Busiest 7–9 pm.
The round-island cycle
A sandy track follows the shore right round the island, about seven kilometres in all. The east and south are paved and easy; parts of the north are soft sand where you will have to push. Go early, stop for a swim on the empty north coast and breakfast on the west.
ℹ️ Bicycle rental is available everywhere, usually by the day; check brakes and tyres before paying. Allow 1–1.5 hours with stops.
The dive sites
More than a dozen sites lie within a short boat ride: Shark Point for reef sharks and turtles on stepped ridges, Halik for coral slopes and schooling fish, Manta Point, Deep Turbo’s sea fans and the shallow Meno Wall. Most suit new divers, and several have deeper sections for the experienced.
ℹ️ Dive centres run two to four boats a day. Prices are set jointly by the island’s dive association, so compare schools on group size and feel rather than cost.
