Gili Trawangan is the largest and most famous island of the three Gili islands in Lombok and is subsequently the most visited. Most people who pass through Bali as part of an extended trip will kick back over on Gili Trawangan for at least a day or two to enjoy the parties and nightlife of one side of the island the peaceful serenity of the other side that offers true tropical island feel. There are no cars on any of the Gili islands as they are all two small to really require one, using the horse drawn carts or hiring a bike is the best way to get round the island although nowhere is out of walking distance as it only takes a couples of hours to walk the entire perimeter of the island. There are also boats available that can take you around the coast to different locations or take you to the other Gili islands if you feel like a day of island hopping in this beautiful part of the world.
Many people visit this area via fast boat although it is possible if you are on a tight budget to take the public ferry to Lombok and then take a bemo or bus to the port that leads to the Gili Islands which is a days journey although it will save you the $50 boat cost and will mean you will experience the main land of Lombok as well. There is plenty of decent accommodation on Gili Trawangan as well as budget and super budget places. It is not difficult to get a beachside room with a pool, private spa and whole list of other facilities as there is so much coast for the size of the island. There is now a 24 hour electricity supply which is a relatively new thing for the island and is still not available on the other islands for all people. This goes to show the remoteness and beauty of these islands although Gili Trawangan is by no means in the dark ages and is fast becoming touristy so enjoy it whilst it is still beautiful.
Another beauty of Gili Trawangan is its underwater marine life that provides divers with some of the best diving in the world. Gili Trawangan has attracted divers for years and there are now a number of dive centers and diving specific villas and hotels. You can take a number of PADI course that go from taster sessions through to the basic qualifications right up to dive master and instructor and even specialized courses on underwater photography and mixed gas diving. Gili Trawangan is amongst the most biodiversity areas in the world where you can see so many species of coral fishes and other amazing creatures such as small reef sharks and turtles. Gili Trawangan owes its incredible diving to being right on the Wallace line which separates Bali and Lombok and is where the two different animal and plant types meet producing some incredible species.
