14 Best Beaches & Swing Spots on Gili Trawangan

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5 min read
by Marlin
May 28, 2023

Gili Trawangan may be a small island but getting around and finding the perfect spot to enjoy the view can be pretty tiring.

I have visited all the beaches on Gili Trawangan and they're all right here for you to check out! So you can pick the one that suits you the best.

Before you scroll down to see what each beach looks like, let me give you a heads up on where they are on the map, so you won't have any trouble finding them when you're exploring the island.

Gili Trawangan Beaches Map

Zoom in for better look

I divided the beach into 14 sections, starting from the upper east side, heading south, and then going back up to the north from the west.

Gili Trawangan Swing Locations

Zoom in for better look

Here are the swing spots I found on Gili Trawangan. All of them are located on the beach mentioned above, except for the Sand Bar swing, which is near the jetty.

Alright, enough with the introduction.

Let's dive right in and take a look at what these beaches actually look like!

East Beach 1

gili trawawangan beach east 1
Just a flag - it's not in Canada
view from beach on east side of gili trawangan
seating area on the upper east side of a beach on gili trawangan
mini bar at the east beach 1 on gili trawangan
A super cozy mini bar
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Crystal clear

Alright, let's talk about the first beach on the map, which is located on the upper east side. I'd say this beach is perfect for those who prefer a more laid-back experience and are traveling on a tight budget.

It's an ideal spot to just relax, take it easy, and enjoy the beautiful view of white sand and crystal clear water. It's like a little slice of paradise for introverted folks or anyone looking for a peaceful escape.

About half of the tables and chairs belong to the beachside restaurants, but the other half is provided by the kiosk owners. So all you need to do is grab a cheap drink from one of the kiosks and you're good to go!

I personally really liked this beach as I felt like I was home when I was there. This one is my favorite ✨

East Beach 2

gili trawawangan beach east 2
view of a white sand beach on east of gili trawangan
seating area of the east beach 2 on gili trawangan
wide white sand at east beach 2 on gili trawangan
Island on the left is Gili Meno
Crowdedness:  Moderate
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Crystal clear

The second beach on the east is actually everyone's favorite. It has the longest stretch of beach and that's where most people hang out.

This beach is hands down the best when it comes to the view. The water here is shallow and super clear, maybe even the clearest among all the other beaches.

It's absolutely perfect for all kinds of water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and stuff.

This beach is actually the most visited one, but don't let that make you think it's overcrowded. It's just fine, nothing too overwhelming.

Southeast Beach

gili trawawangan southeast beach
southeast beach view on gili trawangan
boats parked on southeast beach gili trawangan
crystal clear water on southeast beach gili trawangan
gili trawawangan southeast beach street view
Beautiful street view by the southeast beach
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Crystal clear

This is where things start to get a bit fancy. Southeast beach is right in front of the old famous Villa Ombak hotel, so you can expect a touch of class here.

It's the spot for folks who like to splash some cash, and that definitely gives it a fancy vibe. Aside from all the fancy stuff, this beach is simply stunning!

The sand is wide (probably the widest around), and the water is so clear and the color is baby blue.

The best part? It's not too crowded. You can have a great time sunbathing here without feeling overwhelmed by other people.

It's definitely the go-to spot on the island for catching some rays and enjoying a relaxed beach experience.

South Beach 1

gili trawawangan south beach 1
man playing kano at the east beach 1 gili trawangan
cozy underneath trees seating area on the south beach 1 gili trawangan
south beach 1 gili trawangan street view
Street view at the south beach 1
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & decent size
Water:  Crystal clear

The beaches on the south side are all bunched up together, with just some trees in between. They basically form a single line, so you won't find much difference between them.

The first beach on the south side looks pretty much like the southeast beach, just slightly narrower. Funny thing is, not many folks flock to this beach.

Actually, as you head north from the south, you'll notice fewer and fewer people hanging around.

This beach even has a swing right in front of Ponte bar. It's a sweet spot to chill out and take in the view.

South Beach 2

gili trawangan south beach 2
south beach 2 on gili trawangan bird view
gili trawangan south beach 2 view from a restaurant
neat restaurant at south beach 2 gili trawangan
So neat I loved it!
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Crystal clear

Right in the heart of four other beaches, you'll find South Beach 2. It's definitely the fanciest-looking beach among the two other southern beaches, just take a look at the seating area.

Compared to South Beach 1, this one boasts a wider stretch of sand. If you ask me, I'd recommend checking out South Beach 2 instead of South Beach 1 or 3.

South Beach 3

gili trawangan south beach 3
view of gili trawangan south beach 3
Water is still looking baby blue even when it's gloomy
clear water at south beach 3 on gili trawangan
seating area on gili trawangan south beach 3
Not many people hanging around there
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & narrow
Water:  Clear

The third beach on the south side is more like a beachside restaurant than a place to lay back and relax, like the ones closer to the jetty.

The sand here is white, but it's quite narrow, not really the best spot for soaking up the sun.

By this point, the water still looks clear, but it starts to resemble a regular beach rather than a picture-perfect paradise.

Southwest Beach

gili trawangan southwest beach
path at the southwest beach on gili trawangan
sea wall at the southwest beach on gili trawangan
other part of the southwest beach on gili trawangan that has sand
street view at gili trawangan southwest beach
Street view at the southwest beach
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Clear

Next up on the map is the southwest beach, also known as the sunset point!

The western side of Gili Trawangan is famous for its upscale hotels and restaurants, so you'll find a more polished and well-maintained appearance of the beach here.

They really go the extra mile with the decorations and upkeep.

This beach is the go-to spot for witnessing breathtaking sunsets between November and April.

However, from May to October, people head to West Beach 4 as the sun's path shifts to the northern part of the Earth.

So, depending on the time of year, you'll find sun-seeking crowds at different spots.

West Beach 1

gili trawangan west beach 1
white sand beach on the west side of gili trawangan
view of the west beach on gili trawangan
hammock on gili trawangan
gili trawangan west beach 1 seating area
gili trawangan west beach 1 sunbeds
cloud 9 restaurant at west beach 1 on gili trawangan
Cloud 9 restaurant
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Clear

Who needs to sail off to Gili Meno or Gili Air for some peace on their vacation? Not anymore! Just head over to the west side of Gili Trawangan, and you'll find your serenity right there.

The first beach on the west side is absolutely amazing! It's incredibly wide, and the water is still so clear. You won't believe it from the pictures I took though, because it was gloomy when I snapped them.

West Beach #1 has the second longest stretch of sandy shoreline, and it's one of my favorite hangout spots. I even spotted a few campfires there, adding to the cozy vibes.

This is the last beach where you can see through the water. The next one doesn't have that same clear view but the sand is still pure white.

West Beach 2

gili trawangan west beach 2
gili trawangan beach open air cinema
The outdoor cinema
gili trawangan west beach 2 seating area
west beach on gili trawangan with some trees
hammock on gili trawangan
Another hammock on the west
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Regular

It’s starting to get fancy and fancier people! This is where you'll find the most upscale hotels and restaurants on the entire island, so get ready to spend some more to enjoy all it has to offer.

This beach also has the biggest swing you'll find on the entire island. It's a must-try experience for some fun and thrill!

By the way, if you've seen anything about the outdoor cinema on Gili Trawangan floating around the internet, this is one of the two spots where you can catch it.

West Beach 3

gili trawangan west beach 3
west beach 3 seating area on gili trawangan
cinema gili trawangan
Better outdoor cinema
beachfront restaurant at the west beach 3 on gili trawangan
It's just, uniqe?
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Regular

Based on what I've seen, the third beach on the west side is still a work in progress and not fully up and running yet. The street hasn't been paved, and there are a few buildings being constructed.

But everything will be in good shape by the time you visit it, I guess.

The third beach is where you'll find another outdoor cinema on Gili Trawangan. And this one feels like the real deal because the screen is rectangular, unlike the cube-shaped screen at West Beach 2.

West Beach 4

gili trawangan west beach 4
west gili trawangan beach 4 view
west beach 4 gili trawangan seating area
Also known as the sunset point
Crowdedness:  Less
Sand:  White & decent size
Water:  Regular

West Beach #4 is a cozy stretch of beachfront cafes, but to be honest, it's not necessarily better than the other beaches.

The reason I mention it here is because it's also known as the sunset point on Gili Trawangan.

Northwest Beach

gili trawangan northwest beach
little swing at the northwest beach on gili trawangan
gili trawangan northwest beach seating area
northwest beach street view on gili trawangan
Still dirt road
Crowdedness:  Least
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Regular

As you make your way from West Beach 3 towards the north, you'll notice that the road isn't paved. But don't worry, you can still ride your bike along the dirt path.

The Northwest Beach is pretty awesome! It's where things start to quiet down and get really peaceful.

You won't find many folks wandering around this area, so it's a great spot to escape the crowds and enjoy some tranquility.

The Northwest Beach is also home to that famous in-water swing you've probably seen all over social media. Grab your camera and capture some epic shots!

North Beach 1

gili trawangan north beach 1
gili trawangan north beach 1 view
gili trawangan north beach 1 seating area
gili trawangan north beach 1 view from the street
Nice seating area
Crowdedness:  Least
Sand:  White & wide
Water:  Regular

A bit of a distance away from Northwest Beach, this particular beach holds the third spot on my list of favorite hangout spots.

It's not because it's cheap (still quite expensive guys, I warn ya!), but the peaceful vibes of the place that really got me hooked.

They've got a swing here too, although I can't quite remember where exactly it is. Just keep your eyes open and you’ll find it. You can blink if you need to though 😜

North Beach 2

gili trawangan north beach 2
narrow beach area at the north beach 2 gili trawangan
gili trawangan north beach 2 view from the street
the street at the north beach 2 gili trawangan
View from the street
Crowdedness:  Least
Sand:  White & narrow
Water:  Regular

Just before reaching the dead end of the island, you'll come across the last beach. I have to admit, it's my least favorite one.

This beach is incredibly narrow, and the waves can be quite strong. It's the total opposite of East Beach 2, where the water is shallow, calm, and crystal clear.

So, if you're looking for a more tranquil and serene swimming experience, East Beach 2 would be a better choice.

Gili Trawangan swing locations

From what I know, there are six spots on Gili Trawangan where you can find swings. I'm aware that most people are eager to find the one in the water, and guess what? It's right below!

Villa Almarik

villa almarik swing on gili trawangan
Villa Almarik swing

This swing can be found on the upper east side of Gili Trawangan. Although it is associated with Villa Almarik, it doesn't mean it's physically located at Villa Almarik itself.

It simply belongs to Villa Almarik. For the exact location, search for Almarik restaurant on Google Maps, and you'll find it right there.

Sandbar restaurant

the sandbar swing on gili trawangan
Sand bar swing

You can find all the swings on the 14 best beaches mentioned above, except for this one.

This specific swing is actually located at the Sandbar restaurant, which is super close to the jetty where you first arrive on the island.

Ponte bar

the ponte bar swing on gili trawangan
Ponte bar swing

To clarify, this swing isn't in the water. It's actually situated on the sand. I just wasn't able to get the perfect angle.

Hotel Ombak Sunset

hotel ombak sunset swing on gili trawangan
Hotel Ombak Sunset swing

This swing right here is the biggest one on the whole island. It's even larger than it looks in this picture. I'm going to be honest, it's the most enjoyable swing I've ever experienced.

Le Pirate bungalow

in water swing gili trawangan
The famous in-water swing

Now, this is what many of you may have been searching for - the famous in-water swing!

It might be different from what you've seen on social media because there used to be multiple in-water swings, but unfortunately they got destroyed for some reason.

Today, this is the last remaining one that you can find on the island.

Jambuluwuk Oceano resort

the north swing on gili trawangan
North swing

Heading north, there is another swing that I can't recall the exact location of. You might come across it near Jambuluwuk Oceano resort.

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AUTHOR Marlin
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