
Gili Trawangan, an Indonesian island off the coast of Lombok, has been recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world's 30 best hidden islands for off-the-grid adventure and seclusion. The island is known for its relaxed atmosphere, featuring beachfront cafes, surfing schools, and diving centers. Motorized vehicles are banned on Gili Trawangan, with visitors using foot, bicycles, or horse-drawn carts for transportation. Vietnam's Con Dao and Malaysia's Pulau Mabul also made the list, alongside other islands such as Pico Island Portugal, Scrub Island British Virgin Islands, and Skopelos Greece.
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Must readBASK Gili Meno, located on Gili Meno, combines a serene tropical escape with contemporary villas, dining, and views of two volcanoes. The resort features 400 meters of white-sand beachfront and is a 90-minute boat ride from Bali. Guests can visit Gili Trawangan for its nightlife before returning to Gili Meno's tranquility. The resort balances sophisticated beach club energy with understated luxury, enhanced by mood-shifting playlists from 120 speakers around its 35-meter pool. Resort founder Greg Meyer is a professional jazz singer. The Gili Islands have a drier, sunnier climate than Bali due to a volcanic rain-shadow effect. BASK's location includes a saltwater lake fringed by mangroves. The resort attracts a diverse crowd, including honeymooners, artists, and families. Accommodation options range from one- to three-bedroom villas, lofts, and studios, some with private pools, offering beachfront or lake views and traditional Sasak design. BASK Restaurant & Bar, led by Chilean head chef Bastian Marcel, offers a menu with Japanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, wood-fired pizza, and Indonesian-inspired dishes, focusing on seafood and dry-aged steaks. Pomona, a gluten-free restaurant, serves Latin American dishes like soft-shell crab arepas and fish tacos. The resort features "The Nest," an underwater sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor, located four meters deep, which is a popular spot for snorkelers. Other activities include horse-riding and island-hopping. BASK also has Lomb

Semaya Cruises provides daily fast ferry services from Bali to Lombok and the Gili Islands Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air. Departures are available from Sanur and Padang Bai. The Semaya Darmajaya Jet operates two daily services from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Bangsal, and Senggigi. The Semaya One Pride departs daily from Sanur, stopping at Nusa Penida, Senggigi, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Bangsal. Passengers can choose between port-to-port tickets or a door-to-door service that includes ground transport in Bali and Lombok. A new vessel, the MV Semaya Miracle Catamaran, is scheduled to launch in Q4 2026, offering additional connections from Serangan and Padang Bai to Nusa Penida, Lembongan, the Gili Islands, and Senggigi. The Semaya Group was founded in 2014 by I Made Wijaya, S.Kom, and is a member of the Indonesian Association of Passenger Ship Operators APKAPI.
Must readThe number of fast boat fleets operating on the Bali to Gili Trawangan and Senggigi Port route has doubled from three to six. This increase, announced by Ahmad Nur Aulia, Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency of NTB Province, aims to support and facilitate tourist flow to the three Gili areas of Lombok. The additional fleets, including Ekajaya, Ekajaya Matra, Semaya, Virendra, Wahana, and Dharma Jaya, are in place for the peak holiday season, which runs from June to December 2026.