The Best Sunset Spots on the Gilis: Gili T, Gili Meno and Gili Air

Gili Trawangan

If the Gilis had a national sport, it would be watching the sunset. Every evening, locals, tourists, and the occasional confused chicken all drift westward to see the sky put on its nightly performance. It’s free, it’s dramatic, and it pairs well with anything from a cold Bintang to a fancy cocktail. Whether you’re vibing with the party crowd on Gili T or chilling in hammock-heaven on Gili Air, the golden hour here is pure magic.

Here’s where to catch the best show from Gili T:

1. ASTON Sunset Beach Resort 🎬

This spot has it all, prime west-facing beach views, cocktails in hand, and when the sun dips below the horizon, they roll out the projector for an open-air movie under the stars. It’s basically a date-night cheat code.

2. The Window Bar, the Exile or any of the other Bars next to it 🍹

These beach bars are pure barefoot bliss. Beanbags, fire shows, and the perfect soundtrack, it’s impossible to have a bad sunset here (unless your Bintang runs out).

3. Paradise Sunset Bar 🌴

It’s called Paradise for a reason. Cold drinks, rainbow beanbags, and a crowd of happy humans staring at the sky like it’s the finale of a fireworks show.

4. Any Random Patch of West-Side Sand 🏝️

Pro tip: you don’t actually need a bar. Grab a takeaway drink, plop on the sand, and boom: you’ve got your own private front-row seat to the most budget-friendly cinema on earth.

5. On a Snorkel Boat 🐠

If you want to one-up all the beanbag loungers, book a sunset snorkel trip. You’ll finish your turtle spotting just in time to watch the sun melt into the ocean from the water. Floating at sunset with a mask on your face? Highly underrated.

🌅 The Best Sunset Spots on Gili Air (The Chill Younger Sibling of Gili T)

If Gili T is the island yelling “One more round!”, Gili Air is the one sipping a coconut and suggesting you meditate instead. But don’t be fooled by its calm vibes, when the sun goes down, Gili Air knows how to steal the show.

Here are the best seats in the house:

1. Mowies on the Beach 🍸

Cocktails, beanbags, and that perfectly curated front-row view. Watching the sunset here feels like the island personally invited you to a VIP lounge.

2. Cheeky Monkeys 🐒

Hammocks, swings, strong drinks, and zero pressure to act like a serious adult. It’s fun, it’s light, and the whole place glows golden when the sun dips low.

3. Chill Out Bar 🐚

This one does exactly what it promises: chill vibes, sandy toes, and a sunset that will make you forget your return ticket back to reality.

4. H2O Yoga Sunset Deck 🧘‍♀️

Catch the sunset post-yoga and you’ll feel like you just unlocked the meaning of life. Spoiler: it’s probably “have another coconut.”

5. Northwest Beaches 🌴

Skip the bars and wander up north if you want solitude. This is the kind of sunset that makes you whisper “wow” to yourself while pretending you’re in a tourism ad.

6. From a Snorkel Boat 🐠

End your snorkeling trip with a front-row seat to the sunset and book a sunset snorkel tour. Floating in the water while the horizon glows is about as “island magic” as it gets.

🌅 The Best Sunset Spots on Gili Meno (The Romantic Middle Child)

Gili Meno is the quiet one in the family. While Gili T is throwing a beach party and Gili Air is strumming a guitar in a hammock, Meno is sipping a coconut in near silence, watching the horizon turn fifty shades of orange. Sunsets here are less about reggae beats and cocktails, and more about romance, solitude, and the occasional sea turtle popping up to say hi.

Here are the best places to watch the magic happen:

1. Mahamaya Boutique Resort ✨

Think luxury beanbags, classy cocktails, and the kind of sunset that makes you whisper “wow” without meaning to. Perfect if you want to impress a date, or just yourself.

2. Sasak Island Café 🏝️

A classic beach shack with laid-back vibes, cold drinks, and front-row seats to the nightly show. Simple, unpretentious, and very Meno.

3. Karma Reef 🍸

For something a little fancier, Karma Reef delivers. Cocktails in hand, toes in the sand, and the sky putting on a performance, it’s basically a tropical cinema.

4. Any Beach on the West Side 🌴

Honestly, you don’t need a bar on Meno. Wander west, plop down on the sand, and you’ll probably have more crabs than humans for company. Bonus: zero background noise except the waves.

5. From a Snorkel Boat 🐠

End your turtle-spotting or statue-snorkeling trip with a front-row seat to the sunset. Floating in the water while the horizon glows is about as “island magic” as it gets.

On Meno, sunsets are less of a social event and more of a quiet reminder that you’ve made an excellent life choice by being there. Whether you’re at a boutique resort or sitting on an empty beach with sand between your toes, one thing’s certain: the middle child of the Gilis knows how to steal the show without even trying.