🚫 Things Not To Do on Gili T (Unless You Enjoy Regrets and Sunburns)
Gili Trawangan is a little slice of paradise. It has beaches that look like postcards, sunsets that deserve applause, and coconuts that taste better than anything from your local supermarket. But even paradise comes with a few traps for the unprepared traveler. To make sure your trip is all smooth sailing (and no lobster-red skin), here is a list of things you really should avoid doing on Gili T.
1. Do NOT book the 30-person snorkel tour (also known as the Sardine Experience) 🐟
Cheap group snorkel trips might sound like a good deal until you find yourself squashed between thirty people in bright life jackets all leaping into the water at once. Imagine chaos, fins in your face, and a turtle wishing it could swim far, far away. If you actually want to enjoy the reef, book a private snorkel trip or go diving instead.
2. Do not touch the turtles (or anything else underwater) 🐢
We are so lucky to have hundreds of turtles around the island, but remember, they are not pets, they are not props for your Instagram story, and they definitely do not want you poking them. Watch them, admire them, take all the photos you want from a respectful distance. Let the turtles live their best chill island life.
3. Do not try to swim between the islands 🌊
From the beach it looks like the other Gilis are just a short swim away. It is not. The currents around the Gilis are famously strong, and even Olympic swimmers would struggle. Stick to the boats unless you want to become tomorrow’s headline: “Confused tourist rescued at sea.”
4. Do not skip diving or snorkeling 🤿
Some visitors come to Gili T, party for days, and leave without even dipping their face in the ocean. That is like going to Paris and ignoring the Eiffel Tower. The underwater world here is incredible, with turtles, shipwrecks, and colorful reefs. Don’t miss it.
5. Do not forget sunscreen ☀️
The equatorial sun is not your friend. Forgetting sunscreen means turning into a “bule goreng” which literally translates to fried foreigner. Protect yourself, reapply often, and save the lobster look for actual lobsters.
6. Do not expect cars or motorbikes and please do not rent electrical scooters 🚲
There are no engines on Gili T except your own legs, bicycles, and the occasional horse cart. If you are in a rush, tough luck. This is island time. Recently a lot of electrical scooters started appearing. They are officially illegal on the island. The streets are not made for them and there have been a lot of accidents. The island is super small, so it is very easy to get around, even without electrical help.
Life on Gili T is simple, but simple mistakes can turn paradise into a comedy of errors. Avoid these rookie moves and you will have more time for coconuts, sunsets, and the kind of memories you actually want to take home.
