What's on in Gili Trawangan (Gili Islands), Indonesia through the year

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year peak, Year-end break in Indonesia

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Northwest monsoon (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)), Christmas and New Year peak (18 Dec – 5 Jan)

Busy — Ramadan and Lebaran, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan and Lebaran

  5 Feb – 25 Apr · usuallyRamadan & EidClosuresCrowded

  Lombok is devout and the island's local warungs keep daytime hours short through the fast. The Lebaran week afterwards fills the boats with Indonesian holidaymakers. Source ↗

Still on: Northwest monsoon (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Lebaran, Lebaran (Idul Fitri) break in Indonesia

• Closure

  Nyepi stops the Bali boats

  19–20 Mar

  The Gilis are not Hindu and carry on as normal, but Bali shuts for the day and no fast boat leaves Padangbai or Serangan. Plan to be on one side or the other, not moving between them. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan and Lebaran (5 Feb – 25 Apr (usually)), Northwest monsoon (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Lebaran, Dry season

• Season

  Dry season

  15 Apr – 15 Oct · usuallyCrowded

  The crossings stay calm, the reef off the northwest corner clears up and the sunset side of the island is three deep at six o'clock. High season on a car-free island.

Still on: Ramadan and Lebaran (5 Feb – 25 Apr (usually)), Nyepi stops the Bali boats (19–20 Mar)

Busy — Dry season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Turtle nesting

  1 May – 31 Oct · usually

  Green turtles come up the beaches through the dry months and the island's hatcheries move the clutches out of the way of foot traffic. Sightings in the water are a year-round thing.

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Dry season, Mid-year break in Indonesia

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Turtle nesting (1 May – 31 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Dry season

• Hazard

  Stinger weeks

  1 Jul – 31 Aug · usuallyInsect season

  Small jellyfish drift through on some moon cycles and July and August take the worst of it. More itch than danger, but a rash vest is the difference between a good snorkel and a short one. Source ↗

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Turtle nesting (1 May – 31 Oct (usually))

Busy — Dry season, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Turtle nesting (1 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Stinger weeks (1 Jul – 31 Aug (usually))

Busy — Dry season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Turtle nesting (1 May – 31 Oct (usually))

Busy — Dry season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Dry season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Turtle nesting (1 May – 31 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Northwest monsoon

  15 Nov – 31 Mar · usually

  Rain comes in heavy evening bursts and the wind swings onto the exposed side, which makes the public boat from Bangsal a wet ride. Half the island's bars run on skeleton hours.

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year peak, Year-end break in Indonesia

• Holiday

  Christmas and New Year peak

  18 Dec – 5 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The one fortnight of the wet season that sells out. Fast boats add sailings, and rooms go at rates the rest of the low season never sees. Source ↗

Still on: Northwest monsoon (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))