Want to know our pick of top destinations for a unique diving experience in Indonesia? What to do on Gili Islands in Indonesia and which stunning beaches, wildlife, local attractions to explore – don’t miss these must-do’s and insider tips!
Worried about swimming with sharks? Wondering how to make sure your scuba diving trip is both safe and fun? Read up on our 10 essential tips on how to make your underwater adventure unforgettable in the best way possible.
Ready to take your diving skills to the next level? Learn to scuba dive like a pro with courses from SSI. Find out which advanced dive courses are available, what skills you’ll learn, and why they’re the best choice for you as a diver.
If you’re looking for an underwater adventure, Diving around Gili Air is the perfect choice! With certified SSI and PADI instructors on hand, you can explore the fascinating marine life of this exotic destination in complete safety. Discover a whole new world beneath the waves!
Here are 5 reasons why you should go diving in the Gili Islands: 1) See an incredible variety of coral and other marine life, 2) Get a personalized dive experience with certified professionals, 3) Take advantage of exclusive deals on accommodations and dive packages, 4) Enjoy various activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling or surfing in addition to diving, and 5) Enjoy the amazing Gili Islands – above as well as below the surface.
The marine life in the Gili Islands is unbelievably diverse, with a variety of vibrant fish, hundreds of coral species, and mesmerizing sea anemones. You’ll have the chance to experience these fragile ecosystems that beachgoers and non-divers so often overlook. With over 1,500 different species of fish spread across 40 dive sites, your underwater adventure will be anything but ordinary!
Regardless of your diving capabilities, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore all kinds of sites. With experienced PADI and SSI dive instructors at the helm, you can take part in shallow-water dives, drift dives past bommies and corals, deep dives with sharks, and so much more!
With certified SSI and PADI dive instructors leading the way, you can rest assured that you’ll have top-notch instruction and guidance throughout your trip. They will be able to provide the necessary advice and tips to help you maximize your adventure, while safely navigating around all the amazing wildlife of Gili Air.
As an added bonus, Gili Air is a picturesque island surrounded by beautiful views and soft white sand beaches. From crystal clear bays and magnificent sunsets to blue lagoons filled with colorful corals and sea life, Gili Air has something to offer for everyone! Whether relaxing on the beach or taking a plunge under the sea to explore the local marine life, you’re sure to make unforgettable memories on this unique Indonesian paradise!
Read more top tips for what we think is the best of the island
If you’re looking to book an exciting and safe scuba diving adventure, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 essential tips that will help ensure your underwater dive is both memorable and risk-free.
Before you book your scuba diving trip, it’s important to make sure the dive center is a high quality one. All certified dive centers should be up front about their qualification policies, have competent and certified professionals that have been thoroughly trained in all aspects of scuba diving. Additionally, you should look at the state of the diving equipment, enquire about the annual service, the mandatory hydrostatic pressure testing as well as the presence of emergency equipment such as O2 before making your final decision.
Before embarking on your scuba diving trip, be sure to get any necessary training and certifications. This might include scuba certification courses, first aid courses, specialty courses, and more. Depending on where you’re going and what type of equipment you’ll use, certain types of diving skillsets may be required. Booking these classes ahead of time will ensure your spot, so that you can hit the water as soon as possible.
To make sure your scuba diving trip is safe and fun, it’s important to have the right gear and equipment. Make sure you have a mask that fits properly, a wetsuit adequate for the water temperature, fins and other dive-related equipment that’s specifically designed for scuba diving. Be sure to check your gear ahead of time to ensure there are no tears or worn-out parts that need to be replaced before you hit the water.
Learn more about the current weather conditions by talking to the dive team, as they typically are very knowledgeable about the local conditions. This can help increase your comfort level, safety and ensure that your scuba diving trip is a success. By reviewing the waves, tides and currents the staff might choose to re-locate the dive or sometimes even cancel it completely in order to remain on the safe side.
Make sure that you know the plan for your scuba diving trip, as this is an essential part of staying safe and having a good time! Before you leave, make sure to pay attention to the dive briefing so you’re well informed about the dive site, it’s conditions, planned route, entry & exit techniques, signals used as well as the emergency protocol. This will make sure all divers are on the same page and know ever step of the plan.
The Gili Islands, a trio of idyllic islands located off the coast of Indonesia, are an excellent destination for any avid scuba diver. With its crystal clear waters, abundant marine life and countless dive sites, the Gilis provide an unforgettable diving experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more. In this guide, we’ll dive into what makes the Gili Islands perfect for scuba diving and how you can make the most of your time there.
The best time to visit the Gili Islands for diving vary depending on the season and preferred marine life and conditions. During the peak of the dry season (April–October), water temperatures are ideal for many types of dive activities and the visibility in the water is at its finest.
Diving around the Gilis at this time is like immersing into a tropical paradise of crystal clear water, colourful marine life and, as always, an abundance of turtles! During wet season (November–March) visibility can be somewhat reduced but this is also the optimal time to experience some species that thrive in these conditions, such as manta rays and whalesharks.
The Gili Islands offer a variety of dive sites, ranging from shallow water coral gardens to open water drift dives that can reach depths of 30 meters or more. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll find the perfect type of dive sites here. Beginners and certified divers alike can enjoy long shallow dives taking in beautiful coral reefs or venture out into the deep blue on thrilling drift dives. With such a wide selection, there’s something exciting for diving enthusiasts at every level! [internal link to sites]
The waters around the Gili Islands provide habitats for many marine species, with sightings that include different types of sharks, reef fish such as angelfish and parrotfish, large pelagic fish including tuna and manta rays. Turtles are a common sight, as well as eels, octopus and other invertebrates – perfect for those looking to observe some extraordinary underwater creatures. Come visit us, have a look at our own Fish Guide and let our staff tell you about the beautiful creatures you might meet on different sites, or hit us up with a message!
Do your research on local diving operators by visiting their webpages and reading reviews from people who have used their services. Make sure to check what kind of certifications and courses the operator offers, such as Discover scuba diving, Open water or Advanced diver training, as well as courses like Rescue, Divemaster training and specialities like Deep diving.
It’s important to make sure that you have the right equipment for your dives. A complete scuba unit, equipped with an alternate air source, as well as mask and fins designed for scuba diving, and additional equipment like a surface marker buoy. When you dive with us, you’ll always be guided by a certified dive professional that will inspect and assemble your gear, and carry all the necessary safety equipment. Our boat also carries additional safety material such as radio, O2, life jackets, etc.
Swimming in the crystal clear waters of Gili is truly an unforgettable experience, but it’s only natural to be a little concerned about the potential for encounters with sharks. Fortunately, most swimmers and divers don’t need to worry too much about being attacked by these ocean predators – read on to learn about the safety level for divers in Gili and whether you have anything to fear from these powerful creatures!
The waters around Gili is home to a variety of shark species, here you’ll find black- and whitetip reef sharks, the seasonal whalesharks, and in the same waters but a bit further away in Lombok you can find the spectacular hammerhead sharks. However, the most commonly spotted type is the blacktip reef shark. These smaller sharks are usually harmless and only grow up to around 1.5-2 meters in size. They feed on small fish and invertebrates, which they obtain by scavenging or hunting in packs during the dusk hours. As such, they rarely pose a threat to humans and diving with them is an amazing experience!
Generally speaking, swimming with sharks in Gili isn’t considered dangerous at all. Although a small amount of the larger shark species, like the great white, tiger, and bull sharks for example, can pose a threat to humans when agitated , they are non-existing or extremely rare in our waters. The vast majority of sharks that can be found around the Gilis are small blacktip reef sharks, which are harmless and generally avoid contact with humans. As long as you maintain a respectful distance when interacting with them, your safety should not be at risk when visiting the waters around the Gilis.
From vibrant reefs to hidden coves, Indonesia has some of the best dive spots in the world. From Sulawesi’s marine biodiversity to Raja Ampat’s unspoiled coral gardens, here’s our pick of the top diving spots in Indonesia to explore and discover today!
The Gili Islands, off the northwest coast of Lombok Island in Indonesia, are a popular choice for diving in Indonesia. One of the things that make it such an attractive destination is the relatively low effort journey to get there, especially compared to the other destinations that made our list. Coming from Denpasar, Bali or Lombok, this island paradise is just a short boat ride away! Over the years they have gained increasing popularity with travellers looking for a beach holiday getaway due to their white sand beaches, big variation of restaurants, cute little boutiques and shops as well as the nightlife. However, just offshore lay a tranquil and vibrant underwater playground full of coral gardens, vibrant reefs and enchanting macro life. Boasting some of the best dive sites in the country – including Shark Point – the islands have something to offer for everyone; from first time divers exploring an array of thriving marine life to more experienced divers attracted by the vast amount of aquatic wonders.
Komodo National Park is one of the most iconic scuba destinations in Indonesia. Located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, this vast region – covering over 1,800 square kilometers – is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its millions of years old ancient Komodo dragons, but also renowned for its awe-inspiring reef life. Home to over 260 species of coral and more than 1000 species of fish, the park offers a captivating underwater landscapes full of vibrant marine life; from giant manta rays to dwarf seahorses and some of the world’s most colorful clownfish found among fruitful reefs.
Located off the northern tip of Sulawesi, Bunaken is considered by many to be one of the world’s top dive spots due to its abundant diversity of sea life. You’ll find an array of stunning coral reefs and diverse marine animals, ranging from reef sharks and turtles to barracudas and parrotfish. Located in a protected marine park, Bunaken offers amazing diving opportunities and is the perfect spot for divers looking for an unforgettable experience.
Padang Bai, located on the eastern side of Bali, is a perfect destination for divers looking to combine stunning coral reefs with ease of access. The area features an great variety of sea life and a wide array of fish species that can be seen in the shallower waters. In addition, Padang Bai also offers some more challenging dives that drop to over 33m/ 109 ft, where divers can catch glimpses of majestic sea turtles and even eagle rays!
Raja Ampat is a prime dive destination to diving enthusiasts. Located in West Papua, the archipelago is considered to be one of the best kept secrets within Indonesia and a mecca for divers from around the world thanks to its spectacularly diverse coral reefs, crystal clear waters and abundance of marine life. With over 540 species of coral and more tropical fish varieties than any other part of the world, this area is an ideal destination for experienced scuba divers looking for something truly special.
Divers of all levels can learn to dive like a pro with SSI dive courses. From deeper dives and night dives to wreck diving, underwater navigation, and other specialty courses, SSI offers a wide range of advanced courses to help you take your scuba diving skills to the next level.
The advanced dive courses from SSI are designed to give experienced divers the skills needed for challenging dive conditions and to explore new environments. You’ll learn about everything from buoyancy control and recognizing unique marine species to night diving and using specialty gear. There are also various courses such as deep dive, navigation, wreck, digital imaging, drysuit diving, cavern, DPV (diver propulsion vehicle), side mount, closed circuit rebreather (CCR), search & recovery, extended range (technical) dive training courses and more. Each course is tailored to fit the needs of your experience level so you can take on greater challenges with confidence.
SSI offers a wide range of advanced diving courses in order to best meet the needs of any diver, no matter their specific interests. Course options include Drysuit Specialty, which focuses on how to dive in colder conditions with a specialized suit; Night and Limited Visibility Specialty, which covers night and low-visibility dives. Search and Recovery Specialty, which focuses on techniques to locate objects under water; Wreck Specality, which trains divers on how to safely navigate underwater wrecks; and Extended Range (Technical) Dive Training Courses such as Advanced Nitrox or Trimix gas mixtures for reduced narcosis effects.
SSI advanced dive courses provide experienced and certified divers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, giving them a greater sense of freedom and confidence in the water. All SSI courses are taught by professional instructors who’ve been thoroughly vetted and adhere to global safety standards. Additionally, all SSI dive centers offer specialized gear training sessions so you can learn more about the latest features seen in modern scuba diving gear.
Before enrolling in an advanced dive course, make sure to regularly practice the fundamental scuba diving skills you mastered during your entry-level course. Review any pertinent handouts or materials that you may have received during the basic course and update yourself on the latest scuba standards. Additionally, take some time to inspect your all essential scuba gear and accessories prior to your dive to ensure they are in top working condition. Doing so will help you gain a better sense of safety and confidence when participating in more advanced diving activities.
There are several different diving training organizations, SSI and PADI are two of the most well-known, alongside NAUI, CMAS, FFESSM, BSAC and RAID.
In short, certified is certified. Regardless of which agency you trained with and got certified through, you will be able to dive at any dive center across the globe as long as you can provide proof of certification.
Several of the organizations are also interchangeable with each other, meaning that you can do your entry level course through one agency, and your next level through another one.
We have however chosen to primarily teach SSI courses as we feel they offer the highest level of customer support and service, take the greatest consideration to students and their individual needs, and the most flexible approach to teaching. Even if we have many instructors that are qualified to teach on behalf of several of the other organizations as well.
The Gili Islands are a tropical paradise that has something to offer for everyone – white sand beaches, incredible wildlife and breathtaking views. If you’re planning a trip to the Gili Islands, don’t miss out on these must-do’s and insider tips for a truly unforgettable experience!
The Gili Islands are home to some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Indonesia. But one of our favorite things to do here is explore the dive sites! There are several amazing sites in the area, each unique and different. Put on your diving gear and take a tour around the sites to see why they’re so popular among divers.
At Turtle Heaven, one of the Gili Islands’ most popular diving & snorkeling spots, you can get up close and personal with some turtle friends! Look out for Hawksbill Sea Turtles, Green Sea Turtles and even Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. If you’re lucky enough to spot them, observe from a distance and don’t touch them. It’s an experience you won’t forget!
Bicycles are the fastest and most convenient way to get around Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan – the three biggest of the Gili Islands. You can rent bikes on all three islands for relatively cheap prices (between 30,000 and 60,000 rupiahs/day). Plus, a day spent cycling around the island is a relaxing activity that allows you to take in the beautiful scenery. Just be aware of those pesky sand-traps and check that your brakes work first!
If you’d like to explore even more of the Gilis, then go island hopping on a traditional local boat. You can cruise along the coastlines and pass some stunning untouched beaches. On Gili Air, make sure to book a boat tour with one of the locals; they will take you on a two-hour boat trip around all three islands, including an unforgettable stop at Turtle Heaven or Bounty Wreck – so bring your mask and fins!
Popularly known as Gili T, this is the biggest and most developed of the three islands. Home to all kinds of ocean activities including surfing, snorkeling and diving, Gili T is a must-visit for anyone wanting an immersive holiday experience. From relaxing on the beach beds in front of vibrant sunsets to discovering hidden underwater gems as you snorkel around coral gardens or take part in a dive expedition, there’s something for everyone on Gili T. Plus, there are plenty of delicious eating spots offering fresh seafood from local fishermen where you can catch some beautiful views of Sire Beach – and make sure you don’t miss out on the stunning turtles that inhabit this part of the island!
Ready to book an amazing and easy dive holiday?
The best way to organize your dive trip is to book yourself one of our Dive & Stay Packages.
For more information regarding these packages, contact us here.
If you would like to book your accommodation at Tipsea Turtle separately, you can do so here.
