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Scuba Diving

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Discover nearby dive sites with local partners, from beginner to certified divers.

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Scuba diving experience

Activity details

Plan this experience during your stay

We can help you coordinate this activity around weather conditions, ferry arrivals, and your preferred pace on the island.

Discover nearby dive sites with local partners, from beginner to certified divers.

Activity guide

Introduction

Scuba diving is underwater swimming with a tank and regulator that lets you breathe below the surface. In Gili Trawangan, scuba diving is one of the most popular water activities because the Gili Islands have warm water, short boat rides to multiple dive sites, and a wide range of beginner-to-advanced courses.?Scuba diving Gili Trawangan? is also well known for boat-based dives around the three Gilis (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air), often with turtles and reef life on shallow reefs and deeper drop-offs.

Diving on the Gili Islands is widely described as possible year-round. Many dive sites are reached quickly from Gili Trawangan, which is why scuba diving is consistently listed among the top?things to do in Gili Trawangan.?

Why This Activity Is Popular In Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a practical base for diving because the dive sites are close: operators commonly run short boat trips to sites around the Gili Islands, often described as around 20 minutes or less depending on the location and conditions.

The Gili Islands are also known for drift diving. Currents can be part of the experience, and reputable dive centers plan dives around tides and conditions. This creates clear-water days and keeps many sites interesting for returning divers.

Another reason the area is popular is the local dive-community structure. Many reputable dive centers reference membership in GIDA (Gili Islands Dive Association / Alliance), which promotes safe diving practices and shared minimum pricing policies among members.

What To Expect

A typical fun-dive day in Gili Trawangan starts with an equipment check, a briefing, and a short boat ride to one or two dive sites. After entering the water, divers usually follow a guide along reef slopes, coral bommies, and sandy patches, then surface for a boat pickup. Because currents can vary, dive centers may adjust site choice and entry points on the day.

If you are learning, most beginners start with either a?try dive? experience in shallow water or an entry-level certification course. Several dive centers in Gili Trawangan offer beginner-to-advanced training, including professional-level pathways like Divemaster and Instructor training.

Marine life expectations should stay realistic: turtles are common on many Gili Islands dive sites, and you may also see reef fish, stingrays, and occasional reef sharks. Some operators also mention manta rays as seasonal or occasional sightings rather than a guaranteed encounter.

Best Locations In Gili Trawangan

Scuba diving from Gili Trawangan generally means diving around the Gili Islands rather than only one beach. Dive sites are spread around Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, and most are reached by boat.

Several sites around the Gilis are known for turtles, especially along sloping reefs where turtles rest and feed.

Locations such as Shark Point are often described by local dive operators as classic Gili Islands drift dives, planned around tides.

The Bounty Wreck near Gili Meno is commonly described as a shallow wreck site suitable for multiple levels, with parts around 18 meters and shallower sections rising closer to the surface.

On the practical side, Gili Trawangan has many dive shops along the main strip and near the harbor. For example, Manta Dive states it is located right in front of the harbor on Gili Trawangan and offers courses from beginner to advanced.

Several sites around the Gilis are known for turtles, especially along sloping reefs where turtles rest and feed.

Locations such as Shark Point are often described by local dive operators as classic Gili Islands drift dives, planned around tides.

The Bounty Wreck near Gili Meno is commonly described as a shallow wreck site suitable for multiple levels, with parts around 18 meters and shallower sections rising closer to the surface.

Who This Activity Is For

Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan can work for both beginners and experienced divers. Beginners can start with an introductory session or an entry-level certification course, while certified divers can choose guided boat dives across multiple sites around the Gili Islands.

?Is diving in Gili Trawangan beginner friendly?? In practice, many people learn here because the island has a high concentration of training-focused dive centers and warm water conditions. However, currents can be present, so beginner dives are typically planned at calmer sites and appropriate times based on tides.

If you are anxious about the ocean or have health considerations, it is normal to ask a dive center about medical requirements and conditions before booking. Reputable operators will explain safety procedures, depth limits, and course standards clearly.

When To Do It

Diving the Gili Islands is commonly described as an all-year-round activity, but conditions vary by season. Many sources describe the dry season (roughly April to November) as the period with calmer seas and strong visibility on average.

For travelers comparing dates, several dive operators and guides highlight shoulder-season windows such as March to June and October to November, when conditions can be good and the islands may feel less busy.

Time of day matters too. Morning dives are often favored for calmer conditions and clearer light, while afternoon dives can be excellent depending on tides and weather. Your dive center will usually schedule sites around the day?s currents and swell.

Practical Information

A single fun dive typically runs as a half-day activity once you include briefing, boat time, and surface intervals. Intro dives and courses vary from a few hours to multiple days depending on the certification path.

Options range from first-time experiences to advanced and professional training. Currents are part of some sites, so dive centers match locations to experience level.

Dive centers provide standard scuba gear (BCD, regulator, tank, weights). Many divers still bring personal items like a mask, rashguard, and reef-safe sunscreen for comfort.

Booking is straightforward on Gili Trawangan because there are multiple dive centers. If you want a specific course schedule or instructor availability, booking a day ahead is common. For reputable standards, many dive shops highlight GIDA membership and shared minimum pricing among members.

Accessibility from Balé Sampan: Dive centers are spread around the main areas of Gili Trawangan, including near the harbor. Manta Dive is commonly described as near the harbor and offers beginner-to-advanced diving on Gili Trawangan, making it an easy option to reach on foot or by bicycle from most parts of the island.

A single fun dive typically runs as a half-day activity once you include briefing, boat time, and surface intervals. Intro dives and courses vary from a few hours to multiple days depending on the certification path.

Options range from first-time experiences to advanced and professional training. Currents are part of some sites, so dive centers match locations to experience level.

Dive centers provide standard scuba gear (BCD, regulator, tank, weights). Many divers still bring personal items like a mask, rashguard, and reef-safe sunscreen for comfort.

Booking is straightforward on Gili Trawangan because there are multiple dive centers. If you want a specific course schedule or instructor availability, booking a day ahead is common. For reputable standards, many dive shops highlight GIDA membership and shared minimum pricing among members.

Accessibility from Balé Sampan: Dive centers are spread around the main areas of Gili Trawangan, including near the harbor. Manta Dive is commonly described as near the harbor and offers beginner-to-advanced diving on Gili Trawangan, making it an easy option to reach on foot or by bicycle from most parts of the island.

Summary

Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan is popular because the Gili Islands offer warm water, year-round diving, and short boat rides to many sites. The area supports beginners through training-focused dive centers, while also offering drift dives and deeper topography for certified divers. For travelers building an itinerary of?Gili Trawangan activities,? scuba diving is one of the most established options in Lombok, Indonesia, with multiple reputable operators and a local safety-and-pricing framework associated with GIDA.

What to expect

  • Intro dives possible
  • Courses on request
  • Schedule varies

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