Gili Air Divers / Freedive Gili Air

Established in 2011, Gili Air Divers is one of the most experienced independent dive centres on the island. Located just 50 metres from the shoreline on the west coast, the centre provides easy access to the vibrant marine ecosystems of Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan.

The centre operates three boat sorties per day, including night dives, ensuring plenty of opportunities to explore the local waters. With over 20 dive sites and wrecks located within a 15 to 20-minute boat ride, the area offers a diverse range of environments for every level of experience.

As an SSI Instructor Training Centre (ITC), the team is highly qualified, led by founder Bibi (Birkan Tanis), an SSI Instructor Trainer. The instructors are dual-trained in both PADI and SSI standards, providing a versatile level of expertise for all students.

The centre maintains a high standard of safety and personal attention by capping guide ratios at a maximum of four divers per instructor. This is significantly more attentive than the standard WRSTC ratio of eight.

Communication is easy for international divers, as the team is proficient in English, French, Spanish, Indonesian, and German. This multi-lingual approach ensures that training and briefings are clear and precise.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with the SSI Basic Diver or SSI Scuba Diver programmes, progressing through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers various SSI Specialty Programs and Adventure Dives, including Deep and Night specialties. More advanced divers can pursue the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue or the professional Divemaster programme.

In addition to scuba, there is a dedicated freediving programme. This includes Freediving Trials, SSI Freediving Level 1 and Level 2, as well as specialised coaching sessions and Line Training (Safety Buddy).

The centre provides wetsuit hire for all divers. While full kit rental is not specified, the facility is well-positioned on the west coast for easy access to the water.

The local waters are famous for their resident sea turtles, which can be encountered throughout the year. The surrounding reefs provide a consistent habitat for a variety of marine life.

Between November and March, the arrival of plankton-rich waters brings larger pelagics to the area. During these months, you have the opportunity to see Manta rays and Mola mola.

Beyond the larger species, the reefs are home to a variety of smaller inhabitants, though specific macro details depend on the immediate site conditions.

The best time to dive in this region is from April to November, when the sea is flat and visibility is at its best, typically ranging between 15 and 30 metres. During this period, daily boat sorties are standard.

From November to March, the movement of plankton-rich water towards the south increases the likelihood of sightings of Manta rays and Mola mola.