Blue Marlin Dive Gili Trawangan

Blue Marlin Dive Gili Trawangan stands as the original dive centre on the island, having been established in 1990. As the flagship site for Indonesia's largest diving network, it has spent over three decades setting the standard for diving in the Gili Islands. The centre combines deep local roots with a professional infrastructure designed for both recreational divers and those pursuing a career in the industry.

Located on the main beach road, the resort is positioned only a minute's walk from the primary harbour. This central location makes arriving via fast boat from Bali or Lombok straightforward, with the centre serving as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding reefs. The resort itself offers a relaxed island lifestyle, featuring on-site accommodation with pool views and several dining options, including a rooftop restaurant overlooking Mount Rinjani.

As a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre, the facility is geared towards high-level professional training. The team includes two full-time PADI Course Directors, making it a primary destination for those undertaking the Instructor Development Course (IDC). The instruction is delivered by an award-winning, multilingual team capable of communicating in English, Indonesian, French, Spanish, German, and Italian.

Safety and individual attention are central to the operation, with a strict ratio of two divers per guide. For those looking to specialise, the centre offers a wide array of professional and recreational paths, including conservation-focused programmes. The teaching environment is supported by two on-site swimming pools, with one specifically dedicated to dive training.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the entire PADI progression from Discover Scuba Diving to professional levels. You can complete your Open Water Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications here, or progress through specialty training such as PADI Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Drift Diver.

For divers looking to specialise in unique disciplines, the centre is the only one in the Gili Islands to offer official PADI Mermaid courses, ranging from Basic to Advanced levels. They also provide training in Sidemount and the use of a DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle). For those interested in marine science, specialised Conservation Diver I, Conservation Diver II, and Conservation Specialty courses are available. Professional divers can pursue the Divemaster and IDC programmes to transition into a diving career.

The centre is fully equipped for both training and exploration, providing a complete range of rental kit for divers who prefer not to travel with their own. On-site facilities include dedicated areas for rinsing and preparing for dives.

For those looking to extend their bottom time or dive deeper, Nitrox is available on-site. The facility also serves as a hub for technical diving through Blue Marlin Tech, catering to divers requiring more advanced gas blends and specialised equipment.

The reefs around Gili Trawangan are a vibrant habitat for a wide variety of marine life. You will regularly encounter sea turtles, including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside various reef sharks such as Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) and blacktip reef sharks. Large schools of fish, including fusiliers (Caesio), snappers (Lutjanus), and jacks (Carangidae), move through the water columns.

In the reef structures, look for colourful reef fish, angelfish (Pomacanthidae), butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). You may also spot more specialised residents like triggerfish (Balistidae), parrotfish (Calotomus), and various species of damselfish (Chromis chromis). Large pelagic visitors, such as Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and eagle rays (Aetobatus), occasionally pass through the area.

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers significant interest. Keep a sharp eye out for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and various species of nudibranch. The seabed and reef crevices host a range of smaller creatures including shrimp (Caridea), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of pipefish. You might also find more elusive species like the mimic octopus, coconut octopus, or even a flamboyant cuttlefish.

The waters around the Gili Islands are characterised by calm conditions, making them suitable for a wide range of diving abilities. While the area is known for its relaxed environment, divers should always be prepared for the typical tropical conditions of the Indonesian archipelago.