Blue Marlin Dive

Blue Marlin Dive Tech has been at the forefront of technical diving for over 30 years. Located on the island of Gili Trawangan in Indonesia, the centre serves as a dedicated hub for divers looking to move beyond recreational limits and into the realm of advanced exploration.

The Gilis provide a versatile environment for technical training, offering a variety of deep walls, wrecks, and untouched landscapes. This diverse underwater topography is particularly well-suited for practicing decompression procedures and fine-tuning buoyancy in controlled yet challenging settings.

The team consists of five professional instructors, including highly qualified specialists such as a TDI Trimix Instructor Trainer and an IANTD Advanced Trimix Instructor. Their expertise covers the full spectrum of technical diving, from basic nitrox to complex rebreather configurations.

Instruction is delivered in English, Chinese, and Spanish, ensuring clear communication during technical briefings and training sessions. The centre's long-standing history in the region is built on a commitment to advanced diving techniques and high-level certification standards.

As a specialist technical centre, the course catalogue is extensive and focuses heavily on Technical Diving International (TDI) certifications. Training ranges from foundational courses like TDI Nitrox and Advanced Nitrox to more complex modules such as Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox Decompression Procedures.

For divers moving into deep exploration, the centre offers Extended Range and MOD 3 Advanced Mixed Gas training. The rebreather programme is a major focus, featuring both Intro to Tech - Closed Circuit Rebreather and specific JJ-CCR rebreather courses. The centre also provides sidemount training, DPV courses, and professional-level instruction, including PADI Course Director training.

The centre is well-equipped for technical divers, offering a range of specialised kit for hire. This includes TwinSet wings, backplates, and regulators, as well as sidemount configurations with dedicated wings, harnesses, and rigging. For those conducting decompression dives, stage rigging and regulators are also available.

Technical divers can also access high-end equipment such as the JJ-CCR rebreather and PETREL technical dive computers. For those looking to incorporate propulsion, Blacktip Tech DPVs are available for hire. The facility provides various gas blending options, including Nitrox and deco gases, with oxygen fills available for rebreather cylinders.

The surrounding waters are a stronghold for large pelagic species. Divers can encounter hammerheads, thresher sharks, oceanic black tips, and grey reef sharks. Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and mola mola (sunfish) are also known to visit these deeper sections.

On the reefs and walls, you will find a high density of colourful fish including snappers (Lutjanus), trevallies (Carangidae), and various species of grouper (Epinephelus). Schools of fusiliers (Caesio) and batfish (Platax) are common, alongside eagle rays (Aetobatus) and marble rays. Turtles, including green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), are frequently seen throughout the area.

The hard and soft coral landscapes are spectacular, featuring giant gorgonians, sea fans, and black coral trees. These structures provide a home for a diverse array of smaller life, such as moray eels (Muraenidae), lionfish (Pterois volitans), and various species of stingrays and blue-spotted rays.

Macro divers will find plenty to explore among the crevices and corals, including nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). Look closely for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae) tucked away in the reef structure.

The region is known for its dynamic underwater environments. Many of the premier sites, such as Will's Reef and Turbo, are characterised by strong currents that require experienced divers comfortable with drift diving.

Some sites, such as The Corner Shop, offer more sheltered conditions, making them suitable for technical training in environments protected from heavy surge or flow. The topography varies from steep, plunging walls to shallow reef flats and canyons.