Freedive Gili

Freedive Gili is situated on the tropical island of Gili Trawangan, a small island located approximately 1.5 hours from Bali and 30 minutes from Lombok. The island is entirely free of cars and motorised vehicles, creating a calm atmosphere for those looking to focus on their training.

Since its founding in 2008, the centre has become the original specialist for freediving in the region. It caters to a wide spectrum of ability, from those taking their very first breath-hold training to elite athletes pursuing national records.

The centre is led by founder Michael Board, an 18-time British national record holder. The team consists of 4 professional instructors who are certified through both SSI and Molchanovs, ensuring a high standard of technical coaching.

Instruction is available in English, German, and French. The staff includes not only diving professionals but also local accommodation managers, yoga teachers, and experienced boat captains to support the holistic training environment.

The curriculum is comprehensive, covering the full range of SSI freediving certifications. This includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, as well as various specialties such as Monofin, No-fins, and Training Techniques.

For those looking to turn their passion into a career, the centre offers the SSI Basic Freediver Instructor course and the full Instructor Course (L1/L2). Advanced training programmes are also available, including the 4-week Master Program and the intensive Wave Four programme. Daily line training and depth coaching are provided for those looking to refine their technique in the water.

The centre operates using a variety of vessels, including traditional wooden boats and speedboats. These are used to access the surrounding reefs and training spots, such as Secret Bay, which is just a 10 to 15-minute transit by speedboat.

On-site facilities are designed to support both training and recovery. The centre features a 25m swimming pool for controlled training sessions, a yoga shala for stretching and mobility work, and a healthy café.

Safety is a primary focus, with oxygen tanks, a first aid kit, and XL surface buoys available for all sessions. The centre also provides a detailed evacuation plan to manage any incidents during training.

The waters around Gili Trawangan are home to a diverse array of large pelagics. You can regularly encounter various species of sharks, including blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), and leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata). Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and eagle rays (Aetobatus) are also part of the local ecosystem.

Sea turtles are a constant presence in the area, with green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) frequently seen near the reefs. Large fish such as the Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), various groupers (Epinephelus), and schools of jackfish (Carangidae) add life to the coral formations.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of smaller creatures. You may find octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and various species of nudibranch (Chromodoris willani). The seabed also features garden eels (Gorgasia), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp (Caridea) among the corals and sea fans.

Diving in this area typically involves drift diving, meaning that currents are rarely a significant obstacle for divers. This makes the local spots highly predictable and suitable for a wide range of training sessions.