Gili Divers - Gili Trawangan

Located in the Gili Islands between Lombok and Bali, Gili Divers has been operating since 2010. The centre is situated directly on the beach of Gili Trawangan, providing easy access to the dive boats and a direct connection to the local marine environment.

As an SSI 5-star Platinum rated centre, the operation is fully autonomous, managing its own boats, compressors, and on-site accommodation via the Gili Divers Hotel. This setup allows for a cohesive experience, whether you are staying for a few days or enrolling in a long-term professional programme.

The management team, led by instructors with SSI Platinum status, brings decades of combined industry experience to the islands. The centre is known for its international atmosphere, with an instructor and divemaster team representing eight different nationalities.

Communication is straightforward for international travellers, as the staff speaks English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, Indonesian, Danish, Canadian, Portuguese, and more. This multilingual capability ensures that training and briefing sessions are clear and precise for a global clientele.

Environmental stewardship is a core part of their identity. The team works closely with the Gili Eco Trust, manages its own eco-programmes with an environmental scientist, and conducts regular reef and beach clean-ups. They also support the local community by offering Divemaster internships to local residents.

The training catalogue is extensive, covering the entire spectrum of scuba diving. For beginners, they offer the Try Scuba Course, Scuba Diver, and Open Water Diver courses. Progressive training continues through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and various specialty courses including Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, and Night & Limited Visibility.

For professional divers, the centre provides a highly regarded Divemaster Course and Instructor training, including the SSI Instructor Crossover. They also offer specialised ecological training such as the Ocean Quest Coral Propagation course, Coral ID, Fish ID, and Marine Ecology.

Technical diving is a significant part of the curriculum. You can train in Sidemount, Twinset Configuration, and a range of decompression courses including Decompression Diver (45m), Extended Decompression Diver (55m), and Advanced Decompression Diver (50m). They also provide training for Gas Blender (ISO 13293) and O2 Provider certification.

The centre is fully equipped with its own compressors and on-site facilities to support daily operations. Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time on the reefs.

For those looking to stay on-site, the Gili Divers Hotel provides integrated accommodation. The centre is set up to handle everything from basic recreational kit to more specialised requirements for technical diving.

The reefs are teeming with diverse marine life, ranging from large pelagics to delicate macro species. You will regularly encounter green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) across the various sites. Schools of snappers (Lutjanus), jackfish, and trevallies are common, alongside reef sharks including blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus).

During the rainy season, the waters around Manta Point become a focal point for larger animals, with increased chances of seeing manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and eagle rays (Aetobatus). You may also spot southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus) and blue-spotted rays on the sandy patches.

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers incredible variety. Look for pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), and various species of octopus and cuttlefish (Sepiidae). The sites around Seahorse Bay and Meno Wall are particularly noted for seeing frogfish (Antennarius), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and decorated crabs.

The underwater landscape is defined by healthy coral formations, including large gorgonians, sea fans, and various soft corals. These structures provide habitat for a multitude of smaller residents like clownfish (Amphiprion), damselfish (Chromis chromis), and various species of angelfish (Pomacanthidae).

Diving in the Gilis is generally characterised by calm conditions on most sites, though certain locations like Deep Turbo and Shark Point can experience stronger currents. The topography varies from shallow sandy slopes and reef flats to deep walls and pinacles.

The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October. During the rainy season, increased plankton levels can lead to more frequent sightings of manta rays and eagle rays.