© Mares

Diving in the Gili Islands, a charming trio off Lombok, Indonesia, is a mesmerizing journey into vibrant underwater realms. These islands offer more than just idyllic beaches; they are a haven for divers of all skill levels. With 25 dive sites spread across Gili Trawangan, Air, and Meno, the options range from dramatic walls to serene coral gardens. The sites are easily accessible from any island, providing ample opportunities for both shore and boat diving. For those seeking extended adventures, liveaboard trips are available year-round, venturing further into the captivating waters of West Nusa Tenggara.

Marine life around the Gili Islands is a spectacular highlight. Conservation efforts have made these waters a "turtle capital," where seeing sea turtles is almost guaranteed. Depending on the season, divers can encounter graceful manta rays, the elusive reef sharks, and occasionally, a majestic whale shark. The thriving coral reefs are home to a plethora of species, from the curious pufferfish and trevallies to the dazzling butterflyfish. Notably, Gili Meno's Meno Wall offers an exciting dive environment, while Gili Trawangan’s Shark Point is renowned for turtle sightings. The islands’ commitment to eco-friendly practices, such as the absence of motorized transport, ensures a peaceful dive experience, rich in both relaxation and marine biodiversity.

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Basic Diver

Basic Diver

SSI Basic Diver Program at Oceans 5 Gili Air The SSI Basic Diver Program at Oceans 5 Gili Air is the perfect introduction for anyone curious about scuba diving but not yet ready to commit to a full certification course. This program allows you to safely experience the underwater world while learning the fundamental skills needed to dive under the supervision of an SSI Professional. During the Basic Diver program, you will learn essential diving skills and basic theory that will prepare you for your first underwater adventure. After a short briefing and skill practice with your instructor, you will enter the ocean and experience scuba diving to a maximum depth of 12 meters. Throughout the entire dive, you will be accompanied and closely supervised by an experienced SSI Professional, ensuring your safety and comfort at all times. This program is ideal for beginners who want to discover what scuba diving feels like in a relaxed and supportive environment. Around the beautiful reefs of Gili Air, Basic Diver participants often encounter colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and sometimes even sea turtles during their first dive. One of the great advantages of the SSI Basic Diver Program is that it can be credited toward further diving education. If you decide that you love diving and want to continue, the entire Basic Diver program can be applied toward the SSI Scuba Diver Course or the full SSI Open Water Diver Course within six months. This means your first dive experience becomes the first step in your diving journey. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the program is conducted with small groups and experienced instructors who prioritize safety, comfort, and personal attention. Our goal is not only to show you the beauty of the underwater world but also to make sure your first diving experience is relaxed, enjoyable, and unforgettable. If you have always wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, the SSI Basic Diver Program at Oceans 5 Gili Air is the perfect place to begin your adventure.

Oceans 5, Gili Air, 83352, Jl. Pantai, Gili Indah, NB, IDN
July 21, 2026 +168 More
$83.59
IDR 1,500,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Gili Islands

Scuba diving in the Gili Islands offers calm, relaxed reef dives, such as Simon’s Reef, as well as challenging drift dives suitable for more experienced divers at the Deep Turbo dive site. In Teluk Nara, you can search black sand for unusual creatures at muck dives alike to those at Lembeh Strait in Sulawesi or seek out juvenile white-tip sharks under large coral bommies at the Gili’s Manta Point. Trail 30-metre walls at Meno Wall or enjoy overhangs, outcrops and swim-throughs at Takat Malang surrounded by impressive gorgonian sea fans and table corals.

Sites with no current such as Hans Reef are great for novice divers learning to dive while the harder drift dives will prepare you for more advanced dive courses. Many of Gili’s dive sites drop below 18-metres so an advanced course is necessary if you want to explore all the islands have to offer. If you are new to diving, you can get your first opportunity to wreck dive at Bounty Wreck. Lying at 18-metres and rising up to 8 this easy wreck dive is suitable for all levels of divers.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Gili Islands

The Gili Islands diving is possible all year round but it’s best to avoid the rainy season, from December through to January. During these months, there can be heavy rainfall which will reduce the visibility in dive sites close to the shore. The best season for diving here is said to be from May through to September however to spot manta rays, your best chance is to dive from December to March. Plankton blooms are common during these months attracting mantas to feed in the Gili waters.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Gili Islands

Turtles are undoubtedly one of the highlights when it comes to scuba diving around the Gili Islands, with green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles all residents to the area. Other megafauna common to the Gili’s are reef sharks, eagle rays and from December to March, manta rays. If you are very lucky you may even spot a rare mola mola heading towards the Penida islands to bathe in the cooler waters or a whale shark passing by in the blue!

In muck dive sites, with rubble and sandy patches, inspect the area for a range of weird and wonderful creatures. At many of these sites, leaf scorpionfish, flying gurnard, mantis shrimp, nudibranch, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, blue-ringed octopus and various species of frogfish have all been spotted. As well as the usual reef fish inhabitants and some larger pelagics such as trevallies and tuna, you’ll be in awe at the diversity of fish you can find here.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

58k Sightings
J
3k
F
2.9k
M
3.6k
A
4.5k
M
5.5k
J
5.7k
J
7.5k
A
7.1k
S
6.6k
O
5.6k
N
3.6k
D
3k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

25k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1.4k
M
1.8k
A
2.2k
M
2.4k
J
2.4k
J
2.6k
A
2.5k
S
2.4k
O
2.5k
N
1.7k
D
1.4k
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

25k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.4k
A
1.8k
M
2.3k
J
2.4k
J
3.3k
A
3.2k
S
2.9k
O
2.5k
N
1.5k
D
1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

10k Sightings
J
709
F
783
M
902
A
966
M
904
J
878
J
1k
A
1.1k
S
1k
O
908
N
613
D
562

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

2.8k Sightings
J
179
F
219
M
218
A
228
M
257
J
239
J
359
A
300
S
283
O
267
N
99
D
113

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

1.9k Sightings
J
24
F
27
M
42
A
162
M
241
J
248
J
325
A
298
S
273
O
162
N
71
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

33k Sightings
J
1.9k
F
1.7k
M
2.2k
A
2.9k
M
3.3k
J
3.2k
J
4.1k
A
3.6k
S
3.4k
O
3.1k
N
2k
D
1.7k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

26k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.3k
M
1.7k
A
2.1k
M
2.6k
J
2.6k
J
3.3k
A
2.9k
S
2.7k
O
2.4k
N
1.5k
D
1.1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

23k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
2k
M
2.4k
J
2.3k
J
2.8k
A
2.4k
S
2.4k
O
2.3k
N
1.5k
D
1.1k
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

23k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.6k
A
1.9k
M
2.3k
J
2.3k
J
2.6k
A
2.5k
S
2.4k
O
2.1k
N
1.3k
D
1.1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

22k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.4k
A
1.6k
M
2k
J
2.2k
J
2.7k
A
2.6k
S
2.3k
O
2.1k
N
1.4k
D
1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

20k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.6k
M
1.7k
J
1.9k
J
2.4k
A
2.3k
S
2.1k
O
1.9k
N
1.2k
D
1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

19k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
1.6k
M
1.7k
J
1.7k
J
2.1k
A
2.1k
S
1.9k
O
1.8k
N
1.3k
D
1.1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

18k Sightings
J
996
F
943
M
1.3k
A
1.5k
M
1.8k
J
1.8k
J
2.3k
A
2.2k
S
2k
O
1.8k
N
1.2k
D
880

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

18k Sightings
J
945
F
912
M
1.1k
A
1.4k
M
1.7k
J
1.7k
J
2.1k
A
2.1k
S
2k
O
1.9k
N
1.1k
D
899

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

17k Sightings
J
899
F
842
M
1.1k
A
1.5k
M
1.6k
J
1.7k
J
1.9k
A
2k
S
1.9k
O
1.7k
N
1k
D
804

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

15k Sightings
J
718
F
814
M
918
A
1.3k
M
1.5k
J
1.4k
J
1.7k
A
1.6k
S
1.6k
O
1.5k
N
945
D
666

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

13k Sightings
J
721
F
642
M
843
A
963
M
1.2k
J
1.2k
J
1.5k
A
1.5k
S
1.4k
O
1.2k
N
798
D
610

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

11k Sightings
J
573
F
607
M
760
A
905
M
1k
J
983
J
1.3k
A
1.3k
S
1.2k
O
1.1k
N
695
D
509

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

11k Sightings
J
646
F
587
M
736
A
906
M
1k
J
1k
J
1.1k
A
1.2k
S
1k
O
1k
N
791
D
568

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

8.1k Sightings
J
468
F
546
M
574
A
650
M
844
J
808
J
945
A
770
S
826
O
772
N
453
D
452

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

7.7k Sightings
J
415
F
410
M
514
A
692
M
723
J
777
J
999
A
946
S
764
O
699
N
451
D
354

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

7.7k Sightings
J
454
F
462
M
466
A
614
M
627
J
682
J
1.1k
A
960
S
809
O
800
N
436
D
364

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

7.2k Sightings
J
425
F
445
M
513
A
683
M
682
J
780
J
677
A
660
S
647
O
675
N
560
D
421

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

6.8k Sightings
J
451
F
403
M
482
A
646
M
724
J
807
J
723
A
616
S
539
O
562
N
450
D
361

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

5.5k Sightings
J
504
F
631
M
739
A
576
M
453
J
457
J
446
A
536
S
348
O
297
N
181
D
329

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

5k Sightings
J
242
F
282
M
326
A
369
M
444
J
475
J
673
A
684
S
556
O
479
N
278
D
196

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

4.8k Sightings
J
249
F
270
M
314
A
419
M
436
J
390
J
570
A
580
S
524
O
533
N
350
D
205

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Cornetfish

Cornetfish

4.1k Sightings
J
162
F
178
M
240
A
377
M
557
J
497
J
537
A
397
S
403
O
384
N
200
D
189
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

3.6k Sightings
J
211
F
217
M
272
A
171
M
272
J
403
J
433
A
450
S
451
O
317
N
194
D
210

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

3.5k Sightings
J
223
F
229
M
178
A
259
M
278
J
318
J
458
A
433
S
403
O
334
N
169
D
189

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

3k Sightings
J
136
F
154
M
180
A
332
M
339
J
296
J
293
A
334
S
267
O
314
N
160
D
191

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

2.2k Sightings
J
105
F
82
M
122
A
196
M
195
J
231
J
313
A
342
S
284
O
203
N
112
D
51

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

2.1k Sightings
J
110
F
92
M
79
A
112
M
204
J
245
J
276
A
252
S
243
O
259
N
143
D
64

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

2k Sightings
J
67
F
58
M
110
A
131
M
168
J
216
J
234
A
277
S
294
O
222
N
136
D
112

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

1.9k Sightings
J
76
F
118
M
153
A
183
M
235
J
215
J
228
A
154
S
148
O
189
N
130
D
120

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

1.9k Sightings
J
83
F
71
M
106
A
159
M
317
J
282
J
269
A
177
S
192
O
112
N
53
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

1.8k Sightings
J
108
F
110
M
88
A
127
M
197
J
144
J
221
A
210
S
202
O
205
N
82
D
86

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

1.7k Sightings
J
79
F
99
M
70
A
139
M
188
J
171
J
201
A
217
S
180
O
180
N
86
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

1.7k Sightings
J
58
F
48
M
79
A
115
M
103
J
151
J
198
A
269
S
208
O
223
N
141
D
88