Gili Air
Of the Gili Islands, Gili Air is the closest to Lombok and has a completely different atmosphere to
Explore Gili Islands
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
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.
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
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
55k Sightings
J
3k
F
2.9k
M
3.5k
A
4.4k
M
4.5k
J
4.4k
J
6.5k
A
7k
S
6.4k
O
5.5k
N
3.5k
D
2.9k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
23k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.4k
M
1.8k
A
2.2k
M
1.9k
J
1.8k
J
2.2k
A
2.5k
S
2.4k
O
2.4k
N
1.7k
D
1.4k
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
23k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.4k
A
1.8k
M
1.9k
J
1.9k
J
2.9k
A
3.2k
S
2.9k
O
2.4k
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.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
9.5k Sightings
J
703
F
780
M
892
A
956
M
709
J
578
J
861
A
1k
S
993
O
871
N
593
D
552
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
31k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.7k
M
2.2k
A
2.8k
M
2.6k
J
2.5k
J
3.5k
A
3.6k
S
3.3k
O
3k
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
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
24k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.3k
M
1.7k
A
2.1k
M
2.1k
J
2k
J
2.8k
A
2.9k
S
2.7k
O
2.3k
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
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
21k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.1k
M
1.5k
A
2k
M
1.9k
J
1.8k
J
2.4k
A
2.4k
S
2.3k
O
2.2k
N
1.4k
D
1.1k
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
21k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.6k
A
1.9k
M
1.8k
J
1.7k
J
2.2k
A
2.4k
S
2.3k
O
2k
N
1.2k
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
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
20k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.4k
A
1.6k
M
1.6k
J
1.6k
J
2.3k
A
2.5k
S
2.2k
O
2.1k
N
1.3k
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
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
18k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1k
M
1.3k
A
1.6k
M
1.4k
J
1.4k
J
2.1k
A
2.2k
S
2k
O
1.9k
N
1.2k
D
994
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.
