Explore West Nusa Tenggara

Located in the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, West Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia which consists of Lombok, Sumbawa, Moyo, Sangeang and the Gili Islands. Lombok and the Gili Islands, the first link in the Lesser Sunda Islands, offer dive sites in calm, pristine coral reefs for novice divers while the more experienced can brave the ripping currents found at Belongas Bay, Lombok. The Gili Islands are known as the ‘turtle capital of the world’ and Lombok is one of three places that showcase both the scalloped and giant hammerhead shark. Throughout Lombok, you can experience muck diving as well as deep wall dives, swim-throughs and drop offs.

The final links of West Nusa Tengarra, Moyo Island, Sumbawa, Sangeang and Santonda also have dive sites with a range of topography. Diving at the volcanic Sangeang and Santonda islands will find you searching in sandy seabeds for interesting critters while off the coast of Sumbawa deep vibrant walls and strong currents await your arrival. Scuba diving in West Nusa Tengarra gives divers access to everything from manta rays, mola mola and whale sharks to clown frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and nudibranch.

On most of the islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands you can choose from a variety of dive resorts and dive centres. Yet, to access the more remote dive sites of West Nusa Tenggara, hop on one of the many liveaboards that travel across the diverse Indonesian waters. For dive courses, the calm dive sites at the Moyo Island provide a relaxed environment while the Gili Islands often have the best deals.

Places to explore

Courses and Events

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.

28 March +284 More
€76.83
IDR 1,500,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara, a gem for divers, offers exhilarating underwater adventures. Wreck divers will be fascinated by the USS Liberty shipwreck near Lombok, an iconic site teeming with vibrant marine life and coral gardens. This historic wreck offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit for history and dive enthusiasts alike. For those who prefer shore dives, the Gili Islands provide easy access to stunning coral reefs and diverse marine species. Here, night dives reveal the mesmerizing bioluminescence and unique behaviors of nocturnal creatures. Liveaboard options are also available, allowing explorers to venture further into remote spots, ensuring a balanced dive experience that caters to both novice and experienced divers.

Top Wildlife Sightings in West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara, encompassing the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa, is a paradise for divers, offering a rich tapestry of marine life. The region's vibrant coral reefs are home to a variety of reef fish, including the iconic clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish, which are commonly spotted throughout the year. The reefs are teeming with life, providing an underwater spectacle for both novice and experienced divers.

Seasonal visitors to these waters include majestic manta rays and several species of sharks, such as whitetip and blacktip reef sharks. The months of April to November are particularly rewarding for those hoping to encounter these larger marine creatures. Additionally, sea turtles are frequent year-round, with green and hawksbill turtles often seen grazing on seagrass beds. Diving in West Nusa Tenggara offers a high likelihood of encountering these fascinating species, making it a must-visit location for marine enthusiasts.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

52k Sightings
J
2.9k
F
2.8k
M
3.3k
A
3.4k
M
4.1k
J
4.4k
J
6.4k
A
6.8k
S
6.3k
O
5.4k
N
3.4k
D
2.9k

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

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

22k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.4k
M
1.6k
A
1.6k
M
1.7k
J
1.8k
J
2.2k
A
2.6k
S
2.4k
O
2.4k
N
1.7k
D
1.4k

Hawksbill Turtle

22k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.4k
M
1.7k
J
1.9k
J
2.9k
A
3.1k
S
2.8k
O
2.4k
N
1.4k
D
984

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

Total number of species: 300

Octopus

9k Sightings
J
663
F
749
M
812
A
734
M
594
J
608
J
871
A
1k
S
949
O
885
N
593
D
524

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

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

30k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.7k
M
2.1k
A
2.1k
M
2.4k
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: 130

Pufferfish

22k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
1.5k
M
1.8k
J
2k
J
2.7k
A
2.8k
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: 40

Triggerfish

20k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.4k
A
1.4k
M
1.7k
J
1.8k
J
2.4k
A
2.3k
S
2.2k
O
2.2k
N
1.4k
D
1.1k

Whitetip Reef Shark

20k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
1.5k
M
1.7k
J
1.7k
J
2.2k
A
2.5k
S
2.4k
O
2k
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: 90

Angelfish

19k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.1k
M
1.4k
J
1.6k
J
2.3k
A
2.5k
S
2.2k
O
2k
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: 12

Lionfish

18k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.2k
M
1.5k
A
1.3k
M
1.3k
J
1.4k
J
1.9k
A
2.1k
S
2k
O
1.8k
N
1.4k
D
1.1k

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

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

17k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1k
M
1.2k
A
1.1k
M
1.3k
J
1.5k
J
2.1k
A
2.2k
S
2k
O
1.9k
N
1.2k
D
979

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

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

16k Sightings
J
949
F
887
M
1.2k
A
1k
M
1.3k
J
1.3k
J
2k
A
2.1k
S
1.9k
O
1.7k
N
1.1k
D
847

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

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

16k Sightings
J
915
F
857
M
1.1k
A
994
M
1.2k
J
1.3k
J
1.8k
A
2k
S
2k
O
1.8k
N
1.1k
D
868

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

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

15k Sightings
J
869
F
802
M
1k
A
1k
M
1.1k
J
1.3k
J
1.6k
A
1.9k
S
1.8k
O
1.6k
N
1k
D
762

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

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

13k Sightings
J
703
F
764
M
858
A
863
M
1k
J
977
J
1.4k
A
1.5k
S
1.5k
O
1.4k
N
905
D
642

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

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

11k Sightings
J
685
F
606
M
796
A
643
M
874
J
842
J
1.3k
A
1.5k
S
1.3k
O
1.2k
N
775
D
605

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

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

9.8k Sightings
J
552
F
555
M
726
A
666
M
801
J
784
J
1.2k
A
1.2k
S
1.1k
O
1.1k
N
680
D
487

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

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

9.3k Sightings
J
626
F
574
M
686
A
621
M
713
J
745
J
911
A
1.1k
S
1k
O
1k
N
759
D
528

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

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

7.5k Sightings
J
468
F
549
M
562
A
513
M
665
J
647
J
844
A
770
S
802
O
754
N
453
D
460

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

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

6.8k Sightings
J
439
F
424
M
465
A
381
M
473
J
481
J
916
A
912
S
777
O
794
N
427
D
359

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

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

6.7k Sightings
J
390
F
389
M
477
A
431
M
541
J
569
J
856
A
895
S
726
O
660
N
434
D
346

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

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

6.3k Sightings
J
429
F
422
M
470
A
390
M
406
J
523
J
574
A
683
S
675
O
690
N
594
D
422

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

6.2k Sightings
J
444
F
388
M
462
A
474
M
514
J
665
J
659
A
628
S
536
O
585
N
475
D
358

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

Total number of species: 120

Cuttlefish

4.9k Sightings
J
486
F
599
M
702
A
430
M
241
J
363
J
392
A
516
S
335
O
311
N
213
D
343

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

Total number of species: 60

Soldierfish

4.4k Sightings
J
257
F
254
M
311
A
294
M
349
J
301
J
507
A
580
S
505
O
510
N
326
D
214

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

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

4.3k Sightings
J
247
F
251
M
295
A
199
M
333
J
304
J
542
A
652
S
522
O
459
N
261
D
192

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

Total number of species: 3

Cornetfish

3.3k Sightings
J
164
F
174
M
236
A
219
M
283
J
294
J
391
A
383
S
385
O
361
N
211
D
188

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

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

3.3k Sightings
J
223
F
225
M
172
A
151
M
242
J
254
J
415
A
542
S
392
O
321
N
159
D
189

Blacktip Reef Shark

3.2k Sightings
J
211
F
213
M
241
A
117
M
184
J
247
J
375
A
438
S
448
O
314
N
194
D
204

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

Total number of species: 20

Porcupinefish

2.6k Sightings
J
144
F
155
M
177
A
172
M
242
J
222
J
257
A
323
S
275
O
299
N
157
D
191

The best Months to dive in West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. These consistently warm temperatures make it an inviting destination for divers at any time of the year. Visibility is typically between 15 meters/49 feet and 30 meters/98 feet, although it can vary with the season.

The region experiences a dry season from May to October, characterized by calmer seas and optimal diving conditions. However, the rainy season from November to April brings stronger winds and currents, which may affect visibility and diving comfort. While diving is possible year-round, the dry season is generally considered the best time for diving enthusiasts.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites