Diving the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands lie a short crossing from the north-west coast of Lombok, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Indonesia's tourism board describes the islands as free of motorised traffic, with bicycles and horse-drawn carts (cidomo) as the usual way to get around. The waters around the three islands were designated a marine recreation park by the national fisheries ministry in 2009, according to Indonesian government reporting.

Three islands, three characters

• Gili Trawangan is the largest and busiest, with the widest choice of places to stay, eat and book diving.
• Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest of the three.
• Gili Air is the closest to the Lombok mainland and sits between the other two in atmosphere.

The reefs sit mostly in shallow to moderate depths and are usually reached by short boat rides. Because the islands are close together, a single visit can cover sites around all three.

The Gilis suit divers who want comfortable, low-stress diving in a setting where no one needs a vehicle to get to the shop or the beach.

• Turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly reported around the reefs, and they are often seen at rest or feeding on shallow slopes.
• Easy entry-level diving: Many sites are shallow, with gentle slopes and little current, which suits Discover Scuba, Open Water training and refresher dives.
• Variety for experienced divers: Some sites, especially on the deeper walls and points, can carry noticeable current, giving certified divers more to do.
• Conditions: Water temperature typically stays in the high 20s Celsius through the year. Visibility commonly ranges from about 10 to 30 metres and varies with tides and season.
• Easy add-on to a Bali trip: Fast boats connect Bali and the Gilis, so the islands fit well into a longer Indonesian itinerary.

Dive sites are spread around the three islands and are normally reached by a short boat ride. Names and conditions are summarised below; local guides will brief you on the day's current and entry.

• Turtle Heaven / Turtle Point (Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno area): Shallow reef known for frequent turtle sightings.
• Shark Point (north-west Trawangan): Reef with a slope where reef sharks are sometimes seen; current can be present.
• Manta Point (west of Trawangan): Cleaning station area where rays may appear in some months.
• Meno Wall (Gili Meno): A sloping wall with corals and fish life.
• Bounty Wreck (Gili Meno): A small wreck in moderate depth, popular for training and wreck introductions.
• Gili Air sites: Gentle slopes with sandy patches, often used for macro and relaxed dives.

The reefs combine hard and soft corals with sandy patches and some rubble slopes, which supports both reef fish and small critters.

• Turtles are the best-known resident species and are seen on many dives.
• Reef fish such as parrotfish, snappers, fusiliers, batfish and moray eels are common on the slopes.
• Reef sharks (white-tip and occasionally black-tip) are sometimes seen on deeper or current-exposed sites.
• Macro life on sandy and rubble areas can include nudibranchs, cuttlefish, frogfish and shrimps.
• Rays including eagle rays and, less predictably, manta rays have been reported in some seasons.

Sightings depend on season, tide and luck; no site guarantees a particular species.

Airports and transfers

• Lombok International Airport (LOP): The main gateway for the Gilis. Expect a road transfer of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to the northwest coast, depending on traffic.
• Bali (DPS): Many visitors fly into Denpasar and take a fast boat or flight onward to Lombok. Check current boat schedules and weather before you book onward travel.

The last stretch

Public boats and private charters cross to the islands from the Bangsal or Teluk Nare harbours on Lombok. The crossing from the Lombok side is a short one, around 15 minutes according to Indonesian reporting.

On the islands

Indonesia's tourism board notes that the Gilis do not allow motorised vehicles. Walking, cycling and horse-drawn carts are the normal ways to move around. For official visitor information see Indonesia Travel.

• Check your certification: Bring your card and log book. Some sites suit only certified divers with recent experience.
• Bring a surface marker buoy: Useful on current-exposed points where boats follow drifting groups.
• Protect the reef: Use reef-safe sun protection and avoid touching corals or turtles.
• Plan for weather: Rain and swell between roughly December and March can make crossings rougher.
• Bring cash: Cash machines on the small islands can run out or be limited; carry rupiah.
• Check fees locally: Park or island access charges may apply; confirm with the local authority or your host.