Gili Islands
Diving in Gili
Why should you go diving in the Gili Islands, and how many days do you need in the Gili Islands?
Crystal clear water? Check. Exciting diving? Check.
Diving in Gili is plenty. You can go diving here year-round on the 20+ dive sites these islands have to offer. The waters are usually around 28-30 degrees celsius and diving can be done on all levels, while most are suitable for Open water divers.
I would recommend at least 3-5 days if you're diving 2 times a day. You will most definitely experience most dive sites in 5 days.
You will find many dive centers located on the main boulevard where you get off the docks but almost every resort offers some sort of diving or packages to get you started. The larger ones include Manta Diving and Gili Divers.
Usually, diving costs are between 500.000 - 600.000 IDR per dive ($35-$40). This is gear included. The boats will depart 3 times a day. At around 9 AM, 1 AM and if requested a night dive will be possible most days.
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Staying on the Gili Islands
You can easily book a room in the many places this island offers. There are resorts, and homestays all around. Along the coast or more inland. If you prefer your peace and quiet, I would suggest moving inland or perhaps off the island since parties can and will happen along the eastern coast almost every night. Especially on Gili Trawangan.
How to get there and around
Getting to the Gili Islands is quite easy, especially when you're in Bali. There are 2 main ports where ferries will depart from Bali.
the first is Sedangan, the second Padang Bay a bit more north. It will take you roughly 1 hour to get to Gili Trawangan and usually the boat will go to Meno as well. You can also hop on the many ferries between the islands at any time of day.
To get around you can either walk, which is very doable since the island coast is only 5 kilometers long or you could rent bicycles from one of the many places offered on the island.
The usual rate is 50.000 IDR ($3,50) a day. But you could go as low as 35.000 IDR ($ 2,75) especially if you're staying there for a week for example.
There are also many horse and carriage rides available. Motorized transport is not allowed on the Gili Islands.
To leave the Gili Islands, you can talk to one of the many tourist information desks on the main boulevards. A trip to Bali (either Nusa Penida, Denpasar, or Amed in the north) will cost you between 400,000 IDR ($30) and 600.000 IDR ($42).
Gili Islands:
Gili T(rawangan): The largest of the Gili's and furthest away from Lombok. Inhabited by 700 people permanently. It is the most touristic by far.
Gili Meno: The middle island and the smallest. 400 people live here permanently. It's more calm, laid back, and chill while still offering everything you want and need.
Gili Air: The island closest to Lombok and easily reached from Bangsal Harbour in Lombok. Permanently inhabited by 1400 people this is a nice mix of Gili Meno and Trawangan. It has bars, cafés, and diving and still retains a very relaxed atmosphere.
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Scuba Diving the Gili Islands: The Dive Sites
The Gili Islands are situated very close to each other, and you will visit every dive site if you wish from whichever island you choose to stay on. I feel most of the dive sites are located around Trawangan since it's the largest island.
Below I have written down a summary, accompanied by a picture to give an impression of the dive site.
"Jack Point"
Jack Point is actually pretty much the same Dive site as Shark Point. You will start with a wreck located at 25-30 meters and continue following the current north or south.
Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan is the biggest of the Gili Islands. The nice thing about the islands is that there is no motorized transportation allowed which confines you and others to walking, riding a bicycle, or using horseback. The largest concentration of dive centers is located along the beach area stretching for about 2 kilometers. The island group boasts about 20 dive sites and here you will read about the best ones we've experienced!
Click on the Dive site if you want to know more!
"Shark Point"
Shark Point is a great dive. Not just to spot baby white tip sharks. But also a wreck situated at around 25 meters deep. Usually, you will start your descent to this wreck, which you can penetrate and follow the coastline, where you can spot a giant shrimp. Also, there are big rocks under which you will probably see 2-6 baby white tip sharks sleeping. A great dive, and with a bit of luck momma shark is also there!
"Coral Fan Garden/ Halik"
A very cool dive since it also has a deep part and a "shallow" part. The shallow part starts at 5 meters and you can hover over the coral garden around 15 meters deep which is very nice and relaxing. However, we started to descend to 28 meters and the currents were nice and strong, so no need for heavy swimming just relax and take it all in. The dive site is mostly like a slope, a very long one. You will see many schooling fish and also turtles, octopus, cuttlefish, ribbon eel, mantis shrimps and we even got to see a large blacktip reef shark passing by! The site is absolutely bursting with life and it was hard to ascend because I wanted to stay longer.
"Deep Turbo"
We sail for about 10 minutes just north of Gili Trawangan. Deep Turbo is a dive site best appreciated in my opinion when you're able to dive to 28 meters. We drop down to 22 at first and soon descend to 28. The Dive site is very interesting in its topography. There are about 5 pinnacles with 10-meter gaps between them in which the currents can be quite strong which makes pinnacle hopping fun!
I must say: When I say pinnacle it's more like mounts. In between the pinnacles, you can see lots of pelagic fish and you can see sharks, sea snakes, and of course turtles.
"Manta Point"
Manta point is famous for its Manta spotting obviously. The site is visited by many people as you would expect and in itself quite boring. Until you see that manta! The creatures never seem to amaze me. They can grow as large as 4 meters wide and are usually not at all afraid as long as you don't chase them. They tend to swim in circles and if you control your buoyancy or take a knee and breathe calmly there is a big chance they will swim right over you which is an experience in itself. There is a nice pass-through cavern as well.
"Bounty Wreck"
Bounty Wreck is a really fun dive! We started to dive at around 10 meters, crossing the canal towards Trawangan, and then swam back to the "wreck". The Wreck is more like a barge, where, in the years an incredible abundance of animals has taken shelter. You can peak underneath or swim over top. Turtles, Remora, large pelagic fish, schooling smaller ones, you can see it all!
"Meno"
Meno and Meno Wall are pretty much the same dive. As that "Meno" will eventually become Meno Wall. You will descend to 5 meters and follow a nice slope with lots of life. After a while, depending on the current you will either encounter the Meno wall to the south or visit Turtle point in the north! Either way, a very colorful and relaxing drift dive!
"Meno Wall
Meno and Meno Wall are pretty much the same dive. As that "Meno" will eventually become Meno Wall. You will descend to 5 meters and follow a nice slope with lots of life. After a while, depending on the current you will either encounter the Meno wall to the south or visit Turtle point in the north! Either way, a very colorful and relaxing drift dive!
"Turtle Point"
Turtle Point is just North-west of Gili Meno. You will see many people snorkeling here and the dive itself is an easy dive starting with a gentle slope until you reach a "mount" and going back up to 12 meters. There are some artificially created "reefs" here where you will most definitely see some big turtles. They just go about their business and aren't really concerned about divers so get that selfie!
"Han's Reef"
Han's Reef is a big, long, stretching reef on the east side of Gili Air. The depth is around 5 meters which makes this ideal for snorkeling!
If you're diving you can descend to 25 meters before you hit the sandy bottom.
The Dive site is mostly 2 big pinnacles: The first one starts at 12 meters, the second one at 20 meters. They are full of life and because of the currents, many fish gather here to feed and find their home. Between pinnacles, you can find a garden eel field and batfish, turtles, and mantis shrimp to name a few.
"Sea Horse Bay/ Reef"
Sea Horse Bay is a dive site belonging to Lombok, more than Gili. However, on request, you can visit this amazing muck diving site. It's an easy dive with a maximum depth of 20 meters and the most beautiful sealife can be admired snorkeling. The bottom is mostly sandy with lots of ribbon eels, frogfish, scorpionfish, and mantis shrimp. You'll probably see a few turtles as well.
"Mirko's Reef"
Mirko's reef is named after a well-respected diver in the Gili's once. Now it's a dive site just off the eastern coastline of Gili Meno, right in the center of the Gili islands. The dive starts as a coral garden, a slightly sloping reef before descending to 30 meters. You can see cuttlefish, pufferfish, turtles, and big fish in the blue!
"Simon's Reef"
Simon's Reef is a dive site best experienced as an advanced/ deep diver. The dive site is beautiful with a few very large "islands" overgrown with corals and incredible fish.
The dive site is mostly between 15 and 40 meters therefore it can be difficult to arrange a trip there because most dive centers only go diving here when 5 or more people apply. You could ask your diving center to make a "Special" request that people can sign up for, and perhaps you're lucky!
I did this with Manta Diving Center in Trawangan, and they organized multiple trips like this.