Why dive the Gilis
Why dive the Gilis
Where the world learns to dive
The three Gili Islands — Trawangan, Air and Meno — off the coast of Lombok are one of the world's great places to take your first breath underwater. The water is warm and clear, the reefs start close to shore, and the islands are packed with long-established, professional dive centres, which is why so many travellers get certified or try diving here.
Turtles on the reefs
The Gilis are known for sea turtles. Gili Eco says green and hawksbill turtles nest on the islands, and divers and snorkellers see turtles around the reefs. Sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed on any dive. Besides turtles, the Discover Scuba booking's highlights list sharks, clownfish, cuttlefish, moray eels and stingrays.
No experience needed
A 'Discover Scuba' dive is designed for people who've never dived. After a short theory briefing and a confined-water skills session, a qualified instructor takes you on a real, shallow ocean dive, staying with you the whole time. You don't need a certification or prior experience — just to be reasonably comfortable in water.
Your first dive, logged
Your first dive, logged
A Discover Scuba day is a gentle build-up from classroom to reef. Every centre runs it a little differently, but the day usually goes like this.
Briefing and theory
At the dive centre an instructor runs through the basics: how the gear works, how to breathe, equalise and clear your mask, and the simple hand signals you'll use underwater. It's straightforward and reassuring.
Confined-water skills
You practise the key skills in shallow, calm water first — breathing through the regulator, clearing your mask, recovering it — until they feel natural. This is where any nerves settle, before you head to the reef.
Kitting up
You're fitted with a wetsuit and equipment, and the instructor checks everything with you. Then a boat takes you to the dive site.
The ocean dive
The main event: a guided ocean dive with your instructor to depths of 12 metres. You drift gently along the reef, looking for turtles, reef fish and coral, while the instructor stays with you. Sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Surface and log it
Back on the surface the programme is over. If you want more, the same dive centre lists separate bookings for certified fun dives, a refresher and an Open Water course.
The reefs & the islands
The reefs & the islands
The three Gilis share the same warm sea but each has its own feel. Here's what to know about the diving and choosing an island.
Gili Trawangan
The largest and liveliest Gili, 'Gili T' has the most dive centres, the widest choice of courses and a busier social scene. It's the easiest place to book a Discover Scuba dive or a course at short notice, with dive sites a short boat ride away.
Gili Air & Gili Meno
Gili Air is quieter and more laid-back but still has good dive centres; Gili Meno is the smallest and sleepiest, best for a get-away-from-it-all trip. PADI and SSI licensed dive operators exist on all three islands, though Gili Trawangan has the most.
The reefs and marine life
The Gili reefs are known for green and hawksbill sea turtles. The Discover Scuba booking's highlights list turtles, sharks, clownfish, cuttlefish, moray eels and stingrays, though sightings vary. Well-known dive sites include Shark Point, Manta Point and Simon's Reef, and Gili Meno has an underwater statue installation that is a snorkelling location.
Getting there
The Gilis can only be reached by sea: fast boats run from Bali, and public boats cross from Bangsal harbour on Lombok. The islands have no cars or motorbikes, so you get around on foot, by bicycle or by cidomo, a horse-drawn cart.
Under the Gili reefs, in pictures
Under the Gili reefs, in pictures
Turtles, coral and the clear, warm water the islands are known for.
Dive options & what's included
Dive options & what's included
| Option | What it includes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba (try dive) | Briefing, skills session and a guided ocean dive with an instructor | The perfect first dive — no experience or certification required |
| Two-dive try day | The above plus a second guided dive the same day | Great value if the first dive leaves you wanting more |
| PADI Open Water course | A multi-day course ending in a recognised diving certification | For those who want to dive independently, worldwide, afterwards |
| Fun dives (certified) | Guided dives for already-certified divers | Not for beginners — you'll need a diving certification |
Ways to book a dive
Find a Gili Islands dive for your dates
Every try dive and course here books through GetYourGuide — check live spots across Trawangan, Meno and Air, with your price locked in before checkout.
Planning your dive
Planning your dive
Try dive or full course?
If you just want to try diving once, a Discover Scuba dive is a guided first dive with no certification needed. If you want to dive without an instructor later, you need a certification, for example through an Open Water Diver course, which PADI says is typically three to four full days. Check what each option includes before you book.
Health and comfort in water
You should be comfortable in the water and able to swim. The booking is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with a cold or people with pre-existing medical conditions, and you complete a medical statement on arrival. If you have a medical condition, contact the dive centre before your date. After diving, allow at least 24 hours before flying, as the Divers Alert Network advises.
What to bring
The booking includes all equipment rental and a wetsuit. Bring swimwear, a towel (not included), biodegradable sunscreen, travel insurance (not included) and your medical statement. A marine park fee is paid on site and is not part of the booking price.
When to go
Wikipedia says the dry season generally runs from May to October and the monsoon season from November through April. Wikivoyage lists July to August and December to January as the peak tourist seasons, so check the booking calendar early for those dates.
Booking flexibility
This Discover Scuba booking has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if a late boat or rough sea rearranges your island-hopping. Other options have their own terms, so check the one you choose.
Planning a Gili Islands dive trip
Planning a Gili Islands dive trip
Your first scuba dive in the Gili Islands
How a Discover Scuba dive compares with an Open Water course, what you'll see on the Gili reefs, which of the three islands suits you, and the health and safety basics worth knowing.
Read more →Gili Islands Marine Life: Turtles, Reefs & Dive Sites
Read more →Scuba diving Gili: try dive, fun dive or course
Read more →Trawangan vs Meno vs Air: Which Gili for Diving
Read more →Coral Conservation & Biorock Reefs in the Gili Islands
Read more →Gili Islands diving: getting there and planning
Read more →FAQ
Scuba diving in the Gilis — your questions
Do I need experience or a certification to dive?
No. A 'Discover Scuba' dive is designed for complete beginners: after a short briefing and a confined-water skills session, a qualified instructor takes you on a real but shallow ocean dive and stays with you throughout. You don't need any prior experience or a diving licence — just to be reasonably comfortable in water and in good general health.
What will I see on the reef?
The Gili Islands are known for sea turtles: Gili Eco says green and hawksbill turtles nest on the islands. The Discover Scuba booking's highlights list turtles, sharks, clownfish, cuttlefish, moray eels and stingrays. Sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed on any one dive.
How deep will I go, and how long is the dive?
The Discover Scuba ocean dive goes to depths of 12 metres, with your instructor. The whole programme, including the safety briefing, class, pool session and boat transfer, takes about five hours, and the booking calendar shows the start time.
Is it safe?
Your instructor stays with you, the group is limited to four participants and all equipment rental is included. You complete a medical statement on arrival, and the booking asks you to contact the dive centre before your date if you have a pre-existing medical condition. It is not suitable for people with a cold, pregnant women, non-swimmers or children under 10.
Should I do a try dive or a full course?
A Discover Scuba dive is a first try and does not certify you. If you want to dive without an instructor later, you need a certification, for example through an Open Water Diver course, which PADI says is typically three to four full days.
What should I bring, and any health notes?
The booking includes all equipment rental and a wetsuit; bring swimwear, a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, travel insurance and your medical statement. Don't dive with a cold. After diving, allow at least 24 hours before flying, as the Divers Alert Network advises, and ask your dive centre.
Can I book with free cancellation?
This Discover Scuba booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and has a reserve now, pay later option. Other dive and course options have their own terms, so check the one you choose.