Scuba Diving in Gili Trawangan: The Ultimate 2025 Guide
Welcome to the definitive guide to scuba diving in Gili Trawangan (Gili T), the vibrant heart of Indonesia's Gili Islands. Whether you're a seasoned diver planning your next adventure or looking to take your first breath underwater, Gili T offers an unbeatable mix of world-class diving, laid-back island life, and a buzzing social scene. This guide has everything you need to plan your trip, from the top dive sites and marine life to the best dive shops and places to stay.
The Gili T Vibe
Gili Trawangan is the largest of three idyllic islands off the northwest coast of Lombok. It's a tropical paradise where the only traffic jams are caused by bicycles and horse-drawn carts, known locally as cidomos, on sandy lanes. Gili T has a reputation as the "party island" of the Gilis, but it masterfully blends its energetic nightlife with a relaxed, barefoot-in-the-sand charm that appeals to everyone.
A World-Class Diving Hub
Beyond the buzz, Gili T is a premier destination for scuba training and fun diving. The island is home to numerous highly-rated, long-established dive centers. Its calm, warm, and clear waters are perfect for beginners, while experienced divers flock here for the effortless drift dives, incredible turtle encounters, and fascinating macro life. For those looking to advance their skills, the island is a top spot for professional-level courses and technical dive training.
Underwater Highlights
The waters around Gili T are a diver's playground, featuring colorful reefs, a famous wreck, and an abundance of marine life. You can expect to glide alongside green and hawksbill turtles on nearly every dive, spot reef sharks patrolling the coral slopes, and find rays resting on the sandy seabed. A sunken pier, the Bounty Wreck, has evolved into a thriving artificial reef teeming with fish at a shallow 18 meters. From tiny, vibrant nudibranchs to schools of giant bumphead parrotfish, the biodiversity here offers something for every diver.
Best Time to Dive
You can dive in Gili Trawangan year-round, with consistently warm air and water temperatures.
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Year-Round Diving: Conditions and crowds fluctuate with the seasons. The dry season (May to October) generally offers the best visibility, often exceeding 30 meters, though mid-year winds can sometimes create choppier seas. The rainy season (November to April) brings warmer water, but runoff from Lombok can occasionally reduce visibility. However, water temperatures are always a balmy 27-30°C (81-86°F).
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High vs. Low Season: The shoulder months of May-June and October-November are often considered the sweet spot, providing a perfect balance of great diving conditions and fewer tourists. The peak tourist seasons are July-August and late December, when the island is bustling and prices are higher, but the diving remains excellent.
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Seasonal Highlights: While Gili T's marine life is a constant treat, there are subtle seasonal perks. Plankton blooms in the wetter months (Nov-Feb) can attract larger pelagics, with rare but thrilling sightings of manta rays or whale sharks. The slightly cooler waters of the dry season can make reef sharks more active. Turtle sightings are exceptional all year.
Types of Diving Available
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Reef & Drift Dives: Most of Gili T's 25+ dive sites are a short boat ride away and are explored as gentle drift dives. You simply descend with your guide and let the current carry you along stunning coral walls and slopes—it's a relaxing way to cover ground and perfect for all levels.
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Wreck Diving: Gili T features one of the most popular wrecks in the area: the Bounty Wreck. This sunken platform, located off Gili Meno, rests in shallow water at 8-18 meters, making it accessible to Open Water divers. It's now a vibrant artificial reef covered in corals and swarmed by fish, offering fun swim-throughs and fantastic photo opportunities.
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Macro & Muck Diving: Macro lovers will find plenty to keep them fascinated. Sites like "Hann's Reef" and sandy patches near the harbor hide critters like frogfish, seahorses, pipefish, and countless species of nudibranchs. Night dives, especially at Meno Wall, reveal a different world of nocturnal creatures like Spanish dancer nudibranchs, slipper lobsters, and hunting cuttlefish.
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Deep & Tech Diving: For certified deep divers, sites like Deep Turbo offer thrilling descents to submerged sea mounds at 30-40 meters. Here, you can see stunning gorgonian sea fans and have a better chance of spotting larger pelagics like eagle rays. Gili T is also a major hub for technical diving. Centers like Blue Marlin Dive Tech and Trawangan Dive offer a full range of TDI courses, from Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures to Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) training.
Marine Life Highlights
The marine life is the undisputed star of Gili Trawangan.
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Turtle Capital of the World: Gili T has rightfully earned its title as the "Turtle Capital of the World." You are virtually guaranteed to see multiple green and hawksbill turtles on every single dive. Watching them graze on the reef, rest under ledges, or glide gracefully past is an unforgettable experience.
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Sharks and Rays: White-tip and black-tip reef sharks are common residents, often seen patrolling the deeper slopes of sites like the famous Shark Point. Keep an eye on the sandy flats for blue-spotted stingrays and in the blue for the occasional eagle ray cruising by.
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Reef Fish and Corals: The reefs are bustling with life. Expect to be surrounded by clouds of fusiliers and anthias, while spotting parrotfish, angelfish, lionfish, and moray eels. Although some areas suffered from past damage, ongoing conservation efforts, like the Biorock reef restoration project pioneered by Trawangan Dive, are helping the corals recover and thrive.
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Macro Critters: Look closer to discover a hidden world of macro wonders. Guides are experts at spotting camouflaged frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, and a dazzling variety of nudibranchs.
Top Dive Sites
With over 25 sites to choose from, here are six that you shouldn't miss:
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Shark Point
- Depth: 10–30+ m
- Level: All levels
- Gili T’s signature drift dive. A healthy sloping reef gives way to deeper canyons where white-tip reef sharks rest and patrol. Also great for turtles, schools of trevally, and spotting the nearby Glenn Nusa Wreck in the deep.
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Turtle Heaven (aka Turtle Point)
- Depth: 5–25 m
- Level: All levels
- As the name promises, this site off Gili Meno is an absolute turtle hotspot. Watch dozens of green and hawksbill turtles feeding, sleeping, and visiting cleaning stations on a beautiful coral pinnacle. A dream for photographers.
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Bounty Wreck
- Depth: 8–18 m
- Level: All levels
- An old sunken pier that has become a fantastic artificial reef. This shallow wreck is perfect for all divers and is teeming with life, including schools of snapper, batfish, and well-camouflaged scorpionfish and frogfish.
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Manta Point
- Depth: 8–24 m
- Level: All levels
- While manta sightings are rare, this site is a stunning coral garden with vast fields of staghorn coral. It’s a relaxed, shallow drift dive perfect for spotting turtles, cuttlefish, and countless reef fish.
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Deep Turbo
- Depth: 25–40 m
- Level: Advanced Open Water
- An exhilarating deep dive featuring a series of submerged pinnacles covered in sea fans. This is the spot for a chance to see larger pelagics like eagle rays and enjoy more dramatic underwater topography.
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Meno Wall
- Depth: 5–18 m
- Level: All levels (especially for night diving)
- This vertical wall is great by day but truly comes alive at night. A night dive here reveals a world of nocturnal critters, including flamboyant Spanish dancer nudibranchs, crabs, lobsters, and hunting moray eels.
Dive Shops & Courses
Gili Trawangan has an abundance of professional, internationally accredited dive centers. Here are four top-rated choices:
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- Best for: All-around diving and a social atmosphere.
- A highly-rated PADI and SSI center with an on-site resort featuring traditional bungalows. Manta Dive is praised for its friendly, patient instructors and relaxed vibe, making it perfect for beginners and fun divers alike.
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- Best for: Technical diving and professional training.
- The original dive center on Gili T, established in 1990. Blue Marlin is a PADI 5-Star IDC resort and the island's leader in technical diving, offering everything up to CCR and trimix.
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- Best for: Instructor training and conservation initiatives.
- A large, award-winning PADI Career Development Center renowned for its Instructor Development Courses (IDCs). TDC is also a leader in marine conservation, running the local Biorock project.
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- Best for: Multilingual instruction and a welcoming community.
- This SSI Diamond Center is known for its "epic dives and good vibes." Their international team of instructors teaches in numerous languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German, making it a top choice for non-native English speakers.
Typical Costs
Diving in Gili Trawangan offers incredible value for money.
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Fun Dives: A single fun dive, including full equipment rental, costs around $35 USD (approx. 590,000 IDR). Most shops offer packages that reduce the per-dive price, such as 10 dives for around $315 USD. Note that all divers must pay a one-time Marine Park fee of 100,000-150,000 IDR.
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Courses: Gili T is one of the most affordable places in the world to get certified.
- PADI/SSI Open Water Course: ~$390-$400 USD (approx. 6,400,000 IDR).
- Advanced Open Water Course: ~$330 USD (approx. 5,400,000 IDR).
- Rescue Diver Course (with EFR): ~$530 USD (approx. 8,400,000 IDR).
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Professional Training: The Divemaster course costs around $1,000-$1,100 USD (approx. 17,000,000-18,000,000 IDR).
Where to Stay for Divers
- Budget/Social: Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan is a top party hostel with a beachfront pool, perfect for solo travelers looking to meet dive buddies.
- Mid-Range (Dive-in): Both Manta Dive Resort and Trawangan Dive Resort offer fantastic convenience, with comfortable rooms just steps from the dive boats.
- Upscale: For a touch of luxury, Pearl of Trawangan offers stylish villas and a stunning lagoon pool on the main strip, a short walk from the dive centers.
Getting There
- From Bali: The most popular route is the fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan. The journey takes 1.5-2.5 hours. Book with a reputable company like BlueWater Express or Eka Jaya for safety and reliability.
- From Lombok: You can fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP) and take a 2-hour taxi to Bangsal Harbour. From there, it's a cheap 15-minute public ferry or a slightly faster speedboat to Gili T. This is a more reliable option during rough sea conditions.
Beyond Diving: Other Activities
- Snorkel with Turtles: Rent gear and swim right off the northeast beach or join a boat tour to the famous "Nest" underwater statues off Gili Meno.
- Cycle the Island: Rent a bicycle for about $3 USD a day and pedal the 8km coastal path around the island. Stop at the iconic ocean swings on the west coast for a sunset photo.
- Enjoy the Nightlife: Gili T is famous for its vibrant party scene. Each night, a different bar hosts the main party, with popular spots including Sama-Sama (live reggae) and the legendary Blue Marlin Monday party.
- Relax and Recharge: Indulge in a traditional Sasak massage, join a yoga class at Gili Yoga, or simply relax in a beachfront beanbag and watch the world go by.
Diver Safety & Tips
- Currents: Most dives are drifts. Always stay with your guide, who knows the local currents, and carry your own SMB.
- Health & Emergencies: Gili Trawangan has medical clinics for basic issues. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Mataram on Lombok, about a 1.5-hour transfer away. Always have dive insurance like DAN.
- Eco-Conduct: The Gilis are a marine park. Do not touch or chase marine life. Use reef-safe sunscreen and help keep the reefs clean by picking up any plastic you see.
- Stay Hydrated: The tropical sun is intense. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially if you're diving and enjoying the nightlife.
Final Thoughts
Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan is fun, fuss-free, and set in a tropical paradise. It’s an ideal destination for new divers, budget-conscious backpackers, and experienced divers looking for a relaxed holiday.
Pros:
- Warm water and abundant marine life (especially turtles).
- Professional yet laid-back dive operations.
- A lively mix of activities and nightlife.
- Affordable diving and courses.
- A strong social atmosphere.
Cons:
- Reefs are recovering and not as pristine as in more remote locations.
- Large pelagic sightings are not guaranteed.
- The party atmosphere may not suit everyone.
- Logistics can take time if you're on a tight schedule.
Bottom line: Gili Trawangan is a fantastic dive destination for those seeking easy, enjoyable diving with a side of island adventure. It’s the kind of place you come for a few dives and end up staying for a week. Pack your flip-flops and your sense of fun—Gili T’s vibrant reefs and nightlife are ready to welcome you.
Happy diving! 🐢🌴🌊