PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
From Divemaster to Dive Instructor: Denise and Roland Become PADI Instructors at Oceans 5 Gili Air A Milestone Achievement Yesterday was a day to remember at Oceans 5 Gili Air, as Denise and Roland proudly became certified PADI Instructors. Under the guidance of PADI Course Director Waz, the …
15 Years of Aqualung Rental Equipment at Oceans 5 Gili Air When you walk into the equipment room at Oceans 5 Gili Air, there’s something that immediately stands out—every BCD and regulator carries the trusted Aqualung name. This is no coincidence. For the past 15 years, Oceans …
Every Friday at 17:00, something extraordinary happens in front of Oceans 5 Gili Air. While many visitors to the island are wrapping up their diving adventures or heading off to enjoy the sunset, a group of dedicated divers, instructors, volunteers, and local supporters gather for one purpose: to clean the beach. This weekly beach cleanup is not just a routine—it’s a tradition deeply rooted in the values of Oceans 5 Gili Air, and this week’s event once again proved the power of community and conservation.
On Friday, at exactly 17:00, the dive center’s divemaster candidates took the lead as they do every week. With confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of responsibility, they distributed reusable gloves and large collection bags to the group of participants. Their task was clear: to clean the entire beach area directly in front of Oceans 5, which borders the harbor jetty where tourists first step onto the island. It’s not just any patch of sand—it’s the front yard of Gili Air and often the very first impression travelers get when arriving.
Despite strong winds blowing in from the northeast in the days prior, making the cleanup more challenging, the group managed to collect an impressive 47 kilograms of rubbish. From discarded plastic bags and food wrappers to broken glass, cigarette butts, and lost flip-flops, the beach was transformed from a littered shoreline to a welcoming, pristine stretch of sand.
The beach in front of Oceans 5 Gili Air is not just a recreational area. It’s the island’s main arrival and departure zone. Every day, hundreds of tourists disembark at the jetty, their cameras ready, looking around for their first impressions of this idyllic island paradise. A clean, inviting beach sets the tone. A dirty one? It sends the wrong message and can easily become the subject of negative reviews and complaints online.
In today’s digital world, it only takes a few minutes—and a smartphone—for a disappointed traveler to share their dissatisfaction with thousands of potential visitors. Clean beaches are not just an environmental concern, but also a crucial aspect of the island’s tourism economy. That’s why Oceans 5 Gili Air has taken the responsibility to clean this beach every single week, regardless of the conditions.
“We believe the beach next to the harbor should be the cleanest part of the island,” says Chelle, Oceans 5’s Operational Director. “It’s the first thing tourists see. If we want to protect Gili Air’s image and reputation, this is where we start.”
One of the most inspiring aspects of the weekly beach cleanup is that it is organized and led by Divemaster candidates at Oceans 5 Gili Air. As part of their internship, these candidates are not only trained in guiding certified divers and assisting with courses—they also learn about marine conservation, leadership, and public engagement.
The cleanup offers them a chance to develop their public speaking skills, organizational abilities, and teamwork—all essential for their future roles as PADI professionals. They learn how to welcome volunteers, provide clear instructions, assign cleanup zones, and later thank everyone for their participation.
This week, the candidates performed flawlessly. After handing out gloves and bags, they led the volunteers to key collection zones, focusing not just on the obvious debris, but also on micro-trash like bottle caps, candy wrappers, and straws—small items that can have big consequences for marine life.
When the cleanup was done, the rubbish was weighed, sorted, and recorded—an important part of tracking the types of waste found and identifying long-term solutions for reduction. Volunteers were then treated to cold drinks and snacks back at Oceans 5, a chance to share stories, bond, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
The last few days before the cleanup saw persistent winds from the northeast, which is a common weather pattern for this time of year. These winds stir up the ocean and can carry floating rubbish from neighboring islands, the mainland, or even far beyond. Often, trash that is not properly disposed of in coastal areas ends up in rivers, which then feed into the ocean. From there, currents carry it across the sea until it washes up on beaches like Gili Air’s.
While Gili Air doesn’t generate a significant amount of local waste compared to bigger islands, it receives a disproportionate amount of oceanborne rubbish. That’s why local cleanup initiatives are so critical—not just for aesthetics, but also for protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife.
Floating plastic is often mistaken for food by sea turtles, while bottle caps and straws pose a choking hazard to birds and fish. And when plastic breaks down into microplastics, it enters the food chain, affecting everything from plankton to large predators—and even humans.
What makes the beach cleanups at Oceans 5 Gili Air unique is the community spirit. It’s not just about picking up trash—it’s about creating a culture of environmental responsibility. Volunteers are not only dive professionals and candidates, but also tourists, local residents, business owners, and even school children. Everyone is welcome.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been on the island for years or if you arrived this morning,” says Waz, one of Oceans 5’s in-house PADI Course Directors. “If you want to help, we’ll put a pair of gloves in your hand and make you part of the team.”
Oceans 5 also uses these weekly cleanups as a platform to educate participants on marine conservation. Often, brief talks are given before or after the cleanup, explaining why certain types of rubbish are more dangerous than others, how to reduce single-use plastic consumption, and how marine protected areas like the Gili Matra Marine Park play a vital role in preserving Indonesia’s underwater heritage.
Oceans 5 Gili Air has been running these cleanups since 2010, long before the words “eco-tourism” and “sustainability” became trendy. Over the past 15 years, thousands of kilograms of rubbish have been removed from the island’s beaches thanks to this consistent effort. Many other dive centers have followed suit, and today Gili Air has a growing community of environmentally conscious operators.
The beach cleanups are just one part of a larger environmental initiative at Oceans 5, which includes:
The success of this week’s cleanup has only strengthened Oceans 5 Gili Air’s commitment to keeping Gili Air beautiful, healthy, and welcoming. Next Friday at 17:00, another beach cleanup will take place, and everyone is invited to join. Whether you’re a divemaster candidate, a certified diver, a curious tourist, or someone who simply loves the ocean—your help is welcome and appreciated.
Volunteers are encouraged to arrive a little before 17:00 to sign up, grab gloves and a bag, and meet the team. The cleanup usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, followed by a casual debrief and refreshments. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, give back to the island, and do something truly meaningful with your Friday afternoon.
Cleaning a beach might seem like a small act, but when done consistently and collectively, it becomes a powerful force for change. The 47 kilograms of rubbish collected this week won’t just make the beach look nicer. It will prevent injuries to marine animals, reduce plastic entering the ocean, and enhance the experience for tourists visiting Gili Air.
Oceans 5 Gili Air continues to lead by example—training the next generation of dive professionals not only to be skilled underwater guides, but also to be ambassadors of the ocean. Their weekly beach cleanups are not just about removing trash. They’re about creating awareness, building community, and protecting what we all love: the sea.
So if you’re planning a visit to Gili Air, or if you’re already here and looking for something meaningful to do—come down to Oceans 5 on Friday at 17:00. Bring your passion, your energy, and your love for the ocean. Together, we can make a difference—one cleanup at a time.
The Captains of Oceans 5 Gili Air When people imagine a dive center, they often picture instructors teaching skills, divemasters guiding guests through vibrant reefs, or staff preparing gear on the beach. Rarely do they think about the quiet professionals steering the boats—the captains who …
The Invisible Backbone of Oceans 5 Gili Air When guests walk into Oceans 5 Gili Air, they’re greeted by smiles at the reception, warm welcomes from instructors, and the buzz of divers prepping gear. The boats depart with excitement, the instructors guide students through their …
Maybe you’ve received an email with her name at the bottom. Maybe you’ve spoken to her at the desk while booking your next dive. Or maybe you just saw her walking through the dive center, radiating calm in the middle of the organized chaos that is a busy diving resort. Her name is Chelle—and if you’ve ever stepped foot into Oceans 5 Gili Air, chances are you’ve felt the impact of her presence, even if you didn’t know it.
Chelle’s journey with Oceans 5 began in 2018, when she and her partner Waz arrived on the sandy shores of Gili Air. Back then, Chelle was on a mission: to become a PADI Instructor. Waz, meanwhile, was pursuing his PADI IDC Staff Instructor course. Like many, they came for the diving. But unlike most, they stayed—and ended up becoming two of the most important people behind the scenes at Oceans 5.
Nobody could have predicted just how much Chelle and Waz would grow into their roles. Chelle quickly took on responsibilities far beyond teaching scuba courses. Her natural leadership, attention to detail, and warm, solution-oriented approach made her the perfect candidate to help steer the dive shop through its busiest—and sometimes most challenging—times. She became the dive shop manager, and from that position, she kept everything running smoothly, day after day, year after year.
Chelle’s defining moment came after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the dive industry was shaken to its core. Staff had to be let go, borders were closed, and the future was uncertain. But Chelle never wavered. She stood by Oceans 5 through the storm.
When the world reopened, she was still there—stronger, wiser, and even more committed. Recognizing her dedication, the owner of Oceans 5 promoted her to Operational Director, and even offered her shares in the dive resort. It was a reward that reflected her role not just in managing daily operations, but in building the heart and future of Oceans 5.
Today, Chelle is responsible for coordinating 48 team members—from instructors and divemasters to housekeeping and garden staff. She ensures everyone is working in harmony to provide the best experience for every guest who walks through the gate.
It’s a job that requires patience, foresight, adaptability—and more than a little bit of magic. And somehow, Chelle makes it look easy.
Chelle is the person who knows every schedule, every guest name, every room key, and every piece of gear. If you have a question about diving courses, bungalow bookings, island transport, or local activities, she either has the answer or will find it for you.
Whether you’re a nervous student on your first dive or a divemaster candidate looking for guidance, Chelle is the one who makes you feel confident, supported, and right at home.
While Chelle was shaping the daily operations of the dive center, her partner Waz was on his own upward path. This year, Waz became a PADI Course Director, officially taking over the role from Sander, the founder and original Course Director of Oceans 5.
It’s a full-circle moment for the couple—both of whom began as students in the very program they now help lead. Together, they are more than managers—they are the cornerstones of a thriving dive community.
So what is Oceans 5 Gili Air without Chelle?
Quite simply: a boat without a captain. The center may have its instructors, equipment, pool and ocean access, and a full schedule—but it is Chelle who ensures everything sails in the right direction.
The next time you send an email, make a booking, or ask for advice at the front desk, take a moment to say thank you to Chelle. Because while you may be coming for the diving, the real magic of Oceans 5 often begins with her.
Protecting the Reef, One Dive at a Time: The Weekly Reef Clean-Up at Oceans 5 Gili Air Every Saturday afternoon, just as the sun starts to soften over the waters of Gili Air, a dedicated team of divers gears up for a mission. But this …
Your Discover Scuba Diving Program In today’s highly competitive dive industry, many dive centers are racing against each other—sometimes not to be better, but simply to be cheaper or faster. The focus often shifts from education and experience to volume and turnover. Price cuts and …
One of the most frequently asked questions we get at Oceans 5 Gili Air is, “Is scuba diving dangerous?” And it’s a fair question—when people imagine diving, they often think of the deep blue sea, unfamiliar marine life, and the reliance on equipment to breathe underwater. To someone new to the underwater world, it may seem like an inherently risky activity.
But here’s the truth: like any adventure sport, scuba diving comes with inherent risks. However, when practiced correctly, within training limits, and following established safety procedures, scuba diving is statistically one of the safest adventure sports in the world.
Let’s explore this topic in-depth and show you how professional training, safety awareness, and responsible diving practices—especially those emphasized here at Oceans 5 Gili Air—can make diving not only safe but life-changing.
Adventure sports—from skiing to paragliding, rock climbing to scuba diving—are all about exploring the extraordinary. They offer a thrill that comes from stepping outside the everyday and immersing yourself in the unknown. This unknown, however, is also what introduces a level of risk.
Scuba diving is no different. You’re entering a completely foreign environment where you can’t breathe without the help of gear, and you have to manage variables like depth, time, and buoyancy. Yet, what sets diving apart is that divers are thoroughly trained before ever descending into the ocean.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, a PADI Career Development Centre, safety is embedded in everything we do—because we understand that great diving experiences begin with proper education and responsible practices.
Let’s start with the good news. Statistically speaking, scuba diving has a lower injury rate than activities like running, soccer, or even golf. The Divers Alert Network (DAN), a globally recognized dive safety organization, reports that the rate of fatalities in recreational scuba diving is around 1 in every 200,000 dives—a remarkably low figure when compared with other sports.
So what makes scuba diving safe?
The foundation of dive safety is laid during your PADI Open Water Course. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we emphasize not just checking the boxes for certification but truly understanding and mastering the essential skills. Here are just a few life-saving techniques you will learn:
These aren’t just checkmarks on a course form—they’re real-world skills that prepare divers to handle emergencies confidently.
One of the most common problems we see at the dive shop is certified divers wanting to push beyond their training. An Open Water Diver wanting to descend to 30 meters without having taken the Advanced Open Water Course, or someone without deep diving experience requesting dives to wrecks and walls far below their qualification level.
We always use this analogy: Just because someone has a driver’s license doesn’t mean they should race a Formula 1 car.
Training exists for a reason. It prepares you not just in terms of what to do, but also how to react calmly under pressure. Diving beyond your training is not only illegal under PADI standards—it’s dangerous. Deeper dives involve:
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we make sure every diver is matched to a dive appropriate for their certification. And if you’re interested in going deeper, we encourage you to enroll in the Advanced Open Water Course, which includes deep and navigation dives and expands your diving ability safely.
Another important element of dive safety that’s often overlooked is regular practice. If you haven’t dived in six months or more, you’re likely rusty. Muscle memory fades, and critical safety protocols may be forgotten. That’s why Oceans 5 Gili Air has a strict policy:
If you haven’t dived in the last six months, you must complete a refresher course.
The refresher takes just half a day. You’ll review theory, practice essential skills in our 25-meter training pool, and finish with a relaxed dive in the ocean. It’s a small investment of time that can make the difference between a safe dive and an unsafe one.
Remember, this isn’t just about you. It’s about your dive buddy, your guide, and the other divers in your group. A responsible diver considers everyone’s safety.
At Oceans 5, we don’t cut corners. That’s because our instructors know that the ocean doesn’t care if your logbook has ten pages or a hundred. What matters is that you respect the limits, respect your training, and stay current with your skills.
We’ve seen too many cases globally of “certified” divers who panic at depth or who struggle with equipment they should know how to use. That’s why our team emphasizes confidence, not just certification.
When students leave our dive center, we want them to feel ready, calm, and informed—not just qualified on paper.
Here’s the honest answer: It can be, if you dive untrained, ignore safety rules, or go beyond your limits. But under proper supervision, with the right training and preparation, scuba diving is one of the safest, most enriching activities you can do.
It connects you to nature in a way few other sports can. It teaches you patience, breathing control, and humility. It gives you the chance to witness ecosystems that are rapidly disappearing, and to become part of a global community that’s passionate about marine conservation.
Located on beautiful Gili Air, within the Gili Matra Marine Park, Oceans 5 is more than just a dive shop—we are a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre that believes diving should be safe, sustainable, and educational.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Whether you’re taking your first breaths underwater or advancing your dive education, safety and quality are our top priorities.
When approached responsibly, scuba diving is not just safe—it’s life-changing. It can open your eyes to the beauty of the underwater world, deepen your understanding of marine life, and even change the way you interact with nature above water.
But like every rewarding activity, it starts with respect—for the ocean, for the sport, and for the process of learning.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we’re here to guide you through every step of that journey. So, if you’re wondering whether scuba diving is dangerous, our answer is simple:
Not if you do it right. And we’ll show you how.
Upcoming PADI IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air Embrace Excellence: PADI IDC Starting July 2nd, 2025 Are you ready to elevate your scuba diving career and become an exemplary PADI Instructor? Oceans 5 Gili Air invites aspiring dive professionals to join the upcoming Instructor Development …