Protecting Gili Air – Oceans 5’s Latest Beach Cleanup and the Ongoing Battle for a Healthy Marine Park

Oceans 5’s Latest Beach Cleanup

When you step onto the sandy shores of Gili Air, the first thing you notice is the island’s calm atmosphere and turquoise water stretching out toward Lombok’s towering mountains. But behind this postcard-perfect view lies a continuous battle to keep the island’s environment clean and thriving. Oceans 5 Gili Air has been at the forefront of this effort since opening its doors in 2010, organizing weekly beach cleanups that have become an integral part of the dive center’s philosophy—not a marketing gimmick, but a way of life.

This past week, Oceans 5’s divemaster candidates led another successful cleanup, collecting 18 kilograms of rubbish from the harbor area. The effort may seem small compared to the challenges facing marine parks worldwide, but on an island as compact as Gili Air, every piece of plastic removed from the beach is a victory for the environment.

A Tradition Since 2010 – Cleanups as Part of the DNA of Oceans 5

When Oceans 5 was founded, its mission extended beyond teaching people to dive. The team wanted to foster respect for the ocean and ensure that future generations could enjoy the reefs of the Gili Matra Marine Park. Weekly cleanups were established right from the start.

Unlike some initiatives that appear only when it’s convenient for marketing campaigns, Oceans 5 has kept these events running consistently—week after week, year after year. The team never saw cleanups as a tool to attract tourists but rather as a community responsibility. And over the years, this steady commitment has earned respect from locals, volunteers, and divers worldwide.

The Role of Divemaster Candidates – Training Environmental Leaders

At Oceans 5, beach cleanups aren’t just another optional activity. They’re woven into the divemaster course itself. Divemaster candidates are tasked with organizing the cleanup: promoting the event, preparing the gloves and bags, leading volunteers to the cleanup site, and ensuring the collected rubbish is sorted and weighed.

This hands-on approach turns a simple cleanup into an educational experience. Candidates learn what kinds of trash are most common on the island, think critically about where it comes from, and consider how human behavior can be changed to prevent it in the first place. It’s a powerful lesson that goes beyond diving skills—transforming future dive professionals into ambassadors for the ocean.

As one candidate recently put it:

“I knew pollution was a problem before coming here, but until you spend an hour filling bag after bag with flip-flops, cigarette butts, and food wrappers, you don’t realize just how much impact even a small group can make in such a short time.”

The Harsh Reality – Investors and Short-Term Thinking

While Oceans 5 continues to lead by example, the island also faces a growing challenge: development that prioritizes profit over sustainability. Over the past decade, Gili Air has seen a construction boom, with villas, restaurants, and beach bars popping up to meet the increasing demand for tourism.

Unfortunately, not all of these projects follow environmental regulations. Some investors build permanent sea walls that alter natural currents and accelerate beach erosion. Others install fixed structures too close to the waterline, damaging turtle nesting grounds and reducing beach space. Water management systems are often overlooked, leading to flooding during the rainy season.

These short-term decisions might generate quick returns for investors, but they come at a cost for the island’s long-term health. Oceans 5’s beach cleanups often collect waste originating from construction activities—cement bags, plastic wrapping, and discarded building materials. The message is clear: without proper planning and accountability, Gili Air’s natural beauty could be compromised for future generations.

Where Are the Other Businesses?

One of the more frustrating aspects of organizing weekly cleanups is the lack of participation from other foreign-owned businesses on the island. Oceans 5 cleans up the main harbor area—exactly where tourists arrive. Every dive shop, hotel, and restaurant benefits from a clean beach and a welcoming first impression, yet very few contribute manpower or resources.

Even when Oceans 5 advertises the cleanups on social media and island promotion pages, foreign investors rarely show up. “Maybe they are too busy counting money,” one local joked after last week’s event. It’s a telling comment. Community engagement is a two-way street, and protecting Gili Air’s environment requires collaboration, not just the efforts of a single dive center.

The Results – 18 Kilograms of Rubbish Removed

Despite the challenges, the latest cleanup was a success. Divemaster candidates, volunteers, and staff collected a total of 18 kilograms of trash. Most of it consisted of plastic packaging, fishing lines, cigarette butts, and discarded flip-flops—items that could easily end up in the ocean and threaten marine life if left on the beach.

At the end of the cleanup, everyone gathered for a small social moment. Volunteers were rewarded with a free drink, and the team shared stories about what they found and how the waste might have ended up there. This social aspect is just as important as the cleanup itself—it builds a sense of community and reminds everyone why they are fighting to protect Gili Air.

Conservation Weekend – Taking the Next Step

Oceans 5 doesn’t stop with one event. Next week, they are hosting a special Conservation Weekend.

• Friday at 17:00 – another beach cleanup will take place, continuing the weekly tradition.
• Saturday at 16:30 – Oceans 5 will organize a reef cleanup, targeting underwater debris that threatens coral reefs and fish habitats.

The only requirement to join the reef cleanup is that participants must be Advanced Open Water certified, as some sites involve deeper dives. For both events, Oceans 5 provides all the necessary equipment, including gloves and rubbish bags.

This proactive approach turns conservation into an engaging, hands-on experience for locals and tourists alike. It shows that protecting the island can be fun, social, and deeply rewarding.

Why It Matters – Beyond the Beach

Beach cleanups might seem like a small step, but they have ripple effects across the island’s ecosystem. Clean beaches mean healthier reefs, safer nesting sites for sea turtles, and a better experience for the thousands of tourists who visit Gili Air each year.

Furthermore, these events raise awareness. Tourists who participate often return home inspired to make changes in their daily lives—reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable businesses, and educating others about the importance of conservation.

The Bigger Picture – Setting a Standard for Gili Air

Oceans 5 Gili Air’s commitment to weekly cleanups sets a powerful example for other businesses. It proves that environmental responsibility and tourism can go hand in hand. By investing just one hour per week, the dive center has kept its corner of the island clean for more than a decade.

The challenge now is to inspire other businesses to follow suit. Imagine the impact if every hotel, restaurant, and dive shop organized its own cleanup or contributed volunteers to a shared initiative. Gili Air could become a model for sustainable island tourism in Indonesia.

How to Join

If you are on Gili Air and want to participate, you are welcome to join the next event.

• Beach Cleanup: Friday, 17:00
• Reef Cleanup: Saturday, 16:30 (Advanced Open Water required)

For more information or to register:
📱 WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
📧 Email: [email protected]

Bags and gloves are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to help protect one of Indonesia’s most beautiful islands.

Final Thoughts – More Than Just Cleaning

Beach cleanups are not glamorous, but they are deeply meaningful. They remind us that protecting the ocean is everyone’s responsibility. Oceans 5 has shown that with consistency, dedication, and community spirit, it is possible to make a real difference.

Gili Air’s charm lies in its balance of tourism and nature. If the island is to remain a paradise, businesses and visitors must work together to protect it. The next time you arrive at the harbor and step onto a clean beach, remember the divemaster candidates and volunteers who made that first impression possible. Better yet—join them next Friday and be part of the change.