Keeping Gili Air Beautiful

Keeping Gili Air Beautiful

Oceans 5’s Weekly Harbor Cleanups and a Growing Culture of Conservation

For many people, the Gili Islands bring to mind turquoise water, coral reefs alive with colour, and sunsets that paint the horizon in gold. What visitors often don’t see is the dedication and effort required to keep these islands clean and thriving. At the heart of that effort stands Oceans 5 Gili Air, a dive centre that has made conservation a core part of its philosophy from the moment it opened its doors. For well over a decade, Oceans 5 has organized weekly beach cleanups around the harbor of Gili Air, helping protect both the coastline and the reef that lies just offshore.

Last Friday, this tradition continued thanks to a passionate team of Divemaster and IDC candidates, supported by volunteers from the island community and travellers staying or diving with Oceans 5. Together they collected 48 kilograms of trash from the harbor area—an impressive amount, especially given that the rainy season has not yet fully arrived.

Rainy Season on the Horizon

In about a month, the rainy season will start in earnest. Each year, the shift in weather brings a predictable and worrying challenge: rubbish washed from Lombok’s mainland rivers and coastlines rides the currents across the strait and lands on the beaches of Gili Air. Even now, at the tail end of the dry season, the occasional heavy rain shower is enough to push plastic, cans, nylon ropes, shoes, and other debris onto the island’s shoreline.

If these items are not picked up promptly, they do not simply disappear. A portion is blown inland, some is collected by informal waste pickers—but much of it is washed back into the sea. Once in the water, rubbish can sink and become trapped among corals, sponges, and rocks. In the harbor of Gili Air, just a few meters off the beach, lies a stunning coral reef, home to everything from juvenile reef fish to cuttlefish, shrimp, and pipefish. At night, one of the area’s most beloved creatures—the mandarin fish—can be seen emerging from the coral for its short, colourful mating routine.

Marine debris poses a serious threat to this delicate environment. Plastic bags can wrap around corals, depriving them of light and oxygen. Fishing lines and rope entangle marine life. Bottles can smother coral heads or create hazards for divers and snorkelers. What may look like a small piece of rubbish on the beach can have irreversible consequences underwater.

This is why the weekly cleanup is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a critical, practical action.

48 Kilograms in One Afternoon

The harbor cleanup last Friday showed exactly how much can accumulate in just a short period. Under the coordination of Oceans 5’s divemaster trainees and instructor candidates, dozens of people joined forces to comb the shoreline, gather debris from the waterline, and separate recyclable items from general waste.

Oceans 5’s Weekly Harbor Cleanups and a Growing Culture of Conservation
Oceans 5’s Weekly Harbor Cleanups and a Growing Culture of Conservation

Gloves, refuse bags, and logistical support were provided by Oceans 5, as always, free of charge. Volunteers included tourists who had just finished dives, local shop owners, staff from other dive centres, and residents who understand the importance of protecting the beaches that support their livelihood. The atmosphere was energetic, positive, and purposeful. Children from the village watched curiously, some joining in for a short time, learning by example that caring for their island starts with something as simple as picking up a bottle or a piece of styrofoam.

By the time the sun began to set, 48 kilograms had been collected—an amount that would otherwise have dispersed throughout the marine park. It is a reminder that conservation is not an occasional campaign but an ongoing responsibility.

A Tradition From Day One

Oceans 5 Gili Air did not begin organizing cleanups in response to trends or public pressure. When the dive shop opened its doors, environmental commitment was already part of its foundation. Back in 2010, when there were few formal initiatives and almost no external funding for conservation in the Gilis, Oceans 5 launched weekly beach cleanups purely because it was the right thing to do.

Over the years, these cleanups have inspired countless individuals and organizations. Some dive shops and NGOs took their first steps in conservation after observing how Oceans 5 incorporated cleanup activities into their daily operations. Guests often arrived with the idea of diving or relaxing and left with a deeper understanding of marine protection and a desire to contribute.

This long-term consistency is what sets Oceans 5 apart. Their goal was never to launch a one-off event for publicity; instead, they built a culture of responsibility. Divemaster interns and IDC candidates are introduced to conservation not as an optional subject but as a professional expectation. They learn that protecting the environment is not separate from diving—it is part of being a competent dive professional.

Preventing Rubbish From Reaching the Reef

The harbor of Gili Air is one of the busiest points of arrival and departure for boats. With constant movement of people and goods, it can be a magnet for trash. But what many don’t realise is how close the reef is to shore. In some parts, it begins just a few fin kicks from the beach. This is exactly where the mandarin fish live—bright, shy creatures whose colourful bodies contrast with the coral rubble where they hide during the day.

Without ongoing cleanup efforts, debris would quickly migrate to these sensitive zones. Once waste settles underwater, removal becomes far more difficult and resource-intensive. Preventing rubbish from entering the sea is simply the most effective strategy.

By combining beach cleanups with education and reef-awareness campaigns, Oceans 5 is safeguarding a habitat that divers treasure. Every Friday’s effort is effectively a coral reef protection mission dressed as a beach walk.

From Cleanups to Collaboration

Oceans 5’s commitment extends far beyond the sand. Over the years they have worked with a range of partners—some local, some national, some international—to launch or support conservation initiatives. From marine data collection to coral restoration, from student training to plastic recycling projects, the dive centre has quietly helped other groups get started.

What makes this cooperation special is that Oceans 5 has never positioned itself as the hero of the story. Instead, it has acted as a platform, connecting people, organizations, and communities. Some partners focus on waste management, others on reef rehabilitation, marine research, or environmental education. Each one contributes to the bigger picture of protecting Gili Matra Marine Park.

A New Step: The Conservation Exhibition Centre

In 2025, Oceans 5 will take another major step in public awareness by opening the first Conservation Exhibition Centre on the Gili Islands. The building, located close to the dive shop, is currently under renovation. Once completed, it will be open to both tourists and locals at no charge.

The concept is simple but powerful: provide a space where all of Oceans 5’s conservation partners can present their work, missions, methods, and successes. Each partner will have its own wall or display section to showcase its projects—whether that involves coral nurseries, waste recycling, marine park regulations, sea turtle monitoring, or school outreach.

This exhibition centre will serve several purposes:

  • Education – Visitors will understand that Gili Air is part of Gili Matra Marine Park, and that there are rules and responsibilities that come with that designation.
  • Transparency – People will learn exactly what Oceans 5 and its partners are doing behind the scenes, from weekly cleanups to research programs.
  • Inspiration – Young locals and international travellers alike will see how they can get involved, either during their holiday or in their future careers.
  • Networking – Conservation organizations will gain visibility, meet supporters, and potentially attract funding or volunteers.

For many tourists, it will be the first time they realize how much effort is required to protect the island they are enjoying. Instead of short signs or social media posts, they will have a full space to explore, ask questions, and discover ongoing projects.

Leading by Example

One of the key messages Oceans 5 has always sent is that you do not need grants, sponsors, or external financing to begin positive environmental action. From the start, the weekly cleanups were self-funded and volunteer-driven. The dive shop contributed time, staff, gloves, bags, and logistics not because someone paid them to do so, but because they believe that every business in a marine park has a duty to act.

Their upcoming Conservation Exhibition Centre will follow the same philosophy: free to access, created in partnership, and focused on sharing knowledge rather than promoting a single brand.

The Power of Activities Over Words

The 48 kilograms removed last Friday were not posted on social media as a victory for likes. They were physically removed from the harbor to keep the reef safe. This practical, no-nonsense approach is typical of Oceans 5. While many organisations talk about sustainability, Oceans 5 demonstrates it every week through direct action, capacity-building of future dive professionals, and long-term partnerships.

The involvement of IDC and divemaster candidates is especially important. These trainees come from all over the world. When they return to their home countries or travel to their next job, they carry with them an experience of real conservation work in a marine park. This influences how they will guide divers, structure their courses, and engage with their own communities.

Looking Ahead

As the rainy season approaches, Oceans 5 will continue to organize beach cleanups every week. Volunteers—locals, tourists, and dive professionals—will keep showing up with bags and gloves, knowing that every piece of trash removed today prevents a problem tomorrow.

With the Conservation Exhibition Centre opening soon, the message will be louder and clearer than ever: conservation is not a trend, it is a responsibility. And on Gili Air, that responsibility is woven into the identity of Oceans 5.

The next time you walk across the harbor and see a group of people crouched in the sand with buckets and sacks, remember that this is not just tidying up. It is safeguarding a coastline. It is protecting a reef where the tiny mandarin fish performs its nightly dance. It is preserving the future of the Gili Islands, one cleanup at a time.

And thanks to the persistence, leadership, and example of Oceans 5 Gili Air, that future is not just possible—it is already being built, every Friday.