Oceans 5 Blog

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program at Oceans 5 Gili Air

Have you ever dreamed of gliding weightlessly through crystal-clear waters, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and graceful sea turtles? If you’re visiting the Gili Islands and want to experience the magic of scuba diving without committing to a full certification course, the PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) Program at Oceans 5 Gili Air is the perfect option for you.

What is the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program?

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program is an introductory diving experience designed for those who have never dived before. Unlike the PADI Open Water Course, which requires three to four days of training, the DSD program is a one-day experience that allows you to explore the underwater world under the direct supervision of a certified PADI Instructor.

While it is not a certification, it provides a safe, enjoyable, and relaxed introduction to scuba diving. If you’ve always wanted to see marine life up close but don’t have the time for a full course, this program is the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of diving.

Why Choose Oceans 5 Gili Air for Your First Dive?

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe that learning to dive should be a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Unlike other dive centers that may rush students through the process, we prioritize individual comfort and confidence before taking you into the ocean. We ensure that each participant has ample time to master the necessary skills, providing a personalized and unhurried experience that makes diving fun, safe, and memorable.

What to Expect from the Discover Scuba Diving Experience

Your PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience at Oceans 5 Gili Air consists of three key parts:

1. Brief Introduction to Scuba Diving Theory

Before you enter the water, your instructor will introduce you to the basic principles of scuba diving. You’ll learn about:

• How pressure affects the body underwater
• The role of diving equipment and how it works
• Basic safety guidelines and communication signals
• How to equalize your ears and control your buoyancy

This theory session ensures that you understand the fundamental concepts of scuba diving before proceeding to the next step.

2. Pool Session: Building Confidence Underwater

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we strongly believe that comfort and confidence are key to an enjoyable dive. That’s why we start with a pool training session in our spacious training pool. Under the close supervision of your instructor, you will practice essential scuba diving skills, such as:

• Breathing underwater with a regulator
• Clearing water from your mask
• Recovering and clearing your regulator
• Achieving neutral buoyancy

This controlled environment allows you to get used to the sensation of breathing underwater at your own pace. There’s no rush—you’ll have as much time as you need to feel comfortable before moving on to the ocean dive.

3. Your First Open Water Dive

Once you feel confident and ready, it’s time for the highlight of the experience—your first open water dive! You’ll board a comfortable dive boat and head to one of the beautiful dive sites around Gili Air, Gili Meno, or Gili Trawangan.

During the dive, you’ll descend to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet) under the direct supervision of your instructor. The moment you take your first breaths in the open ocean, you’ll be immersed in an entirely new world. Expect to encounter:

• Schools of colorful tropical fish
• Stunning coral formations
• Gentle turtles gliding through the water
• Curious clownfish hiding in anemones
• Occasionally, even reef sharks or cuttlefish

Throughout the dive, your instructor will be right by your side, guiding you and ensuring your safety while allowing you to fully enjoy the breathtaking underwater scenery.

The Difference: How Oceans 5 Gili Air Stands Out

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we do things a little differently from other dive centers. Here’s what makes our Discover Scuba Diving experience unique:

1. No Rush, No Pressure – Unlike some dive centers that push students through quickly, we take as much time as needed to ensure you feel confident and relaxed before heading to the ocean.
2. Small Group Sizes – We maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring you get personalized attentionthroughout your experience.
3. Professional and Experienced Instructors – Our PADI-certified instructors have extensive experience in teaching beginners and ensuring a safe and fun learning environment.
4. A Beautiful Dive Location – The Gili Islands are home to some of the best diving spots in Indonesia, offering warm waters, excellent visibility, and a rich variety of marine life.
5. Commitment to Conservation – As a PADI Career Development Centre, we actively support marine conservation efforts and educate divers on protecting the underwater environment.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

For your Discover Scuba Diving experience, all dive equipment is provided by Oceans 5 Gili Air. However, you should bring:

• A swimsuit
• A towel
• Sunscreen (reef-safe, if possible)
• A sense of adventure!

You don’t need prior experience—just a willingness to learn and explore! However, participants should be in good health and comfortable in the water.

What Happens After Discover Scuba Diving?

Many participants fall in love with diving after their first experience and want to continue their training. If you enjoyed your DSD experience, the next step is the PADI Open Water Course, which allows you to earn a lifetime certification to dive independently.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we offer flexible options, so if you decide to continue with the Open Water Course, your Discover Scuba Diving experience can count toward the first part of the certification. That means you’ll already be ahead if you choose to get certified!

Book Your Discover Scuba Diving Experience Today!

If you’re ready to experience the thrill of breathing underwater and exploring the marine world, book your PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience with Oceans 5 Gili Air today. Whether you want to get up close with turtles, explore vibrant reefs, or simply see if diving is right for you, our expert instructors will ensure you have a safe, fun, and unforgettable adventure.

Contact us via: 📍 WhatsApp: +6285333397823
📍 Email: [email protected]
📍 Website: www.oceans5dive.com

Join us for your first breaths underwater and make memories that will last a lifetime!

New Conservation Courses in Partnership with Marine Conservation Indonesia

Oceans 5 Gili Air is proud to announce a groundbreaking expansion in its educational offerings with the launch of new conservation courses. This exciting development comes as part of the center’s ongoing commitment to nurturing local talent and raising awareness about marine preservation, while providing diverse career opportunities for the local community.

A Partnership Built on Local Expertise

At the heart of this initiative is a strategic partnership with Marine Conservation Indonesia, a local marine science organization renowned for its innovative conservation programs. Developed by experienced marine scientists, these courses are uniquely designed to offer immersive learning experiences ranging from one-day introductory sessions to more in-depth three-day and seven-day programs. Importantly, all courses will also be delivered in Bahasa Indonesia, ensuring accessibility and resonance with the local community.

In addition to this collaboration, Oceans 5 has also maintained its valuable partnership with the University of Mataram. By working closely together, both institutions are set to enhance educational standards and promote sustainable practices among aspiring divers and marine enthusiasts.

Courses Tailored for Every Holiday

The newly introduced conservation courses are crafted not only for those seeking academic enrichment but also for travelers looking to combine holiday relaxation with a meaningful dive into marine conservation. Whether you have a day to spare or a week to explore, these courses provide the perfect opportunity to learn about the importance of preserving our marine ecosystems while enjoying the stunning underwater landscapes around Gili Air.

Empowering the Local Community

Oceans 5 Gili Air has always placed local citizens at the forefront of its mission. By offering these conservation courses, the center reaffirms its commitment to fostering local talent and giving community members the chance to grow within the company or develop entirely new career paths. Courses led by local experts not only enrich the learning experience but also strengthen community ties, fostering a shared responsibility for the marine environment.

Exciting Changes on the Horizon

In the coming months, Oceans 5 Gili Air will also witness several exciting internal developments aimed at further enhancing its service and educational offerings:

• Warren’s New Role: Pending the successful completion of the PADI Course Director Training Course, Warren is poised to take over from Sanders as the new PADI Course Director, promising fresh perspectives and leadership.
• Tech Diving Department: Ary is set to focus on establishing a dedicated tech diving department, opening up new avenues for advanced diving experiences.
• Strengthening Partnerships: Cakra will spearhead the ongoing collaboration with the University of Mataram and take charge of the conservation courses, ensuring that the curriculum remains dynamic and relevant.

A Bright Future for Divers

These strategic enhancements at Oceans 5 Gili Air are designed to offer more choices for divers of all levels. Whether you’re an experienced diver looking to deepen your conservation knowledge or a beginner eager to explore the underwater world, these new courses and internal improvements promise to elevate your diving experience.

Oceans 5 continues to lead the way by blending education with adventure, ensuring that every dive is not only a journey beneath the waves but also a step toward a more sustainable future for our oceans.

Two Weeks of Conservation at Oceans 5 Gili Air with Global FinPrint

Oceans 5 Gili Air is once again taking the lead in marine conservation by partnering with Global FinPrint and the University of Mataram for an extensive two-week research initiative around the Gili Islands. This groundbreaking project will employ the Baited Remote Underwater Video System (BRUVS) method to record the presence of sharks, rays, and other marine life on the reefs. By deploying and monitoring BRUVS, researchers aim to gain valuable insights into the health of local marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities on these vital underwater environments.

Understanding the BRUVS Method

Global FinPrint launched in 2015 as the first global survey of its kind, utilizing BRUVS to document marine biodiversity. The technique involves setting up 30 to 100 BRUVS on a reef, each equipped with a bait station to attract marine life. The system records uninterrupted footage for 60 minutes per session, capturing invaluable data about the diversity and behavior of sharks, rays, and other marine species.

By analyzing these videos, researchers can determine patterns in species abundance, identify threats, and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This information is crucial in shaping policies that ensure the protection and sustainable management of marine life.

Why This Research Matters

Sharks and rays play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. As apex predators, sharks regulate the populations of their prey, which in turn affects the health of coral reefs. However, shark populations have been declining at an alarming rate due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and the demand for shark fins, meat, and other body parts.

Recent studies estimate that around 100 million sharks are killed annually for commercial purposes. While much attention has been given to the practice of finning—where sharks have their fins removed and are discarded at sea—the larger issue is the unregulated and excessive harvesting of entire shark populations. Without proper management, many species cannot replenish their numbers, pushing them toward extinction.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species reports that one-quarter of sharks and their relatives are at risk of extinction. The loss of these predators not only affects marine biodiversity but also has economic and social consequences. Countries that depend on dive tourism—where sharks are a major attraction—face significant revenue losses when shark populations dwindle. Additionally, the disappearance of sharks can disrupt marine food chains, leading to habitat degradation and reduced fish stocks, which many coastal communities rely on for sustenance.

Conservation at Oceans 5 Gili Air

As a conservation-focused dive center, Oceans 5 Gili Air is committed to marine protection through education, research, and community involvement. This two-week partnership with Global FinPrint and the University of Mataram aligns with their ongoing efforts to promote sustainable diving and marine conservation initiatives.

During the research period, the team at Oceans 5 Gili Air, alongside scientists from the University of Mataram, will deploy BRUVS at strategic locations around the Gili Islands. The recordings will help assess the current status of shark and ray populations, as well as the overall health of the reef ecosystems. The data collected will be analyzed to identify trends, potential threats, and conservation strategies that can be implemented at both local and national levels.

Impacts of Human Activities on Marine Life

Human activities significantly impact marine ecosystems, and understanding these effects is vital for conservation planning. The BRUVS research aims to determine how factors such as fishing, tourism, pollution, and marine protected areas (MPAs) influence shark and ray populations.

1. Fishing Practices: Overfishing is one of the biggest threats to shark populations worldwide. The BRUVS study will help assess the impact of fishing on the Gili Islands and provide data to support sustainable fishing regulations.
2. Marine Protected Areas: The effectiveness of existing MPAs in the region can be evaluated through BRUVS data. If MPAs show higher shark and ray abundance compared to unprotected areas, this could reinforce the need for stricter marine conservation policies.
3. Tourism and Recreational Activities: The Gili Islands are popular diving destinations, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Sustainable diving practices are crucial to minimizing human impact on the reefs. The data from this research can help dive operators implement best practices to ensure that tourism remains environmentally responsible.
4. Climate Change and Pollution: Rising ocean temperatures, plastic pollution, and habitat destruction threaten marine biodiversity. By monitoring the abundance and health of key species, researchers can identify warning signs of ecosystem decline and advocate for mitigation strategies.

The Future of Shark Conservation

The next phase of Global FinPrint’s research seeks to deepen our understanding of how sharks influence other reef animals and the potential consequences of their decline. Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” due to their biodiversity and ecological importance. The loss of sharks could lead to imbalances in these ecosystems, causing cascading effects that impact fish populations, reef health, and ultimately, human communities.

To protect sharks and ensure the longevity of marine ecosystems, several key actions must be taken:

• Stronger Fishing Regulations: Enforcing quotas and sustainable fishing practices is essential to prevent overexploitation of shark populations.
• Expanding Marine Protected Areas: Establishing more MPAs and ensuring their effective management can create safe havens for marine life.
• Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of sharks in marine ecosystems can lead to greater public support for conservation efforts.
• Sustainable Dive Tourism: Encouraging eco-friendly diving practices can minimize human impact on reefs and contribute to conservation funding

Conclusion

The partnership between Oceans 5 Gili Air, Global FinPrint, and the University of Mataram represents a significant step forward in marine conservation in Indonesia. By deploying BRUVS and analyzing marine life data, researchers will gain critical knowledge to guide conservation efforts. Protecting sharks is not just about saving one species—it is about preserving entire marine ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for both marine life and human communities.

Through continued research, education, and proactive conservation measures, Oceans 5 Gili Air remains dedicated to being a leader in marine conservation. As the results from this two-week study emerge, they will contribute to the broader goal of ensuring that the Gili Islands remain a thriving marine paradise for generations to come.