SSI ITC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
The Gili Islands Just off the northwest coast of Lombok lies a small cluster of islands that feels like a different world altogether: the Gili Islands. For many travelers, the Gilis represent what they imagine a tropical island holiday should be—white-sand beaches, turquoise water, coral reefs …
Oceans 5 Gili Air Maybe you have already heard some rumors.Maybe you noticed subtle changes on our website, on social media, or around the dive resort itself.Or maybe you are reading this as a returning guest, a future student, or simply someone who cares about …
On the 13th of December, something special happened in the heart of the Gili Matra Marine Park. Before most of the islands were awake, 86 runners—a mix of local residents and international participants—gathered with one shared goal: to take part in the Tri-Isla-Thon, a unique endurance run that connects Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Meno into one continuous journey of approximately 17 kilometers.
This was not a race defined by podiums, medals, or finishing times. Instead, the Tri-Isla-Thon stood for community, fitness, connection, and support for local education on Gili Air. Among the runners was Oceans 5 Gili Air Instructor Irene, who embraced the challenge—an experience she describes as demanding, inspiring, and deeply rewarding.
The Gili Islands—Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Meno—are best known for their white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and relaxed island lifestyle. Together they form the Gili Matra Marine Park, a protected area that balances tourism, conservation, and local community life.
The Tri-Isla-Thon offers a completely different way to experience these islands. Instead of viewing them from a boat or underwater, runners explore the entire coastline on foot, feeling the changing terrain, the humidity of the early morning air, and the gradual rise of the sun over the Lombok Strait.
Running across all three islands in one morning is no small achievement. Each island has its own rhythm, surface conditions, and atmosphere—making the Tri-Isla-Thon as mentally engaging as it is physically demanding.
The day began early—very early. At 5:00 a.m., while most of Gili Air was still quiet, runners assembled at the starting point. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the temperature was still forgiving, offering the most comfortable conditions of the entire run.
Starting on Gili Air set the tone for the event. Known for its community feel and laid-back pace, the island provided a welcoming and encouraging start. Locals waved, fellow runners exchanged smiles, and conversations flowed easily in the first kilometers.
For many participants, including Instructor Irene, this early stage was about finding rhythm rather than speed. The sound of footsteps on sandy paths, the occasional call of morning birds, and the sight of fishing boats preparing for the day created a calm yet energizing atmosphere.
After completing the loop around Gili Air, the runners continued toward Gili Trawangan, the largest and busiest of the three islands. The transition marked a noticeable change in both energy and environment.
Gili Trawangan’s wider paths and longer stretches allowed runners to open their stride. At the same time, the island was beginning to wake up—bicycles appeared, staff prepared restaurants, and early-morning beach walkers offered encouragement from the sidelines.
Despite being known for its nightlife, Gili T showed a different face that morning: one of sport, health, and community engagement. The mix of local and international runners was especially visible here, reflecting how sport can bring together people from very different backgrounds around a shared experience.
Instructor Irene later shared that this middle section felt strong and motivating. The group energy helped maintain pace, and the sense of running “together” rather than competing made the kilometers pass quickly.
The final leg of the Tri-Isla-Thon led runners to Gili Meno, the quietest and most tranquil of the three islands. By the time participants arrived, the clock was moving toward 8:00 a.m., and the sun was fully up.
According to Instructor Irene, this was where the run truly became challenging.
“The last island was the most tiring,” she explained. “The heat and the sun really started to kick in.”
Gili Meno’s peaceful nature means fewer distractions—no busy streets, no crowds—just long stretches of path, open sky, and rising temperatures. Fatigue set in, legs felt heavier, and hydration became critical.
Yet this final section also embodied the spirit of the Tri-Isla-Thon. Runners encouraged each other, slowed down together when needed, and made sure no one was left behind. The focus remained firmly on finishing as a group, not on finishing first.
At around 8:30 a.m., the run came to an end on Gili Meno—smiles, tired legs, and a strong sense of accomplishment all around.
What makes the Tri-Isla-Thon special is its philosophy. This event is not about competition. There were no elite categories or prize money. Instead, the emphasis was on:
In a destination often associated with holidays and leisure, the Tri-Isla-Thon reminds everyone—locals and visitors alike—that the islands are also home to real communities with real needs and shared responsibilities.
By linking sport with social impact, the event gives running a deeper purpose. Every step taken around the islands contributes not just to personal health, but to the future of local children and educational opportunities on Gili Air.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, instructors are known not only for their diving skills, but also for leading by example above water. Instructor Irene’s participation in the Tri-Isla-Thon reflects exactly that mindset.
As a dive professional, Irene promotes an active, balanced lifestyle—one that includes fitness, mental resilience, and community involvement. Completing a 17-kilometer multi-island run shows the same determination and preparation that she brings to her work underwater.
Her experience also highlights an important message: you don’t need to be a professional athlete to take part. With training, motivation, and the right mindset, challenges like the Tri-Isla-Thon become achievable and enjoyable.
Irene has already set her sights on the future.
She is looking forward to the next Tri-Isla-Thon and has already started training for next year’s run—proof that the event doesn’t just end at the finish line, but inspires long-term commitment to health and fitness.
For many participants, the Tri-Isla-Thon offered a completely new perspective on the Gili Islands. Running the full circumference of each island reveals details that are often missed:
It’s an experience that connects people more deeply to the place they live in—or are visiting—transforming familiar islands into a shared challenge and achievement.
With 86 runners taking part this year, the Tri-Isla-Thon is clearly growing. The mix of local and international participants shows strong community support and increasing awareness of the event’s goals.
As more people become interested in combining sport, social connection, and positive impact, the Tri-Isla-Thon has the potential to become a fixed highlight on the Gili Islands calendar—something people train for, look forward to, and return for year after year.
For Oceans 5 Gili Air and its team, seeing instructors like Irene actively participating reinforces the dive center’s broader philosophy: being part of the island means contributing beyond your own business, supporting health, education, and community initiatives whenever possible.
The Tri-Isla-Thon is more than a 17-kilometer run. It’s a reminder that movement brings people together, that community grows through shared effort, and that even in paradise, meaningful challenges have a place.
As the sun rose over Gili Meno and the last runners crossed the finish point, one thing was clear: this wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of training, planning, and anticipation for next year’s Tri-Isla-Thon.
And if Instructor Irene’s enthusiasm is anything to go by, many familiar faces will be back at the starting line at 5:00 a.m., ready once again to run the islands together.
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Family holidays often come with a familiar challenge: What can we do that is fun, meaningful, and unforgettable for the kids? While many families turn to beach games, snorkeling trips, or island activities, there is one option that stands far above the rest—scuba diving. Not only is it exciting and adventurous, but it is also one of the most educational and empowering experiences a child can have.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we see every week how scuba diving transforms young people. Children grow in confidence, they discover a deeper understanding of the natural world, and they return from dives with stories that light up their faces. And the best part? Kids can start their Open Water Diver certification from just 10 years old, giving them access to a sport that can stay with them for life.
Below, we explore why scuba diving is such a great sport for kids—and why their first breaths underwater may just be the highlight of your holiday.
Many parents are surprised to learn that scuba diving is not just for adults. Recreational diving agencies allow children to join the full Open Water Diver Course from the age of 10. This is not a “watered-down” version of the adult course—it’s the actual certification, adapted with kid-friendly equipment, teaching methods, and safety ratios.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we run Open Water Courses every day, and we have specially sized equipment designed for younger divers. Small BCDs, shorter wetsuits, lightweight tanks, and masks that fit children’s faces make the experience comfortable and fun. Our instructors who teach children are selected specifically because they love working with young divers and know how to keep the program safe, relaxed, and enjoyable.
The result? Children don’t just learn to dive—they do it confidently and safely from the very first day.
Diving is one of the most complete learning experiences for kids. Over the course of 3–4 days, they develop:
Kids learn why pressure affects the body, how buoyancy works, how to communicate underwater, and what equipment does. For many young divers, it is the first time they see science not as a classroom lesson but as something practical, fascinating, and useful.
From assembling equipment to controlling buoyancy, diving requires fine motor skills, balance, focus, and body awareness. Kids learn to move underwater in a controlled, graceful way—something that helps them in all areas of life, from swimming and sports to concentration at school.
Every dive includes exercises: clearing a mask, recovering a regulator, staying neutrally buoyant. These tasks teach kids to stay calm, follow steps, and solve challenges safely. Many parents tell us later that these skills show in their children’s behaviour long after the holiday ends.
One of the most powerful gifts diving gives children is a real, personal understanding of the natural world.
Underwater, kids see ecosystems in action—corals feeding, turtles resting, fish hiding, cleaner wrasses helping larger fish. It’s the first time many children realize how delicate and interconnected everything is. No textbook or documentary can compare to the moment a child sees a reef alive with colour and movement.
And from that moment, something changes.
Kids begin to ask questions:
Why is this coral broken? Why is there plastic in the ocean? Why is this fish scared?
These questions guide them naturally toward environmental awareness. During the Open Water course, instructors explain how reefs grow, why we don’t touch marine life, how buoyancy protects the reef, and why keeping our oceans clean matters.
This is not just a diving lesson—it is a life lesson that shapes how kids think about their world.
Becoming a diver comes with responsibility—and children take that very seriously. They learn:
Parents often tell us that their children become more disciplined and mature after the course. Diving requires focus and respect for the environment, and kids naturally rise to the level expected of them.
They also develop a unique relationship with the ocean. When a child sees what lies beneath the surface, they instantly become more protective of it. They understand why we avoid stepping on corals, why we reduce plastic, and why small actions matter. That sense of responsibility stays with them forever.
One of the beautiful side effects of kids learning to dive is that they talk about it. A lot.
Kids love telling others about:
In this way, young divers become messengers. They share their excitement, and with it, they spread awareness. Many of our young divers return home and inspire their classmates to recycle, use less plastic, or learn about the ocean. Some even give school presentations using their underwater photos.
Diving doesn’t just teach kids—it empowers them to teach others.
The Open Water Course is more than a class. It is a social event where kids meet:
In this positive environment, kids quickly learn to interact with strangers, work with a buddy, cooperate during skills, and celebrate their achievements with others.
For shy children, diving can be transformative. Many of them become more confident and comfortable speaking to new people. For outgoing children, diving gives them a group to connect with—friends from all over the world.
Whether they are sharing stories, practicing skills, or looking at fish ID books together, the social side of diving is one of the best parts of the experience.
One of the greatest benefits of getting certified young is that the Open Water certification never expires. Even if a kid completes the course at 10 years old, they will be certified forever.
Of course, if they haven’t been diving for a while, we recommend a refresher—but the certification itself stays valid.
This means your child can:
It opens the door to a lifetime of adventure—both recreationally and professionally.
Some of our instructors at Oceans 5 started diving when they were kids themselves. Their passion began with a single Open Water course, just like the one your child might take during your holiday.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we create the ideal environment for young divers:
Families arriving on any date can start within 24 hours.
Small tanks, children’s masks, small BCDs, and lighter gear to make everything comfortable.
Not every instructor is suited to teaching children. We choose instructors who are patient, fun, gentle, and safety-focused.
The Gili Islands offer calm conditions, good visibility, shallow reefs, and plenty of marine life—perfect for kids.
We teach in small groups, without rushing, and always at the pace of the child.
From assembling equipment to making their first descent, kids gain confidence every step of the way.
If you’re on holiday and wondering what you can do for your kids that is meaningful, exciting, and unforgettable, scuba diving might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s not just a sport—it’s a complete learning experience that shapes how children see the world.
Scuba diving helps kids:
And with a certification that lasts for life, the adventure doesn’t end when the holiday ends—it is just beginning.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are ready every day to guide young divers on this journey. With kid-specialized equipment, calm dive sites, and instructors who love teaching children, we ensure the experience is safe, joyful, and unforgettable.
Give your children the gift of discovery beneath the surface—and watch how it changes them forever.
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 …
When divers talk about Indonesia, their minds often jump to places like Komodo, Raja Ampat, or Lembeh. Yet, sitting quietly between Lombok and Bali lies a diver’s paradise that is as underestimated as it is spectacular—the Gili Islands. Many people still believe the Gilis are only a training hub for beginners or a practice ground for instructor candidates. They imagine crowded dive sites, sandy bottoms, and nothing worth exploring once you are certified.
That misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Gili Islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—are nestled within the Gili Matra Marine Park, one of Indonesia’s officially protected marine areas. This status alone already sets the tone: conservation, regulation, and biodiversity. Whether you’re a new diver, a seasoned photographer, or an experienced technical diver, the Gilis offer something special for everyone. With more than 25 unique dive sites across dramatically different topographies, the islands are far from “just a classroom.” They are a living, breathing underwater world teeming with life—big and small, shallow and deep.
Let’s explore what fun diving around the Gili Islands truly has to offer.
Many who dismiss the Gilis as “just a training area” have never truly explored the depth of what the marine park provides. The reefs around the three islands are healthy, colorful, and surprisingly diverse. Because the Gili Matra Marine Park imposes conservation rules, local dive centers participate in reef monitoring, waste reduction, and marine park fees that contribute to long-term protection.
As a result, divers can enjoy coral slopes, rubble patches full of surprises, deep reefs, cleaning stations, wrecks, walls, and drift dives—all within a short boat ride. No site is further than 10–20 minutes away, which means divers can comfortably explore several in one day without long travel times.
One of the biggest strengths of the Gili Islands is accessibility. Unlike many destinations that require long boat crossings or advanced certifications to see something worthwhile, the Gilis deliver an abundance of marine life in waters suitable for all levels.
Many reefs offer gentle slopes, mild currents, and good visibility. Open Water divers can enjoy coral gardens filled with butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, wrasse, sweetlips, and juvenile reef species. Drift dives are smooth, relaxed, and ideal for building experience under guidance.
For those who want more excitement, the Gilis deliver deeper reefs, swim-throughs, walls, stronger currents, and shark encounters. Sites on the north and west of Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno often offer sightings of blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, large trevallies, schools of fusiliers, eagle rays, and the occasional mobula.
Not one, but two wreck dives are available—and both offer fun, accessible exploration.
The Gilis also cater to tech divers. Deeper slopes, walls, and drop-offs allow for decompression diving around canyons and untouched reef sections. The clear water and easy logistics make it a convenient base for tech divers building experience or exploring beyond recreational limits.
If there is one creature that defines diving around the Gilis, it is the turtle. The islands are world-famous for their large populations of green and hawksbill turtles. Unlike many other destinations where spotting one turtle is a highlight, here they are a part of nearly every dive.
Divers can encounter them resting on coral, gliding above reefs, visiting cleaning stations, or lazily drifting with the current. It is not uncommon to see five, ten, or even twenty in a single dive—especially around Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno.
For photographers, new divers, and families, it creates unforgettable memories. For experienced divers, it is still pure magic.
Many divers assume sharks are only found in Indonesia’s more remote regions. Yet, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted around the Gilis, particularly on the western and northern sites of Gili Trawangan. Sites like Shark Point or Deep Turbo often deliver encounters with one or several individuals.
You may also see schools of trevallies, giant travellies on the hunt, barracuda, eagle rays, and sometimes even larger visitors cruising through.
And because currents can vary from mild to strong depending on tides and site choice, underwater action can be as relaxed or as thrilling as you want it to be.
While many divers think of the Gilis as a “big stuff” destination, the macro life is a well-kept secret. In certain sandy bays, harbors, and rubble slopes, an entire universe of tiny creatures lives quietly beneath the surface. These sites are often overlooked by large dive centers that prefer the classic circuit of popular dive spots.
But those who take the time to explore are rewarded with incredible detail.
Top macro sites include:
These areas are macro heaven, especially for photographers and critter hunters. Frogfish hide in sponges, mimic and coconut octopus roam the sand, pipefish slither along corals, and nudibranchs of every color are everywhere once you start looking. Seahorses, ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, bobtail squid, shrimps, and crabs appear in all shapes and sizes.
This combination—large megafauna like turtles and sharks plus world-class macro—makes the Gilis an unusually versatile dive destination.
The misconception that “the Gilis are only good for training” often comes from divers who only did a few dives in crowded, shallow, and well-worn training areas. Many dive centers stick to the same four or five popular sites day after day. They focus on logistics, not exploration.
But the marine park includes far more than the obvious spots.
Some operators do not visit macro sites regularly, some avoid the deeper slopes unless requested, and many do not customize dive plans to match diver interests. As a result, many fun divers leave the Gilis without realizing what they missed.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the philosophy is simple: listen to the divers, not just the schedule. Every diver has different preferences—some love wrecks, some want turtles or sharks, others are obsessed with macro or underwater photography. Instead of rotating through the same “popular” sites, Oceans 5 goes where the guests want to go.
That flexibility is what opens the door to the full richness of the marine park.
Guests who love turtles? Head to Turtle Heaven or Sunset Point.
Macro hunters? Hans Reef or Seahorse Bay.
Adventurous wreck fans? Bounty or Glenn Nusa.
Deep divers or technical training? Northern drop-offs and submerged reefs.
Photographers? Playgrounds, Halik, Mentigi, and shallow reefs full of surprises.
Because the dive center listens instead of assuming, fun divers get the experience they’re actually looking for—not a generic tour.
Drift diving is one of the highlights of the Gilis. Water movement brings nutrients, and nutrients bring fish. Many sites offer smooth and comfortable drifts that allow you to relax and simply glide past coral gardens and marine life.
Experienced guides know how to plan dives based on tides and currents. Instead of fighting the sea, they use the flow to make the experience enjoyable and effortless. This makes it ideal for divers of all levels—from relaxed beginners to thrill-seeking current junkies.
Another often-overlooked benefit is convenience. No long boat rides, no overnight trips, and no complicated transfers. Boats depart directly from the beach, and most sites are 5–20 minutes away. That means more diving and less traveling.
The water is warm year-round—usually 27–30°C—visibility often ranges from 15–30 meters, and conditions are comfortable in most seasons. There are also very few days where the sea is undiveable, making it a reliable destination year-round.
Whether you are a casual holiday diver, a family with kids who snorkel, a photographer with a macro lens, or an experienced diver looking to squeeze in five dives a day, the Gili Islands deliver. The variety of marine environments allows you to build your itinerary however you like.
You can spend one day exploring turtles and reef sharks, the next hunting nudibranchs in sandy bays, and the day after drifting past coral slopes or exploring a wreck. You don’t need flights or long transfers to visit multiple types of diving—it’s all right there.
The idea that the Gili Islands are “only for beginners” or “just training grounds” is outdated and often repeated by people who barely scratched the surface. The marine park is alive, diverse, and full of surprises—with healthy reefs, plenty of fish, guaranteed turtles, hidden critters, sharks, rays, and wrecks.
The only real limitation is whether your dive center is willing to take you there.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, fun diving is treated with the same priority and passion as any course. Divers are asked what they want to see, and the schedule adapts. From stunning coral slopes to wrecks, from sharks to shrimps, from drift dives to macro dives, the Gilis are ready to impress anyone who gives them a proper chance.
So the next time someone says “there’s nothing to see in the Gilis,” you’ll know—they just haven’t dived them properly.
And if you dive with the right team, like Oceans 5 Gili Air, you absolutely will.
Supporting the Gili Matra Marine Park Many people who visit the Gili Islands are unaware that they are entering one of Indonesia’s most important marine parks. Gili Air, together with Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, is located within the Gili Matra Marine Park, officially designated by …
