SSI ITC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
Oceans 5 Gili Air in 2025 Oceans 5 Gili Air has always believed that a dive centre should be more than a business operating on an island. From the very beginning, Oceans 5 has taken the position that respect from the local community is not …
A New Chapter for Oceans 5 Gili Air: Change, Growth, and the Same Heartbeat If you’ve seen our recent social media posts, heard whispers around the island, or caught a few rumors online, you might already know: after 15 incredible years, Oceans 5 Gili Air is …
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 …
A Philosophy Rooted in Conservation and Community Since opening its doors in 2010, Oceans 5 Gili Air has embraced a philosophy that goes far beyond teaching scuba diving. From the very beginning, conservation and community have been at the heart of its operations. Oceans 5 …
The Gili Islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air — are more than just stunning tropical getaways with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. They are located within one of Indonesia’s top ten marine parks, the Gili Matra Marine Park, a sanctuary created to protect and preserve one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the country. Established to safeguard this underwater paradise for future generations, the Gili Matra Marine Park is a place of both exceptional beauty and scientific importance — but also a park under growing pressure.
In 2011, a remarkable discovery put the Gili Islands firmly on the map of marine biodiversity hotspots. Dr. Bert Hoeksema of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, found that the Gili Islands host the greatest diversity of mushroom coral species in the world.
Even more fascinating? This biodiversity was concentrated in the harbor of Gili Air — an area not typically thought of as pristine due to its boat traffic. Yet the harbor proved to be a haven for these unique corals, showcasing just how resilient and rich the local marine ecosystem can be when given the chance to thrive.
The waters around the Gili Islands are also home to an abundance of sea turtles, making the area one of the best places in the world to encounter them while snorkeling or diving. The most commonly seen species include:
These charismatic animals are not just a tourist attraction — they are key indicators of the health of the marine ecosystem. The relatively high population of turtles in Gili Matra shows that the park has the potential to support thriving marine life when protected.
Another gem of the Gili Matra Marine Park is its population of juvenile white tip reef sharks. These elegant predators are most commonly spotted around dive sites near Gili Trawangan, using the reef structures as nurseries. The presence of juvenile sharks suggests that the area once offered a healthy, supportive environment for new generations of reef predators.
In the past, divers also had the privilege of seeing Leopard Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, and large schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, particularly around full moon events. Deep Turbo near Gili Trawangan and Gili Air Wall used to be popular sites for shark sightings — a sign of a balanced and thriving marine food chain.
But things are changing.
In recent years, many iconic species and marine spectacles have started to vanish. The massive schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, once a regular highlight during full moons, have become increasingly rare. Leopard Sharks and Grey Reef Sharks have all but disappeared from regular sightings.
These changes raise concern about the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Although the Gili Matra Marine Park is officially protected, enforcement remains a challenge. Issues such as coastal development, construction of sea walls, and overdevelopment on the islands are placing pressure on the very ecosystems the marine park is designed to protect.
While tourism brings opportunity, it also brings risk. Unregulated construction along the beaches, poorly planned infrastructure, and increasing human activity near sensitive reef zones have begun to disrupt the delicate balance of marine life.
The construction of ocean protection walls may be intended to guard the shoreline, but they often alter wave patterns, limit coral growth, and cause sand erosion elsewhere. Without strict regulations, even small-scale changes can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
Despite the challenges, Gili Matra Marine Park remains a beautiful and inspiring place to visit. Divers and snorkelers still encounter vibrant coral gardens, turtles cruising through shallow reefs, and schools of reef fish in dazzling colors. For many, it’s their first introduction to the richness of the underwater world — and a memory they’ll never forget.
Every person who comes to the Gili Islands with respect for the marine environment plays a role in supporting its future. By diving responsibly, supporting eco-conscious dive centers, participating in cleanups, and learning about local conservation efforts, visitors can help protect what remains and even aid in its recovery.
The Gili Matra Marine Park is a national treasure — a place where coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, and thousands of marine species coexist in an underwater symphony of life. But this harmony is fragile.
To protect it, we must do more than admire it. Government agencies, local communities, dive centers, and visitors all have a role to play in:
Oceans 5 Gili Air, for example, is actively involved in conservation, working with the University of Mataram, BKKPN, and NGOs to promote scientific research and environmental education.
If properly protected and managed, Gili Matra has the potential to recover its former biodiversity and once again become a global example of successful marine conservation. It is a place of wonder, of beauty, and of immense scientific value.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late to act.
Whether you’re diving for the first time or returning to your favorite reef, remember: this marine park needs our protection as much as we need its inspiration. Let your visit be more than a holiday — let it be part of a movement to preserve Indonesia’s underwater treasures for generations to come.
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 …
