Oceans 5 Blog

Diving and Children: A Family Adventure at Oceans 5 Gili Air

Holidays are a time for families to bond, unwind, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or revisiting favorite spots, finding activities that everyone can enjoy together can be challenging. One activity that ticks all the boxes for adventure, education, and family bonding is scuba diving. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe diving can be a family affair, offering programs and courses tailored to adults and children alike. With options ranging from introductory experiences to certification courses, your family can dive into a whole new world together.

Diving for Kids: A Safe and Fun Introduction

Scuba diving isn’t just for adults. Children as young as eight can dip their toes into the underwater world through the PADI Bubblemaker program, which introduces scuba diving in a safe, shallow, and fun environment. This program takes place in our controlled training pool, where kids can experience the magic of breathing underwater while playing games and exploring under the supervision of a professional instructor.

For children aged 10 and older, the Discover Scuba Diving program (try dive) takes things up a notch. This introductory experience allows kids to explore the open water under strict safety guidelines. Although neither program provides a certification, they are excellent ways to gauge a child’s interest in diving while building their confidence in the water.

Certification for the Young Adventurer: PADI Open Water Course

If your child enjoys their first dive and wants to take the plunge into the world of certified diving, the PADI Open Water Course is the next step. Starting at age 10, children can join their parents or older siblings in earning a lifetime diving certification. Completing the Open Water Course is a milestone achievement that not only boosts a child’s confidence but also opens the door to countless underwater adventures.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, our Open Water Course is designed to be flexible and family-friendly. The course typically spans 3-4 days, but we adjust the pace to suit each family’s needs. Kids learn the same skills as adults, but our instructors take extra care to ensure they feel comfortable every step of the way. With hands-on guidance, small class sizes, and a supportive atmosphere, young divers thrive in this program.

Specialized Equipment for Kids

Teaching children to dive comes with unique challenges, but having the right equipment makes a world of difference. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are fully equipped to cater to young divers. Our specialized equipment includes:

• Kid-sized tanks: Lighter and more manageable, these tanks allow children to move comfortably underwater.
• Small BCDs: Adjusted to fit a child’s frame, these buoyancy control devices help young divers achieve proper balance and stability.
• Fins and masks: Sized specifically for children, ensuring a snug and secure fit.
• Wetsuits: Designed to keep kids warm and comfortable during their dives.

Providing gear that fits well not only enhances safety but also builds children’s confidence as they embark on their underwater journey.

Diving as a Family Bonding Experience

One of the most rewarding aspects of scuba diving is that it can be a shared experience. When families take the Open Water Course together, they create memories that last a lifetime. Learning to dive as a family fosters teamwork and mutual support. Parents and children help each other master skills, encourage one another during challenges, and celebrate milestones together.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we understand the importance of making family diving experiences enjoyable and stress-free. From the first pool session to open water dives, our instructors ensure every member of your family feels safe, supported, and excited about the adventure ahead.

Exploring Gili Air’s Underwater Wonderland

The Gili Islands are renowned for their vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters, making them an ideal destination for beginner divers. For kids, the chance to encounter characters like Nemo (clownfish) and Dory (blue tang) in their natural habitat is magical. Spotting turtles, colorful reef fish, and fascinating corals is not just an exciting experience but also an educational one. Children return home with stories of their underwater adventures, eager to share what they’ve seen with friends and family.

Our dive sites are carefully selected to suit young and beginner divers. Calm conditions, good visibility, and shallow reefs ensure an enjoyable and stress-free experience for children and adults alike.

Building Confidence and Lifelong Skills

Scuba diving offers more than just an opportunity to explore the underwater world—it teaches valuable life skills. For children, diving builds confidence, patience, and responsibility. Learning to communicate underwater, manage equipment, and navigate the ocean fosters a sense of independence and accomplishment. These lessons often extend beyond diving, positively impacting a child’s development in other areas of life.

Parents, too, find that diving with their children strengthens family bonds and creates a sense of shared purpose. Watching your child master a new skill, face their fears, and embrace the underwater world is a deeply rewarding experience.

Safety First: Our Commitment to Young Divers

Safety is our top priority at Oceans 5 Gili Air, especially when it comes to children. Our team of PADI-certified instructors is trained to teach young divers with patience and care. We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and closely monitor each child’s progress.

Additionally, we follow strict PADI guidelines for depth limits and dive durations based on age and experience. Children aged 10-12, for example, are restricted to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet) and always dive under the direct supervision of a professional instructor.

Beyond the Open Water: Continuing the Adventure

For families who fall in love with diving, the journey doesn’t have to end with the Open Water Course. Kids aged 12 and older can take their skills to the next level with the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, exploring deeper dive sites and learning specialized skills like underwater navigation or night diving. For younger divers, continuing to dive regularly helps build their confidence and keeps their skills sharp.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we also offer specialty courses and fun dives tailored to families. Whether it’s spotting unique marine life, exploring a shallow wreck, or participating in conservation activities, the possibilities for family adventures are endless.

Creating Lasting Memories

Family holidays are about creating moments that will be cherished forever, and diving is an experience that leaves a lasting impression. The joy of seeing a child’s face light up as they encounter a sea turtle for the first time or hear their excited stories about spotting “Nemo” is priceless. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are proud to help families create these special memories.

Why Choose Oceans 5 Gili Air for Family Diving?

Oceans 5 Gili Air stands out as a family-friendly dive center for several reasons:

1. Expertise in teaching kids: Our instructors are experienced in working with children, ensuring a fun and safe learning environment.
2. Specialized facilities and equipment: From kid-sized gear to a spacious training pool, we provide everything your family needs for a comfortable experience.
3. Flexible schedules: We tailor our courses to fit your family’s holiday plans and pace of learning.
4. A focus on fun and safety: We create an enjoyable environment while prioritizing the safety of our young divers.
5. A family-friendly atmosphere: Oceans 5 Gili Air is more than just a dive center—it’s a place where families feel welcome and cared for.

Start Your Family Diving Adventure Today

Scuba diving is a unique and enriching activity that brings families closer together while introducing children to the wonders of the underwater world. Whether your child is dipping their toes into diving with a Bubblemaker session or your whole family is earning certifications together, Oceans 5 Gili Air provides the perfect environment for unforgettable family adventures.

So pack your bags, grab your swimsuits, and get ready to explore the magical underwater world as a family. The turtles, Nemo, and Dory are waiting to meet you!

Conservation Weekend at Oceans 5 Gili Air: A Dive Center Making a Difference

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, conservation is more than just a buzzword—it’s a deeply ingrained philosophy that shapes every aspect of the dive center’s operations. This weekend, the dive community and the local environment came together for a series of impactful conservation activities, organized by the dedicated team at Oceans 5. With a beach cleanup on Friday and a harbor reef cleanup led by divemaster candidates on Saturday, the weekend was a testament to Oceans 5’s unwavering commitment to marine protection and local community support.

Friday: Beach Cleanup in Front of Oceans 5

Friday afternoon saw a gathering of volunteers—locals, tourists, and divers—equipped with gloves, bags, and an inspiring determination to make a difference. The beach cleanup started in front of Oceans 5, where the team collected plastic bottles, wrappers, and other debris that had washed ashore. With the rainy season approaching, trash from rivers on Lombok often finds its way to Gili Air’s beaches. This creates an ongoing challenge for the island, but one that Oceans 5 tackles head-on with their weekly cleanups.

The efforts were both impactful and eye-opening. Over 40 kilograms of rubbish were collected in just a few hours, highlighting the importance of consistent action in addressing marine debris. Oceans 5’s beach cleanups aren’t just sporadic events; they’re part of a long-term strategy to protect Gili Air’s coastline and foster a sense of environmental responsibility among its community.

Why These Efforts Matter

Marine debris, particularly plastic, poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. Turtles, a common sight around the Gili Islands, can mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, leading to ingestion that can block their digestive systems. For Oceans 5, these cleanups are not merely about aesthetics—they are life-saving initiatives. By keeping the beaches clean, the dive center is safeguarding the habitat of the marine species that make the Gili Islands a global diving hotspot.

Saturday: Harbor Reef Cleanup with Divemaster Candidates

On Saturday, conservation efforts moved underwater. As part of their divemaster course, a group of candidates organized a reef cleanup in the harbor of Gili Air under the guidance of Instructor Chika. The harbor, a bustling point for boats and tourists, is also a hotspot for marine debris, particularly discarded fishing nets, ropes, and plastics.

The cleanup was a hands-on learning experience for the divemaster candidates, who were not only trained in underwater debris removal techniques but also educated on the importance of conservation as part of their professional dive training. Working as a team, they removed entangled nets that posed a threat to corals and marine life, including small fish and invertebrates that often become trapped.

Integrating Conservation into the Divemaster Course

At Oceans 5, conservation isn’t just a one-off event; it’s a core component of dive training. The divemaster course incorporates multiple conservation workshops, including underwater cleanups and educational sessions on marine ecology. By involving candidates in activities like the reef cleanup, Oceans 5 ensures that future dive professionals understand the critical role they play in marine protection.

“We believe that every diver has a responsibility to protect the ocean,” says Chika, the instructor leading Saturday’s cleanup. “By making conservation a part of the divemaster course, we’re not just creating dive leaders; we’re creating ocean ambassadors.”

Conservation as a Core Philosophy

Unlike many dive centers that use conservation as a marketing tool, Oceans 5 invests in tangible, ongoing initiatives. These events are not sponsored by NGOs or external donors; they are self-funded projects that reflect Oceans 5’s commitment to giving back to the local community and protecting the environment.

From teaching environmentally conscious diving techniques, such as maintaining neutral buoyancy to avoid damaging corals, to hosting educational talks on marine conservation, Oceans 5 integrates its philosophy into all its operations. This approach ensures that every diver who visits the center leaves with a greater appreciation for marine ecosystems and the knowledge to protect them.

A Broader Impact on the Local Community

The conservation weekend also showcased Oceans 5’s dedication to supporting Gili Air’s local community. By involving villagers, staff, and tourists in cleanup activities, the dive center fosters a sense of collective responsibility. The events create opportunities for locals to participate in environmental protection while benefiting from a cleaner and healthier island environment.

For instance, Rama, a 23-year-old local entrepreneur, collects plastic bottles and metal cans from the rubbish gathered during these cleanups. He has turned this into a small business, recycling the materials on Lombok. Initiatives like this highlight the ripple effects of Oceans 5’s conservation philosophy, inspiring others to take action and contribute to a sustainable future.

Going Beyond Cleanups

While beach and reef cleanups are essential, Oceans 5’s conservation efforts go much further. The dive center is a proud partner of the University of Mataram, providing students with opportunities to conduct marine surveys around the Gili Islands. This partnership helps increase understanding of the local ecosystem while training future marine scientists.

Oceans 5 also offers PADI AWARE courses, such as Dive Against Debris and Shark Conservation specialties, which educate divers on the threats facing marine life and equip them with skills to make a difference.

A Model for Conservation Dive Centers

Oceans 5 Gili Air sets a benchmark for what a conservation-focused dive center can achieve. By funding their initiatives and embedding conservation into their training and daily operations, they demonstrate that marine protection is not an optional extra—it’s a necessity. Their efforts create a lasting impact, not just for the Gili Islands but for the global diving community as well.

Join the Movement

Conservation weekends like this one are a call to action for divers and non-divers alike. Whether it’s picking up a piece of trash, participating in a cleanup, or simply diving responsibly, everyone can play a part in protecting our oceans.

If you’re visiting the Gili Islands, consider joining one of Oceans 5’s weekly beach cleanups or taking part in their PADI AWARE programs. Not only will you make a difference, but you’ll also be part of a community that values and protects the marine environment.

Conclusion

This weekend’s activities at Oceans 5 Gili Air were a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared goal of protecting the ocean. From the beach cleanup on Friday to the harbor reef cleanup on Saturday, the dedication of Oceans 5 and its community made a tangible difference to Gili Air’s environment.

Conservation isn’t just an event or a slogan at Oceans 5—it’s a way of life. And as this weekend proved, it’s a way of life that has the power to inspire change and protect the beautiful marine ecosystems that we all cherish.

Pointer Sticks in Underwater Guiding

Pointer sticks, often made of durable metals like stainless steel, are familiar tools in the diving world. Originally, these simple devices were created to aid dive guides and instructors in pointing out hard-to-spot marine life, ensuring their group of divers could share in the awe of the underwater world. However, in recent years, their usage has expanded far beyond their intended purpose, leading to practices that are debated within the diving community. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, a PADI Career Development Centre, the belief is firm: dive guides and instructors should prioritize excellent buoyancy skills and thoughtful interactions with marine life, championing the ocean without leaning on devices like pointer sticks for unnecessary tasks.

The Traditional Role of Pointer Sticks

The primary function of a pointer stick is straightforward: to indicate marine life or points of interest that divers might overlook. This simple act is invaluable when guiding groups through vibrant coral gardens or sites with camouflaged critters, where pointing with a finger might not suffice to convey detail from a distance. A well-used pointer stick helps enhance the dive experience, allowing divers to focus their attention on unique marine life without getting too close and disturbing the habitat.

The Misuse of Pointer Sticks as Buoyancy Aids

An increasing trend seen among dive instructors and guides is using pointer sticks as a buoyancy control device. Instead of relying on proper breath control and body positioning, some divers put their pointer sticks into the sand or reef to steady themselves, believing this compensates for inadequate buoyancy control. However, this practice is problematic for several reasons:

1. Environmental Harm: Touching or pushing into the sand or reef with any tool can cause damage. Even in sandy areas, excessive use of a pointer stick can disrupt benthic organisms living beneath the surface or create unnecessary clouding that impacts the visibility for other divers.
2. Misrepresentation of Skills: For instructors and guides, buoyancy should be second nature. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, it’s believed that professionals should set an example by demonstrating impeccable buoyancy skills. An instructor seen using a pointer stick for stabilization sends the wrong message to their students, implying that such reliance is acceptable when it isn’t.
3. Safety and Control: The reliance on a pointer stick for buoyancy hints at a potential lack of confidence in an instructor’s or guide’s own diving abilities. Divers look up to their guides and instructors as role models. Therefore, showcasing excellent buoyancy, even in challenging currents or near delicate corals, reinforces trust and respect for the professional leading them.

Oceans 5 Gili Air’s Perspective on Buoyancy and Advocacy

A key philosophy at Oceans 5 Gili Air is that a dive guide or instructor should always exhibit top-tier diving skills. This includes the ability to maintain buoyancy without using external tools. The role of a diving professional extends beyond just leading dives; they are advocates for ocean conservation. It’s vital that their actions reflect this responsibility. Why should someone guiding divers need to plant a stick into the sand for balance when the focus should be on preserving the underwater world in its natural state?

Professionals should inspire divers with their confidence and skill. If instructors rely on external devices to maintain their position, it diminishes their ability to advocate effectively for the ocean. By demonstrating superior buoyancy, instructors communicate that this skill is both achievable and essential for all divers who wish to minimize their impact on marine ecosystems.

Tapping for Attention: When Is It Really Necessary?

Another frequent use of the pointer stick is tapping it against the tank to create noise and draw attention. While this method is effective for urgent communication, its overuse can be distracting and counterproductive. Around the Gili Islands, the marine life often consists of non-moving or slow-moving creatures. It’s common to spot a hawksbill turtle grazing on coral or a well-camouflaged scorpionfish resting on the seabed—sightings that won’t vanish in a flash.

The argument for incessant tapping becomes weak when considering that these creatures remain visible long enough for the guide to signal divers without urgent noise. Divers are already attentive to their guide’s body language, hand signals, and general movements. A guide who is in charge and comfortable underwater doesn’t need to create constant noise to direct attention. There’s ample time to maneuver and signal divers naturally.

Alternatives to Tapping:

• Hand Signals and Body Language: Guides can rely on pre-dive briefings that outline specific signals for different types of marine life. Divers who are well-informed will know to watch for cues such as a closed fist for a turtle or a sweeping gesture for a school of fish.
• Positioning: Experienced guides know how to position themselves so that they can catch a diver’s eye without noise. A small wave of the hand or an exaggerated movement can be sufficient to guide attention.
• Patience: As long as the fish or animal isn’t fleeting, there is no rush. Instructing divers to approach calmly and slowly reduces the need for abrupt attention-getting measures.

Pointer Sticks for What They Were Meant For

There’s a clear, responsible way to use pointer sticks underwater. Dive guides should use them solely for their intended purpose: to highlight marine life from a respectful distance. This ensures that divers get the experience they came for without compromising the well-being of the animals or their surroundings. It’s also essential to wield the pointer stick carefully, ensuring it doesn’t come too close to the marine life being pointed out. Overeager gestures can distress fish and other creatures or even cause accidental contact.

Ethical Guidelines for Using Pointer Sticks:

• Maintain a Safe Distance: Avoid using the stick to touch or come excessively close to animals. Let them remain undisturbed.
• Limit Use: The stick should only come out when necessary and should not replace thoughtful guiding techniques or strong diving skills.
• Keep Interaction Minimal: Use the stick to guide eyes, not hands. Divers are there to witness, not intrude.

Reinforcing Positive Practices at Oceans 5 Gili Air

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, training emphasizes developing essential dive skills without shortcuts. New divers are taught how to master their buoyancy with nothing but their bodies and equipment, setting a strong foundation. Instructors and guides are similarly expected to display these skills, instilling in divers a culture of respect for the underwater environment.

Pointer sticks are seen as helpful tools for specific circumstances, not a crutch. This approach is part of a broader mission at Oceans 5 Gili Air: to ensure that every diver leaves with a deeper connection to the ocean and the know-how to protect it. Being an advocate means showing that interacting with the ocean is as much about what you don’t do—such as touching or disrupting—as what you actively practice.

Conclusion

Pointer sticks, when used appropriately, enhance the diving experience by drawing attention to hard-to-see marine life. However, their role has been misused over time, with some instructors using them as buoyancy aids or noise makers. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the belief is strong: diving professionals should be the best examples of skill and stewardship. They should use their pointer sticks to point out wonders, not as a buoyancy prop or an alarm bell. Instructors and dive guides must remember their responsibility to the ocean, showcasing strong, confident, and respectful diving practices that future divers can aspire to replicate