A Mission Beneath the Surface

It was an amazing evening in the harbor of Gili Air. As the sun began to set and painted the sky in soft hues of orange and pink, a dedicated team of divers gathered for a mission that went beyond exploration—it was about action, care, and commitment. This time, the cleanup dive was initiated by a passionate team of three IDC (Instructor Development Course) candidates and one Divemaster candidate from Oceans 5 Gili Air.

Their goal? To clean the underwater world right in front of the island, and to inspire others through action. What they achieved in just one dive was remarkable: they surfaced with 38 kilograms of marine debris, removing threats to the reef and marine life that call the harbor home.

This was no ordinary dive. It was a reflection of Oceans 5’s values: that every diver has a responsibility to protect the environment, and that even one dive—especially at the right moment—can make a difference.

Why a Harbor Cleanup at Sunset Matters

The Gili Air harbor is a bustling place during the day, full of fast boats, snorkelers, divers, and beachgoers. But in the evening, as the activity slows and the water calms, it reveals another side—one that often goes unseen. That’s when the Oceans 5 team slipped below the surface.

Even though the area is part of the Gili Matra Marine Park, trash still finds its way into the water. Seasonal currents, tides, and runoff from nearby islands funnel debris into the harbor—making it a hotspot for marine litter. Conducting the cleanup in the early evening not only gave the team better visibility but also highlighted the peaceful and rewarding experience of giving back to the ocean at dusk.

A Dive With a Purpose

As the light faded and dive torches clicked on, the team got to work. They didn’t dive for fun or training—they dove for impact.

With mesh bags in hand, they navigated the sandy bottom of the harbor, collecting everything from discarded plastics to fishing lines and rusted metal. The mood was focused but joyful. Every piece of trash recovered meant one less danger to the ocean.

And as they surfaced just after sunset, their bags heavy and their smiles wide, they knew they had done something meaningful. The total? 38 kilograms of harmful debris removed from the marine park. It was a dive that left everyone with a sense of pride—and a stronger connection to the underwater world they’ve pledged to protect.

Environmental Responsibility at the Heart of Oceans 5

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, conservation isn’t an add-on. It’s a way of life. Every diver who trains at the center, whether as a beginner or future instructor, is taught that respect for the marine environment is just as important as mastering buoyancy or navigation.

This cleanup dive was part of a larger philosophy: that dive professionals should lead by example. At Oceans 5, environmental ethics are built into every course and every briefing. There’s a strict no-touch policy, a focus on neutral buoyancy, and a clear message that the ocean is not our playground—it’s our responsibility.

The Role of IDC and Divemaster Candidates

The decision to let IDC and Divemaster candidates lead the cleanup was intentional. As future dive professionals, these individuals are the next generation of underwater ambassadors.

They didn’t just dive—they organized. They planned the cleanup, led the safety briefing, delegated roles, and motivated others. In doing so, they embodied the leadership and environmental values that Oceans 5 Gili Air strives to instill in every professional-level candidate.

By taking ownership of the project, they gained real-world experience that goes far beyond the pages of the PADI Instructor Manual. They became role models.

A Sunset That Sparked Conversations

The timing of the cleanup—just before and during sunset—gave the dive a magical quality. And it didn’t go unnoticed. Locals and tourists walking along the harbor stopped to ask questions, take photos, and even offer to help.

Once the team surfaced and laid out the trash they’d recovered, people gathered to look at what had been pulled from the sea. Flip-flops, plastic bottles, glass shards, bits of rope—it was a stark reminder of how much human waste ends up in our oceans. But it was also a powerful demonstration of what a few dedicated people can accomplish.

Make Your Dive Count—Join a Cleanup

Inspired? You don’t have to wait for the next organized cleanup to make a difference.

At Oceans 5, cleanup dives are open to anyone—certified divers, students, and even non-divers who want to join the Friday beach cleanups at 17:00. And if you’d like to do an underwater cleanup dive, just ask at the dive shop. The team will gladly help organize a safe, impactful experience for you.

Cleanup dives can also count toward the PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty or be part of the Eco Divemaster Internship, which integrates conservation into professional dive training.

Contact Oceans 5 to Get Involved

• WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
• Email: [email protected]
• Location: Right at the harbor, Gili Air, Indonesia

Whether you want to organize a personal cleanup dive, join the next event, or simply learn more about how to dive sustainably, Oceans 5 is ready to help.

What Was Found: The Dirty Truth

The 38kg of collected trash included:

• Plastics: Wrappers, bags, cups, straws
• Glass: Bottles and broken pieces
• Fishing Gear: Monofilament lines, hooks, sinkers
• Metals: Rusted cans, wires
• Rubber and Textiles: Flip-flops, fabric, old PPE

Each item collected represents potential danger for marine life—from entanglement and ingestion to habitat damage. That’s why every cleanup, no matter how small, matters.

Long-Term Conservation Goals

Oceans 5 doesn’t stop at cleanups. They actively partner with:

• University of Mataram – for long-term reef monitoring
• Gili Cares – for daily trash collection and island sustainability
• BKKPN – to enforce and promote marine park regulations
• Master Selam – to support sustainable dive practices and conservation equipment

Together, these partnerships help create a culture of continuous conservation—both on land and underwater.

The Real Value of a Dive

Too often, divers think of value in terms of visibility, marine life, and dive site fame. But dives like this evening’s harbor cleanup remind us of another kind of value: impact.

By cleaning the harbor, the IDC and Divemaster candidates made their mark not just as divers—but as stewards of the sea.

And they left behind more than a clean dive site. They left inspiration. They left awareness. And they sparked the kind of evening that reminds us why we fell in love with diving in the first place.

Ready to Dive With a Purpose?

Join us for a cleanup dive. Whether you’re a newly certified diver, a seasoned instructor, or someone who simply cares about our oceans, your effort makes a difference.

Together, we can ensure that Gili Air—and the world’s reefs—remain healthy, beautiful, and thriving for generations to come.

Next cleanup: Every Friday at 17:00
Underwater cleanup? Just request one at the Oceans 5 Dive Shop!

Let’s dive into action—because the ocean needs more than just visitors. It needs protectors.