Nitrox is a great option when diving the Gili Islands, especially on deeper dive sites.
Enriched Air Nitrox contains more oxygen and less nitrogen than regular air. This can give you a longer no-decompression limit at a given depth and reduce the amount of nitrogen you absorb during the dive.
Some sites around the Gilis really benefit from this extra time.
Deep Shark Point
Deep Shark Point is one of the more exciting deep dives around the Gili Islands.
The site is made up of deep ridges and channels where reef sharks can often be found. Whitetip and blacktip reef sharks move between the ridges, while trevally, barracuda and other larger fish can appear in the blue. When the current picks up, the site becomes even more active.
The deeper part of the site is where Nitrox becomes useful. There is plenty to see, and the extra no-decompression time means you don’t have to leave the deeper section quite as quickly.
Glenn Nusa
Glenn Nusa is another deeper site where we particularly like using Nitrox.
The wreck itself is interesting to explore, but there is also plenty happening around it. Large marine life can pass through the area, including reef sharks.
Because much of the dive is spent deeper, air can give you a fairly limited amount of time at the interesting part of the site. Nitrox gives you more time to enjoy it before moving shallower.
Deep Halik
Deep Halik is very different from the shallower Halik Reef.
The reef drops into a series of ridges and canyons, with beautiful hard and soft corals growing along the deeper sections. Reef sharks, eagle rays and large trevally can also be seen here.
The deeper sections can reach around 40 metres, so this is a dive for experienced divers with the appropriate (AOWD) certification and experience.
Nitrox is particularly useful when the dive profile allows you to spend significant time around the deeper part of the reef.
Deep Turbo
Deep Turbo is probably the most obvious Nitrox dive in the Gili Islands.
The site consists of impressive underwater ridges and seamounts rising from the deeper sandy bottom. Large sea fans and colourful hard and soft corals cover the reef, while the current can bring plenty of fish and occasional pelagic visitors through the area.
Much of the attraction is at around 30 metres. On air, your no-decompression time can disappear surprisingly quickly.
With Nitrox, you have considerably more time to enjoy the reef before you need to move shallower.
If you are doing a Nitrox dive around the Gilis, Deep Turbo is one of our first choices.
Soraya
Soraya is another excellent deeper dive.
The site is known for its impressive reef ridges and beautiful coral growth. Instead of one large wall, you explore different reef formations as you drift along.
There is plenty of marine life around the ridges, and the deeper sections are where the site really stands out.
Nitrox gives you more flexibility here. You can spend more time exploring the deeper reef before continuing with the shallower part of the dive.
Simon’s Reef
Simon’s is located north of Gili Meno and is one of the more interesting deep reefs around the islands.
The site consists of a series of underwater seamounts rising from roughly 35 metres. Several large pinnacles are arranged across the reef, with impressive hard corals, soft corals and large gorgonian fans. Schools of fish are common, especially when there is current.
The average depth is around 25 metres, making Simon’s a very good candidate for Nitrox diving.
Is Nitrox Only Useful for Deep Dives?
Not at all.
Deep sites are where the advantage is most obvious, but almost any dive in the Gili Islands can be a good Nitrox dive.
This is especially true when you’re doing several dives a day. Using enriched air means breathing less nitrogen than you would on regular air, giving you additional no-decompression margin during repetitive diving.
Of course, Nitrox does not mean unlimited bottom time. Your maximum operating depth still depends on the oxygen percentage in your tank, and your dive computer needs to be set correctly for the mix you’re using.
For regular recreational diving, Nitrox is simply another useful tool for planning your dives.
Want to Learn Nitrox?
If you’ve never used enriched air before, an Enriched Air Nitrox course is a great addition to your diving skills.
The course teaches you how Nitrox works, how to analyse your tank, calculate your oxygen exposure and correctly set your dive computer.
And once you’ve completed the course, you can use Nitrox on all your dives around the Gili Islands.