Dive tips, marine life insights, and stories from the underwater world of Gili.
Discover the sharks of the Gili Islands, from resident whitetip and blacktip reef sharks to rare whale shark sightings, and learn how these important predators are making a comeback.
Discover the fascinating octopuses of the Gili Islands, from common reef octopuses and mimic octopuses to coconut and blue-ringed octopuses. Learn about their incredible camouflage, intelligence, three hearts, blue blood and remarkable behaviour.
Discover the best dive sites for underwater photography in the Gili Islands and Lombok, from turtle and shark encounters to colourful reefs, frogfish, nudibranchs, seahorses, mimic octopus and other fascinating macro life.
Discover the best drift dives in the Gili Islands, from the long reef at Halik and Shark Point’s deep ridges to the west coast of Gili Meno, Soraya, Hans Reef and Air Wall.
Discover the incredible marine life of the Gili Islands, from green and hawksbill turtles and reef sharks to rays, octopus, cuttlefish, colourful reef fish and fascinating macro creatures.
Discover the best shallow dive sites in the Gili Islands, from turtle-filled Halik and colourful Shallow Turbo to Hans Reef, Meno Wall, Turtle City and Air Wall. Find out which sites are best for children and nervous first-time divers.
Discover the best Nitrox dives in the Gili Islands, including Deep Turbo, Deep Halik, Deep Shark Point, Glenn Nusa, Soraya and Simon’s Reef, and learn why enriched air can be a great choice for diving the Gilis.
Discover the best macro dive sites in the Gili Islands and Lombok, from reef sites like Bounty Wreck and Hans Reef to muck diving favourites such as Gili Air Harbour, Kecinan, Mentigi Bay and Teluk Nare.
Discover Gili Air Harbour, a unique muck diving site where coral blocks, moorings and sandy habitats attract mandarin fish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, shrimp and colourful nudibranchs—making it a rewarding spot for underwater photography.
Read our August 2026 Gili Islands diving report, covering exceptional visibility, mild currents, cold water, low tides and unforgettable encounters with turtles, mobulas, whale sharks and frogfish.
Discover Teluk Nare, also known as Teluk Nara or Magic Pier, one of the Gili Islands’ most famous muck dive sites. Explore its incredible macro life, from frogfish and ghost pipefish to nudibranchs and mandarin fish, while learning how to dive this busy working harbour safely.
Explore Mentigi Bay, also known as Seahorse Bay, a sheltered muck dive near Kecinan on Lombok. Discover seahorses, frogfish, ribbon eels, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus and other fascinating macro life.
Discover why Kecinan is a favourite among macro photographers, with seahorses, frogfish, ghost pipefish and countless other critters hidden throughout this large Lombok bay.
Discover what muck diving is, why it is a favourite among macro photographers, what marine life you can find, and the best muck dive sites around the Gili Islands and Lombok.
Discover the best Gili Islands dive sites for coral, from colourful shallow gardens and coral plateaus to stunning deep ridges, walls and soft corals.
Discover the best Gili Islands dive sites for turtle encounters, from Halik and Turtle City to Hans Reef, Bounty and Meno Wall.
Master underwater photography with practical tips on camera settings, composition, lighting and marine life—plus techniques for capturing stunning dive photos.
Discover how Biorock technology is helping restore coral reefs around the world. Learn how a gentle electrical current accelerates coral growth, why the Gili Islands are home to one of the world’s largest Biorock projects
Explore Simon’s Reef, one of the most exciting advanced dive sites in the Gili Islands. Located offshore between Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, this spectacular pinnacle system features towering coral bommies, deep canyons, giant barrel sponges, white-tip reef sharks, schooling trevallies, barracuda and fusiliers.
Curious about drift diving? Learn how drift dives work, why currents create healthier reefs, how dive boats follow divers instead of anchoring, and the techniques that make diving in current safe and enjoyable. This complete guide also explains negative entries, SMBs, current checks and the PADI Drift Diver Specialty offered in the Gili Islands.
Discover Trawangan Slope, a quiet shore dive on Gili Trawangan best known for training and night dives rather than dramatic scenery. While the sandy slope and scattered coral bommies are less spectacular than other Gili Islands dive sites, turtles, cuttlefish and nocturnal marine life still make it an enjoyable dive.
Discover the Glenn Nusa Wreck, an advanced dive site and thriving artificial reef off Gili Trawangan. Descend through blue water onto a 22-metre tugboat covered in corals, surrounded by humpback snappers, giant trevallies and white-tip reef sharks.
How does a tiny coral larva become an entire coral reef? Discover how coral polyps slowly build reefs over thousands of years, learn the difference between fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls.
Discover Meno Slope, one of the most versatile dive sites in the Gili Islands. Stretching along the entire western coast of Gili Meno, this gentle drift dive features colourful coral gardens, healthy coral bommies, abundant turtles and fascinating macro life.
Discover Shallow Turbo, also known as Basket Coral Garden. Explore crystal-clear water, healthy shallow coral gardens, impressive basket corals, ribbon eels, reef sharks and vibrant macro life.
Planning the perfect dive starts long before the boat leaves the harbour. Discover how our instructors choose the best dive sites in the Gili Islands by combining tide charts, weather forecasts, current direction, visibility, marine life sightings and years of local experience. Because there isn’t one “best” dive site—there is only the best dive site for today.
Discover Air Wall, one of the Gili Islands’ most underrated dive sites. Drift along a dramatic reef wall, explore colourful coral gardens, search for nudibranchs and shrimp, and finish the dive amongst healthy shallow reefs where turtles are frequently seen. Suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Artificial reefs are more than sunken ships and underwater sculptures. Discover how Biorocks, shipwrecks, statues, and coral restoration projects create new marine habitats, attract incredible biodiversity, and support reef conservation in the Gili Islands.
How does an entire coral reef begin? Discover the remarkable life cycle of corals, from spectacular mass spawning events. Learn how coral reproduction keeps reefs alive and why protecting healthy reefs is essential for the future of our oceans.
Coral spawning is one of the ocean’s most spectacular natural events. Discover how millions of coral eggs and sperm are released into the sea, learn why this annual phenomenon is essential for healthy reefs.
Discover what’s happening beneath the surface in the Gili Islands this month. This monthly diving update highlights the latest marine life sightings, reef conditions, visibility, and underwater trends observed across hundreds of dives around Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air, and Lombok.
Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they support a quarter of all marine life. Discover why coral reefs are essential for turtles, sharks, tropical islands and coastal communities.
A single boat anchor can destroy coral colonies that have taken decades to grow. Discover why anchors are one of the greatest threats to coral reefs, how mooring buoys protect reefs.
Healthy coral reefs depend on much more than corals alone. Discover how parrotfish, surgeonfish, cleaner wrasse, reef sharks, and countless other species work together to keep coral reefs alive.
Some coral colonies alive today began growing hundreds of years ago. Discover why massive corals can outlive generations of marine life, how scientists estimate their age, and why these ancient reef builders are among the most valuable animals in the oceans.
The Gili Islands are home to some of Indonesia’s most innovative coral restoration projects. Discover how the Gili Eco Trust pioneered the famous Biorock reefs, learn about Coral Catch’s restoration work on Gili Air, and explore how local communities are helping rebuild coral reefs in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
What is the difference between soft coral and hard coral? Learn how hard corals build reefs, why soft corals add colour and biodiversity, and discover which reef organisms are often mistaken for corals.
From branching corals and giant table corals to brain corals and underwater coral gardens, every reef tells a story. Learn how to identify the most common hard coral growth forms found in the Gili Islands.
Coral bleaching is one of the most misunderstood threats facing coral reefs. Learn what causes corals to turn white, why bleaching does not always mean death, and how the reefs of the Gili Islands escaped much of the devastating 2016 global bleaching event.
Corals are not plants or rocks—they are animals. Discover how tiny coral polyps build entire reef ecosystems, learn about their remarkable partnership with zooxanthellae, and understand why healthy corals are essential for the marine life.
The Coral Triangle is the most biodiverse marine region on Earth and the reason Indonesia offers some of the best scuba diving in the world. Discover why the reefs of the Gili Islands are part of this underwater wonder, learn what makes the Coral Triangle so unique.
Learn how healthy reefs support turtles, sharks, and thousands of marine species, discover the signs of a thriving reef ecosystem, and explore the challenges and conservation efforts shaping the future of coral reefs in Indonesia.
Soraya, also known as Mirko’s, is one of the most beautiful and underrated dive sites in the Gili Islands. Located between Gili Air and Gili Meno, the site is famous for its coral-covered ridges, colourful sea fans, pygmy seahorses, and occasional eagle ray encounters.
Soraya, also known as Mirko’s, is one of the most beautiful and underrated dive sites in the Gili Islands. Located between Gili Air and Gili Meno, the site is famous for its coral-covered ridges, colourful sea fans, pygmy seahorses, and occasional eagle ray encounters.
Soraya, also known as Mirko’s, is one of the most beautiful and underrated dive sites in the Gili Islands. Located between Gili Air and Gili Meno, the site is famous for its coral-covered ridges, colourful sea fans, pygmy seahorses, and occasional eagle ray encounters.
Sunset Reef is one of the most colourful and diverse dive sites in the Gili Islands. Famous for healthy coral gardens, excellent visibility, hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, and occasional pelagic visitors, it offers something for every diver.
Trying to decide which of the Gili Islands is best for your trip? From the busy nightlife and crowds of Gili Trawangan to the trendy café culture of Gili Air and the peaceful simplicity of Gili Meno, each island has its own unique vibe. The real question is not which island is best — but which one feels most like your version of paradise.
Hans Reef, also known as Frogfish Point, is one of the best macro dive sites in the Gili Islands. Centered around the coral pinnacle known as The Brainiac, the site offers a fascinating mix of coral bommies, hidden critters, sleeping turtles, and healthy reef life.
Meno Wall is one of the most diverse dive sites in the Gili Islands. Known for frequent turtle encounters, mostly good coral coverage, fascinating macro life, and generally calm conditions, it offers something for every diver.
Deep Turbo is one of the most exciting dive sites in the Gili Islands. Famous for its underwater ridges, strong currents, and abundant marine life, the site offers thrilling drift dives.
Is scuba diving dangerous for beginners? The short answer is: not when it is taught properly. Learn why calm instruction, warm tropical water, and relaxed conditions help first-time divers feel safe, confident, and surprisingly comfortable underwater.
Halik is one of the most complete dive sites on the Gili Islands, combining vibrant coral gardens, turtles, sharks, and spectacular fish life in a single dive.
Indonesia is home to some of the most spectacular diving on Earth, from the coral reefs of the Gili Islands to the manta rays of Komodo National Park and the biodiversity of Raja Ampat. But these underwater treasures face ongoing challenges, including the legacy of dynamite fishing, pollution, and increasing tourism pressure. Discover why choosing environmentally responsible dive operators, especially Green Fins members, can help protect Indonesia’s reefs while ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy some of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet.
Coral reefs around the Gili Islands face growing threats from climate change, plastic pollution, poor practices, and coral bleaching. But protecting the ocean is not only about huge global solutions — small everyday choices matter too.
Did Pixar get clownfish right in Finding Nemo? Not quite. Discover the surprising truth about real anemonefish, including why Nemo’s dad would have changed into his mother, why clownfish rarely leave their anemones, and why these tiny reef fish are far more territorial than the movie suggests. Plus, learn where you can meet Nemo’s real-life relatives while snorkeling and diving around the beautiful reefs of the Gili Islands
Think Gili Meno is completely quiet after sunset? Think again. From live music at Sasak Cafe & Bar and Adeng-Adeng Restaurant to sunset DJs at BASK Gili Meno and fire shows at Malfina Beach Bar & Restaurant, the island offers a surprisingly vibrant nightlife scene. Expect beachfront cocktails, acoustic music, island vibes, and unforgettable evenings under the stars — all without losing the relaxed charm that makes Gili Meno so special.
The beauty of the Gili Islands depends on all of us. From choosing eco-conscious restaurants and dive centers to respecting coral reefs, protecting marine life, and joining local beach cleanups, small actions can make a big difference. Learn how to be a responsible traveler and help preserve the turtles, coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters that make the Gilis one of Indonesia’s most beloved island destinations.
Pufferfish are among the most fascinating creatures you can encounter while snorkeling or diving around the Gili Islands. But how do they actually puff up? Discover the surprising science behind their famous defense mechanism, why they inflate using water rather than air, how they protect themselves with powerful toxins, and the bizarre story of dolphins playing with pufferfish. Packed with fun facts, this article explores one of the reef’s strangest and most lovable characters.
The Gili Islands and Komodo National Park are two of Indonesia’s most famous diving destinations — but they offer completely different experiences. Discover why the Gilis are perfect for warm water, turtles, coral reefs, and beginner-friendly diving, while Komodo delivers stronger currents, colder water, manta rays, sharks, and some of the most spectacular big-animal diving on the planet. We compare accessibility, marine life, conditions, and whether a Komodo liveaboard is worth it for serious divers.
Whether you call it Turtle Heaven, Turtle City, or Turtle Point, this iconic dive site between Gili Meno and Gili Air is famous for one thing: turtles. Lots of them. Combined with beautiful coral gardens, excellent visibility, and a reef that slopes into deeper water, it is one of the most versatile dive sites on the Gili Islands. Perfect for both beginner divers hoping to see their first turtle and experienced divers looking for a scenic deep dive, Turtle Heaven remains a favorite among visitors and local dive guides alike.
