Welcome to our Gili Islands Diving Update blog for July 2026!
July has delivered some of the best diving conditions of the year so far. Crystal-clear water, excellent visibility and plenty of exciting marine life have made every day on the reef a little different.
Here are some of the highlights our instructors have observed during hundreds of dives around the Gili Islands this month.
Visibility Reached 35 Metres
The first half of July brought exceptionally clear water.
Visibility reached around 35 metres on several dives, particularly around Turtle City and Halik, making it one of the best months for underwater photography.
The combination of clear seas and excellent sunlight made the coral reefs look particularly vibrant.
The Water Is Slowly Cooling
Although the water is still wonderfully warm, temperatures have gradually dropped to around 27°C.
The slightly cooler water is typical for this time of year as the southeast trade winds become more established.
Many divers actually prefer these conditions, as cooler water often brings increased fish activity and excellent visibility.
Turtle City Is Full of Life
Turtle City has been living up to its name.
Large schools of reef fish have gathered across the site, creating spectacular scenes around the coral gardens.
We’ve also noticed:
- More triggerfish than usual.
- Increased numbers of lionfish.
- Lots of tiny baby octopuses hiding amongst the reef.
The combination of schooling fish and excellent visibility has made Turtle City one of our favourite dives this month.
Five Eagle Rays at Meno Wall
One of the standout encounters this month came at Meno Wall.
During a single dive, our guides spotted five eagle rays gracefully cruising along the reef.
While eagle rays are never guaranteed, July has certainly been a good month for these elegant visitors.
As always, it pays to spend a little time looking into the blue.
Bounty Wreck Is Full of Turtles
We’ve been seeing more turtles than usual around the Bounty Wreck.
Several individuals have taken up residence around the artificial reef and surrounding coral gardens, making turtle encounters almost routine on many dives.
It is another reminder that artificial reefs can become important habitats for marine life over time.
Hans Reef Continues to Impress
Hans Reef has remained one of the most consistent dive sites throughout July.
Turtle sightings have been exceptional, with numerous green turtles resting amongst the coral.
The nearby coral restoration area has also become increasingly vibrant.
Schools of juvenile reef fish now surround the growing corals, making this section of the dive more colourful every week.
It’s encouraging to see just how much life these restored reefs are attracting.
Halik Is Full of Porcupinefish
Divers finishing their dives at Halik have been greeted by an unusually high number of porcupinefish.
Several individuals have been spotted around the end of the reef, often resting quietly beneath coral ledges during the day.
Combined with the site’s famous turtles and healthy coral walls, Halik continues to be one of the most reliable all-round dive sites on the Gili Islands.
Fewer Remoras on the Turtles
One interesting observation this month has been the noticeably lower number of remoras attached to turtles.
Many of the resident turtles appear to be swimming without their usual hitchhikers.
Whether this is simply a seasonal change or part of a longer-term pattern remains to be seen, but it’s something we’ll continue to keep an eye on over the coming months.
Looking Ahead
With the dry season now in full swing, we expect the excellent visibility to continue throughout August.
Water temperatures are likely to remain around 27°C, while the stronger seasonal currents may increase opportunities to encounter larger pelagic species such as reef sharks and eagle rays.
As always, every day underwater is different—and that’s exactly what makes diving in the Gili Islands so special.
We’ll be back next month with another update from beneath the surface.
Planning a trip? See how diving conditions, marine life and visibility change from month to month in the Gili Islands. Explore all our monthly diving reports here: