Dive Site: Gili Trawangan

About Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three Gili Islands, is renowned for its exceptional scuba diving, located off the northwest coast of Lombok. It attracts divers of all levels with its consistently warm water, excellent visibility, and abundant marine ecosystems. The island offers a dynamic environment, blending a lively atmosphere with world-class diving infrastructure, making it a popular choice for both certifications and fun dives. The dive sites around Gili Trawangan feature diverse topography, including deep ridges, drop-offs extending beyond 50 meters, sloping reefs with coral gardens, and canyons. Depths can range from shallow coral fields at 5 meters to deeper areas reaching 40-50 meters, accommodating a wide array of dive experiences from gentle slopes to thrilling drift dives. Marine life is a significant draw, with green and hawksbill sea turtles being incredibly common sightings throughout the year. Divers frequently encounter blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling jackfish. The reefs also host a rich macro environment, home to nudibranchs, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and seahorses, alongside a colorful array of tropical fish such as clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. Diving here is primarily conducted via short boat rides from the island, with many sites offering drift diving due to prevailing currents. Conditions are generally calm, and dive centers ensure tailored experiences, often maintaining small diver-to-guide ratios even during busy periods. This focus on personalized diving ensures a high-quality experience for every visitor.

Dive site facts: Gili Trawangan

Depth

5–50 m

Typical dive

12–30 m, 45–60 min

Current

Mild to strong, often drift dives

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

All levels, AOWD recommended for deeper sites

Dive type

Reef, drift, wreck, macro

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Lombok, Indonesia

Coordinates

8.3500° S, 116.0400° E

Conditions & Currents

Diving around Gili Trawangan frequently involves drift dives due to prevalent currents, which vary in strength and direction depending on the site and lunar cycle. Sites like Halik and Deep Turbo are particularly known for their currents, attracting schools of fish and offering exhilarating experiences. While many sites offer calm conditions, divers should be prepared for moderate to strong currents at certain locations and times, especially at deeper sites or those exposed to the Lombok Strait. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 meters, with drier months offering the clearest conditions. Water temperatures remain comfortably warm, between 27°C and 30°C, throughout the year, meaning thermoclines are not a common concern. Dive entries are typically made from boats, positioning divers for optimal drift along the reefs.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green sea turtle

Year-round · common

Hawksbill turtle

Year-round · common

Blacktip reef shark

Year-round · occasional

Whitetip reef shark

Year-round · occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Moray eel

common

Blue-spotted stingray

common

Giant trevally

occasional

Nudibranch

common

Frogfish

occasional

Ghost pipefish

occasional

Seahorse

occasional

Clownfish

common

Bumphead parrotfish

Full moon · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives around Gili Trawangan typically begin with a boat entry, positioning divers for a drift along the reef. For sites like Shark Point, you'll often drop onto deep ridges, descending to depths around 25-30 meters to explore a tug boat wreck. The dive then progresses shallower, moving towards the shore where you can find extensive coral fields and bommies, often between 5-18 meters. At Halik, the reef starts at 6 meters, with advanced divers exploring canyons down to 40 meters. Current conditions dictate the drift speed, allowing you to effortlessly glide past gorgonian fans and schooling fish. Safety stops are usually conducted in the shallower sections of the reef, often amidst healthy coral gardens, making for a scenic end to the dive.

Underwater photography

Gili Trawangan offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For vibrant reefscapes and schooling fish, a wide-angle lens is ideal. Capture the large gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges, and the overall health of the coral gardens. Macro enthusiasts will find a wealth of subjects, including numerous nudibranch species, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and seahorses, particularly at sites with smaller caves and crevices. A macro lens with dedicated strobes or a snoot will help highlight these often-camouflaged creatures. When photographing turtles, maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them as they rest or feed. Buoyancy control is paramount to protect the delicate corals and to achieve clear, in-focus shots in the frequently moving conditions of drift dives.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Shark Point

  Famous for sharks and turtles, tugboat wreck.

• Halik

  Great for drift diving, diverse marine life, barrel sponges.

• Deep Turbo

  Exciting drift, large schools of fish, reef sharks.

• Biorock

  Coral restoration project, abundant reef fish and critters.

• Simon’s Reef

  Deeper site with canyons and bommies, schooling fish.

• Sunset Reef

  Sloping reef on the south-west side, good for sharks and sweetlips.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Gili Trawangan is straightforward, primarily via fast boat transfers from Bali (Padang Bai, Serangan) or Lombok (Bangsal Harbor). Travelers typically fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali or Lombok International Airport (LOP). Once on the island, motorized vehicles are prohibited, so transport is limited to bicycles, walking, or horse-drawn carriages. Dive trips typically involve day boat excursions to various sites around the Gili Islands. There are no specific dive permits mentioned, but standard dive center fees apply. It is common to combine diving in Gili Trawangan with stays on Gili Meno or Gili Air, offering a varied island and dive experience within the same trip.

Safety & environment

Diver safety in Gili Trawangan is supported by local dive centers adhering to international standards. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Mataram City, Lombok. In the event of a dive emergency requiring evacuation, transportation to Lombok would typically involve a fast boat, followed by land transfer to Mataram. Divers should ensure they have comprehensive dive insurance covering medical emergencies and evacuation. Site-specific hazards include varying current strengths, which can range from mild to strong, necessitating good buoyancy control and experience with drift diving. Always follow your dive guide's instructions, maintain a safe distance from marine life, and never touch the coral to preserve the fragile ecosystem. Water temperatures are consistently warm, minimizing cold-related risks, and visibility is generally good.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Gili Trawangan FAQ

Liveaboards diving Gili Trawangan

These liveaboards may visit Gili Trawangan on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$274/day

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m

$361/day

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$427/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$328/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$355/day

Pearl of Papua

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

14 guests30 m

$303/day

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m