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Slow Poke it with Sea Turtles in the Gili Islands, Indonesia
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Indonesia 
The Experience
The Gili Islands is a cluster of three small islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia; which plainly put—is a hedonistic diving paradise. The name Gili Islands is a somewhat redundant name as "Gili" means "small island." But between Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, the aura here is anything but small, drawing beach bums and backpackers alike to its popular parties and reggae-induced relaxation. No matter which island you stay at, Gili diving is phenomenal.
Scuba enthusiasts swoon over Gili diving for its impressive array of vibrant reef life, excellent visibility, and mobs of hawksbill turtles! The appeal doesn't stop at unforgettable diving; the Gili Islands offer a slower change of pace for those on tour through the Bali and Lombok area. In the absence of motorized vehicles, a pleasant spin on a bike or ride in a local cidomo (horse-drawn cart) around the island circuit will lead you to countless vacant beaches, savory shore-side BBQ's, and plenty of inviting hooch huts.
For the Gili Islands, which are only a few kilometers in size, it would seem that each small stretch of white sandy beach is the portal to an array of abundant sea life. Imperceptible from its demur demeanor, Gili diving can have substantial currents in some areas, and thus many of the dives here are drift dives. There are a variety of dive topographies to choose from, including ridges, canyons, walls, slopes, and even bio rock structures, each of which enchant all who venture there.
A Gili diving highlight is of course the hawksbill turtles, which has afforded Gili Islands the title of "turtle capital of the world." Halik reef is a nice easy dive, and here you can stay around 15–18 meters and enjoy a multitude of turtle encounters.
Shark Point is a little bit of a deeper dive, around 25–30 meters, but here you will not only find the much-loved hawksbill turtles, but also a healthy stock of other high profile sea creatures such as black and white reef tip sharks, blue ribbon eels, rays and cuttlefish.
No Gili diving trip would be complete without a visit to Hanns Reef, a very popular muck dive site where we had the pleasure of viewing some of the rare and camouflaged creatures of the sea. Many beginner divers love the thrill of the larger pelagic creatures, but serious respect should be given to the smaller and lesser spotted life forms found here, such as the pygmy sea horse, frog fish, flying gurnards and tiny saddled tobies. Although not as easy to spot, the wave of excitement that knocks you over when you see a tiny pygmy seahorse clinging almost indecipherable from a coral fan is something worth taking the extra time to look for.
After a long day of Gili diving, grab a hut along the beach or throw down a brew at a communal dinner table, and kick back and relax to some live reggae. At the sight of stars over the island, you will (without a doubt) agree that you are in some rare area where the heavens and earth have merged. The beautiful Gili diving, paired with luminescent stars that, it seems, you can almost reach out and touch, makes anything seem possible here.
Scuba enthusiasts swoon over Gili diving for its impressive array of vibrant reef life, excellent visibility, and mobs of hawksbill turtles! The appeal doesn't stop at unforgettable diving; the Gili Islands offer a slower change of pace for those on tour through the Bali and Lombok area. In the absence of motorized vehicles, a pleasant spin on a bike or ride in a local cidomo (horse-drawn cart) around the island circuit will lead you to countless vacant beaches, savory shore-side BBQ's, and plenty of inviting hooch huts.
For the Gili Islands, which are only a few kilometers in size, it would seem that each small stretch of white sandy beach is the portal to an array of abundant sea life. Imperceptible from its demur demeanor, Gili diving can have substantial currents in some areas, and thus many of the dives here are drift dives. There are a variety of dive topographies to choose from, including ridges, canyons, walls, slopes, and even bio rock structures, each of which enchant all who venture there.
A Gili diving highlight is of course the hawksbill turtles, which has afforded Gili Islands the title of "turtle capital of the world." Halik reef is a nice easy dive, and here you can stay around 15–18 meters and enjoy a multitude of turtle encounters.
Shark Point is a little bit of a deeper dive, around 25–30 meters, but here you will not only find the much-loved hawksbill turtles, but also a healthy stock of other high profile sea creatures such as black and white reef tip sharks, blue ribbon eels, rays and cuttlefish.
No Gili diving trip would be complete without a visit to Hanns Reef, a very popular muck dive site where we had the pleasure of viewing some of the rare and camouflaged creatures of the sea. Many beginner divers love the thrill of the larger pelagic creatures, but serious respect should be given to the smaller and lesser spotted life forms found here, such as the pygmy sea horse, frog fish, flying gurnards and tiny saddled tobies. Although not as easy to spot, the wave of excitement that knocks you over when you see a tiny pygmy seahorse clinging almost indecipherable from a coral fan is something worth taking the extra time to look for.
After a long day of Gili diving, grab a hut along the beach or throw down a brew at a communal dinner table, and kick back and relax to some live reggae. At the sight of stars over the island, you will (without a doubt) agree that you are in some rare area where the heavens and earth have merged. The beautiful Gili diving, paired with luminescent stars that, it seems, you can almost reach out and touch, makes anything seem possible here.
When to Go to Diving Gili
The best time for Gili diving is January through April. Although this falls within the rainy season, which runs roughly from November to April, it avoids peak tourist seasons of July through August and December. Keep in mind that it rains a lot less here then it does in Bali; and while we were there in April, there was no rain at all.
There are no airports on the Gili Islands, and the best way to get there is to fly into Bali or Lombok and take a boat over. There are approximately four regular boats to the Gili Islands from Bali, which typically take two hours to get there and cost roughly US$70. Alternatively, getting to the Gili Islands from Lombok, your best bet is to grab a boat ride over from Senggigi.
There are no airports on the Gili Islands, and the best way to get there is to fly into Bali or Lombok and take a boat over. There are approximately four regular boats to the Gili Islands from Bali, which typically take two hours to get there and cost roughly US$70. Alternatively, getting to the Gili Islands from Lombok, your best bet is to grab a boat ride over from Senggigi.
Odds n' Ends
Gili dive prices run about $US35, and if you bundle it with accommodations you can generally get a better deal. The Gili Islands are known for there scuba teaching, and offer Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and other specialty training here as well. Gili Trawangan is the most developed of the three islands and houses the majority of dive shops, accommodations, and all around night life. Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest, while Gili Air is closest to the mainland and maintains the largest population of locals.
If you‘re not a diver, you can always just grab a mask and a snorkel and wade out from the beach. Dollars to doughnuts you'll bump into a school of fish and hordes of other interesting things. The best place to snorkel off Gili Trawangan is the north coast close to Karma Kayak, or along the main beach near Villa Almarik.
Remember to respect all ocean life, and do not disturb or touch living creatures.
If you‘re not a diver, you can always just grab a mask and a snorkel and wade out from the beach. Dollars to doughnuts you'll bump into a school of fish and hordes of other interesting things. The best place to snorkel off Gili Trawangan is the north coast close to Karma Kayak, or along the main beach near Villa Almarik.
Remember to respect all ocean life, and do not disturb or touch living creatures.
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