Indonesia’s beautifully peaceful Gili Islands offer divers the chance to explore what is known as the world’s turtle capital, where almost twenty incredible dive sites await. Here, you will discover amazing underwater architecture, with sweeping slopes and steep canyons, beautifully colored walls and ridges that teem with life in such diverse abundance that it can be hard to decide which way to go.
Whether you hope to encounter a whale shark or swim with manta rays, or simply enjoy the peaceful company of the curious sea turtles that live in the area, you are certain to enjoy diving Gili Islands. Let’s take a look at some of the best sites the region has to offer.
Shark Point
Shark Point is a dive suitable for all levels, and provides the rare opportunity to view larger pelagics and even see the phenomenon of schooling bumphead parrot fish that happens each time the moon is full. Here, a sandy, almost flat bottom leads to a series of canyons that are parallel the shoreline. They become progressively deeper until they disappear into the big blue.
Located on the west coast of Gili Trawangan, the Shark Point dive site is the best place to see reef sharks basking on the bottom and swimming to and fro over the canyon cuts. Besides the sharks, you are likely to spot large rays and schooling trevally, plus octopus and cuttlefish hiding in sheltered areas. Watch for stingrays and turtles in the shallow areas, and keep an eye out for barracuda! Devil rays, eagle rays, and blue spotted rays are also commonly seen in the vicinity.
Manta Point
Manta Point is located on Gili Trawangan’s south side, and features a wide variety of both hard and soft corals, as well as table coral and big bommies that shelter an array of colorful reef fish.
The reef here slopes very gently and there is barely ever any current, which makes this site ideal for divers of all levels. Manta rays, sting rays, reef sharks, and a variety of octopus and cuttlefish accompany the occasional masked spotted rays and bull rays that visit manta point regularly. Watch for turtles, dog tooth tuna, and big pelagics, and keep an eye out for snoozing sharks!
Simon’s Reef
Deeper than many Gili Island dive sites, Simon’s Reef is suitable for advanced divers only! The deep reef here is home to an amazing array of some of the world’s best and healthiest coral formations, as well as a wide variety of fish and other creatures.
Pygmy sea horses hide in massive gorgonians, and all kinds of rays lie in the deep sandy areas, where they are safest from prowling sharks. Overhangs and rock formations all along the reef make excellent hideouts for moray eels and bigger pelagics, and soft coral in brilliant shades provides an incredibly colored backdrop that makes this dive a favorite.
Massive coral mounds interrupt schooling jacks and yellowtail tuna, while bannerfish add even more color to this ambient dive. The current is normally moderate, however it can provide for quite a rush sometimes, and at other times the site may be calm. Overall, this dive provides even the most jaded diver with a great experience.
Deep Turbos
Advanced divers and above will enjoy all the thrills the Deep Turbos dive site has to offer. With a sandy bottom situated between good sized mounds, and a wealth of deep overhangs and outcroppings, the environment here is attractive to sharks and barracuda, as well as moray eels. A delightful eel garden sprouts from the sand and colorful coral of all kinds are present throughout the site. Watch for smaller creatures hiding in the sea fans here, and look for pelagics, as well!
Meno Wall
Not just one wall, but two make Meno Wall a spectacular dive, day or night! Ideal for all levels, this lovely wall system includes a wall that runs from five to sixteen meters, and a second wall that leads to about twenty meters. Here, you will find an incredible array of crustaceans including shrimp and lobster, as well as massive sponge crabs and tiny coral crabs. Spanish dancers and a whole host of nudibranchs cover both walls, along with soft coral and sponges.
One of the most interesting populations here, juvenile cuttlefish, allows you to see how these incredible creatures develop. They come out at night, after the big fish go to sleep, and the sight of the green turtles resting after a long day of swimming and snacking is just amazing.
During the day, you’ll see the turtles feeding, and you will enjoy the sight of anemone swarming with brilliant anemonefish, as well as hundreds of fusiliers and a wide array of reef fish, including sweetlips and Moorish idols, squirrelfish, and soldier fish. It is not uncommon to see a white tip reef shark or two cruising past!
Takat Malang (Malang Reef)
While Takat Malang is one of the Gili Islands best dive sites, it is also suitable for divers of every level. The dive takes place over a sloping coral bed with massive coral heads along a plateau at just fifteen meters. Massive gorgonians and their resident seahorses accentuate the heads, and soft coral erupts all around. Though the current can be strong on occasion, it is normally very calm here, which makes photographing the large fish and small macro life that populate the site a pleasure.
Bounty
The Bounty dive site consists of an old pier that has attracted a healthy population of hard and soft corals, as well as swirling schools of drum that circle the area endlessly. Eagle rays swoop through the water and there is an incredible variety of nudibranchs and other macro life living in the pier’s wooden remains. This is a fun, easy dive that everyone can enjoy.
If you want to see the most rays, especially Manta rays, visit the Gili Islands between December and March. The turtles live here year-round, and there is never a shortage of sharks, reef fish or macro life. While there are lots of places to dive in Indonesia, Gili Islands is a great choice!