Scuba Diving in the Gili Islands
Summary:
Nestled off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the Gili Isles offer a true slice of island paradise. Idyllic palm fringed beaches and azure waters surround all of these island gems, with the largest, Gili Trawangan, offering the greater scope for accommodation to suit all tastes, from 4/5 star luxury Hotels to smaller Villa style accommodation and guest houses such as 'Baruna Villas' and "Martas Guest House" to the comfortable bed and breakfasts. 'Blue Marlin Bungalows' provide good A/C rooms and hot water and Sky TV, and the staff are some of the friendliest on the island. For those seeking a slice of serenity and luxury, "Kelappa Villas' hidden in a coconut plantation on the north west coast of the island, along with the inviting atmosphere of 'Kelappa Cecil' provide the ultimate paradise setting and they are but a stones throw from the north near deserted beaches.
Swim, dive or snorkel under the golden sun or simply take a "cidomo" a horse and cart around the islands shoreline. With no traffic to worry about, this form of transport soon sets the pace for a relaxed island getaway. Come evening enjoy the breathtaking sunsets with a cocktail at the beach front bar, then tear yourself away to feast on the fine local cuisine at any of the waterfront restaurants. Local hospitality is as warm as the sun, smiles as broad as the horizons.
Less developed than Bali, its neighbour to the west, local customs and practices remain largely unchanged by the rise of commercial profiteering.
Holiday Activities:
"Blue Marlin Dive' is situated on these idyllic Islands and offer daily recreational and technical dive trips for certified divers, snorkeling trips for non-divers, a complete range of PADI courses from beginners to instructor level and a luxury diving live aboard. They are an IANTD technical dive facility specializing in Nitrox, Tri-mix, buddy inspiration rebreather training.
The diving off the Gilis is some of the best and most accessible in all of Indonesia. There are over 3,500 marine species living in the reefs and seas with many drop-offs, plateaus and slopes, where a myriad of tropical fish will dart between the coral heads, including sea stars and nudibranches, in a dazzling display of a color, whilst surrounding reefs are home to an abundance of sharks, turtles and manta rays. For technical divers there is ever the chance of seeing the famous 'Mola Mola" or 'Sunfish".
1 You can climb and trek Mount Rinjani
2 Visit the Turtle Hatchery 3 Get involved with the Gili Eco Trust 4 Take a Komodo Liveaboard Charter with dives through Blue Marlin Dive Center
5 Take a trip to Komodo and Moya National Park
6 Rent a bike and see the island
7 Play tennis
8 On Lombok, you can visit the villages to see traditional hand weaving, pottery making, Lombok limestone, wooden masks, boxes and primitive carvings, and the Lombok pearls.
9 See Meno Bird Park and the amazing variety of tropical birds and plants
10 Island Hop and experience the different locations and variety of diving.
Culture:
On Lombok, the east coast is a great place to visit traditional Sasak villages and witness some ancient crafts and customs, including pottery and boat building, at places such as Keruak and Sukaraja. More centrally, Sukarara is noted for its weaving and basketwork. Lombok is easily accessible from the Gilis, which share its quieter, affable nature.