EXPLORING
LOMBOK'S UNDERWATER
SCUBA DIVING
IN LOMBOK
Three small islands, surrounded by coral,
The Gilis, off Lombok's west coast, are fast
becoming one of her main draw cards. Dive centers
with all the high tech equipment and professional
instructors ensure that visiting divers at all
levels of experience and ability can dive in
waters that have more varieties of fish than
anywhere in the world - and that includes The
Great Barrier Reef and Red Sea.
The islands are
very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes
playing reggae and serving up banana pancakes, and no cars or
motorbikes to disturb the peace. The white sand beaches are without
a doubt better than anywhere on Bali or Lombok.
The Gili islands
have excellent diving, with an impressive array of sea creatures and
plant life to be seen, such as green and hawksbill turtles, manta
rays, bumphead parrotfish and more. Visibility is commonly in the
15-20m range. However, due to the exposed position of the Gilis,
currents can be quite strong and drift diving is the norm.
Gili
Trawangan
Now appears to head the list as
the most popular island - it has long had a
reputation as the 'party' island mainly through a
concentrated and central foreshore area of
restaurants, dive operations and hotels including
some luxury boutique choices.
High standards, great instructors, new gear,
good boats, saltwater pool for training.
Gili
Meno
Still the quietest island is a place
to escape to and although it has a smaller list of
accommodation options those that it has are
tending towards a more up-market clientele.
Snorkeling off beaches of pure white sand the
coral is superb.
Gili
Air
Has the largest local population and
while it has more of a lived-in feeling than the
other two islands for some that is quite possibly
its attraction. On Gili Air it's possible to
likewise enjoy the marine possibilities but also
one can absorb some of the local culture missing
on the other islands.
In addition to the Gilis there are many
other dive and snorkel possibilities such as an
area now being promoted on the rugged south coast
where the experienced can now dive among
hammerheads and rays.
SNORKELING ON
GILI ISLANDS
You
can rent masks and fins off the beach, or contact any of the
numerous dive shops to arrange snorkeling or diving at choice spots
nearby. It's possible to snorkel right off the beach, but pay
attention to the currents, which can be quite strong even near the
shore.
The best snorkeling is at Coral Beach Bungalow (North side of Gili
Trawangan) - turtles abound in this area! At low tide it is hard to
get out without reef shoes.
DAILY
DIVE TRIPS FROM SENGGIGI
Lombok Network Holidays in cooperation
with reputable dive schools on the gilis and Senggigi
can arrange daily dive trip or snorkeling trip to the
gilis includes return transfers, boat, equipment and
lunch at a reasonable fare. To join our daily dive trip,
you must be a certified diver (at least PADI Open Water
- Certified).
You'd
be picked up at 08:20 AM from your hotel lobby, transfer
you to Telok Nare Harbour, then proceed to Gili Trawangan
by Private Boat, meet up with the crew and guide, get
explanation about the dive sites options to visit,
prepared for the morning boat dive trip.
Return to the base at
around 11:30 and have a lunch break and get back to the
boat again for the afternoon dive.
Price per person including
lunch at local restaurant in set menu preparation:
USD 105/person
Non diver (accompanying
person/s) can join this trip and do snorkeling off the
shore of Gili Trawangan at: USD 25/person
Price Includes:
- Return transfer from
Senggigi area to Gili Island (incl. boat)
- 1 x lunch at pointed
restaurant on the Island
- Equipments, dive master and
Insurance
- Tax and service charge
