Page 54 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019
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ith white sand beaches and turquoise tropical water
surrounding these small, idyllic islands it is no wonder that THE GILI ISLANDS (TRAWANGAN, AIR & MENO)
Wthey are such a popular spot. Trawangan (the liveliest and
most developed of the islands) is the furthest west and has numerous Up until the end of the 1960’s the Gili The local religion in the Gili Islands
dive centers and accommodation options, Meno is the centrally islands were pristine mangrove habitats is Muslim with most local workers
originating from the mainland of Lombok.
with no permanent settlers. As water
positioned island and the quietest and Air is the eastern island with the supplies and transport improved small The Gili Islands are car-free islands and
largest local population and also has a range of accommodation and dive settlements began in the 1970’s and in the the local transport is small horse and
centers. 1980’s the Gili islands were discovered by carts, bicycles are readily available for
backpackers and tourism began to grow. rent – so kick back and enjoy a traffic-free,
tropical island vacation!
Gili Trawangan is a popular spot for young
beach lovers who are looking for sun, sea and Access to the Gili Islands is mainly by
lively night life. Gili Meno is a much more boat from Bali – there are numerous
rustic affair better suited to those seeking a options from both Sanur and Padang Bai
more remote island feel to their holidays and as well as from Nusa Lembongan Island.
Gili Air falls in between the two. The other option is to fly into Lombok
Airport and then travel by road and boat
The Gili Islands have the same monsoon to the Gili’s. Boat transfer from Bali is
cycle as Bali and Lombok, with most rain however the most popular option.
falling from November to April but given
the low lying landscape of the Gili’s the
islands have a much drier microclimate. Dive Site and Marine Life
Highlights of the Gili Islands
Conditions Turtles are undoubtedly
one of the highlights of
Diving in the Gili Islands is diving around the Gili
generally easy and diving
is available all year round. The calm dive Islands – both green and
hawksbill species are
sites and crystal clear waters make the abundant. Reef sharks are
Gili’s a popular place for those learning frequently spotted, along
to dive and taking dive courses. There with tuna, barracuda,
are also numerous freediving schools trevally and occasional passing eagle
around the island.
rays. There is broad range of marine
fish, most notably including, sweetlips,
For more experienced divers, or those pufferfish, angelfish, batfish, butterflyfish,
wanting more challenging dives, there lionfish, scorpionfish and schooling
are a number of deeper sites as well as snapper, fusilier and damsels. On the
dives with current which can be drift rubble and sand patches look out for odd
dived. The majority of dives around the shaped bottom dwellers and critters.
islands are on gently sloping reefs and
there are broad, shallow reef tops which
are ideal for beginners and snorkelers.
Guiness World Record
THE GILI ISLANDS on 30 May 2018, Guinness World Record has
inscribed “Most Female Divers Underwater”
(Trawangan, Air And Meno) 2018 at Manta Dive on Gili Trawangan, Lombok. The
formation was a seven-layer pyramid by 48
female scuba divers
104 Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory 105
