Scuba Diving In Gili Trawangan Indonesia
Scuba diving with the beautiful turtles who call the tiny Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan home is like a dream. I was fortunate to spend five days in Gili T exploring a part of Indonesia that I had never visited. Before the pandemic, the island was popular with tourists, often crowded and full of life.
The global shutdown has certainly affected local businesses, including dive resorts, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, tour groups and transport.
For a place that only recently began recovering from the devastating earthquakes in 2018, it was a surreal experience to visit during this time. I am hopeful that people will return to the Gilis to enjoy all of the islands' unique activities.
Read on to learn more about diving with the turtles, plus I will share some of my favourite things to do on the island.
Gili Trawangan North Lombok is spectacular from above!
The Gili Islands
The three stunning islands that form what is known as the Gili's are Gili Trawangan or Gili T, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Tourists have long loved these islands and often travel from Bali to experience their white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
Getting There: You have two options, the local boat or a private speed boat.
As we travelled as a group of four, we took the speed boat for a few reasons. First, divided by four, the cost of 350,000 IDR was still reasonable.
Second, crossing from Lombok to Gili T takes roughly ten minutes, meaning you get to your island paradise ASAP.
Third, we just missed the cut off for the local boat capacity, and it would be a 2-hour wait. We took this as our sign that the speed boat was meant for us.
The crystal blue waters are the first thing you will see when you arrive in Gili (hopefully without plastic rubbish).
Accommodation
I had a budget of AUD 30.00 per night for two people (including breakfast), which was more than enough to find an incredible place to stay (currently, rooms are heavily discounted).
It is a touristy place, so expect prices to be a little higher given the location. Also, I don't recommend booking online right now because if you are going to base your choice on the photos on the listing - you might be disappointed. As expected, many guesthouses and hotels are going through a loss (and some have sadly had to close their doors) so it is best to arrive and check out the room's conditions.
Food
Support the local eateries and enjoy a meal of rice and vegetables (of course, you can find plenty of fresh seafood here too).
It was easy to eat vegan with plant-based options on every menu, including vegan burgers, salads, wraps, local dishes like fried rice or noodles with vegetables, smoothie bowls and fresh juice. Fresh produce like fruit and vegetables are limited as it is a small island, and other imported items are understandably more expensive.
Drinks and snacks are priced higher than in Bali, but they are widely available in the local convenience stores. The average meal price at a restaurant was around $5.00 - AUD 7.00.
Where To Stay
I highly recommend staying at the Trawangan Dive Resort.
It has the perfect beachfront location and is especially great for divers as you can wake up and walk out of your room and over to the dive centre. The rooms are large, with comfortable bedding, high-speed wifi (the fast wifi is amazing), and a delicious breakfast. Try their soy latte and nasi goreng with tempeh - yum!
Nomad Insurance
Don’t forget the importance of travel insurance when you are exploring the islands of Indonesia!
Diving
Scuba diving courses are available, as are a wide variety of speciality courses and diver training.
I enrolled in the refresher course as it had been over nine months since my last dive, and I wanted to gain more confidence with my gear and regain the sense of what it feels like to breathe under the water.
I started my day with an 8:00 am pool session before a morning dive at 9:00 am at the dive site. The conditions for my first day of diving (the end of the rain season) were not so great, but I was still excited to be diving, so I booked in for a second dive the following day.
It turns out that the next morning, the sun was shining and the water was calm; perfect for diving at a popular site called Turtle Heaven.
The staff are professional; the dive gear was ready to go, and the crew take everything on and off the boat, so all I had to do was show up and enjoy my stress-free dive.
Diving in Turtle Heaven is a magical experience that should not be missed if you visit Gili T.
I had heard that the turtles are so relaxed and happy at this dive site that they are easily spotted resting on the coral reef, finding food, and swimming around, but I was not expecting what I found!
Not just one or two turtles, but around ten or more turtles all in one place. I felt so overwhelmed and grateful at this moment. As someone fearful of scuba diving (and probably still is), this reassured me of why I work to overcome my anxiety in the ocean.
Turtles are magnificent to see up close and breath-taking to watch as they swim around and above you. As I looked out into the distance, I could see even more turtles passing by.
Turtle Heaven is a pinnacle that starts at 10 meters and is where you can discover both Hawksbill and Green turtles. I was diving between 15 and 18 meters, but I could see turtles in the shallows, too, as they surfaced for air.
There are so many unique facts about turtles' lifespan, but one important fact is that their life expectancy is estimated to be 150 years; it is usually 80 years or less. Turtles are under constant threat from humans and climate change.
Turtles are charismatic, friendly and calm creatures, and diving with them is not something I take for granted.
3 Things To Do In Gili If You Don’t Want To Dive
Read A Book
Find a chair, order a coffee, and relax. There is no better place.
As much as I love a good podcast or audiobook, I love putting down my phone and swapping it for a second-hand book. My current read is called 'Beyond The Mat'. You won’t always find a decent WiFi connection so use the time you have to really unwind and spend time off the screen. The view is not to be missed at sunset!
Hire A Bicycle
Imagine cruising up and down the beach right next to the ocean, stopping in for lunch, taking photos and waving hi to everyone. It makes you feel like a kid again and is pure bliss. No traffic. No worries. Hiring a bike is the best way to get around the island which is a car free zone!
Enjoy The Cafes
Don't think - just do. One of the best smoothie bowls I have had was in the sweetest café called Hello Capitano packed with fresh banana, mango and all the healthy toppings. Tropical paradise would not be complete without one. There are many cafes and restaurants to enjoy on the island serving great coffee and a variety of local and western meals.
Smoothie bowls are one of the best breakfasts you can order packed with superfoods and fresh fruit.
Sustainable Travel Tips
Don't forget that remote islands often struggle to keep the beaches clean and free from plastic and trash.
If you visit, remember to be a sustainable traveller and bring your essential eco-friendly items with you, such as a reusable water bottle, keep cup for your coffee, a tote bag for shopping and eco beauty products; a reef-safe sunscreen should definitely be on your packing list!
Chose an eco-friendly accommodation option, a guesthouse or hotel that does not use single-use plastic, and has an environmental protection policy.
Take your trash back with you if you make a day trip to the beach and help to keep Gili a tropical paradise.
Animal Welfare Update
One thing to note is that there are no motorbikes or cars on the Gili's, so local transport is by bicycle or horse and cart. This is one reason the island is less polluted, yet on the other hand, the horses are often over-worked and in poor condition; a heart-breaking sight for visitors.
Personally, I do not encourage supporting horse and cart transportation, and you can quickly get around the island by bicycle. To learn more, click on the link below to the Bali Animal Welfare Association, a local organisation taking care of the animals in Bali, including horses, dogs and cats.
*Please note all information is current as of Feb 2021 and may be subject to change.
By Cherie Julie
Founder of Travel For Change Collective
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