Mirko's Reef

Mirko’s Reef — sometimes called Secret Reef by local dive centres who keep it close — runs as a long seamount along the eastern side of Gili Meno, stretching almost the full length of the island. The reef structure rises from a sandy bottom at around 35 m and crests at approximately 12 m, offering a multi-level dive across a seamount landscape of hard and soft corals, sea fans, and sponges. The site is noted for its unusually pristine coral in the 12–25 m range, largely undamaged because its relatively deep starting depth protects it from anchor damage and the tourist snorkelling crowd.

The reef’s shallow sections at 12–15 m are home to map pufferfish, long-nosed butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, and triggerfish — a classic Indo-Pacific reef community in excellent health. Blue-spotted ribbontail rays rest under coral overhangs throughout the dive. Green sea turtles are a constant presence, feeding on sponge and resting on the reef crest. The deeper sections at 25–35 m reveal the sea fans and large barrel sponges typical of technical-depth habitats in the Gili Islands, along with schooling fusiliers and snappers hovering over the outer edges of the seamount. The open-water side of the reef is worth checking for pelagic visitors passing through the channel between Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Current can be gentle to moderate depending on tidal phase. Visibility is excellent — often 20–30 m year-round due to the site’s exposure to the channel current which brings clear water from the Lombok Strait. Intermediate divers and above.

Diver tips: Begin the dive on the deep side of the seamount and work toward the crest as you consume air, finishing with your safety stop at the shallowest reef section where the fish density is highest. Early morning dives offer the best visibility and most turtle activity. The site is rarely crowded — one of its charms — so plan ahead to get it to yourself.