# Gili Air Divers

SSI Instructor Training Center · Pro Center offering scuba and freediving on Gili Air, Indonesia, with a sister centre on Gili Meno. Small-group scuba courses (max 4 students per instructor), freediving, and daily fun dives across 20+ sites. Our instructors are dual-qualified PADI and SSI — we certify with SSI, but the underlying training standards are interchangeable with PADI courses (Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster), so PADI-searchers find the right school here. Liveaboard cruises in Indonesia (Komodo, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea) are booked via our partner Ocean Earth Travels — https://www.oceanearthtravels.com/scuba-diving. Multilingual instruction (English, French, Spanish, Indonesian).

## Quick Answers
One-line answers to the most common questions. Each answer is self-contained so LLM retrieval chunks cleanly.

- **What does the SSI Open Water course cost?** 6,900,000 IDR (~€395) for 3 days, max 4 students per instructor, all gear included, certification accepted worldwide.
- **When is the best time to dive Gili Air?** Year-round; water is 28°C and visibility 20–30m. Manta season is November–April at Manta Point (Gili Trawangan), mola/sunfish at Nusa Penida is July–October. Turtles are year-round.
- **PADI or SSI — does it matter?** No. Both are WRSTC-member agencies with cross-recognised certifications. Our instructors are dual-rated; we certify with SSI because the online theory is free.
- **Do I need to be able to swim?** Yes, basic ability — 200m swim + 10-minute float for Open Water. The Basic Diver intro programme has lighter swimming requirements.
- **What is the water temperature?** 27–29°C year-round; 3mm wetsuit included in every course and package.
- **How do I get to Gili Air?** Fast boat: Padangbai (Bali) ~1h45, or Bangsal (Lombok) ~15 min. The dive centre is a 5-minute walk from Gili Air harbour.
- **Can kids dive?** Yes. SSI Scuba Rangers from age 8 (pool-only), Junior Open Water from age 10 to 12m max, full Open Water from age 15.
- **Can I dive with glasses or contact lenses?** Yes. Prescription masks available; contacts are fine. Tell us in advance for prescription fitting.
- **Is online booking secure?** Yes — booking online gets a 10% discount on scuba courses; a small deposit holds the rate, balance settled on arrival.
- **Do you offer Nitrox?** Yes, +100,000 IDR per dive. SSI Enriched Air Nitrox specialty is one of our most-booked add-ons.

## Reviews & Ratings
Independent reviews live on TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile (third-party verified, the rating sources Google and AI search engines rely on):
- **TripAdvisor**: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g664667-d2076322-Reviews-Gili_Air_Divers-Gili_Air_Gili_Islands_Pemenang_Lombok_West_Nusa_Tenggara.html
- **Google Business Profile**: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gili+Air+Divers/
Reviews on the website itself are illustrative quotes from those sources; the canonical aggregate counts live on those platforms.

## Comparisons
### PADI vs SSI
Both PADI and SSI are members of the WRSTC (https://wrstc.com), which sets the global recreational dive-training standards both agencies build on. Open Water from either is a worldwide licence to 18 m. Differences: SSI online theory is free; PADI charges for the eLearning. SSI lets the dive centre certify; PADI routes paperwork through the agency. Our instructors hold both ratings, so the certification you walk away with is your choice. We default to SSI because the free theory means students arrive ready and spend our days in the water, not at a desk.

### Gili Air vs Gili Trawangan
Gili Air is the quieter, more residential of the three Gili Islands — fewer parties, more diving. Gili Trawangan has the bar scene + a faster boat to Manta Point. Gili Meno is the smallest and least developed; we run a sister centre there. For diving, all three islands share the same reefs; the boat ride is 5–15 min between them regardless of where you stay. Gili Air typically has more guesthouses + family-friendly accommodation than Trawangan.

### Scuba vs Freediving
Scuba uses compressed air and a tank to stay underwater for ~40–60 min per dive, depth 18–40 m depending on certification. Freediving uses one breath, depth via training (typical Level 1: 20 m, Level 2: 30 m, sessions are 60–90 min total but each dive lasts under a minute). We teach both; many of our students do an Open Water + Freediving Trial in the same week. Freediving is run by a separate team led by Choky (our local SSI Freediving Instructor) — see /freediving/.

## Best for / Not for
### Best for
- First-time divers who want a small group + patient instruction (we cap at 4 students/instructor; the WRSTC industry limit is 8).
- Certified divers who want calm, easy dives with high turtle frequency — Gili reefs are documented as a turtle stronghold.
- Multilingual visitors — French, Spanish, Indonesian, English all spoken on the team.
- Freedivers wanting depth training in 20–30 m visibility with calm conditions.
- Photographers, conservation-minded divers, returning visitors.
- Families: SSI Scuba Rangers programme for kids 8+.

### Not for
- Strong-current chasers — go to Komodo or Nusa Penida instead. Gili currents are mild.
- Deep wreck divers — Gili wrecks are mostly artificial reefs in shallow water; for technical wreck diving go to Tulamben (Liberty) or Bali north.
- Party-first travellers — Gili Trawangan suits that better than Gili Air.
- Technical / rebreather divers — we are recreational-only.

## Contact
- WhatsApp & Phone (scuba, fun dives, packages): +62 812-3989-0591
- WhatsApp & Phone (freediving / Freedive Gili Air): +62 877-5424-2176
- Email: info@giliairdivers.com
- Freediving inquiries: freedivegiliair@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.giliairdivers.com

## Locations
- Gili Air Divers — west coast, Gili Air, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Open daily 08:00 – 20:00.
- Gili Meno Divers — Kontiki Cottages, Gili Meno. Open daily 09:00 – 17:00.

## Scuba Diving Courses
- **SSI Basic Diver** (SSI). 0.5 days, max depth 12m, min age 10. Your very first breath underwater
- **Dive After Intro** (SSI). 0.5 days, max depth 12m, min age 10. One more dive — no theory, no certification, just the reef again
- **SSI Scuba Explorer (ages 8–10)** (SSI). 0.5 days, max depth 12m, min age 8. A half-day underwater playground for ages 8–10
- **SSI Scuba Diver** (SSI). 2 days, max depth 12m, min age 10. A shorter route to certification — perfect if you're tight on time
- **SSI Open Water Diver** (SSI). 3 days, max depth 18m, min age 10. Your worldwide diving licence — earned in three days
- **Scuba Refresher** (SSI). 0.5 days, max depth 18m, min age 10. Knock the rust off before your first dive
- **SSI Advanced Open Water Diver** (SSI). 2 days, max depth 30m, min age 12. Five dives, five new skills, deep water unlocked
- **Adventure Dive (Deep or Night)** (SSI). 1 day, max depth 30m, min age 12. One specialty dive, certified, on your way to Advanced
- **SSI Specialty Programs** (SSI). 1 day, max depth 40m, min age 12. Pick your interest — go deeper into it
- **SSI Diver Stress & Rescue** (SSI). 3 days, max depth 30m, min age 12. The course every diver remembers as their favourite
- **SSI React Right (First Aid & CPR)** (SSI). 1 day, min age 10. CPR and first aid for divers — and everyone else
- **SSI Divemaster** (SSI). 30 days, max depth 40m, min age 18. Your first step into the dive industry

## Freediving Courses
- **Freediving Trial** (SSI). 0.5 days, max depth 10m. Half a day, one breath, one new way to see the ocean
- **SSI Freediving Level 1** (SSI). 2 days, max depth 20m. Your first freediving certification — to 20 metres
- **SSI Freediving Level 2** (SSI). 3 days, max depth 30m. To 30 metres — and the start of the diving reflex
- **Freediving Coaching Session** (Internal). 1 day. One-on-one with your instructor — pick what to work on
- **Line Training (Safety Buddy)** (Internal). 1 day. For certified freedivers — supervised practice on the line
- **Multi-Day Freediving Pass** (Internal). 2 days. Block-book coaching, line training, or both — better per-session rate

## Packages
- **Open Water Certification + Stay**. 3 nights, 4 dives. Four days, three nights — certification, room and breakfast
- **Liveaboard diving — via our partner Ocean Earth Travels** — booked via partner at https://www.oceanearthtravels.com/scuba-diving. We don't run liveaboards directly. Our trusted partner does.
- **Multi-Day Dive Packages**. 0 nights, 6 dives. Discounts that grow with the number of dives

## Sample Dive Sites
- **Air Slope** — 3-26m, beginner. Marine life: Turtles, Angelfish, Lionfish, Nudibranches, Sea snakes, Batfish.
- **Air Wall** — 3-30m, advanced. Marine life: Pygmy seahorse, Sweetlips, Turtles, Whitetip reef shark, Eagle rays.
- **Batfish Point** — 5-22m, intermediate. Marine life: Batfish, Schools of fusiliers, Turtles, Reef sharks, Snappers.
- **Bounty Wreck** — 12-18m, intermediate. Marine life: Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Sweetlips, Glassfish, Resident turtles.
- **Coral Fan Garden** — 3-25m, intermediate. Marine life: Snappers, Tuna, Sweetlips, Triggerfish, Parrotfish, Turtles.
- **Deep Halik** — 18-35m, advanced. Marine life: White-tip reef sharks, Schools of barracuda, Trevally, Stingrays, Eagle rays.
- **Deep Turbo** — 16-35m, advanced. Marine life: Manta rays, Reef sharks, Sea snakes, Snappers, Tuna, Sweetlips, Parrotfish.
- **Frogfish Point** — 3-26m, beginner. Marine life: Frogfishes, Nudibranches, Cuttlefish, Turtles, Scorpionfish, Morays, Stingrays.
- **Glenn Nusa** — 14-30m, advanced. Marine life: Reef sharks, Stingrays, Schools of barracuda, Trevally, Sweetlips.
- **Hans Reef** — 3-22m, intermediate. Marine life: Sea snakes, Moray eels, Ribbon eels, Lionfish, Turtles, Tuna, Barracuda.
- **Harbour** — 3-18m, beginner. Marine life: Ghost pipefish, Batfish, Snappers, Sweetlips, Hard coral.
- **Home Reef** — 3-17m, beginner. Marine life: Lobster, Octopus, Moray eels, Scorpionfish, Nudibranches, Tropical fish.
- **Jack Point** — 8-35m, advanced. Marine life: Giant trevally (jacks), Barracuda, Reef sharks (whitetip, blacktip), Bumphead parrotfish, Eagle rays.
- **Kecinan Seahorse Bay** — 3-15m, beginner. Marine life: Common seahorses, Pygmy seahorses, Frogfish, Ghost pipefish, Mimic octopus, Nudibranchs.
- **Meno Slope** — 8-28m, intermediate. Marine life: Turtles, Reef sharks, Stingrays, Schools of fusiliers, Lionfish.
- **Meno Wall** — 5-25m, intermediate. Marine life: Turtles, Octopus, Nudibranchs, Reef sharks, Frogfish.
- **Mentigi Muck** — 5-22m, beginner. Marine life: Frogfish, Ghost pipefish, Wonderpus octopus, Mimic octopus, Stargazers, Nudibranchs.
- **Mirko's Reef** — 5-24m, beginner. Marine life: Turtles, Bumphead parrotfish, Pygmy seahorses, Frogfish, Ornate ghost pipefish, Nudibranchs.
- **Nemo City** — 3-22m, beginner. Marine life: Seahorses, Pipefishes, Frogfishes, Nudibranches, Snake eels, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Turtles.
- **Shark Point** — 5-40m, intermediate. Marine life: Whitetip reef sharks, Blacktip reef sharks, Turtles, Napoleon wrasse, Snappers, Tuna, Manta rays.
- **Simon's Reef** — 14-30m, advanced. Marine life: Reef sharks, Schools of fusiliers, Trevally, Barracuda, Stingrays.
- **Sunset Point** — 7-25m, intermediate. Marine life: Manta rays, Reef sharks, Sea snakes, Snappers, Tuna, Parrotfish.
- **Takat Malang** — 12-30m, intermediate. Marine life: Schools of barracuda, Trevally, Reef sharks, Eagle rays, Frogfish.
- **Takat Penyu** — 15-28m, intermediate. Marine life: Green turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Schools of fusiliers, Sweetlips, Octopus.
- **Takat Segaluh** — 16-32m, advanced. Marine life: White-tip reef sharks, Schools of barracuda, Trevally, Stingrays, Eagle rays.
- **Teluk Nare Magic Pier** — 4-18m, beginner. Marine life: Frogfish, Ghost pipefish, Nudibranchs, Mandarin fish, Stargazers, Mimic octopus.
- **Tunang Wall** — 10-35m, advanced. Marine life: White-tip reef sharks, Schools of fusiliers, Trevally, Eagle rays, Sea snakes.
- **Turtle Heaven** — 10-22m, beginner. Marine life: Green turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Surgeonfish, Soft coral.

## Detailed Answers (full pages on the site)
Each of these links resolves to a 400-600 word atomic-answer page with FAQ schema. The single-line summaries below are LLM-friendly extracts of the page atomic-answer.
- **Best time to dive Gili Air, Indonesia — month-by-month guide** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/best-time-to-dive-gili-air/
  Gili Air dives year-round. Water sits at 27–29 °C and visibility ranges 15–30 m every month. The two windows that matter most: April–October is the dry season (calmest conditions AND best visibility, 20–30 m), November–March is the rainy season (visibility drops to 15–20 m as plankton-rich water moves in — but that same plankton draws the manta rays to Manta Point south of Gili Trawangan). Turtles are guaranteed sightings every month.
- **How to get to Gili Air from Bali — every route, by time and cost** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/how-to-get-to-gili-air-from-bali/
  Travelling between Bali, Lombok, Bangsal Harbor and the Gili Islands is easier than ever thanks to daily sea connections. The fastest option is a 1.5–2.5h fast boat from Padang Bai, Serangan or Sanur (around IDR 250,000–700,000 one-way). The cheapest is the public slow ferry Padang Bai ↔ Lembar (IDR 70,000–100,000, 4–6h+). Once in Lombok, hourly public speedboats from Bangsal reach Gili Air in about 5 minutes for IDR 85,000. Most travellers take the fast boat direct.
- **What to pack for Gili Air — the diver's 10-item list** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/what-to-pack-for-gili-air/
  You don't need to bring dive gear (we provide everything for the course or fun-dive). But you do need: reef-safe sunscreen (Hawaii's 2021 ban on oxybenzone applies in spirit on the Gili reefs too), 1-2 swimsuits, a rash guard or light long-sleeve (sun + occasional jellyfish protection), reef-walking sandals, a refillable water bottle (refill stations all over the island), and any prescription medication you take. Forget bringing cash — there are ATMs.
- **Can non-swimmers scuba dive? Honest answer + what to do** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/can-non-swimmers-scuba-dive/
  Yes and no. For a Try Scuba / Basic Diver session (½ day, max 12 m) you only need to be comfortable enough in water to float for a minute and not panic when your face is submerged. For a full Open Water certification you must pass a 200 m swim and a 10-minute float. So absolute non-swimmers can do an intro dive but not certify. The right move: do an intro dive first, learn basic swimming over a few weeks, then come back for the cert.
- **Diving with glasses or contact lenses — what works underwater** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/diving-with-glasses-or-contacts/
  Three options work underwater: (1) soft contact lenses worn under a standard mask — works for ~80% of divers, just close your eyes during mask-clear drills; (2) a prescription dive mask with corrective lenses bonded in — best for moderate to strong prescriptions; (3) stick-on bifocal inserts for reading dive computers — for divers needing reading-correction only. We stock prescription masks in common diopters at the centre — tell us your script in advance.
- **Pregnancy and scuba diving — what every agency says + what we do** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/pregnancy-and-scuba-diving/
  Don't scuba dive while pregnant. SSI, PADI, DAN (Divers Alert Network) and every other major agency advise against it at every stage of pregnancy. The risk: nitrogen absorbed by the mother's tissues passes to the fetus, but the fetus has no way to off-gas it during ascent — so theoretically risks decompression sickness in the fetus. No conclusive human studies exist (for obvious ethical reasons) — but the precautionary principle is universal.
- **Diving while on your period — what the research actually says** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/diving-while-on-period/
  Yes, you can dive while on your period — and there is no peer-reviewed evidence linking menstruation to either decompression illness risk or shark attacks. The shark myth in particular has been investigated and dismissed (sharks detect blood at all of ~1 part per billion, but human menstrual blood is not biologically interesting to them — see International Shark Attack File. DAN's position: dive as normal. Practical management: tampons, menstrual cups, or period underwear under your wetsuit; cramps may make you want to sit out, which is also fine.
- **Is scuba diving safe? Honest answer with the numbers** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/is-scuba-diving-safe/
  Recreational scuba diving has a fatality rate of roughly **0.5 to 1.2 deaths per 100,000 dives**, per DAN Annual Diving Reports. For context, that's comparable to motorcycling and lower than skydiving. The leading cause of dive fatalities is cardiovascular events (often pre-existing conditions), not equipment failure or training gaps. Within recreational limits with current training, scuba is statistically a low-risk outdoor activity.
- **Flying after diving — 12, 18 or 24 hours? The actual DAN guidance** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/flying-after-diving-rules/
  Per DAN's current guidance: wait **at least 12 hours** after a single no-decompression dive, and **at least 18 hours** after multiple dives or multiple consecutive days of diving. For decompression dives (rare in recreational diving), substantially longer — 24+ hours. The 12-hour minimum is a safety floor; many divers wait the full 18-24 hours regardless because the cost of caution is one extra night, the cost of decompression illness mid-flight is severe.
- **Seasickness and scuba diving — what works, what doesn't, what to take** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/seasickness-and-scuba-diving/
  Seasickness shouldn't stop you from diving. The boat ride to Gili sites is 5-15 minutes — short enough that most prone-to-motion-sickness divers don't experience symptoms before going underwater (where the sickness vanishes the moment you descend). Practical playbook: take Stugeron or Bonine 60 min before boarding (NOT Dramamine — it causes drowsiness incompatible with diving), eat a light breakfast (not greasy), sit on the side of the boat with the horizon visible, and avoid reading or looking at your phone during the crossing.
- **How many days to learn to dive — Try Scuba, Open Water, Advanced** → https://www.giliairdivers.com/en/answers/how-many-days-to-learn-to-dive/
  A complete SSI Open Water certification — the standard "I can scuba dive worldwide" credential — takes **3 days** on Gili Air. Add 1-2 days online theory (free) before arrival to make it more comfortable. Shorter options: SSI Basic Diver is ½ day (intro, no cert, max 12 m). Longer: SSI Advanced Adventurer adds 2-3 more days. Doing all of Open Water → Advanced → Stress & Rescue → first specialty fits in ~10 days if you're focused — possible in a 2-week trip with rest days.

## Booking
All scuba and freediving bookings via WhatsApp, email, or the inquiry form at /en/contact/. 10% online discount applies to scuba course bookings via the website — freediving sessions (Trial, Level 1, Level 2, coaching, line training, multi-day pass) are at list price. The online rate is held with a small deposit at booking; the balance is settled on arrival. Liveaboard cruises in Indonesia are booked directly with our partner Ocean Earth Travels at https://www.oceanearthtravels.com/scuba-diving.

## Languages Supported
English, French (Français), Spanish (Español), Bahasa Indonesia.

## FAQ
**Q: Do I need to know how to swim?**
A: Basic swimming ability is required — comfortable in the water, no athletic ability needed.

**Q: How long does the SSI Open Water Diver course take?**
A: 3 to 4 days. SSI online theory is free and can be done before arrival to spend more time in the water. (Equivalent to PADI Open Water — same training standards, recognised worldwide.)

**Q: What is the maximum group size?**
A: Maximum 4 divers per instructor — significantly smaller than the regional norm.

**Q: What is the water temperature?**
A: Around 28°C year-round. 3mm wetsuit is typical, included in all courses and packages.

**Q: Can I book online?**
A: All bookings via WhatsApp (+62 812-3989-0591) or the website inquiry form. 10% online discount on scuba course bookings only — freediving sessions are at list price. A small deposit at booking secures the online rate; the balance is settled on arrival.

**Q: How do I get to Gili Air?**
A: Fast boat from Padangbai (Bali, ~1 hour) or Bangsal Harbour (Lombok, 15 min). The dive centre is a 5-min walk from Gili Air harbour.

**Q: Is there a freediving programme for beginners?**
A: Yes — SSI Freediving Trial (1 day), Level 1 (2 days, to 20m), Level 2 (3 days, to 30m).

**Q: What are the cancellation terms?**
A: Contact us directly for scuba and freediving bookings. Liveaboard cancellation terms are set by Ocean Earth Travels and the operator of the chosen boat — check on their site.

## Sample Testimonials (TripAdvisor)
- "Best dive school in the Gilis. Professional staff and very nice — especially Tito." (5★)
- "I did the Open Water Course with Sergi — attentive all the time, gave us a lot of confidence." (5★)
- "Freediving with Mickael — friendly, experienced, calming. Took me through pool and open water with great care and patience." (5★)
- "From the moment I emailed Bibi to the day I left I felt welcomed. Equipment in excellent condition, professional staff." (5★)

Last updated: 2026-05-23