Green turtle
- Behaviour
- Calm, give space Green turtles graze seagrass in calm shallows; give them space and a clear path up to breathe.
- Size
- Shell 0.9 to 1.2 m · about 113 to 181 kg
- Diet
- Mostly seagrass, seaweed and algae.
Sources: NOAA Fisheries
Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Scuba diving certification on Gili Trawangan
Learn to dive slowly, on an island with no cars
No engines on the roads, warm clear water, and maybe a turtle resting on the sand below your first dive.
Five days on Gili Trawangan, near Lombok in Indonesia, to learn scuba diving at your own pace. A licensed local dive centre teaches your SSI course, and you stay in a bungalow at the dive resort. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island, so you walk or cycle everywhere. Beginners are welcome.
Scuba certification5 days / 4 nightsSmall groupsLocal team, matched by Rocío
WhenDates on request
How it worksReferral trip · Ocean Match from CHF 19
BookingAsk Rocío to match you
Not sure yet? Tell us about you and ask a question.
How this trip works
Rocío matches you, the local team hosts you
Rocío does not host a group here at the moment. She knows the place and the local team, so she matches you with the right people, and you book and pay them directly.
With Ocean Match, from CHF 19, Rocío reads your answers herself and sends you your match or a personal plan. If you later join a trip that Rocío hosts, the fee comes off that price.
- 5.00 from 33 public reviews on BookRetreats · Read guest stories
- Small groups with the local team
- Certified local dive instructors
- Travel insurance required (water-activity cover from your own policy or the dive centre’s insurance)
- Pause or skip any activity, any time
Real guests on past trips“Amazing girl and super organised. Would book trips with her over and over if I could. 100% recommend!”
“Rocío is amazing at organizing trips and ocean experiences. Everything was very well planned, and she helped find great diving spots. I highly recommend Ocean Calling Retreats.”
Quotes are copied as written from public reviews on BookRetreats. See all guest photos · Read all reviews
At a glance
Length5 days / 4 nights
LevelEasy
StayDive resort on Gili Trawangan
MealsBreakfast daily
CertificationSSI Open Water (3 days) or Advanced Open Water (2 days)
Water levelBeginners welcome. No experience required
EffortLow
Led byA licensed local dive centre on Gili Trawangan (SSI)
Who it’s forSolo travellers, women and beginners. Mixed groups and certified divers welcome too
Dates are on request. Tell Rocío which months suit you, and she will tell you honestly what is possible.
Flexible payment plan The non-refundable deposit secures your place. The balance is due 60 days before departure. Where possible, you can pay it in monthly instalments, with the last one paid by that date. Ask Rocío for a schedule.
Ask Rocío to match youAsk on WhatsApp
To book, message Rocío by email or WhatsApp. No payment here: she replies personally, confirms your place and sends the next steps.
Real guest reviews: Google · BookRetreats
Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.
Why Easy? An SSI Open Water or Advanced course on a small car-free island. Certified and uncertified divers welcome.
What do the difficulty grades mean?
Gentle. The easiest we offer. Beginner-friendly, at your own pace. Good if you are nervous. No skills needed.
Easy. A beginner course or guided session in calm water, at your own pace. No experience needed.
Moderate. Open-ocean or deeper water with boat days. You should feel comfortable in the water and follow guidance.
Adventurous. Longer days, stronger conditions or more skills needed.
Photo gallery
The rooms at the dive resort, and a few moments from the island.
Snorkellers above underwater statues
Gili Islands
Moments from the Gili Islands
New or a little nervous?
Your first day, step by step
- Arrive at Lombok (LOP), transfer and fast boat to the island
- Your guide explains the plan and the signals before anything starts in the water.
- You choose your pace. You can pause, rest or skip any activity, at any moment, with no pressure to continue.
- Nobody chases, touches or baits an animal. The animals decide whether they come close.
Questions beginners ask
What if I feel nervous in the water?
That is very normal, and you are welcome here. Activities are adapted to your level and comfort. Tell your guide or Rocío, and you can pause, rest or skip an activity at any moment.
What if I cannot clear my ears?
Equalising is taught in small steps by your instructor, and nobody is asked to push through. If your ears will not clear, you rest, come up or skip that dive or descent.
Will I hold the group back?
Groups are small, so the pace follows the group and nobody is rushed. Tell Rocío your level before you book, and she will tell you honestly if a trip fits.
Do I need to be fit or experienced?
Each trip page shows its level and what it asks of you. If you are not sure, take our short Is it for me? questions or message Rocío.
Highlights
- An island with no cars or motorbikes. You walk or cycle everywhere
- SSI Open Water or Advanced Open Water with a licensed local dive centre
- Bungalow stay at the dive resort, with the Gili marine park fee included
- Green and hawksbill turtles live on these reefs. Often seen, never promised
- Airport pickup from Lombok (LOP) and fast-boat transfer
The rhythm of your days
- Arrive at Lombok (LOP), transfer and fast boat to the island
- SSI course days with the local dive centre
- Rest and slow island time
- Departure by fast boat and airport transfer
Trip details
- Departures
- Dates on request
- How it works
- A referral trip. Rocío matches you with the local team she trusts, and you book and pay them directly. Ocean Match is from CHF 19.
Included
- Airport pickup (LOP) and fast-boat transfer, both ways
- 4 nights at the dive resort on Gili Trawangan
- Daily breakfast
- SSI course (Open Water or Advanced)
- All standard scuba equipment
- Gili marine park fee
- WiFi and host support
Not included
- Flights to and from Bali or Lombok
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses and optional activities
Ocean Atlas
Animals you may meet in Gili Trawangan
Never guaranteed, never chased. Tap an animal to see how it lives, where it travels and a fun fact.
Green turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasCritically Endangered
Whitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesusSeen in 18 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Blue-spotted stingrayNeotrygon kuhlii complexSeen in 1 country in the AtlasVaries by species
Blacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterusSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Blue-spotted ribbontail rayTaeniura lymmaSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Bumphead parrotfishBolbometopon muricatumSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
Reef manta rayMobula alfrediSeen in 10 countries in the AtlasVulnerable
RareSpotted eagle ray (ocellated eagle ray)Aetobatus ocellatusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasEndangered
RareHumphead wrasse (Napoleon wrasse)Cheilinus undulatusSeen in 3 countries in the AtlasEndangered
RareWhale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 27 countries in the AtlasEndangered
RareOlive ridley turtleLepidochelys olivaceaSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasVulnerableAnimals marked Rare are recorded here, but seen only now and then.
How they behave, how big they are and what they eat
🟢 Harmless🟡 Calm, give space🟠 Defensive if pressured🔴 Potentially dangerous, respect
Hawksbill turtle
- Behaviour
- Calm, give space Hawksbills pick sponges from reef crevices with hawk-like beaks; watching one feed calmly from a distance is a quiet privilege.
- Size
- Shell 0.6 to 1.07 m · about 45 to 68 kg
- Diet
- Mainly sponges, plus algae, corals and small reef animals.
Sources: NOAA Fisheries
Whitetip reef shark
- Behaviour
- Calm, give space Whitetip reef sharks resting under a ledge are a gentle, easy-going reef sighting, lovely for newer divers and snorkellers to watch from a distance.
- Size
- About 1.6 to 1.7 m (up to 2.1 m) · up to about 18 kg
- Diet
- Reef fish, octopus, lobsters and crabs.
Sources: Florida Museum · Reef Check / Gili Shark Conservation 2019
Wildlife, wrecks and reef
Green and hawksbill turtles
Part of the trip
All year.
Green turtles are common here all year, and hawksbills are seen often too. Still, the turtles decide, so nothing is promised.
Coral reef
Part of the trip
A marine park with 69 kinds of coral and 523 species of reef fish.
Reef sharks
In the area, not in the programme
All year.
Reef sharks are seen all year, often at Shark Point. They are not part of the programme.
Bounty wreck and other wrecks
In the area, not in the programme
The Bounty wreck off Gili Meno is a sunken jetty, about 8 m deep at the top and 15 to 16 m at the bottom.
Nest underwater statues, Gili Meno
In the area, not in the programme
All year.
Nest: 48 life-size figures at about 4 m depth, installed in 2017. Built as an artificial reef, a new home where corals and sponges can settle, and a reminder of how fragile reefs are. Not part of the programme.
Wildlife is never guaranteed. Months can vary from year to year.
When to go and what you may see
Wildlife and weather by month. Nothing here is a promise.
| Feature | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green and hawksbill turtles | January: all year | February: all year | March: all year | April: all year | May: all year | June: all year | July: all year | August: all year | September: all year | October: all year | November: all year | December: all year |
| Reef sharks | January: all year | February: all year | March: all year | April: all year | May: all year | June: all year | July: all year | August: all year | September: all year | October: all year | November: all year | December: all year |
| Nest underwater statues, Gili Meno | January: all year | February: all year | March: all year | April: all year | May: all year | June: all year | July: all year | August: all year | September: all year | October: all year | November: all year | December: all year |
| Weather | January: wetter months | February: wetter months | March: wetter months | April: wetter months | May: good weather window | June: good weather window | July: not in the best window | August: not in the best window | September: good weather window | October: good weather window | November: wetter months | December: wetter months |
Good weather window: May to Jun, Sep to Oct
Wetter months: Jan to Apr, Nov to Dec
The dry season is about May to October, with the clearest water. July and August are dry too, but they are the busiest months on the island.
Good to know
- Reef manta rays pass by only now and then, more often from about July to October. Never guaranteed.
Is this place for you?
Before you choose Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia
An honest look at food, noise, smells, heat and local customs, so you can decide calmly. If something matters to you, tell Rocío. She will check it for you.
EasyPossible with planningAsk Rocío
Vegetarian and vegan
EasyGili Trawangan has the biggest choice of restaurants of the three Gili islands, including vegetarian and vegan options and a night market near the harbour.
Gluten free
Possible with planningSome kitchens will adapt dishes to gluten free, but not all. Ask in each place, and tell Rocío before your trip.
Noise and crowds
Possible with planningThis is the party island. The east side near the harbour has bars and music every night, some until about 3am. The west and north sides are quieter. You will hear the call to prayer, from about 4.30 to 5am. July, August and December are the busiest months.
Smells, smoke and air
EasyThere are no cars or motorbikes on the island, so there are no traffic fumes. We did not find any haze season recorded for the Gili islands.
Heat and humidity
Possible with planningDaytime is about 30 to 31°C all year and humidity is about 79%. The sun is very strong (UV 10 or more). The wet season, with heavy showers, is about November to April.
Predictable days and quiet breaks
Possible with planningScuba course days follow a set plan of study and dives, and dive times can change with tides and currents. You can rest between dives; ask Rocío about a calm room away from the east side.
Getting around and mobility
Possible with planningYou arrive by fast boat from Bali (about 1.5 to 2.5 hours) or by short boat from Lombok. There are no cars or motorbikes: you walk, cycle or take a horse cart. Paths are sand, dirt or rough concrete, with a short stretch of soft sand. Never swim between the islands; the currents are strong.
Breathing and health
Ask RocíoIt is hot and humid, and dengue (spread by mosquitoes) is a risk. There is no hyperbaric (dive) chamber on the Gili islands; the nearest ones are on Lombok (Mataram) and in Bali, several hours away by boat and road. Local health care can be basic. Divers with asthma need a dive medical check first. Please check with a doctor or a dive medical before you book.
Local customs
- Most local people are Sasak Muslims. Please cover up when you walk away from the beach, in the village and at shops.
- The call to prayer comes from mosque speakers five times a day. The first one is early, around 4.30 to 5am.
- During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime. Music and parties stop earlier in this month.
- Alcohol is sold on the tourist strip. Only drink from sealed bottles or trusted bars, because methanol in drinks has caused deaths in Indonesia.
- Use your right hand to greet people and to give or take things.
Sources for this section
- Lonely Planet: which Gili island is right for me
- Lonely Planet: best time to visit the Gili Islands
- Lonely Planet: getting around the Gili Islands
- Travelepsy: Gili Trawangan religion and prayer times
- GOV.UK travel advice: Indonesia, safety and security
- GOV.UK travel advice: Indonesia, health
- Underwater Tribe: hyperbaric chambers in Indonesia (2019 list, check with DAN)
Protected waters: Gili Islands, Lombok
Yes. The three Gilis are a marine recreational park.
Gili Matra marine recreational park (Gili Ayer, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan) Since 1993
The park covers about 2,274 hectares (roughly 5,620 acres), including about 95 hectares (about 235 acres) of no-take zones where fishing is never allowed. These quiet zones give the reef time to recover.
The park records 69 kinds of coral and 523 species of reef fish. That is the quiet payoff of a no-take zone: leave enough of the water alone, and it fills back up.
A protected area still has rules. Your guide explains them before every session.
Things to do around Gili Trawangan
Solid circles are part of the trip. Dashed circles are ideas for your free time.
- SSI Open Water or Advanced course, part of the trip
- Turtles on the reef, part of the trip
- A car-free island: walk or cycle, part of the trip
- Fast boat from Lombok, part of the trip
- Snorkel at Turtle Point, in the area
- Three-Gili snorkel boat tour, in the area
- Sunset on the west coast, in the area
- Night market food, in the area
- Nest statues, Gili Meno, in the area
- Gili Meno salt lake, in the area
See all the details and free-time ideas
On the trip
SSI Open Water or Advanced course
With a licensed local dive centre.
Turtles on the reef
A known highlight of the Gilis.
A car-free island: walk or cycle
Motor vehicles are banned on the island.
Fast boat from Lombok
Airport pickup and fast-boat transfer, both ways.
Around Gili Trawangan: ideas for your free time (not included)
Snorkel at Turtle Point
Turtle Point, Coral Garden and Shark Point are popular snorkel spots.
Three-Gili snorkel boat tour
Stops at Coral Garden, Turtle Point and Bounty Wreck.
Sunset on the west coast
The west side faces Mount Agung. The east side is for sunrise.
Night market food
Culinary tours cover the night market and local restaurants.
Nest statues, Gili Meno
Built as an artificial reef, so corals can grow and sea life can settle. By Jason deCaires Taylor.
Gili Meno salt lake
A small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season.
Opening hours and fees can change. Rocío will help you plan your free time.
Ethics and safety
- Turtles and reef sharks are watched from a respectful distance. Nobody touches, chases or feeds them.
- Follow the marine park rules and your guide’s instructions.
- Small groups keep pressure low on the reef.
Practical details
- Fly to Lombok (LOP), or take a fast boat from Bali.
- The dive centre may ask you to fill in a short health form before diving (see Travel insurance & health above).
Preparation guide. We send you a full guide, gear, fitness, transfers and ocean conditions, once you book. Meanwhile, see Ro’s packing picks ↗.
Flying in from…
You fly into Lombok (LOP), then a fast boat to Gili Trawangan. Routes and prices change often, so this opens a live search instead of a guess.
Type in any language: Geneva, Genève, Ginebra or Genf all work. Not on the list? Just type your city and press a button.
Visa and entry requirements
Entry rules depend on your passport, your itinerary and current regulations, so please always check for yourself rather than relying on this page. IATA Travel Centre ↗ is a free tool used by airlines worldwide to check passport, visa and health requirements for any nationality and destination. CIBT Visas ↗ is another good place to check. And it is always worth a quick check with your own embassy or consulate too, just in case.
Why we choose slower boats
Speed is one of the simplest things a boat captain controls, and it matters a lot to the animals we visit. Research from many oceans shows the same pattern: a slower boat is less likely to hit a whale, turtle or manatee, gives animals time to move away, and makes less noise under the water.
Slower ships kill fewer whales
A study of 47 recorded ship strikes on large whales found the chance of a deadly injury was 21 per cent at 8.6 knots but 79 per cent at 15 knots. Below 11.8 knots, a strike is more likely to be survived than not.
A 10 knot limit works for right whales
Since 2008, the United States has required vessels 65 feet (about 20 metres) or longer to travel at 10 knots or less in set areas and seasons along the East Coast, to protect North Atlantic right whales. A later study estimated these limits cut the risk of deadly ship strikes by 80 to 90 per cent.
Turtles cannot escape fast boats
In Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, researchers watched 1,890 green turtle encounters. 60 per cent of turtles moved away from a boat going 4 km/h, but only 22 per cent at 11 km/h and 4 per cent at 19 km/h.
Slow zones save manatees
In Sykes Creek and the Barge Canal on Merritt Island, Florida, eight manatees were killed by boats in the 42 months before year-round slow speed was enforced. In the 42 months after, only one was killed.
Faster boats are louder
Recordings of 1,582 ships in Haro Strait, between Washington State and British Columbia, showed that most ships get about 1 decibel louder for every extra knot of speed. This noise reaches the high sounds that killer whales use to find food.
Going slow gives whales quiet time to feed
When ships in Haro Strait were asked to slow to 11 knots, underwater noise fell by 2.5 decibels, about 44 per cent less sound energy. Scientists estimated this cut the feeding time killer whales lose to noise by 22 per cent.
🎒 Packing tips
Do you have everything you need for your next trip?
Check Rocío’s recommendations: reef-safe sunscreen, recycled swimwear, comfortable hair accessories for the mask, and the camera she actually dives with.
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Ready to join us?
Local team, matched by RocíoEasy difficulty, 2 of 4
5 Days on Gili Trawangan
5 days / 4 nights, dates on request
Why Easy: An SSI Open Water or Advanced course on a small car-free island. Certified and uncertified divers welcome.
To book, message Rocío by email or WhatsApp. She replies personally with dates and next steps.
Questions about Gili Trawangan
Is Gili Trawangan good for beginners?
Yes. Beginners are welcome and no experience is required.
How do I get there?
Airport pickup from Lombok and a fast-boat transfer are included, both ways.
Can uncertified divers join?
Yes. Uncertified divers take SSI Open Water. Certified divers can take Advanced.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. You need travel insurance that covers scuba diving and emergency evacuation, from your own policy or through the dive centre’s insurance. The dive centre may ask to see it, so please have it in place before you travel.
Who looks after me in the water?
A licensed local SSI dive centre on Gili Trawangan teaches and guides every dive. Rocío plans the trip with you and is your point of contact.
Is Gili Trawangan a party island?
Partly, yes. The east side near the harbour has bars and music most nights. The west and north sides are quieter. If you need calm evenings, tell Rocío, and she will ask for a room away from the east side.
More answers in Planning & FAQ · About Rocío · Protected waters we visit · Ethical ocean travel journal
No cars, no rush, and maybe a turtle resting on the sand below your fins. If that sounds like your pace, see how to join.
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