PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
A New Chapter for Oceans 5 Gili Air: Change, Growth, and the Same Heartbeat If you’ve seen our recent social media posts, heard whispers around the island, or caught a few rumors online, you might already know: after 15 incredible years, Oceans 5 Gili Air is …
Divemaster Internship Program for Indonesian Citizens 2025: Empowering Local Talent at Oceans 5 Gili Air For more than 15 years, Oceans 5 Gili Air has stood not only as a dive centre dedicated to high-quality training but also as a place deeply rooted in the …
Family holidays often come with a familiar challenge: What can we do that is fun, meaningful, and unforgettable for the kids? While many families turn to beach games, snorkeling trips, or island activities, there is one option that stands far above the rest—scuba diving. Not only is it exciting and adventurous, but it is also one of the most educational and empowering experiences a child can have.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we see every week how scuba diving transforms young people. Children grow in confidence, they discover a deeper understanding of the natural world, and they return from dives with stories that light up their faces. And the best part? Kids can start their Open Water Diver certification from just 10 years old, giving them access to a sport that can stay with them for life.
Below, we explore why scuba diving is such a great sport for kids—and why their first breaths underwater may just be the highlight of your holiday.
Many parents are surprised to learn that scuba diving is not just for adults. Recreational diving agencies allow children to join the full Open Water Diver Course from the age of 10. This is not a “watered-down” version of the adult course—it’s the actual certification, adapted with kid-friendly equipment, teaching methods, and safety ratios.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we run Open Water Courses every day, and we have specially sized equipment designed for younger divers. Small BCDs, shorter wetsuits, lightweight tanks, and masks that fit children’s faces make the experience comfortable and fun. Our instructors who teach children are selected specifically because they love working with young divers and know how to keep the program safe, relaxed, and enjoyable.
The result? Children don’t just learn to dive—they do it confidently and safely from the very first day.
Diving is one of the most complete learning experiences for kids. Over the course of 3–4 days, they develop:
Kids learn why pressure affects the body, how buoyancy works, how to communicate underwater, and what equipment does. For many young divers, it is the first time they see science not as a classroom lesson but as something practical, fascinating, and useful.
From assembling equipment to controlling buoyancy, diving requires fine motor skills, balance, focus, and body awareness. Kids learn to move underwater in a controlled, graceful way—something that helps them in all areas of life, from swimming and sports to concentration at school.
Every dive includes exercises: clearing a mask, recovering a regulator, staying neutrally buoyant. These tasks teach kids to stay calm, follow steps, and solve challenges safely. Many parents tell us later that these skills show in their children’s behaviour long after the holiday ends.
One of the most powerful gifts diving gives children is a real, personal understanding of the natural world.
Underwater, kids see ecosystems in action—corals feeding, turtles resting, fish hiding, cleaner wrasses helping larger fish. It’s the first time many children realize how delicate and interconnected everything is. No textbook or documentary can compare to the moment a child sees a reef alive with colour and movement.
And from that moment, something changes.
Kids begin to ask questions:
Why is this coral broken? Why is there plastic in the ocean? Why is this fish scared?
These questions guide them naturally toward environmental awareness. During the Open Water course, instructors explain how reefs grow, why we don’t touch marine life, how buoyancy protects the reef, and why keeping our oceans clean matters.
This is not just a diving lesson—it is a life lesson that shapes how kids think about their world.
Becoming a diver comes with responsibility—and children take that very seriously. They learn:
Parents often tell us that their children become more disciplined and mature after the course. Diving requires focus and respect for the environment, and kids naturally rise to the level expected of them.
They also develop a unique relationship with the ocean. When a child sees what lies beneath the surface, they instantly become more protective of it. They understand why we avoid stepping on corals, why we reduce plastic, and why small actions matter. That sense of responsibility stays with them forever.
One of the beautiful side effects of kids learning to dive is that they talk about it. A lot.
Kids love telling others about:
In this way, young divers become messengers. They share their excitement, and with it, they spread awareness. Many of our young divers return home and inspire their classmates to recycle, use less plastic, or learn about the ocean. Some even give school presentations using their underwater photos.
Diving doesn’t just teach kids—it empowers them to teach others.
The Open Water Course is more than a class. It is a social event where kids meet:
In this positive environment, kids quickly learn to interact with strangers, work with a buddy, cooperate during skills, and celebrate their achievements with others.
For shy children, diving can be transformative. Many of them become more confident and comfortable speaking to new people. For outgoing children, diving gives them a group to connect with—friends from all over the world.
Whether they are sharing stories, practicing skills, or looking at fish ID books together, the social side of diving is one of the best parts of the experience.
One of the greatest benefits of getting certified young is that the Open Water certification never expires. Even if a kid completes the course at 10 years old, they will be certified forever.
Of course, if they haven’t been diving for a while, we recommend a refresher—but the certification itself stays valid.
This means your child can:
It opens the door to a lifetime of adventure—both recreationally and professionally.
Some of our instructors at Oceans 5 started diving when they were kids themselves. Their passion began with a single Open Water course, just like the one your child might take during your holiday.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we create the ideal environment for young divers:
Families arriving on any date can start within 24 hours.
Small tanks, children’s masks, small BCDs, and lighter gear to make everything comfortable.
Not every instructor is suited to teaching children. We choose instructors who are patient, fun, gentle, and safety-focused.
The Gili Islands offer calm conditions, good visibility, shallow reefs, and plenty of marine life—perfect for kids.
We teach in small groups, without rushing, and always at the pace of the child.
From assembling equipment to making their first descent, kids gain confidence every step of the way.
If you’re on holiday and wondering what you can do for your kids that is meaningful, exciting, and unforgettable, scuba diving might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s not just a sport—it’s a complete learning experience that shapes how children see the world.
Scuba diving helps kids:
And with a certification that lasts for life, the adventure doesn’t end when the holiday ends—it is just beginning.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are ready every day to guide young divers on this journey. With kid-specialized equipment, calm dive sites, and instructors who love teaching children, we ensure the experience is safe, joyful, and unforgettable.
Give your children the gift of discovery beneath the surface—and watch how it changes them forever.
Oceans 5’s Weekly Harbor Cleanups and a Growing Culture of Conservation For many people, the Gili Islands bring to mind turquoise water, coral reefs alive with colour, and sunsets that paint the horizon in gold. What visitors often don’t see is the dedication and effort …
When divers talk about Indonesia, their minds often jump to places like Komodo, Raja Ampat, or Lembeh. Yet, sitting quietly between Lombok and Bali lies a diver’s paradise that is as underestimated as it is spectacular—the Gili Islands. Many people still believe the Gilis are only a training hub for beginners or a practice ground for instructor candidates. They imagine crowded dive sites, sandy bottoms, and nothing worth exploring once you are certified.
That misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Gili Islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—are nestled within the Gili Matra Marine Park, one of Indonesia’s officially protected marine areas. This status alone already sets the tone: conservation, regulation, and biodiversity. Whether you’re a new diver, a seasoned photographer, or an experienced technical diver, the Gilis offer something special for everyone. With more than 25 unique dive sites across dramatically different topographies, the islands are far from “just a classroom.” They are a living, breathing underwater world teeming with life—big and small, shallow and deep.
Let’s explore what fun diving around the Gili Islands truly has to offer.
Many who dismiss the Gilis as “just a training area” have never truly explored the depth of what the marine park provides. The reefs around the three islands are healthy, colorful, and surprisingly diverse. Because the Gili Matra Marine Park imposes conservation rules, local dive centers participate in reef monitoring, waste reduction, and marine park fees that contribute to long-term protection.
As a result, divers can enjoy coral slopes, rubble patches full of surprises, deep reefs, cleaning stations, wrecks, walls, and drift dives—all within a short boat ride. No site is further than 10–20 minutes away, which means divers can comfortably explore several in one day without long travel times.
One of the biggest strengths of the Gili Islands is accessibility. Unlike many destinations that require long boat crossings or advanced certifications to see something worthwhile, the Gilis deliver an abundance of marine life in waters suitable for all levels.
Many reefs offer gentle slopes, mild currents, and good visibility. Open Water divers can enjoy coral gardens filled with butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, wrasse, sweetlips, and juvenile reef species. Drift dives are smooth, relaxed, and ideal for building experience under guidance.
For those who want more excitement, the Gilis deliver deeper reefs, swim-throughs, walls, stronger currents, and shark encounters. Sites on the north and west of Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno often offer sightings of blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, large trevallies, schools of fusiliers, eagle rays, and the occasional mobula.
Not one, but two wreck dives are available—and both offer fun, accessible exploration.
The Gilis also cater to tech divers. Deeper slopes, walls, and drop-offs allow for decompression diving around canyons and untouched reef sections. The clear water and easy logistics make it a convenient base for tech divers building experience or exploring beyond recreational limits.
If there is one creature that defines diving around the Gilis, it is the turtle. The islands are world-famous for their large populations of green and hawksbill turtles. Unlike many other destinations where spotting one turtle is a highlight, here they are a part of nearly every dive.
Divers can encounter them resting on coral, gliding above reefs, visiting cleaning stations, or lazily drifting with the current. It is not uncommon to see five, ten, or even twenty in a single dive—especially around Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno.
For photographers, new divers, and families, it creates unforgettable memories. For experienced divers, it is still pure magic.
Many divers assume sharks are only found in Indonesia’s more remote regions. Yet, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted around the Gilis, particularly on the western and northern sites of Gili Trawangan. Sites like Shark Point or Deep Turbo often deliver encounters with one or several individuals.
You may also see schools of trevallies, giant travellies on the hunt, barracuda, eagle rays, and sometimes even larger visitors cruising through.
And because currents can vary from mild to strong depending on tides and site choice, underwater action can be as relaxed or as thrilling as you want it to be.
While many divers think of the Gilis as a “big stuff” destination, the macro life is a well-kept secret. In certain sandy bays, harbors, and rubble slopes, an entire universe of tiny creatures lives quietly beneath the surface. These sites are often overlooked by large dive centers that prefer the classic circuit of popular dive spots.
But those who take the time to explore are rewarded with incredible detail.
Top macro sites include:
These areas are macro heaven, especially for photographers and critter hunters. Frogfish hide in sponges, mimic and coconut octopus roam the sand, pipefish slither along corals, and nudibranchs of every color are everywhere once you start looking. Seahorses, ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, bobtail squid, shrimps, and crabs appear in all shapes and sizes.
This combination—large megafauna like turtles and sharks plus world-class macro—makes the Gilis an unusually versatile dive destination.
The misconception that “the Gilis are only good for training” often comes from divers who only did a few dives in crowded, shallow, and well-worn training areas. Many dive centers stick to the same four or five popular sites day after day. They focus on logistics, not exploration.
But the marine park includes far more than the obvious spots.
Some operators do not visit macro sites regularly, some avoid the deeper slopes unless requested, and many do not customize dive plans to match diver interests. As a result, many fun divers leave the Gilis without realizing what they missed.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the philosophy is simple: listen to the divers, not just the schedule. Every diver has different preferences—some love wrecks, some want turtles or sharks, others are obsessed with macro or underwater photography. Instead of rotating through the same “popular” sites, Oceans 5 goes where the guests want to go.
That flexibility is what opens the door to the full richness of the marine park.
Guests who love turtles? Head to Turtle Heaven or Sunset Point.
Macro hunters? Hans Reef or Seahorse Bay.
Adventurous wreck fans? Bounty or Glenn Nusa.
Deep divers or technical training? Northern drop-offs and submerged reefs.
Photographers? Playgrounds, Halik, Mentigi, and shallow reefs full of surprises.
Because the dive center listens instead of assuming, fun divers get the experience they’re actually looking for—not a generic tour.
Drift diving is one of the highlights of the Gilis. Water movement brings nutrients, and nutrients bring fish. Many sites offer smooth and comfortable drifts that allow you to relax and simply glide past coral gardens and marine life.
Experienced guides know how to plan dives based on tides and currents. Instead of fighting the sea, they use the flow to make the experience enjoyable and effortless. This makes it ideal for divers of all levels—from relaxed beginners to thrill-seeking current junkies.
Another often-overlooked benefit is convenience. No long boat rides, no overnight trips, and no complicated transfers. Boats depart directly from the beach, and most sites are 5–20 minutes away. That means more diving and less traveling.
The water is warm year-round—usually 27–30°C—visibility often ranges from 15–30 meters, and conditions are comfortable in most seasons. There are also very few days where the sea is undiveable, making it a reliable destination year-round.
Whether you are a casual holiday diver, a family with kids who snorkel, a photographer with a macro lens, or an experienced diver looking to squeeze in five dives a day, the Gili Islands deliver. The variety of marine environments allows you to build your itinerary however you like.
You can spend one day exploring turtles and reef sharks, the next hunting nudibranchs in sandy bays, and the day after drifting past coral slopes or exploring a wreck. You don’t need flights or long transfers to visit multiple types of diving—it’s all right there.
The idea that the Gili Islands are “only for beginners” or “just training grounds” is outdated and often repeated by people who barely scratched the surface. The marine park is alive, diverse, and full of surprises—with healthy reefs, plenty of fish, guaranteed turtles, hidden critters, sharks, rays, and wrecks.
The only real limitation is whether your dive center is willing to take you there.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, fun diving is treated with the same priority and passion as any course. Divers are asked what they want to see, and the schedule adapts. From stunning coral slopes to wrecks, from sharks to shrimps, from drift dives to macro dives, the Gilis are ready to impress anyone who gives them a proper chance.
So the next time someone says “there’s nothing to see in the Gilis,” you’ll know—they just haven’t dived them properly.
And if you dive with the right team, like Oceans 5 Gili Air, you absolutely will.
Supporting the Gili Matra Marine Park Many people who visit the Gili Islands are unaware that they are entering one of Indonesia’s most important marine parks. Gili Air, together with Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, is located within the Gili Matra Marine Park, officially designated by …
Oceans 5’s Latest Beach Cleanup When you step onto the sandy shores of Gili Air, the first thing you notice is the island’s calm atmosphere and turquoise water stretching out toward Lombok’s towering mountains. But behind this postcard-perfect view lies a continuous battle to keep …
When it comes to scuba diving around the Gili Islands, Gili Air stands out as a favorite destination for divers from all over the world. This small, charming island offers an impressive variety of dive centers to choose from, ranging from small, family-run operations to larger and more established facilities. With so many options, divers often look at the obvious factors first: price, dive organization affiliation (PADI, SSI, RAID, etc.), size of the dive shop, the number of courses offered, or even the quality of the equipment.
But there is a deeper layer to this decision that many divers are beginning to consider: what is the dive center doing for the local community, and what efforts are they making to protect the Gili Matra Marine Park? These factors go beyond just diving—they are about shaping the future of the island and ensuring that its natural beauty and local culture remain for generations to come.
Yes, price matters, and travelers are often tempted to pick the cheapest option. However, cheaper doesn’t always mean better when it comes to diving. Diving is a life-support activity, and the quality of training, equipment maintenance, and staff professionalism play a huge role in keeping divers safe. The dive center you choose is responsible not just for giving you a memorable experience but for doing so in a way that respects the environment and supports the community you are visiting.
Dive shops that focus solely on being the cheapest often cut corners somewhere—whether in staff salaries, equipment servicing, or environmental responsibility. This may lower the immediate cost for customers, but it comes with hidden risks and long-term consequences. On the other hand, dive centers that invest in their staff, their facilities, and their community tend to create safer, higher-quality diving experiences and a more positive impact on the destination.
Oceans 5 Gili Air is not the cheapest dive shop on the island—and this is by design. Their philosophy has always been about prioritizing quality, sustainability, and fairness rather than competing in a race to the bottom on price.
One of the key differences is how Oceans 5 treats its staff. The majority of the team has been with the company for over 10 years. This kind of loyalty is rare on small tropical islands, where tourism jobs often have a high turnover rate. The reason so many staff stay long-term is that Oceans 5 pays fair wages, offers opportunities for professional growth, and treats its employees like family.
Over the years, local boat crew have been trained to become divemasters, divemasters have been encouraged to become instructors, and instructors have taken on management roles. This creates a stable, experienced team that provides consistent training quality for students and a welcoming, family-like environment for guests.
Oceans 5’s commitment doesn’t stop with its own staff. The dive center is actively involved in supporting local education and marine research. Oceans 5 has partnered with the University of Mataram to give marine science students hands-on opportunities to conduct reef surveys, study coral health, and monitor marine biodiversity around the Gili Islands.
This support goes far beyond simply allowing students to tag along on dives. Oceans 5 provides them with full access to boats, dive equipment, experienced dive guides, lunches, and transport. The goal is to give these students the resources they need to grow into skilled marine scientists who can one day lead conservation efforts in Indonesia.
In 2025 alone, Oceans 5 is supporting 15 Indonesian divers in their journey to become PADI Divemasters. This is not just about building a workforce—it is about empowering local divers to take ownership of their marine resources and become role models for future generations.
Another key factor that sets Oceans 5 apart is its commitment to environmental protection. Oceans 5 was the first foreign-owned company in Indonesia to be granted the SIUPKK, a special conservation license issued by BKKPN Kupang. This license is not simply a piece of paper—it is a recognition of Oceans 5’s commitment to sustainable operations and a legal agreement to contribute to data collection and protection of the Gili Matra Marine Park.
Only five dive centers on the Gili Islands have signed a partnership agreement with BKKPN Kupang, and Oceans 5 is proud to be one of them. This partnership means that Oceans 5 helps the government collect important data about reef health, fish populations, and marine park usage, which is crucial for long-term planning and conservation.
In addition to these official efforts, Oceans 5 has been organizing weekly beach cleanups since 2010—long before sustainability became a buzzword in tourism. Every Friday, staff, interns, and guests gather to collect rubbish from the main harbor beach, where thousands of visitors arrive and depart every day. These cleanups not only remove plastic and other waste from the environment but also create awareness among visitors, showing them firsthand the impact of human activity on a small island ecosystem.
It’s true that some dive centers can offer cheaper prices. But those savings often come at the cost of things you might not immediately see: lower wages for staff, fewer resources for conservation, or neglected equipment maintenance.
Oceans 5 invests in quality equipment and proper servicing schedules to ensure safety. They also invest in people—currently employing four Indonesian instructors and six Indonesian divemasters on a full-time salary, which provides stable livelihoods for local families.
When you dive with Oceans 5, your money directly supports these initiatives. There are no donation boxes, no requests for charity, and no hidden “conservation fees.” All of Oceans 5’s community and environmental projects are fully funded by the business itself. The only thing guests are asked to do is dive or stay with them—because every course and fun dive contributes to keeping these projects alive.
Short-term profit is tempting for many businesses, especially in a competitive tourism market. But Oceans 5 believes in a different model—one that focuses on the long-term future of the Gili Islands.
By training and employing local staff, supporting education, collaborating with government conservation agencies, and continuously raising environmental awareness, Oceans 5 is investing in a future where Gili Air remains a thriving, beautiful destination for generations to come.
This forward-thinking approach benefits not just the business, but everyone who loves the Gili Islands—local residents, international visitors, and even future divers who haven’t yet discovered the magic of the Gilis.
When you are deciding where to dive, ask yourself a few questions:
The answers to these questions can help you make a choice that goes beyond cost and convenience. By diving with centers that care about the bigger picture, you become part of the solution—helping to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the Gili Islands while supporting fair and ethical business practices.
Diving is not just an activity—it is an opportunity to connect with the ocean and the people who depend on it. Where you choose to spend your money matters. Oceans 5 Gili Air has built its philosophy on the idea that diving should not just be about ticking off courses or logging as many dives as possible. It should be about learning, growing, and contributing to something bigger than yourself.
When you dive with Oceans 5, you are supporting a company that takes care of its staff, invests in the future of marine science, collaborates with government agencies, and works tirelessly to keep the Gili Islands clean and healthy.
So, next time you are looking for a dive center on Gili Air, think beyond price. Think about the community, the environment, and the kind of legacy you want to leave behind. By staying and diving with Oceans 5, you are not just enjoying a world-class dive experience—you are helping to secure a better future for the island, its people, and its marine life.
Dive Organizations When people think about learning to dive, one of the first questions that comes up is: “Which certification is better—PADI, SSI, RAID, NAUI, CMAS, NOB?” It’s an understandable question. Each dive organization has its own logo, course materials, and system of rules. But here’s the …
