PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Inclusion at Oceans 5 Gili Air Every diver remembers that first breath underwater—a moment suspended between nerves and exhilaration. Learning to dive is a deeply personal journey. For some, it’s about mastering buoyancy or clearing a mask without panicking. For others, …
From Divemaster to Dive Instructor: Denise and Roland Become PADI Instructors at Oceans 5 Gili Air A Milestone Achievement Yesterday was a day to remember at Oceans 5 Gili Air, as Denise and Roland proudly became certified PADI Instructors. Under the guidance of PADI Course Director Waz, the …
15 Years of Aqualung Rental Equipment at Oceans 5 Gili Air
When you walk into the equipment room at Oceans 5 Gili Air, there’s something that immediately stands out—every BCD and regulator carries the trusted Aqualung name. This is no coincidence. For the past 15 years, Oceans 5 has been committed to providing top-quality rental gear, and that commitment has always centered around one brand: Aqualung.
But why Aqualung? Why not another brand? Over the past decade and a half, countless new dive equipment brands have entered the Indonesian market. While competition has grown, Oceans 5 Gili Air has never felt the need to switch. Here’s why.
Back in 2010, when Oceans 5 Gili Air first opened its doors on the shores of Gili Air, the dive equipment market in Indonesia looked very different than it does today. The two dominant brands were Scubapro and Aqualung—and the choice between the two came down to reliability, serviceability, and long-term support.
That’s when Oceans 5 began working with Master Selam, one of Indonesia’s largest and most reputable distributors of dive equipment. The partnership was immediate and natural. Master Selam supplied Oceans 5 with Aqualung BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, and snorkels, and over the years, this gear has proven itself time and time again.
1. Durability for Daily Use
Rental gear needs to be tough. It’s used every day by divers of all experience levels, from beginners in the pool to professionals diving deep around the Gili Islands. Aqualung BCDs and regulators have consistently shown exceptional durability in our tropical marine environment. Salt, sand, sun, and regular use can wear down poorly made gear—but not Aqualung.
2. Easy to Maintain
Dive centers know that even the best gear needs regular servicing. What makes Aqualung stand out is how easy it is to maintain. The design of their equipment allows our technician team to quickly service and repair items as needed, without long delays or complex procedures.
3. Readily Available Spare Parts
In Indonesia, access to spare parts is critical. Waiting weeks for components to be shipped from overseas simply isn’t practical for a busy dive operation. Thanks to our partnership with Master Selam, spare parts for Aqualung gear are always available and delivered quickly, keeping our operation running smoothly with minimal downtime.
4. Consistent Quality Across Models
Whether it’s the beginner-friendly Aqualung Wave BCD or a more advanced Legend regulator, Aqualung offers consistency in quality. This means that no matter what configuration we use for our rental sets, we know we’re giving our divers the best possible experience underwater.
There have been moments over the years when other brands presented tempting offers—lower prices, trendy designs, or short-term promotions. But every time we tested alternative equipment, the results were clear: they simply didn’t match the performance, durability, or comfort of Aqualung.
For Oceans 5, cheap gear ends up being expensive—more repairs, more replacements, and, more importantly, less satisfied divers. That’s a compromise we’re not willing to make.
Many of our guests, from first-time Open Water students to professional divers attending the PADI Instructor Development Course, comment on the quality of our gear. They feel safe, comfortable, and confident knowing that they’re diving with well-maintained, top-of-the-line equipment. For instructors and divemasters guiding courses and fun dives, having reliable gear means they can focus on teaching and guiding, not troubleshooting.
When you choose to dive with Oceans 5 Gili Air, you’re choosing a dive center that prioritizes safety, comfort, and professionalism. Our choice to stick with Aqualung for 15 years is more than brand loyalty—it’s a decision based on thousands of dives, hundreds of students, and years of reliable service.
Whether you’re suiting up for your first dive or gearing up for a tech dive or instructor course, you’ll be wearing equipment that’s trusted by dive professionals around the world. And that’s not just marketing—it’s a promise based on experience.
Experience the difference. Dive with Oceans 5 Gili Air. Dive with Aqualung.
A Massive Success: Weekly Beach Cleanup at Oceans 5 Gili Air Collects 47 kg of Rubbish Despite Winds Every Friday at 17:00, something extraordinary happens in front of Oceans 5 Gili Air. While many visitors to the island are wrapping up their diving adventures or …
The Captains of Oceans 5 Gili Air When people imagine a dive center, they often picture instructors teaching skills, divemasters guiding guests through vibrant reefs, or staff preparing gear on the beach. Rarely do they think about the quiet professionals steering the boats—the captains who …
When guests walk into Oceans 5 Gili Air, they’re greeted by smiles at the reception, warm welcomes from instructors, and the buzz of divers prepping gear. The boats depart with excitement, the instructors guide students through their first breaths underwater, and divemasters lead guests across the vibrant reefs. But behind every successful dive—behind every satisfied smile and underwater memory—stand three of the most important individuals at Oceans 5. Yet, most guests never learn their names.
Meet Irwan, Main, and Ram—the unsung heroes of the dive shop.
You won’t find Irwan, Main, or Ram briefing students or guiding fun dives. They don’t lead Discover Scuba Diving sessions or teach rescue skills in the pool. Instead, you’ll catch glimpses of them moving purposefully around the dive shop—perhaps stopping briefly for a quick coffee before quietly loading or unloading tanks. And then, they disappear again, heading to the back of the resort where few guests venture: the compressor room.
It’s here, tucked away from the cheerful chaos of daily dive life, that the heartbeat of Oceans 5 Gili Air lies. Because without properly filled tanks—clean, dry, perfectly mixed air or nitrox—there can be no diving. And maintaining that heartbeat is the responsibility of these three men.
In 2024, Oceans 5 underwent a massive transformation behind the scenes. The dive center had always prided itself on offering safe, high-quality diving, but the team knew it was time to take the next step. A complete overhaul of the compressor room was initiated, and with it came state-of-the-art equipment: a membrane system, a dedicated nitrox system, an air cooling unit, and a booster pump—all meticulously installed under the guidance of Ary from Dive Sports Indonesia, a trusted equipment expert with decades of experience.
It wasn’t just about upgrading the gear; it was about empowering the people who use it. Ary provided intensive training for Irwan, Main, and Ram, ensuring they understood every detail of the new systems. From gas analysis and filtration checks to moisture control and oxygen blending techniques, the training elevated them from tank fillers to gas technicians.
For the average diver, a full tank is just part of the dive setup. But at Oceans 5, the quality of air is non-negotiable. Every tank must be:
If even one tank is not up to standard, it could result in dive delays, safety concerns, or worse—health complaints from guests. That’s why Irwan, Main, and Ram treat every tank with utmost care. They test, log, analyze, and monitor each fill with a precision that reflects the professionalism at the core of Oceans 5.
It’s not an easy job. From 8:00 in the morning until 17:00, seven days a week, they manage hundreds of tanks. They coordinate tank logistics, ensure proper cooling times, and respond to the needs of instructors and divemasters who rely on a constant stream of perfect tanks for training and fun dives.
Irwan, with his calm and steady demeanor, is often the first one in the compressor room each morning. His attention to detail ensures that every system is checked before the first tank is filled. He’s the one who double-checks the logbooks and notices if a filter needs changing.
Main, energetic and precise, is the logistics master—making sure empty tanks are swapped out efficiently and that every dive team gets what they need without delay. His coordination is what keeps the flow smooth between dive shop and compressor room.
Ram, the youngest of the three, brings a sharp eye and growing expertise. Since the compressor upgrade, he’s taken a deep interest in nitrox blending, mastering the art of getting the perfect mix every time. He’s often the one calibrating the nitrox analyzer and preparing tanks for deep or long dives.
Together, these three men are a team that operates like a well-oiled machine. They rarely make mistakes—and when they do, they catch them before anyone notices. Their dedication is not flashy or loud, but it’s the kind that holds the entire operation together.
Every diver at Oceans 5 can thank Irwan, Main, and Ram for making their dives not only possible but safe. The dive center’s commitment to quality doesn’t end with instruction, briefings, or conservation—it begins, quite literally, with the air that fills the tank.
Without their quiet precision, the seamless experience guests enjoy would crumble. There would be no confident instructor courses, no fun dives to Shark Point, no rescue courses in the bay. Every breath underwater depends on their behind-the-scenes work.
So next time you walk into the dive shop and see someone rolling in a trolley of full tanks or quietly sipping coffee near the compressor room entrance, take a moment. That might be Irwan, Main, or Ram—the invisible legends of Oceans 5 Gili Air.
They won’t ask for recognition. But they deserve it.
Because without them, there would be no diving.
And without diving, there would be no Oceans 5.
From Guest to Director: Chelle’s Unexpected Journey Maybe you’ve received an email with her name at the bottom. Maybe you’ve spoken to her at the desk while booking your next dive. Or maybe you just saw her walking through the dive center, radiating calm in …
Protecting the Reef, One Dive at a Time: The Weekly Reef Clean-Up at Oceans 5 Gili Air Every Saturday afternoon, just as the sun starts to soften over the waters of Gili Air, a dedicated team of divers gears up for a mission. But this …
Your Discover Scuba Diving Program
In today’s highly competitive dive industry, many dive centers are racing against each other—sometimes not to be better, but simply to be cheaper or faster. The focus often shifts from education and experience to volume and turnover. Price cuts and condensed schedules have become common tactics to lure in customers. But these shortcuts come at a cost, often resulting in rushed programs, reduced safety margins, and a lack of personalized instruction. Unfortunately, the participant—especially someone new to diving—ends up paying the real price.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we reject this approach.
As the only PADI Career Development Centre on Gili Air, we have a responsibility—not just to train, but to inspire, educate, and nurture a love and respect for the ocean. Nowhere is this philosophy more evident than in our Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) Program, one of the most popular introductory dive programs we offer.
Let’s take a deep dive into why we take our time with you during your Discover Scuba Diving experience, and why this makes all the difference for your safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
Before diving into our approach, it’s important to understand the context.
All across diving hotspots like the Gili Islands, many dive businesses find themselves locked in a battle of price competition and time efficiency. A dive center may lower its Discover Scuba Diving prices below agreed rates to gain a competitive advantage. Others may reduce the program to a quick 2–3 hour experience to fit in more customers per day.
It’s easy to see why this model is attractive for businesses focused on profit margins. More customers per instructor, more programs in a day, and quicker turnarounds. But while this may benefit the business, it almost always disadvantages the student.
Rushing an experience like Discover Scuba Diving can lead to:
In other words, the very first step in someone’s potential journey into the diving world is often treated like a transaction, not an introduction to a lifelong passion.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we do things differently—by design.
We believe that every diver, regardless of their level or experience, deserves personal attention, thorough training, and the time they need to feel comfortable and confident. That’s why we consciously choose not to be the cheapest option on Gili Air. Our pricing reflects the quality of service, time investment, and the professionalism of our team.
We pay our instructors fair and stable salaries, so they’re not pressured to rush through programs or juggle too many students at once. Their focus is entirely on you—your comfort, your questions, your safety, and your enjoyment.
Unlike some dive centers that advertise their Discover Scuba Diving program as a quick dip in the ocean, we treat it as a complete, one-day experience. This structure isn’t about logistics—it’s about learning.
Here’s what the day looks like:
Before you even enter the water, you’ll be introduced to key concepts of scuba diving using the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Flipchart. We also give you access to the PADI DSD eLearning materials, so you can familiarize yourself with the basics of diving before or after your session.
Your instructor will take the time to:
This is not a race—it’s a conversation. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed and ready before taking your first breath underwater.
Once you’ve reviewed the theory, you’ll head to our 25-meter training pool—a controlled environment ideal for your first underwater experience.
Unlike many centers that allocate just 20–30 minutes for the pool, at Oceans 5 there is no fixed time limit. Instead, the session ends when you and your instructor agree you’re ready to continue.
You’ll practice:
Our instructors take a maximum of four participants per group, ensuring you get individualized feedback and guidance.
This slow, deliberate approach reduces stress, builds confidence, and creates a safe learning environment where your comfort comes first.
Once you’re confident in the pool, it’s time to head to the ocean. You’ll join your instructor for a guided dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters at one of our stunning dive sites around the Gili Islands.
And here’s something important: The same instructor who taught you in the classroom and the pool will be with you in the ocean. This continuity is critical. You already trust them, and they already understand your comfort level and needs.
In the ocean, you’ll explore vibrant reefs, colorful fish, and perhaps even sea turtles or rays—all while feeling safe, supported, and free to enjoy the moment.
This isn’t just a bucket-list item—it’s a fully immersive experience into the magic of the underwater world.
After the dive, you’ll return to Oceans 5 for a relaxed debrief. Your instructor will review what went well, answer any lingering questions, and talk about your next steps if you want to continue learning.
Each participant receives a certificate of recognition—a keepsake of your first dive and your achievement in completing the program.
Many participants are surprised at how transformative the day is. What began as curiosity often ends in passion. Several of our current Divemaster candidates and even instructors started their journeys through this very DSD program at Oceans 5.
One of the most common questions we hear from potential students is:
“Can I do the program at my own pace?”
At Oceans 5, the answer is always yes.
If you’re not ready to move from the pool to the ocean, that’s fine. If you need extra time to repeat a skill, no problem. If you feel nervous or hesitant, your instructor is trained to recognize this and respond with patience, not pressure.
This level of attention and empathy is only possible in a dive center that values quality over quantity and believes in investing time in people—not just processing customers.
Your first dive matters.
It’s what sets the tone for the rest of your relationship with the ocean. A rushed or poorly conducted Discover Scuba Diving experience can turn people off from diving forever. On the other hand, a well-paced, caring introduction builds confidence, creates joy, and often inspires people to pursue further dive education.
That’s why we at Oceans 5 Gili Air don’t cut corners. We don’t cut time. And we certainly don’t cut standards.
You may not be thinking about becoming a professional diver right now. Maybe you’re just on holiday, looking for an exciting way to spend the day. That’s great! But your time, your safety, and your experience still deserve to be respected.
By choosing a dive center that puts you at the center of the program—not their schedule—you’ll have a safer, more enjoyable, and more empowering experience.
And who knows? Your Discover Scuba Diving experience at Oceans 5 might be the beginning of something far greater—a new passion, a new lifestyle, or even a new career.
Before signing up for a Discover Scuba Diving program anywhere, ask these questions:
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are proud to say that we meet and exceed expectations in all of these areas.
Discover Scuba Diving is about more than putting on a tank and jumping into the water. It’s about discovering yourself—your confidence, your curiosity, your connection to the underwater world.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we don’t believe in rushing that process. We take the time with every student because you deserve to have the best possible first dive experience. Our instructors are here to guide you, support you, and make sure your first underwater breath is one you’ll never forget—for all the right reasons.
If you’re ready to take the plunge, come join us. We’ll take our time with you—because that’s what real dive education looks like.
Contact us today to book your Discover Scuba Diving program at Oceans 5 Gili Air. Your journey begins with one breath. Make it count
Is Scuba Diving Dangerous? Understanding the Risks, Realities, and Safety of Diving at Oceans 5 Gili Air One of the most frequently asked questions we get at Oceans 5 Gili Air is, “Is scuba diving dangerous?” And it’s a fair question—when people imagine diving, they often think …