SSI ITC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
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 …
A Philosophy Rooted in Conservation and Community Since opening its doors in 2010, Oceans 5 Gili Air has embraced a philosophy that goes far beyond teaching scuba diving. From the very beginning, conservation and community have been at the heart of its operations. Oceans 5 …
Gili Air is more than just a tropical paradise for divers and holidaymakers—it’s a small, close-knit island where the environment, the community, and local businesses are deeply connected. Life here depends on a delicate balance: the health of the ocean draws visitors, the warmth of the local community makes them stay, and tourism supports livelihoods. But with opportunity comes responsibility.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe that every business operating here should give something back—whether through environmental protection, community initiatives, or both. Our own journey in this commitment has been ongoing since we opened in 2010, and it continues to grow stronger every year.
From the very beginning, Oceans 5 made environmental protection part of our DNA. We are located in the Gili Matra Marine Park, an area that should be preserved for generations to come. Our conservation work includes:
Unlike many conservation programs that depend on donations or external grants, Oceans 5 finances its environmental and community initiatives entirely from its own operations. The revenue from our diving courses and resort services allows us to allocate a dedicated annual budget to these projects—without asking guests to pay extra or relying on outside funding.
This model ensures stability: whether or not donations are available, our cleanups, education programs, and research support will continue. We see it as a responsibility, not a seasonal project or a marketing campaign.
We don’t expect every business to do exactly what we do—after all, a restaurant can’t run reef cleanups in the same way a dive shop can. But every business can contribute in its own way:
On a small island like Gili Air, where resources are limited and the environment is fragile, every little bit counts. The combined effect of many small actions can be as powerful as a single large project.
It’s easy to forget that without the local community, there would be no Gili Air as we know it. The warm smiles that greet visitors, the knowledge passed from fisherman to dive guide, the hospitality that keeps tourists returning—these all come from the people who call this island home.
If you run a business here and make your living from the beauty and culture of this place, it’s only fair to give something back. This isn’t just about charity—it’s about respect, sustainability, and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same Gili Air we love today.
Oceans 5 will continue to do our part—cleaning beaches and reefs, supporting marine science, and teaching environmentally responsible diving. But our hope is that every business, big or small, joins in. It doesn’t have to be costly or complicated; it just has to be consistent.
Because when everyone contributes, Gili Air thrives—not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing community in harmony with the ocean that surrounds it.
Community in Action: 65kg of Rubbish This week, a massive beach cleanup took place at the harbor of Gili Air, organized by Oceans 5 Gili Air’s very own divemaster, Zain. With the wind picking up in the afternoons and the swell carrying more and more …
From Divemaster to Dive Instructor After 20 days of dedication, growth, and hard work, Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo have officially become PADI Instructors. Their journey at Oceans 5 Gili Air started with passion and ambition, and it ended with the successful completion of the …
Becoming a PADI Instructor is a milestone achievement — the result of weeks (or even months) of dedication, study, and training. For those who complete their Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Oceans 5 Gili Air, the journey doesn’t end with passing the PADI Instructor Examination (IE). In fact, it’s just the beginning of a world filled with new opportunities, further development, and real-life teaching experiences. So, what’s next?
Here’s a look at what newly certified instructors can do after completing their IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
One of the most popular next steps at Oceans 5 Gili Air is the Free PADI IDC Internship. This optional 2–3 week program allows new instructors to assist experienced instructors with real PADI courses. It’s a valuable bridge between training and employment, giving instructors hands-on experience under the mentorship of Oceans 5’s senior team.
During this internship, you’ll assist with Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, and even Divemaster courses. You’ll gain insight into how different instructors teach, how to manage students, organize logistics, and handle the unexpected — all in a supportive environment.
This internship helps new instructors build confidence, fine-tune their teaching methods, and gain references for future jobs.
After becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), many candidates choose to take the next step toward becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT).
Oceans 5 Gili Air offers a Specialties Instructor Training Week after every IDC. This is your chance to learn how to teach up to five or more PADI Specialties under the direct supervision of one of the in-house Course Directors. Options include:
Becoming a specialty instructor gives you access to a broader range of students and makes you more attractive to potential employers. Once you’ve taught 25 certifications and have five specialties, you can apply for your MSDT rating.
With a PADI Instructor certification in hand, you’re now ready to teach your own PADI courses — anywhere in the world. But what if you’d rather not leave just yet?
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, it’s not uncommon for former IDC candidates to stay on as instructors, especially during high season. With its consistent flow of students and reputation for quality, Oceans 5 is an ideal place to start your career. Many instructors have taught their very first Open Water, Advanced, or Rescue Diver course right where they were trained.
Even if no teaching positions are currently available, Oceans 5 is well connected to dive centers across Indonesia and globally. Your Course Director and mentor can help guide you in the right direction or provide job recommendations.
For those already thinking long-term, becoming an IDC Staff Instructor is a fantastic way to grow. This allows you to assist on future IDCs, mentor new instructor candidates, and deepen your understanding of PADI’s educational system.
Oceans 5 offers this course under the direct mentorship of its Course Directors. You’ll learn how to evaluate IDC candidates in confined water, classroom, and open water sessions, and play a direct role in their development.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in expanding your limits underwater, Oceans 5 also offers TDI Technical Diving courses. This includes specialties like sidemount, decompression procedures, and other tech diving certifications that are ideal for instructors who want to dive deeper into their career — literally.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, diving isn’t just about teaching — it’s about making a difference. Many new instructors choose to get involved in the dive center’s conservation projects, such as:
By staying active in these programs, you’re not only giving back to the ocean but also enhancing your professional profile as a conservation-minded instructor — something highly valued in today’s dive industry.
And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the tropical island life you’ve worked so hard for. Life on Gili Air is a unique blend of community, nature, and simplicity. Many new instructors take a few weeks to relax, do fun dives, explore Lombok, or just enjoy sunsets with their fellow divers.
At Oceans 5, there’s a strong family atmosphere — many IDC graduates remain connected long after their course ends. Whether you stay on the island or head off for your next dive job, you’ll always have a home base and a support system at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
Becoming a PADI Instructor is just the beginning. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the path after your IDC is filled with opportunity — from gaining teaching experience through the free internship, to becoming a Specialty Instructor, MSDT, or even taking your first paid teaching job. You’ll be supported every step of the way by experienced professionals who care about your growth.
So, what can you do after your IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air? The better question might be: what can’t you do? Your diving future starts here — and the ocean is waiting.
The Gili Matra Marine Park The Gili Islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air — are more than just stunning tropical getaways with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. They are located within one of Indonesia’s top ten marine parks, the Gili Matra Marine Park, …