About this spot
Gili Trawangan, an island in North Lombok's West Nusa Tenggara Province, is a accessible dive destination in Indonesia's tropical waters. The site draws divers year-round, with consistent conditions that support a variety of marine life. Local dive operations service the spot, making it straightforward to arrange dives without extensive planning. The site hosts 12 documented species, offering encounters with reef fish, rays, and other tropical marine life typical of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands. Visibility and depth vary by location around the island, so work with local operators to find conditions matching your experience level. The community has contributed three videos documenting dives here, giving you a sense of what to expect before arrival. Important context: the area is currently under a coral bleaching warning, meaning some reef sections may show stress. This is a temporary condition common across tropical regions and does not prevent diving, but it's worth knowing. The dive site sits outside any marine protected area, so regulations are standard for Indonesia's recreational diving zones. Access is straightforward—ferries run regularly from Lombok's main ports. Pack your certification card, check with local operators for current conditions, and factor in the bleaching status when planning your itinerary. Gili Trawangan suits divers looking for a classic Indonesian reef experience without the crowds of more famous spots.
📖 Guide: Diving in Indonesia: 323 Sites, Mantas to Micro-critters
Best months
Marine life
Dive types
Trip essentials
Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.
Trip checklist
- 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
- 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
- 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
- 📔 Dive logbook
- 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
- 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
- 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
- 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact
Quick facts
- 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
- 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
- GPS
› Sustainability disclosures
From your departure country
- Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
- Flight: 12h · direct
- Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery
FAQ
›When is the best time to dive Gili Trawangan?
Gili Trawangan is diveable year-round. There is no seasonal closure. Check with local operators for current conditions, especially given the active coral bleaching warning.
›What depths and difficulty levels are typical here?
Depth and difficulty vary by dive site around the island. Contact local dive operators for specific information on shallow reefs, walls, or other features matching your certification level.
›What marine life will I see?
Twelve species have been documented at Gili Trawangan, including reef fish, rays, and other tropical marine animals common to Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands. Community videos offer real footage of typical encounters.
›How do I get there and what permits do I need?
Ferries connect Lombok to Gili Trawangan regularly. Standard Indonesian diving regulations apply—bring your certification card. The site is not in a marine protected area, so no special permits are required beyond normal travel documentation.
