Diving & Travel Guide to Lombok & the Gili Islands

About Lombok & Gili Islands

Lombok and the Gili Islands represent a stunning alternative to Bali's crowded dive scene, offering pristine reefs, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and encounters with large pelagic species in a more relaxed and uncrowded setting. The three Gili Islands – Trawangan, Meno, and Air – sit in the Lombok Strait and benefit from powerful tidal flows that nourish vibrant coral gardens and attract reef sharks, turtles, and seasonal manta rays. Below the surface, divers discover a mosaic of healthy hard and soft corals, schooling fish, and fascinating macro critters on the black volcanic sand slopes. South Lombok's Belongas Bay is a world-renowned destination for experienced divers, featuring deep pinnacles hammered by currents where hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and the occasional thresher shark patrol the blue. The Sekotong peninsula in the southwest offers untouched reefs and secret dive sites accessible to few, while the north coast provides calm conditions ideal for training and exploration. Combined with Lombok's dramatic Mount Rinjani volcano, pristine waterfalls, and authentic Sasak culture, this region delivers an all-encompassing adventure that goes far beyond its underwater treasures.

Highlights

• ✓Belongas Bay's legendary pinnacles attracting hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks
• ✓Pristine coral gardens and abundant turtle populations around the Gili Islands
• ✓Uncrowded dive sites with a genuine sense of exploration and discovery
• ✓World-class reef shark encounters at Gili Trawangan's Shark Point
• ✓Spectacular underwater volcanic topography with dramatic walls and pinnacles
• ✓Mount Rinjani – Indonesia's second-highest volcano for post-dive trekking

Getting There

Lombok International Airport (LOP) receives domestic flights from Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya, as well as some international connections. From Bali, fast boats to the Gili Islands depart from Padang Bai and Amed, taking 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the departure point and sea conditions. The public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar in Lombok takes approximately 4 to 5 hours and operates around the clock. For those based in Bali, the Gili Islands are easily accessible as a day-trip or extended stay destination, with multiple fast boat companies providing reliable daily service throughout the year.