North Lombok: Gili Trawangan Slopes Dive Site – Lombok
Site Overview
The Gili Trawangan Slopes are the deeper reef systems on the north and east sides of Gili Trawangan, offering some of the most varied and exciting diving in the Gili Islands area. Unlike the popular shallow sites closer to the island, these slopes descend from 5 meters to over 30 meters, featuring a dramatic combination of coral-covered walls, overhangs, swim-throughs, and steep slopes that attract both reef and pelagic marine life. The moderate currents that sweep along the slopes carry nutrients that support dense coral growth and attract schools of barracuda, giant trevally, and whitetip reef sharks that patrol the deeper sections. Hawksbill turtles are regularly encountered at all depths, while Napoleon wrasse cruise along the wall faces. The deeper sections below 20 meters feature cooler water from thermoclines and impressive gorgonian sea fans that grow to enormous sizes in the nutrient-rich current. The site is particularly suited to drift diving, where divers are carried along the slope by the current while taking in the ever-changing scenery. The Gili Trawangan Slopes are less frequently dived than the popular shallow sites near the island, providing a more adventurous and uncrowded experience for certified divers. The diversity of topography within a single dive, from shallow coral gardens to deep wall environments, makes this one of the most rewarding dive experiences in the Gili Islands.
Dive Briefing
"The dive begins with a descent from the boat onto the shallow coral garden at approximately 5 to 8 meters, where the reef is vibrant with color and teeming with small reef fish. Your guide signals to descend along the slope as the topography gradually steepens into a wall at 12 to 15 meters. The wall is covered in gorgonian sea fans, soft corals, and barrel sponges that provide habitat for countless invertebrates and reef fish. As you drift along the wall at 18 to 25 meters, keep an eye on the blue for passing whitetip reef sharks, giant trevally, and schools of barracuda. Hawksbill turtles are commonly encountered cruising along the wall face. The overhangs and swim-throughs at 15 to 20 meters offer opportunities to explore the interior surfaces covered in colorful sponge and coral growth. As your bottom time approaches its limit, your guide leads you up to the shallower reef at 8 to 10 meters for the final portion of the dive. The safety stop at 5 meters is spent among the vibrant shallow coral with schools of anthias and the occasional turtle passing overhead."
Signature Marine Life
Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
Best: April, May, June
Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Hawksbill turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Giant trevally
Caranx ignobilis
Napoleon wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate currents requiring drift diving experience and SMB deployment
- Depth exceeding 25 meters requiring careful air management and NDL monitoring
- Thermoclines at depth causing sudden temperature drops
- Overhangs and swim-throughs requiring careful buoyancy to avoid contact
- Boat traffic on the surface during ascent in the drift diving channel
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
The Gili Trawangan Slopes are designed for intermediate to advanced divers with Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. The deeper profile and moderate currents require good buoyancy control and drift diving experience. The site rewards experienced divers with pelagic encounters and dramatic wall scenery that shallow sites cannot match. It is an ideal site for those who want to get away from the main diving crowds and explore a more rugged, open-ocean environment. Photographers will find the combination of vertical relief and pelagic visitors to be a great challenge with even better rewards. For those who enjoy the feeling of exploration and the possibility of seeing something unexpected, the Slopes are a top choice in North Lombok. It's a fantastic location for divers who appreciate the dynamic nature of channel-side diving and the healthy coral systems it supports.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- DSM Dive Gili
- Big Fish Diving
- Gili Divers
- Manta Dive Gili Trawangan
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Gili Trawangan Resort
Gili Trawangan • 1km away
PinkCoco Gili T
Gili Trawangan • 0.5km away