Choose your Gili Trawangan diving experience
Gili Trawangan diving has three distinct starting points: an introduction with pool practice, a boat dive for certified divers, and an Open Water course. The difference is what you learn and which qualifications you bring, rather than simply how long you spend on a boat. Gili Trawangan lies off northwest Lombok, with dive sites around the neighbouring islands as well as Trawangan itself.
Visitors with limited time and a diving certificate can choose the two-hour guided dive; first-time divers have a five-hour introduction with a pool session, while learners seeking certification have a three-day course. Those who prefer to stay at the surface can compare snorkeling trips. The tour overview puts these water activities alongside the island's other boat outings.
Our picks: diving
Try the pool and one ocean dive for an introduction, or choose the guided dive if certified. The Open Water course adds theory and certification.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Open Water certification course
- Digital theory
- Pool training and 4 ocean dives
- Certification costs
The marine park fee is extra; instructor languages depend on availability.
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First scuba dive with pool training
- 1 pool session
- 1 ocean dive
- All equipment rental
A marine park fee is extra; confirm the amount before booking. Instructor languages are subject to availability.
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Guided dive for certified divers
- Equipment rental
- Dive guide
- Boat included
The marine park fee and any refresher course are extra.
Check availability →Pool introductions, guided dives and Open Water training
Choose a first ocean dive with an instructor, a guided boat dive for certificate holders or a course including theory and certification. Marine park fees are extra.
Try diving with a pool session and one ocean dive
The five-hour Gili Trawangan introduction includes one pool session and one ocean dive with a certified professional instructor. Rental equipment, wetsuit and boat are included. The pool component gives the outing a different structure from a snorkeling excursion: it is preparation for using scuba equipment before the sea dive, rather than an immediate boat departure to a reef.
Bring swimwear and a towel. Meals, beverages, insurance, accommodation and hotel transfers are separate from the package. Instruction is offered in several languages subject to availability, including English and German. Clarify the separate marine park charge before booking this introduction. Treat the activity price and that charge as separate items when comparing your budget.
Guided reef dives for certified divers
The two-hour Gili Trawangan guided dive is for certified divers and includes the boat, rental equipment and a dive guide. A refresher for divers who have not dived within the last year is an extra service. Marine park admission, insurance, food, drinks, towels, swimwear and hotel transport are also outside the package.
Turtle Heaven, north of Gili Meno, and Deep Turbo, north of Trawangan, illustrate the variety of local sites. A local dive-site description places Turtle Heaven's raised area at 10 metres, dropping to 35 metres, and describes Deep Turbo at 18 to 30 metres. These are site descriptions, rather than a promise of your dive's depth. Site choice belongs with your qualification, recent experience and the day's conditions.
Open Water with theory, pool training and four ocean dives
The three-day Gili Trawangan Open Water product combines digital theory, pool training and four ocean dives. A certified professional instructor, rental equipment, wetsuit, boat and certification costs are included. The marine park fee is paid separately; insurance, meals, drinks, accommodation and hotel transfers are additional expenses. Teaching languages depend on instructor availability.
A separate local course description allows learners from age 10 and includes theory, pool work and four open-water dives. That description's age threshold belongs to that course, rather than every product on the island. Its 18-metre course objective should not be applied to every junior age category. Choose the actual course conditions for the learner rather than treating all Open Water programmes as identical.
Marine park entry and responsible diving
Gili Trawangan marine activities require a SEAPARK entry ticket, arranged independently or through an operator. Local island charges, harbour charges and private environmental contributions are separate categories. The three diving packages here each have a separate marine park fee. Their activity prices should therefore be compared alongside the included training and equipment, rather than treated as complete trip totals.
Gili Trawangan's reefs need space around both animals and coral. Keep clear of turtles, leave their route to the surface open, and do not chase, feed or touch them. Avoid touching, standing on or taking coral. Turtle sightings vary, while waves, current and weather affect water activities. For planning beyond the dive, see seasons and daily sea conditions and allow time for the boat journey to the island.
Gili Trawangan diving questions
What does the introductory dive include?
The Gili Trawangan introductory dive includes one pool session and one ocean dive, with a professional instructor, boat, wetsuit and rental equipment. The activity lasts five hours. Bring swimwear and a towel, and budget separately for the marine park fee, meals, drinks and insurance.
How many ocean dives are in the Open Water course?
Four ocean dives form part of the three-day Gili Trawangan Open Water product, alongside pool training and digital theory. The package includes certification costs, rental equipment, wetsuit and boat. Marine park entry is extra, and teaching languages depend on the instructors available for the course.
Who should choose the guided boat dive?
Certified divers should choose the Gili Trawangan guided boat dive, which includes rental equipment, boat transport and a dive guide over two hours. Divers who have not dived within the last year need to account for a separate refresher. Marine park entry and insurance are also separate expenses.