Diving Courses on the Gilis
Some of Southeast Asia's cheapest, most beginner-friendly PADI certification — plus real reefs for experienced divers
The three Gilis together host one of the highest concentrations of dive schools in Indonesia, with genuinely competitive pricing on PADI Open Water courses and enough dive sites across the three islands' surrounding reefs that certified divers won't run out of options in a week-long stay.
Quick facts
Getting certified
A PADI Open Water course (the standard beginner certification) typically runs 3–4 days across all three islands, combining classroom/e-learning theory with confined-water and open-water dives. Gili Trawangan has the largest number of schools and most competitive pricing; quality varies by operator, so check reviews rather than picking on price alone.
Where the reefs are
Dive sites ring all three islands, with a mix of easy sloping reefs suited to beginners and newly certified divers, plus a few current-swept sites for more experienced divers. Turtle sightings are close to routine here — the Gilis are known for a healthy resident turtle population easily seen even while snorkeling.
Beyond Open Water
Advanced courses, specialty certifications (night diving, wreck diving, deep diving) and dive-master training are all available locally for certified divers looking to progress, alongside straightforward fun dives for anyone already qualified elsewhere.
Practical tips
- —Compare a few dive shops before booking — check recent reviews specifically for instructor quality and small class sizes, not just price.
- —Book your course to start early in your stay — if weather or health delays a day, you have buffer before flights out.
- —Bring or rent a rash guard — tropical sun plus hours in the water adds up fast even on cloudy days.
- —Turtle encounters are common enough that even non-divers snorkeling off any of the three islands regularly see them.
