The 8 best dive sites in the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands hold 20+ dive sites within a short boat ride of Gili Air, all sharing warm 28°C water, easy access and turtles on almost every dive. But they are not interchangeable: some are shallow turtle gardens perfect for a first dive, others are deep shark canyons for experienced divers. Here are the eight we would send you to first — and who each one suits.

1. Shark Point — reef sharks and turtles on one dive

Gili Trawangan · 6–35 m · beginner to advanced

The most famous site in the Gilis, and for good reason: layered coral canyons where whitetip reef sharks rest at 28–30 m while big green turtles graze the shallows at 5–12 m, alongside schools of bumphead parrotfish. Currents can run strong on new and full moon, so it is condition-dependent — the deep canyons suit Advanced divers, the shallows work for everyone. Full Shark Point guide →

2. Turtle Heaven — a first dive you won’t forget

Gili Meno · 10–22 m · beginner

It lives up to the name: one of the highest densities of sea turtles anywhere in the Gilis, where ten to fifteen green and hawksbill turtles on a single dive is normal. Shallow, gentle and easy — this is the site we take Open Water students and nervous first-timers to. Full Turtle Heaven guide →

3. Hans Reef — the macro and muck capital

Gili Air · 7–25 m · intermediate

A sandy slope dotted with coral pinnacles, widely regarded as the best macro site in the Gilis. Frogfish, several species of seahorse, ghost pipefish, octopus and scorpionfish hide in plain sight — bring patience and a good eye (or let your guide find them for you). Full Hans Reef guide →

4. Sunset Point — coral garden and the occasional manta

Gili Trawangan · 7–25 m · intermediate

A classic Indo-Pacific coral garden on a gentle slope, facing the open water where the sun sets — which makes an afternoon dive here genuinely spectacular. Reef sharks, snappers and tuna patrol the reef, and mantas pass through on their way between cleaning stations. Full Sunset Point guide →

5. Meno Wall — a vertical drop packed with life

Gili Meno · 5–30 m · intermediate

A wall running from 5 m down to a sandy floor at 30 m, dense with life that rewards slow, methodical exploration: lionfish and scorpionfish on every ledge, giant moray eels in the crevices, lobsters, crabs and turtles cruising the face. Full Meno Wall guide →

6. Mirko’s Reef — a seamount for every level

Gili Meno · 12–35 m · intermediate

A long seamount rising from 35 m to a crest at 12 m, so you can dive it deep or shallow. Green turtles, angelfish and clownfish over a healthy reef, plus the macro rewards — including pygmy seahorses on the sea fans — that keep photographers coming back. Full Mirko’s Reef guide →

7. Bounty Wreck — a critter haven on the sand

Gili Meno · 8–18 m · intermediate

A wooden pontoon pier that sank in a 2001 storm and became one of Lombok’s first bio-rock reefs. Now a magnet for macro life: frogfish, ghost pipefish, peacock mantis shrimp and clouds of glassfish shelter around the structure — a superb shallow second dive. Full Bounty Wreck guide →

8. Deep Halik — canyons for advanced divers

Gili Trawangan · 18–40 m · advanced

A dramatic series of pristine coral ridges and canyons dropping toward the 40 m channel between the Gilis and Lombok. Reef sharks, eagle rays and giant trevally patrol the deep structure — a proper big-blue dive for Advanced-certified divers. Full Deep Halik guide →

One more, in season: Takat Malang — a cluster of open-sea pinnacles with schooling barracuda and, from around November to March, the chance of a passing whale shark.

Which should you dive?

• Never dived / just certified? Turtle Heaven and the shallow reef at Shark Point — calm, shallow, turtles guaranteed.
• Love the small stuff? Hans Reef and the Bounty Wreck for frogfish, seahorses and critters.
• Want the big animals? Shark Point and Deep Halik for sharks, rays and schooling fish.

All of these sit within a 10–20 minute boat ride, and we dive them in small groups — a hard cap of 4 divers per guide, so you actually get shown the frogfish. New to the islands? Start with our guide to diving on Gili Air, read up on the green turtles you’ll meet, or browse every dive site on the map.