Where to find turtles, sharks, coral reefs, and the best underwater experiences in the Gili Islands
If you’re planning a dive trip to the Gili’s (Trawangan, Meno and Air) , you’re in for one of the most rewarding dive destinations in Indonesia.
The waters around the Gili Islands are famous for turtles, healthy coral reefs, reef sharks, and easy warm-water diving year-round—making it perfect for beginners and experienced divers alike.
In this guide, we break down the best dive sites in Gili Trawangan, what you’ll see at each one, and who they’re best suited for.
🐢 1. Turtle Heaven (Best for Turtles & Beginners)
If there is one dive site you cannot miss in Gili Trawangan, it’s Turtle Heaven.
This site is famous for its high density of green and hawksbill turtles, often seen resting on coral or gliding slowly through the reef.
The dive is calm, relaxed, and ideal for newer divers or underwater photographers.
What you can see:
- 🐢 Green sea turtles (often multiple per dive)
- 🐢 Hawksbill turtles
- 🐠 Clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish
- 🪸 Healthy coral bommies
- 🐡 Blue-spotted stingrays
- 🐙 Occasional octopus or nudibranchs
Why it’s special:
Turtle Heaven is one of the easiest places in Indonesia to have multiple turtle encounters in a single dive.
👉 Perfect for: Open Water divers, beginners, photographers
🦈 2. Shark Point (Best for Sharks & Big Marine Life)
Shark Point is one of the most famous dive sites in the entire Gili archipelago.
Despite the name, it’s not just about sharks—you’ll also find turtles, huge schools of fish, and dramatic reef formations.
The site drops into deeper sandy canyons where larger marine life often passes through.
What you can see:
- ⛴ The wreck of the Glenn Nusa
- 🦈 White-tip reef sharks
- 🦈 Black-tip reef sharks
- 🐢 Green turtles everywhere
- 🐟 Trevally, snapper, barracuda schools
- 🐙 Octopus, Moray eels, cuttlefish, lionfish
Why it’s special:
Shark Point offers one of the best chances to see both sharks and turtles in a single dive in the Gilis.
👉 Perfect for: Certified divers, Wreck specialty courses, intermediate+ level, drift lovers
🌿 3. Halik Reef (Best All-Round Dive Site)
Halik is often described as the “aquarium” of Gili Trawangan.
It offers a mix of shallow coral gardens, sandy slopes, and deeper reef structures, making it one of the most versatile dive sites.
What you can see:
- 🐢 Turtles (very common)
- 🐠 Massive schools of reef fish
- 🪸 Colorful coral gardens
- 🐡 Lionfish, scorpionfish, moray eels
- 🐙 Octopus and macro life
- 🦈 White-tip reef sharks
Why it’s special:
Halik works for almost every level and is often used for both training dives and fun dives, depending on conditions.
👉 Perfect for: All levels, relaxed reef diving, photographers
Insider tip: Deep Halik 30+ meter, this site drops into deeper reef structures and attracts larger marine life. Great for Deep Specialty + Nitrox.
⏰ When is the best time to dive in Gili Trawangan?
You can dive year-round, but the best conditions are typically:
- 🌤️ April – November: Best visibility, calm seas
- 🌧️ December – March: Still good diving, slightly more plankton (good for marine life)
Water temperature stays around 27–30°C year-round.
🐢 Final Thoughts
Gili Trawangan offers something rare in diving:
Easy diving, consistent turtle encounters, and a wide variety of reef and shark life just minutes from shore.
Whether you’re here for your first dive or your hundredth, these sites are what make the Gilis one of Indonesia’s most enjoyable dive destinations.
🤿 Ready to dive these sites?
If you want to experience them properly, join us for:
- Fun dives around the 3 Gilis
- PADI Open Water & Advanced courses
- Dive & Stay packages with accommodation
👉 Book your dives or ask us for recommendations via WhatsApp
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