Diving 101 and Lombok Site Recommendations – It is not a secret that Lombok can hypnotize anyone that comes there with its one-of-a-kind beauty, both on land and in water. For that reason, diving is one of the most popular activities in Lombok. Before talking about where to dive in Lombok, let’s discuss how you could properly prepare yourself for a dive! 🙂
You must’ve heard people saying that you have to be well-prepared before diving. However, do you know exactly what to prepare? Let’s read our tips below!
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Take Some Notes, You Will Need Them
Diving is an end-to-end process that requires careful attention before, during, and after it takes place. Want to have a fun and safe diving experience? Make sure to implement these tips!
Before the Dive
- License or without a license? Some diving instructors require you to have a legitimate diving certificate. You have two choices for this one, either you get a license or find a beginner-friendly site.
- Make sure you’re 100% ready! Sleep well and eat properly before the dive, you wouldn’t want to miss enjoying exquisite marine beauty, right?
- Listen to your guide. The motto of a safe dive is “Plan your dive, dive your plan.” Listen to your instructor and pay attention to the route you’re going, what to keep an eye on, and how to respond to accidents.
- Double-check everything. Make sure your gears are in their places and work well. If you’re not sure about anything, ask questions to the instructor. Your safety is the most important priority.
- Prepare insurance and carry your personal ID with you. Remember that you want to minimize the risk as much as you can. Everyone needs protection no matter how experienced he/she is 🙂
During the Dive
- Don’t hold your breath. Breathing normally underwater may take a while to get used to, but you can’t get away from this because it is vital. Holding your breath can cause an air embolism (having air bubbles entering your bloodstream), which can be fatal.
- Equalize your ears. Scuba diving makes you experience a change of pressure that results in pressure imbalance and tension in your ears as you descend. Most divers are taught to equalize by pinching their noses and blow gently.
- Be aware of your surroundings and yourself. Keep in touch with your diving buddies and monitor your air tank. Avoid getting carried away leaving yourself with too little oxygen to go back to the surface. Also, be relaxed while you dive, moving at a pace that tires you out is a big no. This also applies when you ascend.
- Hands off! Yup, as tempted as you are, please don’t touch anything. It is actually for the sake of the sea creatures and yourself. Promise to keep your hand to yourself, alright?
After the Dive
- Rest and hydrate. Take your time and have a good stretch. You may not be visibly sweaty but diving is nothing less of a sport that exhausts you real good. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, do drink a lot of water because dehydration is one of the main causes of decompression sickness. Top your break off with a nice meal, you need and deserve it!
- Avoid flying at least for the next 24 hours. Flying is notorious for its risk to divers. When you ascend in a plane, it is similar to rapid ascension while diving, which is another cause of decompression sickness.
Absorbed those tips already? Take your time and while you’re digesting the info, check out these 8 best diving sites in Lombok for your next underwater journey!
Do Your Eyes a Favor, Dive into Lombok’s Water!
1. Gili Meno
Known for being small and quiet, Gili Meno is a place where you can feel like you’re chilling on a private island (or heaven!). Some may say that Gili Meno is a less-famous island compared to Gili Trawangan, but it actually benefits the visitor because Gili Meno is less crowded than the neighboring islands.
Visiting the island is not complete without scuba diving. The clear water will surely tempt you to jump into it to witness its breathtaking beauty and have friendly encounters with marine animals ranging from turtles to reef sharks. Don’t worry, rookies, the island has moderate, friendly currents!
2. Gili Kedis
Gili Kedis is located in the eastern area of Bali. The island invites its visitors with its premium-looking white sand that cannot be found at many beaches or islands. Bring your camera because the island is too pretty to not be captured!
Only by seeing from afar, we bet you already sense that the water would be a good choice for diving. Yes, you couldn’t be more right about that! No worries about where to rest after your dive because the island is filled with rest areas, food restaurants, and even some gazebo. Are you ready to peek at Gili Kedis’ marine life?
3. Gili Kondo
Gili Kondo is also called a hidden paradise since not many have discovered its beauty. However, its secrecy makes the beauty even more fascinating. The untouched, quiet island is a perfect place for an escape.
Other than having a scuba diving spot — which is undoubtedly amazing — Gili Kondo has what is called “pepper sand” which is suitable for a feet massage. Isn’t that a perfect combo? Getting tired underwater and getting cured on land ?
4. Gili Nanggu
None of us have been to heaven but I think we can agree that Gili Nanggu must be a tip of it! The chirps of birds flying around, the beaming sunlight, the natural silence… This is the real definition of enjoying life.
Its pristine underwater beauty is a magnet to anyone that comes around. Look at it and you’ll feel like it casts a spell on you. Meters down the sea are various kinds of multi-colored fish in many sizes. To say that the underwater is beautiful is truly an understatement!
5. Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan is one of the star islands in Lombok. Due to its rapid tourism development, it is easy to find restaurants there.
Its underwater life? Unquestionable. Also called a shark point, Gili Trawangan is an ideal place to see huge sea creatures cruising by or hunting. Your chances of seeing a larger range of species generally increase at depth, although they are not bad in shallower waters either.
6. Gili Petagan
Gili Petagan is also known as the Amazone of Lombok due to its mangrove forest blanketing most of the island. To top it off, Gili Petagan offers a sunset view that is one of the best in the nation by providing views to Sumbawa and Mount Rinjani.
Some spots on the western coast of Gili Petagan featuring clear and calm waters, medium depth, and plenty of fish species wandering around untouched coral reefs is truly something to not miss!
7. Gili Asahan
Looking for an unspoiled island with one of a kind view and beauty? Be Gili Asahan’s guest!
Powder sand beach, clear turquoise water, and green palm trees are what you’re going to see the moment you step into this island. At most of the diving sites, you can see colorful coral reefs.
You can see lots of shrimps, crabs, and nudibranchs are hiding inside the corals. The bigger creatures you may see are green sea turtles, moray eels, blue spotted stingray, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, lion and scorpionfish, flathead crocodile fish.
8. Tanjung Aan
Last but not least is the pretty beach located in Mandalika, Central Lombok. The snow-white beach with bright blue waters, dense forests, and high mountains couldn’t be more ideal for swimming, sunbathing, diving, and surfing.
Unsurprisingly, Tanjung Aan beach is called a world-class beach due to its magnificent, well-kept marine life. Other than being a site for diving, Tanjung Aan is also famous for being one of the most relaxing places in Lombok. Simply by laying on its beach and listening to the sound of the waves, off your problems go!
Apply the Tips for a Better Diving Experience
Now that you’ve got the tips and destination recommendations, are you ready for your next diving adventure?
Support the #DiIndonesiaAja movement by traveling locally and planning your trip to Lombok for your next underwater vacay! 🙂
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