by Margot McManus
Thinking of finally taking that leap? Considering where in the world you’d like to become a divemaster? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options out there. If you’re considering Indonesia, you’ll want to consider the Gili islands.
This post will provide you with everything you need to know about living and diving on these magical islands we get to call home.
Where are the Gili Islands?
“Gili” in the local “Sasak” language (which you will inevitably pick up while living here) literally translates to “small island”. The Gili islands are composed of three, very small islands, located off the coast of North West Lombok, Indonesia. Each island has its own charm and something a little different to offer.
3W DIVE is located on the island of Gili Air. Known for its chill vibes, Gili Air offers a little bit of everything between the three islands. There’s plenty of space on the island if you’re looking for a more tranquil and private setting. Yet, there’s always music and dancing a few nights out of the week if you’d like to go out on the town and maybe even catch some fire spinning performances.
For further insight on the island life of the Gilis and Gili Air and what it’s like for a Gili Air divemaster intern, check out our blog post: Life on the Gili islands.
How do I get there?
The Gilis are very accessible from the island of Bali. There’s a number of ports with fast boats leaving every day. By boat it’s only about a 2-3 hour journey. There’s also the option to take a quick flight to Lombok international airport and take the 15 minute boat ride from the mainland to the islands. For more specific travel info visit our page on Gili Air Island.
Become a Gili Air Divemaster Intern
If you’ve already done a bit of research, you know that the most obvious reason to come dive the Gilis are the reefs and warm waters we have here. But in addition to this, there’s a few other qualities these islands have to offer that you won’t get anywhere else. And by this we are talking about an amazing island life.
By choosing to do your divemaster internship with 3W DIVE, you not only get the full experience of training and working in a dive shop, but also what life is like on a tiny island in the tropics for up to 6 months. The quality and pace of life on the Gilis is perfect for those looking for more of a balance between diving and other activities.
The Gilis may not have the manta rays you’re looking for, but diving off these islands, it’s the perfect place to learn, and the scuba diving conditions are ideal for divemaster training. Between the calm and warm tropical waters, and boat rides that are never more than 15-30 minutes to the reef, diving the Gilis is great for divers of all skill levels and offers a relaxing pace to learn at during your Gili Air divemaster internship.
The Gilis may not have the manta rays you’re looking for, but diving off these islands, it’s the perfect place to learn, and the scuba diving conditions are ideal for divemaster training. Between the calm and warm tropical waters, and boat rides that are never more than 15-30 minutes to the reef, diving the Gilis is great for divers of all skill levels and offers a relaxing pace to learn at during your Gili Air divemaster internship.
What it’s like to live on a tiny island?
Now that you know that Gili Air offers the best of both worlds, there’s even more to be excited about. Being a very small island, Gili Air offers a strong sense of community. Be ready for your morning bike ride to the dive shop filled with familiar faces, joyful greetings and Indonesian phrases. As well as looking out for chickens and cows crossing the road. There’s nothing quite like living in a tropical bubble filled with good views, sunsets, local culture and diving. Every single day.
The community of Gili Air is constantly seeking ways to live more sustainably. There’s more than enough volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved if that’s something you’re looking for. At 3W DIVE, we are dedicated to being a dive shop with a focus on eco-awareness, and have teamed up with Trash Hero to coordinate weekly beach clean-ups and other events.
If you’re someone who’s looking to be immersed in the local culture, you’re in luck as this is practically unavoidable living in the Gilis. You’ll spend time finding your favorite local warung, learning phrases in Bahasa, and of course making many many local friends.
Sounds great! What’s next?
Sold? We thought so. If you’re still unsure about taking the leap towards doing your divemaster and what steps to take afterward, we’ve got blog posts that cover that too.
Whether you’re thinking about starting a career in diving or just looking for a once in a lifetime experience, doing a divemaster internship here will deepen your connection with the ocean, as well as a thriving island community. The 3W Tribe is like family and always happy to have a new member.
To learn more about life on the Gilis and the divemaster trainee experience at 3W DIVE, check out more of our blogs or feel free to send us a message.
Whether you’re thinking about starting a career in diving or just looking for a once in a lifetime experience, doing a divemaster internship here will deepen your connection with the ocean, as well as a thriving island community. The 3W Tribe is like family and always happy to have a new member.
To learn more about life on the Gilis and the divemaster trainee experience at 3W DIVE, check out more of our blogs or feel free to send us a message.