Bali and the Gili Islands: Choose Your First Dive Base

Destination: IndonesiaCreated by: Moo_The_TrotterLast updated: 11th October 2026
Compare the Gilis, east Bali and the northwest coast as bases for a first diving holiday. Gili Trawangan offers plenty of schools and restaurants; Amed and Tulamben keep you on Bali. Choose one area for several nights, with instructor-selected dives and time for training, transfers and the recommended wait before flying.
beginner diveindonesiamarine lifegili islandsgili trawangan
36
Option 1: Gili Islands
Image of Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan

Diving, Island, Resort Island
Book an instructor-led introduction or Open Water course before onward transport. Confirm the dive-centre meeting point: this is an island pin. Begin with skills training and let your instructor choose a suitable site; wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed.
Image of Try scuba diving on Gili Trawangan

Try scuba diving on Gili Trawangan

Experience · Indonesia
Manta Dive’s introductory session combines pool practice with one ocean dive over about five hours. It suits a first taste of scuba from a Gili Trawangan base. It does not award Open Water certification; choose the full course if you want to qualify.
Image of Gili Trawangan reef dive for certified divers

Gili Trawangan reef dive for certified divers

Experience · Indonesia
Already qualified? Join Manta Dive for a single-tank reef dive from Gili Trawangan, with the outing taking about two hours. This booking requires diving certification and is a separate choice from the introductory session or full beginner course.
Image of PADI Open Water course on Gili Trawangan

PADI Open Water course on Gili Trawangan

Experience · Indonesia
Make Gili Trawangan your base for Trawangan Dive’s full Open Water course, with pool training and qualifying open-water dives. This is the certification route rather than a one-day taster.
Image of Gili Meno

Gili Meno

Diving, Island, Relaxing
A quieter island base: arrange your dive course, arrival transfer and meeting point before accommodation. Currents and crossings still vary; let the instructor choose the site and depth, with time ashore between sessions.
Option 2: East Bali
Image of Tulamben

Tulamben

Diving, Wreck Diving, Village
Meet your dive centre for briefing, equipment and shore-entry assistance. Your instructor should assess conditions and choose a training site or shallow Liberty exterior; a first dive does not cover deeper wreck sections or entry inside.

Amed

Diving, Village, Reef Diving
Stay near your dive school and confirm transfers: Amed is a spread-out coastline. Start with instructor-led confined-water practice; wrecks, deeper water and exposed sites depend on your training and the instructor's assessment.
Option 3: Northwest Bali
Image of Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island

Diving, Marine Park, Island
Use a northwest-Bali mainland base and operator for this separate boat outing. Confirm departure, park fees, equipment and beginner training. This island pin is not the meeting point; let your instructor choose a shallow route and entry suited to your experience and the day's conditions.