Lombok Snorkeling
& Diving
Lombok snorkeling and diving is excellent, with something for everyone. You don’t have to go far when snorkeling to see an abundance of marine life. Those who are scared of snorkeling or worried about swimming you can easily put on a mask stand in the shallows and dip your face in the water and still see so much! For keen snorkelers who want to head out and explore there are turtles, eels, rays and so many bright and beautiful fish. The diving is also excellent with a lot of choice. If you want to see bigger pelagic species you need to be confident in currents and choppy water, but it is really worth it for the hammerheads and rays. The local reefs are much calmer and more relaxing to dive, offering turtles on nearly every dive and more fish than you can imagine. The macro diving is also great with a good selection of nudibrach, seahorses, eels and octopus. You can also see sea snakes and reef sharks. If you love marine life then Lombok is not to be missed as a snorkeling/diving destination.
Highlights
Sekatong Gili Islands
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As this area is relatively newly dived the coral is still pristine and offers a wide variety of tropical fish. Water temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C. The visibility is very good although not crystal clear. This is a great area for macro diving, look out for the pygmy seahorse. Turtles are also common in this area.
North Lombok Gili Islands
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The northern Gili Islands offer excellent diving with turtle sightings on nearly every dive. There is a mix of dive sites for all abilities. December to March is not the best season for diving due to it being the rainy season, however it is the time to see Manta Ray. The best visibility and diving is May to September, offering warm crystal clear waters.
Belongas Bay
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This area offers sheltered dives in the bay. If you are feeling more adventurous head out over the big waves to sites such as The Magnet. The dive conditions can be difficult with strong currents, but are worth it for a chance to dive around large pinacles enjoying the macro life and looking out into the ocean at schools of hammerheads, pelagic fish and Manta Ray. Hammerheads are best seen in September and October. Diving is more challenging June to September and eases off a bit the rest of the year. Water temperatures range from 22 to 28 °C. Visibility can be reduced if the conditions are rough.
Senggigi
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Senggigi is still being discovered as a dive destination and new dive sites are descovered regularly. There are some great sites with walls, lively reefs and sand flats along the coast. Senggigi is also an excellent spot to be based for dive trips as from here you can travel to the North Gili and the Sekatong Gili.