West Nusa Tenggara Diving

From diving the famously laid back ‘turtle capital of the world’ in the Gili Islands to encounters with both scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, West Nusa Tenggara is buzzing with special marine life encounters. Dive here to experience abundant tiny critters, graceful manta rays, Mola mola, whale sharks and more.

Gili Islands

White-sand beaches, peaceful island life and a mix of challenging and easy dive sites make the Gili Islands understandably popular with divers. From thriving coral reefs busy with sharks and manta rays to black sands teeming with macro treasures, these laidback islands have it all.

Lombok

Ideal for every diver, Lombok offers easy access to the famously relaxed Gili Islands and ‘turtle capital of the world’, plus diving with both scalloped and great hammerhead sharks. Dive in to enjoy Lombok’s crystal clear waters and captivating coral reefs teeming with macro life.

Moyo Island

Offering remote diving well off the beaten track and exceptional coral cover, Moyo Island is not to be missed for peaceful dives and flourishing marine life. Pelagic highlights such as mantas, Mola mola and whale sharks are just a few of the treasures found there.

 

Diving in West Nusa Tenggara

Located in the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, West Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia which consists of Lombok, Sumbawa, Moyo, Sangeang and the Gili Islands. Lombok and the Gili Islands, the first link in the Lesser Sunda Islands, offer dive sites in calm, pristine coral reefs for novice divers while the more experienced can brave the ripping currents found at Belongas Bay, Lombok. The Gili Islands are known as the ‘turtle capital of the world’ and Lombok is one of three places that showcase both the scalloped and giant hammerhead shark. Throughout Lombok, you can experience muck diving as well as deep wall dives, swim-throughs and drop offs.
 
The final links of West Nusa Tengarra, Moyo Island, Sumbawa, Sangeang and Santonda also have dive sites with a range of topography. Diving at the volcanic Sangeang and Santonda islands will find you searching in sandy seabeds for interesting critters while off the coast of Sumbawa deep vibrant walls and strong currents await your arrival. Scuba diving in West Nusa Tengarra gives divers access to everything from manta rays, mola mola and whale sharks to clown frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and nudibranch.
 
On most of the islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands you can choose from a variety of dive resorts and dive centres. Yet, to access the more remote dive sites of West Nusa Tenggara, hop on one of the many liveaboards that travel across the diverse Indonesian waters. For dive courses, the calm dive sites at the Moyo Island provide a relaxed environment while the Gili Islands often have the best deals.

Best places to dive

West Nusa Tenggara diving offers experienced divers the chance to swim among hammerhead sharks in the Magnet dive site in Belongas Bay, Lombok. Another site, The Cathedral, sees divers 30-metres deep at a breathtaking pinnacle adorned with pristine soft corals. Drift along with the swift current and spot several shark species as eagle rays glide nearby.
 
At the Gili Islands (the Gili's) dive Takat Tunang, a deep wall dive site suited for experienced divers. 35-metres deep, traverse an impressive wall coated with exquisite coral growth among huge schools of tuna, trevally and barracuda. Another stunning wall dive can be found at White Angels, Gili Bata. Dive here in the early morning, to be submerged in an array of corals, sea fans and sponges as yellowtail tuna, grey reef sharks and queen mackerel all enjoy the warm rays filtering through the water. 
 
All around Sangeang Island you will find black sands which provide ideal muck diving conditions. Residents of these areas are ornate ghost pipefish, nudibranch of every colour conceivable, pygmy seahorse and sea moths - a real delight for macro lovers. In stark contrast to the muck diving sites at Sangeang is the Angel Reef dive site at Moyo Island. Here, you’ll drift along a vibrant vertical wall as yellowtail tuna race past, hunting in the deep channels, and black-tip reef sharks patrol the area. Laden with soft tree corals and multi-hued sheet corals, this underwater jungle is a treat for any divers eyes.