It's a messy job..

Meet Sian Williams, Trawangan Dive’s very own Éco Warrior’.  Sian came to Trawangan Dive in March 2012 to take part in a 2 week Biorock programme.  Naturally, she fell in love with the Island, the Dive Centre (and the staff).  She also saw Delphine Robbe , (Gili Trawangan’s original Éco Warrior’), struggling to single-handedly maintain the island’s growing Biorock, population, control the marine debris, while keeping the island clean of rubbish, and more recently, being a mum.

Sian made the decision to dedicate her life, (or the next few years of it anyway), to helping with the marine conservation of our tiny island. 

Sian is based out of Trawangan Dive.  She is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and can also teach the PADI ‘Introduction to Biorock process'speciality.  She dedicates her time to maintaining the Biorocks, running regular beach clean ups, dives against debris, reef check, reef gardening, island clean ups, and generally cleaning up after the thousands of people that pollute Gili Trawangan and the surrounding reefs with non-biodegradable plastic, cigarette butts, glass, flip flops, lighters, light bulbs, fishing line, and fish hooks.

 

This kind of work usually receives little recognition or thanks, but carries with it a huge amount of frustration and stress.  No sooner have you finished maintaining one Biorock, then another one breaks, or gets unplugged, or is destroyed by a storm.  Moments after one beach clean up has finished, another boat load of people wielding a fresh delivery of cigarettes and plastic bags arrives. While most of us go about our normal day not giving a second though about who will pick up that discarded nappy, or who will spend hours unravelling the kilometres of embedded fishing line from the reefs, it’s people like Sian who dedicate their time to tasks like this.

Sian has developed some eco alternatives for divers interested in conservation, marine ecology or just wanting to give something back to the ocean.  

Introduction to reef gardening – Single dive 470,000rp

• Learn how to identify broken, overturned live corals that with our help, have a second chance of survival. 
• Learn how to safely pick up heavy corals and to find suitable substrate to transplant onto for the coral to attach to once overturned and secured.
• Gain reef conservation skills you can take with you travelling and diving around the world
• Dive includes all equipment including protective gloves and briefing on identification of corals to focus on and present reef state around the Gilis.

Dive Against Debris - Single dive 400,000rp

•  Equipped with protective gloves and a mesh debris bag divers will go out in buddy teams to different reefs collecting as much non organic waste as possible.
• Debris is separated, weighed and recorded onto a Project AWARE debris data sheet to submit to Project AWARE
• Dive includes protective gloves and mesh bag, briefing and Dive Against Debris ID guide to know what to look for and collect, data sheets to analyse debris data.

Biorock Fundive –Single dive 400,000

• Learn what a Biorock is whilst diving around the world’s largest concentration of Biorock reef structures.
• Briefing includes why the Gili islands reefs depend on artificial reef restoration. The basics of what a Biorock is and how it is advantageous to Gili islands tourism, fish populations and reefs. 
•  Help our volunteers’ check the structures are on, working properly and harbouring the correct corals. 
•  Bring along your underwater camera and get a picture on our very own Deus motorbike Biorock.
• Dive includes short briefing on the Biorock technology, how long our Biorocks have been established, the age and condition of each Biorock you will see.

Introduction to the Biorock Process, 1 or 2 day PADI speciality 2,000,000rp

•  Learn about coral ecology and the importance of coral reefs in the marine environment. The course raises awareness to the state of coral reefs global and the need for awareness and responsible behaviour to protect remaining healthy reefs. 
•  Divers will also be introduced to the Biorock process and technology and why it is so successful.
• Take part in training to identify damaged coral reefs, the causes of destruction and the use of Biorock technology for restoration and erosion prevention.
•  Learn how a Biorock works and why they are more successful than other reef restoration techniques. Will also gain an insight into how they are advantageous in preventing coastal erosion and eco tourism.
• Gain a PADI Distinctive Speciality certification
• Course includes 2 dives, at least one around the Biorock structures. The divers will learn to identify species of coral and the status of the corals on reefs and also on Biorock structures to compare. You will also learn how to recognize coral bleaching, disease and predation with underwater identification slates, whilst gaining a PADI speciality certification.

Email info@trawangandive.com for more information.

Protecting our reefs for generations to come

 
Trawangan Dive is proud to be hosting part of the 2012 Biorock training workshop. It will bring professional coral restoration experts and lecturers into the classroom to engage participants in all aspects of coral reef restoration using the definitive Biorock method.
 
Coral reefs are the rainforests of the world’s oceans. Just like their earthly counterparts, they occur in tropical and sub tropical environments and support a huge variety of species. They are also diminishing at an alarming rate.

Decline of the Great Barrier Reef

A study published just a few weeks ago revealed that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years. Researchers analysed data on the condition of 217 individual reefs that make up the World Heritage Site. The results show that coral cover declined from 28.0% to 13.8% between 1985 and 2012. They attribute the decline to storms, a coral-feeding starfish and bleaching linked to climate change.

Asia’s Coral Triangle is also under threat 

Another report has warned that more than 85 percent of reefs in Asia’s Coral Triangle are directly threatened by human activities such as coastal development, pollution and overfishing. Launched at the International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns, it said the threat was substantially more than the global average of 60 percent and urged greater efforts to reduce destructive fishing and run-off from land.

“When these threats are combined with recent coral bleaching, prompted by rising ocean temperatures, the percent of reefs rated as threatened increases to more than 90 percent,” the report said.

The Coral Triangle covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, The Solomon Islands, and East Timor and contains nearly 30 percent of the world’s reefs and more than 3,000 species of fish.

Marine biologists are trying reverse the trend

Marine biologists across the world are desperately trying to protect our remaining reefs. Some are building repositories of the known coral species so that future generations can at least get to see them in aquariums. Others are constructing artificial reefs in areas of significant damage.

Biorock method yields quick results

The biorock method was developed by architect and marine scientist Wolf Hilbertz and marine biologist Tom Goreau. They found that by running a small electrical current through a structure in seawater, a hard shell of calcium carbonate would form on the cathode. You could then attach small pieces of natural coral to the structure. The corals seemed to love these substrates, achieving growth rates often five times faster than normal.

Gili Trawangan – a paradise under threat

Gili Trawangan is one of three tiny coral atolls off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia. It is increasingly a compulsory side trip to any Bali holiday, thanks to its white beaches, diving and snorkelling sites and absence of motor vehicles.

The Gili Islands are dependent on a healthy marine habitat for their fisheries, tourism, shore protection and marine biodiversity. This habitat has been largely damaged by combinations of coral heatstroke, disease, storms, global sea level rise, over-fishing and direct physical damage from destructive fishing practices, boats, anchors and tourists.

Without large-scale restoration of degraded habitats to make them capable of supporting larger fish and shellfish populations, there will be fewer fish in the future.

And without healthy growing corals, there will be fewer beaches or tourism income, affecting all business owners on the island.

Tourist attraction

“Right now we around 60 biorock structures around this island,” says Delphine Robbe. “By the end of this year, we should have one hundred.” Since coming to Gili Trawangan in 2005 with a plan to get her PADI Divemaster certification, this Frenchwoman has become the driving force behind the island’s many eco programmes.

Besides stimulating biodiversity, the Biorock structures also combat beach erosion, which became a serious problem with the destruction of the natural reefs. Increasingly, they are an attraction for tourists too. Divers and snorkelers can now see underwater sculptures of a manta ray, trident, dolphin, turtle, octopus, snake, moon and even a komodo dragon.

2012 Biorock training workshop

Gili Trawangan is proud to be hosting the 2012 Biorock training workshop. It will bring professional coral restoration experts and lecturers into the classroom to engage participants in all aspects of coral reef restoration using the definitive Biorock method.

Workshop sessions will cover all aspects of theory and practice including design, construction, installation, monitoring, maintenance and repair of Biorock sites. Additional lectures will cover the basic principles of coral reef ecology, threats to coral reefs, and environmental restoration.

Over the course of the seven day workshop, participants will have the opportunity to use their knowledge as they plan and invoke all the steps involved in constructing, deploying and populating Biorock structures with coral fragments.

After accomplishing the Biorock workshop, certified PADI instructors can apply to PADI to be able to teach the PADI Distinctive Specialty: Introduction to Biorock process.

If you’d like more information about the Biorock workshop and ways in which you can combine the course with PADI professional courses, please contact us at Trawangan Dive.

This article originally appeared on www.idc-gili.com.

Thinking about becoming a PADI professional?

Pick up any diving magazine or surf the web for dive related websites, and you’ll find lots of images taken in exotic destinations combined with interactions with aquatic life. In certain people, this often stimulates the dream of working full time as a dive professional.

There are few professions in the world where you can spend a Monday morning commuting to your work place on a boat, enjoying beautiful weather with customers who admire you for the job you do.

You’ll never forget your first breath

Most divers never forget their first breath underwater during their initial confined water training. For the majority of scuba participants, the entry level certification opens a whole new world. For some, it creates the dream and goal of becoming a scuba diving professional.

Build your self esteem

Scuba diving is a sport that builds self esteem and improves physical fitness. It also creates an environmental awareness and shows individuals how to make a positive contribution to the aquatic world.

Unlike many other sports, scuba diving is non-contact, three-dimensional and multi sensory. The competition is with each individual to better themselves as a diver, not over others. Whilst many divers enjoy the silence and serenity of the underwater world, scuba diving is also a very social activity and fosters camaraderie amongst participants and leads to lifelong friendships.

You’ll make a positive difference 

As a scuba diving professional, you get to make a positive difference to other people’s lives and to the environment. Whether an individual seeks scuba instruction to learn about the environment, as a self fulfilment goal or to challenge themselves, you become a facilitator and help them dive safely and have enjoyable experiences.

The PADI system of education

The PADI system of diver education has some of the most comprehensive educational products. It’s a system that enables the instructor to work more on individualized instruction as most students are free to learn at their own pace.

This allows for you as the instructor to focus on individual needs, remediation and delivering the course in a fun and effective manner.

These materials can be used anywhere in the world to teach a standardized course. However, the instructor will need to adapt each course to the local environment and culture, which is something you will be taught to do.

Work wherever you choose

PADI instructors can choose to work part or full time in tropical resorts or local dive centres. Many instructors also have their own full time jobs and work in their spare time or weekends as either freelance instructors or through a local PADI dive centre.

In the resort environment many instructors enjoy teaching on tropical islands in warm waters on beautiful coral reefs with an abundance of fish and other aquatic life. It’s obviously this dream lifestyle that motivates many individuals to switch careers.

Join the tribe – become a PADI Divemaster

There are different methods of completing the Divemaster course; it can be done through a local dive centre, on a part time basis, either interning on classes or via practical simulated training components. Many candidates choose to take time out and intern on a program over several weeks in the tropics, and get real world hands on exposure whilst training.

Take the plunge – become a PADI Instructor

The next step after the PADI Divemaster course is to enrol in either the PADI Assistant Instructor course, or the complete PADI Instructor Development Course.

To have the best chances of employment within the dive industry, and to make a reasonable pay, then the instructor rating is a logical progression after the Divemaster course.

What you can teach

As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you can conduct introductory programs such as Discover Snorkelling and Discover Scuba Diving, and certification courses from the PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver and the PADI Divemaster course.

It is also possible to teach specialty classes such as Enriched Air/Nitrox, Digital Photography, Deep, Wreck or Fish Identification upon taking a specialty instructor class or with sufficient experience.

Sounds amazing! What’s the catch?

PADI instructors seem to have the dream job. They get to work in exotic locations, they dive for a living, they interact with nature, and their students look up to them like heroes. In addition, they get paid for all this.

But teaching requires a special set of skills including patience, adaptability, open mindedness and basic business principles in customer service and marketing.

Often, the job of a PADI Divemaster or instructor has long hours. It can require the person to truly multitask and there may be significant periods without days off.

However if you talk to an instructor at the end of a bad days work, the majority would not swap it for anything else in the world.

It’s not all about the money, money, money

Whilst the job may not have the highest pay scales and most instructors do not work solely for money, the pay can be enough to allow good savings after a season. This could be used to finance a flight to the next destination, purchase new equipment and reinvest in additional training, or simply to bank.

If wealth could be measured in job satisfaction, then PADI instructors would probably be the wealthiest professionals on the planet, and with a life they could look back on with the biggest of smiles.

Branch out and discover new avenues

Many instructors work for a period of a few years teaching recreational classes then advance into more senior positions.

Friends who I have worked with now hold prominent positions in the scuba diving industry – from working as PADI Regional Managers, to owners of live boards, to PADI Course Directors. Others own or manage dive centres and resorts, and some specialize in technical diving and exploration.
When I think back to the career path I had originally chosen, in international financial institutions, I never for one day regret my choice – where it has taken me, the people I have met, and the memories I have.

If you'd like more information about the courses we offer at Trawangan Dive, please contact us.

This article originally appeared on www.idc-gili.com.

Gap year diver rocks the world

Trawangan Dive’s BioRock Distinctive Specialty Course attracts divers from around the world who want to work on a long-term project with a beneficial environmental impact. It is also a very popular choice for many gap year students. One of our latest arrivals is Pippa, from the UK. She joined us a few weeks ago and has captivated us all with her stories, her diving skills and her professional attitude.
 
Tell us about yourself Pippa…

I’m an 18 year old originally from Hampshire, United Kingdom but I now live in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Yes, where the cheese comes from! I’m currently on my gap year before starting a BSc in Marine Biology with Oceanography at Newcastle University next year.

What made you come to the Gili islands?

I wanted to do something conservation and science-oriented in preparation for my studies next year. At a gap year event at my school, I met Ben from Gap Year Divers and he gave me some information about the Gili islands, Trawangan Dive and the BioRock specialty course. It all sounded so perfect.

I’ve been a diver since completing my PADI Junior Open Water Diver at the age of 10. Since then, diving has been a big part of my life and I’ve had my sights set on becoming a PADI Divemaster for a long time.

In addition, some friends had been to the islands before and had amazed me with stories about the culture, the diving and the parties!

What are your first impressions of the Gili islands?

I’d never been to this part of the world before – this is by far the furthest east I’ve been. Everything is so different – the culture, language and cuisine – but you get used to it very quickly.

The Gili islands themselves are beautiful. In one word – paradise! They really are paradise islands, with white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and crystal clear seas. It’s great that there is no form of motorized transport allowed – it’s makes for a very peaceful environment.

Everyone is so friendly and I’ve felt very welcomed since day one. The locals are always smiling and greet you whenever you meet them, even if you’re just walking down the road. It feels a very safe place.

How are you finding it at Trawangan Dive?

It’s very much a home from home and I felt part of the team straight away. When we arrived, we were met by Adam, one of the managers, down at the harbour. He greeted us with a smile and a hug and then bundled us into a horse cart.

It only took a few minutes to arrive at Trawangan Dive and I have to admit I was impressed. It sits right on the beach, overlooking the crystal waters with Gili Meno on the other side of the channel. It looks professional, clean and welcoming. Which was a relief because you can never really tell from looking at pictures on the internet!

I’ve got everything I need here. The food at the restaurant is delicious and there’s lots of variety, from English breakfasts to Mexican fajitas and Indonesia rice dishes. The backpacker rooms are simple but clean. I’ve got a bunk bed room to myself so I have some privacy.

The diving side of things is very well organized and everyone works together as a team. There are so many nationalities working here – English, Scottish, Kiwi, Australian, Swiss, German, French, etc.

Tell us about your previous diving experience

My father is a scuba diver and as a family we go to Mauritius every year for our family holiday. I always really enjoyed snorkelling on the reefs and when I was 10 years old my father enrolled me in the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and even got to dive with a pod of wild dolphins on my last dive!

I also completed my PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver in Mauritius when I was 15 and then my PADI Rescue Diver course back in the United Kingdom. It was certainly a different experience! I did it at Vobster Quay, a quarry in the south of England. The water was cold and murky and there wasn’t an awful lot to see. I had to wear an 11m wetsuit which is neither comfortable nor flattering!

In addition to those places, I’ve also dived in the Red Sea and the British Virgin Islands.

You’re also a PADI Master Scuba Diver! Congratulations!

I’m pretty proud of myself because I worked quite hard for it. I did most of my PADI specialties including Night Diver, Digital Underwater Photography, Research Diver and Underwater Naturalist, at a company called Action Quest in the British Virgin Islands. In addition, I became an Enriched Air Diver.

How is the PADI Divemaster course going?

I love it! It’s really broadening my knowledge and giving me a whole new take on diving. I’m learning to look at dives and divers from a different perspective.

I’ve already been assisting on a variety of courses, from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses. Over the last few days I’ve also been given the opportunity to play the victim on a Rescue course. I’ve been getting a lot of the theory done and have already completed my first theory exam.

I really appreciate the mentor relationship and am learning a lot from Instructor Jo, but I also like that I get to work with all of the instructors. It’s interesting seeing how each instructor has a different style.

What about some of the cool things you’ve seen underwater here?

I saw my first ever shark at Shark Point the other day! We saw a total of three white tip reef sharks swimming in hundreds of circling jack fish and it was so cool.

There are loads of turtles on the dive sites which is brilliant because they are my favourite marine animal. You can’t go on a dive without seeing at least a couple of them.

I’ve also got to see lots of nudibranch that I’ve never seen before and I spent a good 10 minutes watching a cuttlefish lay some eggs the other day. Amazing!

Your BioRock specialty course is starting soon! Are you looking forward to it?

Absolutely. It’s a new concept that I’d never heard of before. Like most people, I’d heard about the decline of coral reefs around the world, and about coral bleaching and the warming of the ocean. I’d even witnessed this decline first hand having dived in Mauritius for so many years. So I became quite excited when I realized I could work on a project that is designed to combat these problems and help the reefs regrow. I can’t wait until we start building our own structure and then get to sink it and attach the coral. So exciting!

It goes without saying that the course will also massively benefit my university course and give me a lot of material and experience to share with others.

Where else are you going on your gap year?

I’m planning on heading back to Mauritius and I’m going to do my PADI Instructor Development Course with the dive centre where I learnt to dive. It’s like going full circle!

Once that’s completed and I’ve got some teaching experience, I’m going to go back to the British Virgin Islands as I’ve been offered a position as part of the dive staff at Action Quest.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

My dream has always been to work with the BBC on a series similar to the Blue Planet. I would love to be a research assistant on a program like that, making brilliant television while getting the chance to see nature’s wonders up close and for real. It would also be quite cool to make David Attenborough a cup of tea…

Best of luck with realizing your dream Pippa! 

If you’re interested in improving your diving skills and learning to become a PADI Divemaster or Instructor on a beautiful tropical island, get in touch with us at Trawangan Dive.

This article originally appeared on the Trawangan Dive website for PADI professional courses: www.idc-gili.com

PADI Courses & Specialities at Trawangan Dive

Here at Trawangan Dive we offer a range of courses starting from beginners who have never experienced diving, right the way to Instructor Development Courses.

Discover Scuba Diving Program

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breather underwater. If you want to find out but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving will let you try scuba to see if you like it.

Discover Scuba Diving only takes half a day during this experience you will learn how to Scuba equipment first in our pool in shallow water giving you a quick and easy introduction into the underwater world. Once you know all the basics from the pool our Instructors take you into open water to 12 metre around one of many Gili Island dive sites. The Gili's has a lot to offer in terms of marine life! There is a high chance to see Turtles in the shallows, along with moray eels, Lion Fish, Bumphead Parrot fish, Angel Fish and so on!

Although the Discover Scuba Dive does not result in a certification you will receive a certifcate stating that you have participated and completed the program. If you wish to carry onto the Open Water Certification, you do so as it can count as one dive towards the Open Water Course in which you will then be certified to dive anywhere in the world up to 18 metres!

PADI Open Water Course

Looking for a new adventure? Been snorkelling but find that's not quite enough, or you have already completed the Discover Scuba Diving and loved it? Then the Open Water Diver certification is just what you were looking for. 

The course itself generally takes 3 to 4 days it consists of theory whereby you watch 5 videos and read the Open Water book and then complete the knowledge reviews . There is also 5 pool dive training sessions and 4 actual dives in the open water, the first two dives are to 12 metres and the second two are to 18 metres. Your Instructor will go through all the knowledge reviews with you, and they will take time to explain and elaborate on any aspect that isn't quite clear for you. You will learn about your Scuba equipment, how to set it up and check it, different aspects of safety in diving and how to behave under the water. During the training pool sessions you will be introduced to different skills that you will practice and then later repeat in the ocean during your open water dives. 

After finishing the Open Water Course the certification allows you to dive with a buddy, independently, up to 18 metres. You will be able to plan, conduct and log no decompression dives. 

Instructor Phil (centre) with his fresh Open Water Students

Advanced Open Water Course

As you carry on in your underwater adventure you will soon discover that it is more than just fun, there is also a wide range of activities and interrelated skills that are now within your reach, which will make you become a better more experienced diver!

To become a PADI Advanced Open Water you have to accumulate 5 "adventure dives" 2 of which are mandatory, Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation Dive. You then get to choose the 3 remaining adventure dives. This includes the list below:

Altitude | AWARE Fish Identification | Boat | DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) | Drift | Dry Suit | Multilevel-Computer | Night | Peak Performance Buoyancy | Search and Recovery | Underwater Naturalist | Underwater Navigation | Underwater Photography | Underwater Videography | Wreck | Nitrox | 

 The Advanced Open Water Course is a simple and effective way to gain new knowledge and increase your diving experience and confidence while having a lot of fun!

Dive Instructor Julius taking his student Barry on his Adventure Deep Dive to Shark Point

Rescue Diver Course

The Rescue Diver program will expand your knowledge and experience beyond the recreational level and is a lot of fun at the same time! 

Rescue Diver training will prepare you to prevent problems and, if necessary, manage dive emergencies. 

During the course you will cover:

-Self rescue & diver stress

-AED & emergency oxygen delivery systems

-Dive first aid

-Swimming and non swimming rescue techniques

-Emergency management and equipment

-Panicked diver response

-Underwater problems

-Missing diver procedures

-Surfacing the unconscious diver

-In water rescue breathing protocols 

-First Aid procedures for pressure related accidents 

-Dive accidents scenarios

This course gets you to look beyond yourself and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence, as it will give you an entire new prospect on the world of diving!

Instructor Phil with Rescue Divers Sacha and now Dive Instructor Julius

Diver Accident Scenario

Divemaster Course

Divemaster Trainees at Trawangan Dive

Just to qualify to enter the Divemaster course is an accomplish! It already shows that you have learnt a great deal through training and through experience. 

The Divemaster rating is where your adventure as a dive professional begins. If there is a common characteristic of a Divemaster it would be responsibility. The Divemaster is responsible for people, responsible for planning, responsible for orientation, and at some time, responsible for nearly every aspect of safe diving. 

The Divemaster Course consists of 3 modules:

• Knowledge Development 
• Water Skills and Stamina
• Practical application

Here at Trawangan Dive you will probably progress through all 3 modules simultaneously, based upon the course schedule you and your instructor agreed upon. Being one of the busiest Dive Resorts on Gili Trawangan, there is always a course to help out on and you will never be waiting for someone to come in! 

In the knowledge development you will cover 12 topics through independent study, projects and discussions. You will learn more about physics, physiology, equipment, skills and environment, decompression theory and the Recreational Dive Planner and how to use the PADI Instructor Manual.

The water skills and stamina has 2 goals:

• To develop and evaluate your overall water skills and stamina 
• To improve upon your existing scuba skills

You will complete timed swims and other exercises in confined water and you will refine your basic scuba skills. You will also refresh your rescue skills. 

The practical application allows you to learn and practice Divemaster skills by applying what you learn during the first 2 modules. 

You will begin by completing 3 required training exercises:

• A mapping project
• An underwater problem solving exercise
• Divemaster conducted programs training 

After the required training exercises you will have a chance to develop and practice Divemaster skills with actual student divers, under the direct supervision of your instructor. 

Once you become a certified Divemaster you are able to do:

• Work at local dive centres, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
• Assist PADI Instructors with students
• Lead PADI Scuba divers on guided dive tours 
• Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers 
• Teach PADI Discover Snorkelling programs 
• Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
• Lead Certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences

We always have a lot of Divemaster trainees here therefore making the experience more fun and enjoyable both during the day and when out at night! The Instructors are always around to speak to if you require any additional information or support. We have a lot of experienced Instructors who can tell you about their own experiences and how to deal with certain situations. 

Divemaster Snorkel Test Celebrating completing the course!

Instructor Development Course


The Instructor Development Course (IDC) takes both Assistant Instructor Course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor Course and combines them with EFR Instructor Course for a full package. At Trawangan Dive we run the course over a 16 day period, where you will work with our Course Director Ayala Cohen and other staff members. We have a fun, professional and detail orientated way of guiding you through your training. The training focuses on helping you to organise and teach all PADI courses as well as the Project Aware Specialties. Your Rescue Skills are assessed and fine tuned, confined water skills are taught to presentation quality, and workshops are done on all possible Advanced Open Water Dives so that as a new instructor you are ready to teach as soon as the exams are completed and certification has been registered by PADI. As part of the IDC package we are now offering Nitrox and Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor specialities for free. You will just have to pay directly to PADI for the certification fee at a date of choice. 

Course Director Ayala marking Confined Water Presentations

There is not a great deal of self-study required for the IDC, having good diving skills its the key element, however, having a better understanding of Divemaster theory will be of benefit to you. During the IDC you will cover part of the theory form the Divemaster Course as well as more in depth information on certain topics, including physics and physiology. During the course two days are set aside to ensure each candidate has a full understanding of all topics.

Happy IDC candidates after completing the course!

For anymore information required about the following Courses please visit our website or email us. 

To keep up to date with all the latest happening at Trawangan Dive visit our Facebook page. 

Diving at Shark Point

Shark Point is one of the most popular dive sites around the Gili Islands. Situated on the North of Gili Trawangan it is one of the most varied and interesting dive sites. The site starts with a  sloping reef  going down to 30 metres with a series of ridges of valleys which leads you to deeper water. Being a sloping reef  means it is available to all levels of diver certification. It has an abundance of marine life, with Turtles almost being a guarantee to see! About 25 metres deep within the ridges is where white tip and black tip reef sharks are to be found. Along with Jacks, Barracuda, Angelfish, Snapper and Blue Spotted Sting rays are all commonly seen.

Dive Sites around the Gili's

Phils group was the first to Descend, they all got into their equipment whilst Phil gave the Pre-Dive safety check. Once everyone was ready to go they did a backwards roll entry into the crystal clear Gili water! After clearing their masks at the surface they slowly descended down the slope to reach the depth of 30 metres! It is safe to say Shark Point lived up to its name during this dive and certainly didn't disappoint! 

About ten minutes into the dive Phil came across two white tip reef sharks which they were only about one metre away from!! The group also came across a blue spotted sting ray and a big group of snappers! Nearing the end of the dive in about 12 metres of water before coming up to do the safety stop, three or four turtles were seen feeding away at the coral, it was the perfect ending to what was to be another great dive at Shark Point! 

Philip (centre) with his Dive students!

Boarding the boat

 James Wells Instructor Extraordinaire!

Getting into their gear!

Backwards roll entry into the water

Snapper

Two White Tip Reef Sharks!!

Getting Closer!

Blue Spotted Stingray

Turtle in the shallows

Passing the equipment up to the boat crew

Back to Trawangan Dive!

Divemaster Jan!

The only way to end the day....in the Trawangan Dive Pool Bar