If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia and love the ocean, Lombok diving should be high on your list. With crystal-clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Lombok is quickly becoming one of the best diving destinations in Indonesia.
Compared to Bali, diving in Lombok often feels more natural and less crowded, while still offering easy access to world-class dive sites. Most of these sites are not accessible if you opt for Lombok snorkeling. So put on your goggles and let’s find out what you need to explore.
Lombok diving around the Gili Islands
The most famous spots for Lombok diving are the Gili Islands, including Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These islands are easy to reach:
- Around 2 hours by fast boat from Bali (Padang Bai)
- Around 4 hours from Sanur
Why Dive the Gili Islands?
Any Gili Island is perfect for beginners and intermediate divers. You can expect:
- High chances of seeing sea turtles (green & hawksbill)
- Colourful coral gardens
- Calm conditions most of the year
- Plenty of dive schools and certified instructors
There are also unique dive sites like underwater statues and artificial reefs, making this area both fun and accessible. Many travelers start their Lombok diving trip here before continuing to more advanced locations on the main island.
Advanced Lombok diving in Belongas Bay
For experienced divers, Belongas Bay offers some of the most thrilling diving in Lombok. This area is located in the south of Lombok and is known for:
- Strong currents
- Deep dive sites
- Large pelagic species
Therefore it’s only accessible for scuba diving and not for instance for snorkeling or free diving. Most dive operators require:
- Advanced Open Water certification
- 50-100 logged dives, depending on conditions
The Magnet: Hammerhead shark territory
Known locally as Batu Kapal, The Magnet is one of the most famous Lombok diving spots.
- Depth: around 20-30 metres
- Type: underwater pinnacle rising from deep water
Here you may encounter:
- Hammerhead sharks
- Large schools of barracuda
- Trevally and tuna
- Mobula rays
This site is considered one of the best places in Lombok to see large marine life.
The Cathedral: Deep cave diving
Another advanced site in Belongas Bay is The Cathedral, located further offshore.
- Depth: up to 40 metres
- Feature: large underwater cave
Marine life includes:
- Reef sharks (blacktip & whitetip)
- Barracuda
- Rays and sea snakes
- Various pelagic fish
This is a more technical dive and only suitable for experienced divers.
Easier option: Coral Gardens
Belongas Bay also offers Coral Gardens, a much easier dive site with:
- Healthy reefs
- Colourful fish
- Milder conditions
This makes the area accessible even if you’re not ready for extreme dives.
Unique diving experiences in Lombok
Beyond dive sites, Lombok diving offers several unique experiences.
Dive camps & liveaboards
You can join multi-day dive camps or liveaboard trips that combine:
- Diving across multiple locations
- Training courses (from beginner to advanced)
- Island hopping experiences
Some trips even continue towards Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, combining two of Indonesia’s top diving destinations.
Diving events & conservation
Lombok has an active diving community, including organizations like PADI Lombok. You may find events such as:
- Beach clean-ups
- Coral restoration projects
- Underwater reef clean dives
These activities allow you to combine diving with marine conservation.
Try different dive times
Your dive timing can completely change the experience. Consider:
- Early morning dives: calm water and active marine life
- Night dives: discover nocturnal species
- Sunset dives: unique lighting and atmosphere
This adds variety to your Lombok diving adventure.
Where to stay for Lombok diving
After diving, it’s important to relax and allow your body to recover before flying. For a peaceful stay in the south of Lombok, Amazing Lombok Resort is an ideal base:
- Close to Belongas Bay and South Lombok dive areas
- Near beautiful beaches like
- Selong Belanak Beach
- Mawi Beach
- Tomang-Omang Beach
- Quiet environment for rest after diving
You can combine your diving trip with other activities like surfing, snorkeling, or simply relaxing by the pool. On top of this, it’s an eco-friendly resort which cares about the oceans and environment in general.
Why choose Lombok diving in 2026?
Lombok is still less crowded than Bali, but offers equally impressive underwater experiences. Whether you’re a beginner exploring the Gili Islands or an advanced diver chasing hammerhead sharks in Belongas Bay, Lombok diving has something for everyone.
With its combination of marine biodiversity, accessibility, and natural beauty, Lombok is one of the most exciting diving destinations in Indonesia today. No wonder it's one of the most exciting things to do in Lombok. So, what are you waiting for, start planning your Lombok diving trip.
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Last updated on: 12 April 2026