AUS DIVING ACADEMY GILI AIR
HOW DID IT ALL START
In April 2016 it was suggested that we should open our own dive centre on Gili Air "Aus Diving Academy PADI Scuba Diving Resort". Having worked in diving for several years as a PADI dive master, PADI instructor and managing both PADI and SSI dive shops on the Gili’s we started looking at different sights around the Gili Air to meet our ideal PADI dive shop operation. We opened AUS DIVING ACADEMY as a PADI Dive Centre on the 15th of June 2016 at Rajas Restaurant and bar which is part of Salim Cottages giving us the ability to build the facilities for a modern dive shop operation. With a new PADI dive centre we had a list of priorities and ideals that we wished to achieve.
- Construction of a specialised dive training pool (opened 10/8/16)
- Modern air condition class rooms (opened 5/11/16)
- Customised dive boats Ozzy and Sheila
- Mares Diving Centre using Mares scuba diving equipment
- Staff training and development programs
- Protection of the oceans and development of new reef sites
- These are some of the features of AUS DIVING ACADEMY.
ABOUT US
AUS DIVING ACADEMY PADI Scuba Diving Resort Gili Air is a boutique PADI dive centre on the eastern side of Gili Air. With accommodation a restaurant, bar and beautiful views of Lombok and the volcano Rinjani, AUS DIVING ACADEMY is the perfect place to dive in the Gili’s.
STAFF
At AUS DIVING ACADEMY is a PADI Scuba Diving Resort. Our staff team welcome everybody. Making you feel like you are part of our family. Local staff training at AUS DIVING ACADEMY is ongoing. All staff are trained in first aide, CPR, through Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary training. AUS DIVING ACADEMY staff are certified PADI divers and hold various levels of certifications. Continous education is something we believe in, our staff and instructors are given the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets. Come and join us for one dive or just come and never leave everyone is welcome.
THE DIVING
AUS DIVING ACADEMY is a PADI Scuba Diving Resort dives more then 20 sites across the Gili’s and Lombok. With Sony Loin, our shop PADI dive master, who has over 3,000 dives in the Gili’s he has a love for scuba diving, born and raised in Gili Meno diving with him is an amazing journey. With Sony leading a well trained team of passionate dive staff you need only to relax and enjoy our underwater paradise.
ADA DIVING ARTICLE
DIVING AROUND GILIS

HOUSE REEF
DEPTH 5 TO 15 METERS
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
ALL LEVELS
In front of AUS DIVING ACADEMY in and around the moorings is House Reef development. In keeping with our policy on rebuilding marine habitat we are currently rebuilding the reef in this area. With plans to sink a number of small boats as wrecks and other projects to bring marine live back to the area. In the future with the assistance of customers and local businesses this will create a wonderful dive site for both divers and snorklers in the future. Join us on a reef clean up day.
.SECRET REEF
DEPTH 20 TO 30 METERS
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
ADVANCED
One of AUS DIVING ACADEMY’S favourite sites. Secret Reef was exactly as the names suggests. Hidden under the blue waters between Gili Air and Gili Meno Secret Reef is 3 ridge lines running north to south in the channel between the islands. With amazing plate corals make it a spectacular dive and after the dive its hard to remember the marine life due to the beauty of the plate corals that look like they have been just pilied on top of each other. The marine life is diverse and pelagics passing through just add to the beauty of this sight. It is a place you just want to dive again and again.
CORAL SEAFAN
DEPTH 5 TO 25 METERS
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
ALL LEVELS
On the eastern side of Gili Meno the smallest of the 3 Gili islands is Coral Seafan. Named for the many Gorgonian Fans that are found hanging in the current from the many bommies that are scattered along the dive site. Each bommie along the slope has its own resident marine life and they are all very different. Green Sea Turtles can be founded resting around the area. There are goat fish cleaning the bottom with the giant sea cucumbers acting as vaccum cleaners. Small cleaning stations and a good population of several different types of clown fish make for a dive with plenty to see.