Gap Year Diver

Name: Christian ShippCountry: Indonesia

I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life! The location is ideal. For those unaware of the GIli islands they are three small islands situated off the coast of Lombok, Gili Trawangan being the largest and liveliest. On all the islands there are no cars or motorbikes; instead brightly decorated horse drawn carriages known as Cidomos which add to the laid back atmosphere of the island.

During my two month stay I took the Divemaster course and would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of taking such a course in the area. The instructors are great people who quickly become a mentor and friend to you and they are also very professional and highly skilled. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share this experience with me.

There are three dives a day to many of the many dive sites around the island, including the opportunity to see reef sharks as shark point, and for the lucky, devil or even manta rays at sunset point. The après scuba is also great thanks to the stunning garden area and pool bar providing the best environment to relax after each day of diving and swap stories with fellow divers and the staff.

I was lucky enough to get involved with the Bio-Rock project on the Island. This is a project aimed at coral preservation and restoration, via the use or artificial reefs. Situated just offshore are a number of Bio-rocks, made from steel rebar they can be sculpted into different shapes. The two outside the centre are made to look like turtles, one of which I was involved in making. The Biorock course is now a recognised PADI speciality so you can also enhance your diving portfolio whilst giving something back.

Whilst on the island I mainly stayed in the standard lodging, with a few nights in the more luxurious Bungalows. Each room offers a bunk, wardrobe and two fans but showers and toilets are shared. It’s convenient accommodation and very affordable in comparison to other places on the island.

If you go for the meal option then the food is provided through the Mexican restaurant and bar, with head chef Rodrigo Rodriguez. The food is simply faultless and is honestly the best Mexican food I have had. I would highly recommend the ‘Chimichangas’! As mentioned before there is also a pool bar which serves everything from fruit smoothies, to the local beer your will fall in love with and refreshing cocktails, all at cheaper prices then places further into town. The island also offers many opportunities for delicious food from delicious BBQ fish (caught that day) from scallywags to the local Nasi Goreng from any number of small local cafes. My personal favourite was the living room, it offered local and western food a lot cheaper and nicer than many of the bigger restaurants, situated on the walk from the dive shop to the harbour.

Gili Trawangan's night-life is another big reason to visit. However, if this is not your thing, fear not. The dive centre is far enough away so you will not be bothered by any noise. Tir Na Nof (the Irish bar) offers good food and a lively atmosphere and is the place to go for live sport. Every Wednesday is partly night, and nothing beats dancing in front of the beach at sunset. Try a vodka jos here, not for the faint hearted - think an extreme version of vodka redbull! Rudy’s Bar is another lively venue which has its main night on Friday and is another great venue. For a more relaxing evening try sunset bar. Situated to the west of the Island get there before sunset and enjoy some beers and a pizza as the sunsets over a volcano on Bali, a must see!

The staff at the dive centre really make the place. The local crew are more than happy to help, always with a smile on their faces. The western dive staff are the best group of people I have come across. Always ready for a laugh they made the trip for me. For anyone thinking of taking a Divemaster course here, they will honestly be one of the reasons you love it so much. During my time from the second I arrived they made me feel at home, and I cannot count how many they looked out for me, by showing me the ways of the Island.

Here are a few ‘musts’ when visiting:

-DIVE!!!
-Hire a bike and cycle round the Island
-Get up early enough to watch the sun rise over Mt Rinjani
-Have some chimichangas
-Go to kalapa villa for a game of tennis.....in a jungle!
-visit the turtle sanctuary (just outside Trawangan dive)
-Have local Nasi Goureng
-Take a ride in a cidomo
-Go to the Irish Bar on a Wednesday Nights

I hope this review proves useful, especially for anyone thinking of doing a Divemaster course through Gap Year Diver; who throughout the process were excellent!

Name: SanjayCountry: Belize

Thanks for your email. Yes - things are going really well out here, and I'm having a fantastic time. Everyone has been extremely friendly and supportive, the diving is unbelievable, and i'll be very sorry to leave I'm sure! Polly is awesome, and has really looked after us.

Name: Petra VargaCountry: Indonesia

I had great six weeks in Indonesia. I enjoyed the whole program which included the rescue course, the Biorock programme and the Divemaster Internship. Gap Year Diver organised the trip very well and the dive centre was excellent from a diving and social point of view too. I would definitely go with Gap Year Diver again and I would highly recommend Gili Trawangan to anyone!

Name: Becky WalkerCountry: Egypt

I had never dived before but within seconds of being at the dive centre with such fantastic instructors I loved it immediately and went all the way to Master Scuba Diver. I had the most amazing time in Dahab in such a chilled place and met the most amazing people :) . I would definitely recommend the Egypt tour as well as you see absolutely everything and the 5* hotels definitely make it worthwhile!! Best time of my life and would definitely go back again!!!

Name: Rob WalkerCountry: Indonesia

It was an absolutely brilliant trip thanks, definitely the best one I have ever been on! The group of people were great (both the biorockers, the instructors and divemasters and the other people who started their divemaster with us) and I am still in contact with all of them. The island was fantastic (the resort and the nightlife!) and the diving was sublime! I almost stayed the summer to work with the dive shop as a divemaster - and to be honest coming back for the summer was a decision that I regret now! It sounds like the people who we met that stayed out there upon completing their divemaster are continuing to have an amazing time. I am definitely going to go back at some point - perhaps get some work as a divemaster and continue on to do my IDC! I would be more than happy to recommend the trip and you and your company to anybody who asks about diving trips!