Slow Villas and Spa

Start your scuba diving experience with a certified instructor arranged through Slow Villas and Spa. You’ll begin with a short introduction to basic diving theory and safety, learning how the equipment works and what to expect underwater. After that, you’ll head into a pool to practice breathing through a regulator, clearing your mask and moving with fins.

Once you feel comfortable, the adventure continues in the ocean, where you’ll complete a guided dive to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Colourful fish and coral reefs surround you, turning your first breaths underwater into a memory you won’t forget.

Head out from Slow Villas and Spa to surf at Bongkas Reef on Gili Air. This right-hand break rolls in off the south coast and, when conditions line up, delivers a fast, barreling wave over shallow coral. It’s best suited to experienced surfers who feel confident reading the reef and handling sharper sections.

For lessons or guidance, stop by Lucky’s Bar, where local instructors can take you out and share their knowledge of the break. With the right timing and a bit of patience, you’ll find clean lines, warm water and a wave worth waiting for.

An early boat ride arranged through Slow Villas and Spa takes you out with Captain Madi in search of dolphins. You’ll leave while the sky begins to lighten behind Mount Rinjani, cruising north toward deeper waters near Gili Air. The sea is often calm at this hour, making the ride smooth and calm.

Along the way, you might notice turtles, flying fish or schools of fish moving just below the surface. Captain Madi relies on years of local knowledge to track dolphin pods, giving you a real chance to see them in their natural setting.