Sekotong peninsula, south-west Lombok
★ 4.5(142 reviews)
Dive Zone Sekotong is the main dive operator on Lombok's south-west peninsula, accessing the so-called Secret Gilis (Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis) and the quieter mainland reefs. Diving here is calmer, less crowded, and cheaper than the main Gilis — but visibility is more variable and there's no nightlife or tourist infrastructure.
# Dive Zone Sekotong: The Honest Review
Sekotong is the dive destination most travellers haven't heard of. While the Gili Islands soak up the bulk of Lombok's dive tourism, the south-west peninsula has its own little archipelago — the Secret Gilis (Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Kedis, Gili Tangkong, Gili Layar, Gili Asahan, and several smaller cays) — and the mainland reefs that fringe them. Dive Zone Sekotong is the main operator running this circuit, and they've quietly served the region for over a decade.
Dive Zone is owned and run by a Lombok-born dive instructor who trained originally on Gili Trawangan but moved south to Sekotong when the family-driven calm of the area appealed more than Trawangan's bar scene. The shop is PADI-affiliated and runs courses up to Divemaster.
The team is small (3–4 instructors) and most are local Sasak. This matters for cultural context — you'll get genuine answers about local fishing practices, mosque schedules in Sekotong town, and which warungs serve the best lunch.
Sekotong has roughly 15 named sites within easy boat range. The headliners include:
Gili Nanggu reef — shallow coral garden (5–18m), high reef-fish density, ideal for beginners and snorkellers
Gili Sudak wall — 5–25m wall dive, usually mild current, good for navigation practice
Magnet Rock — pinnacle site at 18–28m with reef sharks and occasional pelagics (no relation to Belongas's "Magnet")
Gili Layar shore reef — relaxed drift dive with turtle sightings
Sekotong Bay slope — silty but life-rich macro site, good for camera divers
You won't see the schooling fish or shark numbers of Gili T's Shark Point, but you'll see solid reef diving with very few other divers in the water.
Dive Zone runs two wooden Indonesian boats. Departure is 8:30am for two-tank trips, returning by 3pm. Group sizes are capped at six divers per boat across two guides. The boats are functional — basic shade, ladders for entry/exit, no toilet on the smaller boat — and you should bring sun protection and water.
Combination trips run for mixed groups: divers do two reef dives while non-diving partners or kids snorkel from the same boat. This is genuinely useful for families.
PADI Open Water at Dive Zone runs over 3 days for 4.8 million IDR — among the most affordable on Lombok without compromising on safety basics. Confined-water training happens at Gili Nanggu's protected lagoon, which is bath-warm and shallow. Open-water dives use the Nanggu and Sudak reefs.
Advanced Open Water runs over 2 days for 4 million IDR, with the standard adventures (deep, navigation) plus three electives.
Course pacing is relaxed compared to high-volume Gili T shops. If you want a calm, unrushed certification experience and you don't need the Gili party scene, this works.
Rental kit is older but functional — Aqualung BCDs, mid-range regulators, 3mm shorty wetsuits. The gear is rotated less frequently than at premium Gili shops, so check fit and condition on day one. Bring your own mask if you're particular about fit.
Standard fun dive: 450,000 IDR (best price on Lombok)
Two-tank package: 850,000 IDR
PADI Open Water: 4,800,000 IDR
PADI Advanced Open Water: 4,000,000 IDR
Snorkel-and-dive combo trip: 600,000 IDR per snorkeller, 800,000 IDR per diver
Equipment rental: 200,000 IDR per day
Senggigi or Mataram pickup transfers add 200,000 IDR each way.
Book Dive Zone if you're staying in Senggigi or Mataram and don't want the Gili ferry hassle. Book them for budget diving without the crowds. Book them for families with mixed dive/snorkel interests. Book them for relaxed open water courses where you don't need the highest-end facilities. Book them if you want to spend time in Lombok beyond the well-trodden Gili route.
Skip Dive Zone if you're chasing big-animal encounters — Belongas Bay or Gili T's Shark Point will deliver more reliably. Skip them if you want polished resort-style dive experiences with modern boats and infrastructure. Skip them if you're already on the Gili Islands; the long transfer south doesn't make sense.
WhatsApp (+62 877 6512 3344) is the easiest channel. The website has booking forms but replies can be slow in low season. 3–5 days advance notice is enough most of the year; July–August needs a week. Cash is preferred; card payments add 3% surcharge.