Join us on a unique conservation experience as we partner with The Dorsal Effect and Gili Eco Trust for a memorable four-day adventure. This trip combines fun freediving and underwater exploration (and a freediving course if you're not certified yet) with ecotourism, providing an immersive experience into marine conservation.

About The Dorsal Effect

Lombok is the base of one of the largest shark fisheries in Indonesia. The Dorsal Effect (TDE) aims to provide alternative livelihoods to shark fishermen by engaging them in eco-tourism. During this trip, you will meet ex shark fishermen and their families, visit the shark market and be taken to beautiful freediving sites. Kathy, the founder of TDE, will join us to give us some insights into her conservation work.

About Gili Eco Trust

Gili Eco Trust is an NGO based on Gili Trawangan initially founded to protect coral reefs around the Gili islands from destructive fishing methods such as dynamite fishing. It has since grown and expanded its activities from marine conservation to waste management and sustainable eco-tourism. Their Biorock project creates artificial reefs, restoring previously destroyed and overfished areas of the reef. We will join them to design and build a biorock, place the biorock onto the reef and explore the surrounding reefs.

Trip Options

Certified freedivers are welcome to join this trip. If you would like to get your freediving certification on this trip, select the "Trip + Freediving course" option to get your Molchanovs Wave 1 certification. Theory and Pool components will be completed in Singapore during our March or May course (your choice!) and the depth components in Lombok.

Freediving in Lombok

Lombok has many picturesque bays with crystal clear water and beautiful coral reefs, perfect for fun diving and exploring. Sites that we will visit include Pink Beach and a blacktip reef shark nursery (weather conditions permitting).

Schedule and Itinerary

24 Jul - 8.30am pick up from accommodation to head out to explore different freediving sites. Lunch included. Return at 5pm.

25 Jul - 5.30am pick up from accommodation to visit the shark market and processing plant. Lunch with the ex fishermen and their families on their island. Return at 3pm.

26 Jul - 8.30am pick up from accommodation to head out to explore different freediving sites. Lunch included. Return at 5pm.

27 Jul - 7am pick up from accommodation to head to Gili Trawangan. Spend the day with Gili Eco Trust constructing a biorock and freediving at the biorock reefs. Return at 7pm. If you would like to stay in Gili Trawangan instead of heading back to Lombok let us know.

Getting to Lombok

Scoot flies directly to Lombok International Airport (LOP) from Singapore. Alternatively, you can fly to Bali and take a domestic flight to Lombok.

Accommodation and Food Options

Pick ups for the activities are only available from accommodations within Kuta, which is in south Lombok. There, you can find many options to suit different comfort levels and budgets, which are available for booking on various booking platforms, or direct with the accommodation. Restaurants and cafes with different cuisines can also be found in Kuta.

Freediving Equipment

You will need your fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt and weights for the dives. Wetsuits are optional but recommended. If you are not wearing a wetsuit, a rashguard is recommended for sun protection. We provide equipment rental if needed. Dive weights can also be rented from a scuba shop in Lombok for ~SGD3 per 1kg weight per day.

Please use reef-safe sunscreen on your dives. Our favourite brands are Blue Lizard, Badger and Surf Yogi.

Inclusions

Freediving at selected dive sites on 24 & 26 July
Land and boat transfers on all four days
Lunch on all four days
Participation in biorock building activity with Gili Eco Trust

Exclusions

Flights and other travel into and from Lombok
Accommodation and meals other than lunch
Freediving equipment
Travel insurance
Other personal expenses

Booking and cancellation policy

Full payment is required to secure your booking.

For cancellations made within one month of the trip date, 50% of the total cost will not be refunded.

If the minimum required number of 4 participants is not met for the trip, a full refund will be issued to those who have booked the "Trip Only" option. For guests who selected the "Trip + Freediving Course" option, you will be refunded the total amount minus $260, which covers the cost of the theory and pool sessions completed in Singapore. We'll let you know as soon as the minimum is met so you can book your flights!

Travel

Please check the current visa requirements for your nationality to travel to Indonesia and ensure that you have the appropriate visa, if required.

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