Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish)
The Oceanic Sunfish, or Mola Mola is the heaviest bony fish on the planet and on average weighs 1 ton and spans 1.8m. Individuals have been seen of sizes up to 4.2m and weighing 2.3tons. Sunfish are pelagic and spend most of their adult lives in depths of between 200m . 600m. Predominantly solitary creatures, Sunfish congregate in groups for cleaning during certain times of year when they head to the surface and bask. This occurrence takes place along the coast of Nusa Penida and Lembongan during the months of September and October. Lutwala Dive offers 3 dive day trips to the area during this season.

Manta Ray
The Manta Ray is the largest of the Ray family spanning up to 7.6m and weighing up to 2.3tons. These angelic creatures are found mostly in shallower water where they filter feed through their gills as they swim. Manta are found around the Gili Islands year round but predominantly in the wet season of November . March. During September and October large numbers are found along the coastline of Nusa Penida and Lembongan and day trips are offered by Lutwala Dive.

White Rip Reef Sharks
These smaller sharks, usually not exceeding 1.6m in length are easily recognised by their distinguished black or white tipped dorsal and caudal fins. They are the most common sharks found on the Indo-Pacific reefs and can be seen on many of the Gili dive sites year-round. These sharks, unlike many species, can lie motionless along the bottom resting whilst they pump water over their gills, making them an easy photographic target during dives. Hunting primarily at night groups of these sharks sweep over the reefs looking for vulnerable fish, a sight worth taking a night dive for. These sharks are fearless and curious often approaching divers, however they are seldom aggressive when unprovoked and are an enjoyable dive companion.

Black Tip Reef Sharks
Another common inhabitant of the Indo-Pacifica reef areas the Black Tip reaches up to 2m in length and 45kg in weight. These sharks are mostly solitary and are not aggressive unless provoked. While generally shy they are often curious about divers and snorkelers approaching for a better look.

Turtles
Gili Trawangan is widely referred to as one of the turtle centres of the world with a massive population of hawksbill and many green turtles found along all of the island reefs. Almost every dive will result in several individuals being seen and snorkelers will often be joined by turtles rising for air and relaxing in the shallower waters.

Bumphead Parrotfish
The largest of the parrotfish species, growing up to 1.3m long and weighing 46kg, Bumpheads can be found along many of the Trawangan reefs during the week of full moon. .Herds. of up to 25 individuals are often encountered on the Lutwala House Reef, Halik, as they roam the reef edge grazing off the coral.

Sea Snakes
The banded Sea Krait frequents the coral reefs around Gili Trawangan and can often be seen hunting and prowling through the shallower waters. They are too slow to catch fish in open water and so look for fish hiding in small holes and crevices in the reef structure. Their bite is highly venomous and paralyses prey almost instantly.

Octopus
Trawangan has a large octopus population frequently allowing for multiple sightings during dives, occasionally providing lucky individuals with displays of social interactions between individuals. Whilst the common reef octopus is most often encountered, the rare and beautiful blue ringed octopus can also be found along Trawangan reefs. The blue-ringed octopus are small and relatively docile but are recognised as one of the world's deadliest venomous creatures, an animal the size of a golf ball that is capable of killing humans.

Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are encountered at any of the dive sites around the Gili Islands, with many large adults to be found. During night dives the smaller juveniles come out and when surprised can often entertain divers with their ink and run tactics.

Frogfish
The frogfish (or anglerfish) is a strange creature, camouflaged incredibly well to its environment, making it difficult to find and a treat when it is. This .walking fish. sits in the sponges and relies on its perfect resemblance to hide from predators. Many colours are found around Trawangan and Lutwala.s experienced dive guides have become accomplished at identifying them for our guests.

Reef Inhabitants
Indonesia has the largest biodiversity of marine life in the world and Gili Trawangan is a perfect place to see many of these species. The reefs are thriving with marine life with many species of angelfish, butterfly fish, batfish, damsels, anthias, sweetlips, surgeons and anemone fish crowding into the reefs. Schooling fish such as Trevally, fusilier, jack fish, tuna and barracuda trawl the waters and stingrays, flounders and marble rays bury themselves in the sand. For the macro enthusiasts pipefish, pygmy sea horse, leafy scorpion fish and crocodile fish are a sight well worth hunting. Nudibranchs of hundreds of species are found in the area along with Spanish dancers and star gazers on night dives. With so much to see divers are guaranteed to come back satisfied.

Lutwala Resort,
Halik Beach,
Gili Trawangan,
Lombok,
Indonesia.
+62 (0) 821 478 900 63
dive@lutwala.com