Coral Gardens

Best months: Jan–Dec

Protected Area

Mangrove

Why dive here

With 165+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, sperm whales and whale sharks - Coral Gardens offers some of Mafia Island's richest reef diving. Water sits around 29°C.

Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales and Whale Sharks · 165+ species recorded

Water29°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Hans Reef, off Gili Trawangan, often gets overlooked for the deeper drift dives, but we think that’s a mistake. Yes, it’s a gentle sandy slope, maxing out at 16m, and dive centres use it for training – which means it's calm and predictable. We love it for its quiet charm and the sheer variety of smaller creatures. Drop in and you'll find a series of coral mounds and scattered blocks rising from the sand. Look closely. We’ve spent entire dives here captivated by the resident blue-spotted stingrays tucked into the sandy patches and the vibrant fluted clams clamping shut as you approach. The staghorn coral patches are busy with tiny reef fish, but the real magic often happens after sunset. Night dives here are fantastic; the sandy areas come alive with hunting octopus, and we’ve spotted plenty of crabs and crayfish scuttling about. It’s an easy, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers or anyone wanting to slow down and really observe.