Seahorse Bay - Lombok & Gili Islands
The Gardens is a standout for us at the Poor Knights, and often one of our first stops. We love the easy entry into this shallow bay, especially when there's a bit of a swell running elsewhere. The back wall is riddled with cracks and archways, perfect for poking around, and you’ll find plenty of inquisitive snapper hovering in the shadows. We usually spend a good chunk of time around Shark Fin Cave – the light entering from the top creates an ethereal glow, illuminating the fan corals and sponges clinging to the walls. Out in the bay, the sandy patches often host foraging rays, and if you’re patient, you might spot a school of kingfish cruising by. This site is consistently shallow, maxing out at 17m, making it ideal for longer bottom times and less experienced divers looking to get comfortable. The average 15m visibility here means you can often see the boat from the seafloor, which is always a bonus. For those looking for a relaxed, sun-drenched dive with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, The Gardens truly delivers.
- Location
- Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- -8.405200, 116.060900
- Type
- cave
Marine Protected Area: KK Pulau Gili Air, Gili Meno, dan Gili Trawangan
Best Time to Dive in Lombok & Gili Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Lombok & Gili Islands occur in December, averaging 30.1°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 28.3°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 29.6°C
- February: 29.3°C
- March: 29.6°C
- April: 30.1°C
- May: 29.9°C
- June: 29.2°C
- July: 28.5°C
- August: 28.3°C
- September: 28.6°C
- October: 29.3°C
- November: 30.1°C
- December: 30.1°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Lombok & Gili Islands
- AB29 - 0m (wreck)
- Abwonderdive House Reef - 5-30m (reef)
- Abwonderdive House Reef (reef)
- Ada Reef (reef)
- Air Wall (reef)
- Air Wall (wall)
- Air Wall (wall)
- Alamanda (reef)
- Alamanda (reef)
- Alam Batu Housreef - 5-20m (reef)
- Amed - 5-15m (reef)
- Angel Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Angels Canyon Bali (reef)
- Angels Canyon Bali (reef)
- Anker Point
Nearest Dive Centres to Seahorse Bay
- 3Wdive
- 7 Seas International
- Absolute Scuba
- Abyss Dive Center - FFESSM, ANMP, CMAS, CEDIP, SSI
- Abyss Ocean World - ["PADI"]
- Adventure Divers
Marine Life in Lombok & Gili Islands
Home to 258 recorded species including 153 reef fish, 44 sharks & rays, 37 hard corals, 10 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 3 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- sorrah shark (Carcharhinus sorrah) - Sharks & Rays
- Brown Spinecheek Gudgeon (Eleotris fusca) - Reef Fish
- Fluted clam (Tridacna squamosa) - Clams & Mussels
- Gendarme Fish (Acanthurus olivaceus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
- Spine-cheek Gudgeon (Eleotris acanthopomus) - Reef Fish
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Species code: Hp (Halodule pinifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Bigmouth Goby (Redigobius bikolanus) - Reef Fish
- Sleepy Goby (Psammogobius biocellatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora cerealis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Seahorse Bay
Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 23 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories