What happens during your first dive lesson at Gili Divers
If you’ve never scuba dived before, your first dive lesson can feel both exciting and intimidating. What will you learn? Will it be difficult? Is it safe? What if you feel nervous underwater?
At Gili Divers, first dive lessons are designed specifically for beginners — calm, progressive, and reassuring. Whether you’re trying Discover Scuba Diving or starting a full Open Water Course, everything is structured to help you feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely enjoy your first underwater experience.
Here’s exactly what happens during your first dive lesson at Gili Divers, step by step.
Step 1: Arrival at the dive center & welcome
You have the choice between two locations: Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. Your first dive lesson begins on land, at the dive center, not in the ocean. This is an important part of the experience, it’s where trust and confidence are built. You’ll be welcomed by the Gili Divers team and introduced to your instructor, who will:
- Ask about your previous experience (if any)
- Go through a short medical questionnaire
- Answer your questions and address any concerns
- Explain how the day will unfold
There’s no rush. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and personal, exactly what first-time divers need.
Step 2: Beginner-friendly theory & safety briefing
Before getting wet, you’ll take part in a short and simple theory session. This is not an exam and not a lecture, it’s a practical explanation designed to make you feel safe and informed.
You’ll learn:
- How scuba equipment works
- How to breathe through a regulator
- Basic hand signals for underwater communication
- How to equalise your ears
- What to do if you feel uncomfortable
- Essential safety rules
Everything is explained in clear, simple language. Your instructor makes sure you understand — and encourages questions at every stage.
Step 3: Getting to know your dive equipment
Next, you’ll be introduced to your scuba gear. For many beginners, this is where nerves disappear, understanding the equipment removes a lot of fear.
Your instructor will show you:
- The mask, fins, and wetsuit
- The regulator (your air source)
- The BCD (buoyancy control device)
- The tank and gauges
You’ll learn how each piece works and why it’s safe and reliable. At Gili Divers, all equipment is well-maintained and beginner-friendly, which makes a huge difference for first-timers.
Step 4: Confined water practice (pool or shallow water)
Before heading into open water, your first dive lesson always includes confined water practice, usually in a pool or very shallow, calm water.
This is where you’ll:
- Put on your equipment with help from your instructor
- Practice breathing underwater
- Learn how to clear water from your mask
- Practice recovering your regulator
- Get comfortable floating and controlling buoyancy
You can stand up at any time. Nothing is rushed. Most students are surprised by how quickly they relax once they realise how natural breathing underwater feels.
Step 5: Heading to the ocean
Once you feel comfortable, it’s time for the real highlight: your first ocean dive.
Dive sites around the Gilis are only 5–10 minutes by boat, which means:
- Short, easy transfers
- Calm surface conditions
- No long or tiring journeys
On the boat, your instructor will give a final briefing about the dive site, what marine life you might see, and how the dive will go.
Step 6: Your first open water dive
Entering the water, you’ll descend slowly and calmly, always with your instructor right next to you, often within arm’s reach.
Your first dive is shallow and relaxed, usually between 6 and 12 meters. During the dive, you’ll:
- Practice a few simple skills again
- Focus on calm breathing
- Start exploring the reef
This is where the magic happens.
You may see:
- Sea turtles gliding past
- Colorful reef fish
- Corals in every shape and color
- A peaceful underwater world unlike anything on land
Most beginners forget their nerves within minutes and surface smiling, amazed by what they’ve just experienced.
Step 7: Going at your own pace
One of the most important things to know about your first dive lesson at Gili Divers is this:
👉 You are always in control.
If you want to stop, slow down, or surface, you simply signal your instructor. There’s no pressure to “push through” fear.
This personalised approach is what makes first dive lessons at Gili Divers so successful, especially for nervous beginners.
Step 8: Learning to dive responsibly
From your very first lesson, Gili Divers emphasises eco-friendly diving practices.
You’ll learn:
- How to maintain buoyancy without touching corals
- Why marine life should never be touched
- The importance of reef-safe sunscreen
- How divers can protect the ocean
This creates confident divers who are also respectful of the underwater environment.
Step 9: Debrief & what comes next
After the dive, you’ll sit down with your instructor to:
- Talk about how it went
- Ask questions
- Review what you learned
- Discuss next steps
Some people finish their first lesson and decide that one dive is enough.
Many others say, “I want to do this again.”
From here, you can:
- Do another Discover Scuba dive
- Upgrade to an Open Water Course
- Continue diving during your stay in the Gilis
Your first dive starts here
Your first dive lesson at Gili Divers is designed to be safe, relaxed, and unforgettable.
There’s no pressure, no judgment, and no expectations, just professional guidance, calm conditions, and an incredible underwater world waiting for you.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, float weightlessly, and see marine life up close, this is where that journey begins.
👉 Ready to take your first breath underwater?
Whether you’re curious, excited, or a little nervous, the team at Gili Divers is here to guide you every step of the way.
🤿 Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Courses available year-round
🌊 Small groups, experienced instructors, and beginner-friendly dive sites
📩 Contact Gili Divers today and book your first dive lesson in the Gili Islands.
