Why Weekends at Oceans 5 Gili Air

From Beach Cleanups to Marine Science: A Weekend of Community and Conservation
Gili Air might be known for its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back island vibes, but if you take a closer look, there’s something even more inspiring happening every weekend—especially around Oceans 5 Gili Air. For locals, tourists, expats, and divers alike, weekends are not just about relaxing by the beach or exploring the underwater world. They’re about coming together, giving back to the ocean, and supporting the next generation of marine scientists.
So what makes the weekends at Oceans 5 Gili Air so special? Let’s dive in.
Friday: The Beach Cleanup That Brings Everyone Together

At 17:00 every Friday, Oceans 5 kicks off the weekend with its now-famous weekly beach cleanup—an event that has become a ritual not just for dive professionals and interns, but also for holidaymakers, local business owners, children, and visitors from all walks of life.
The concept is simple but powerful: Everyone is welcome. It doesn’t matter if you're a diver or a non-diver, a tourist on a short stay, an expat who’s made Gili Air home, or a local fisherman who’s lived here his whole life—if you care about the environment, you belong here.

How It Works
Oceans 5 provides gloves and reusable collection bags, and a team of divemaster and instructor candidates explains the safety guidelines and areas to focus on during a short pre-cleanup briefing. The cleanup zone is strategically chosen—usually the harbor entrance, where tourists arrive and depart.

Why this area?
Because first impressions matter. This entrance is the “face” of the island. And when it’s littered with plastic, broken glass, fishing lines, or food wrappers, visitors don’t just comment—they post photos. They write negative reviews. And these impressions don’t just damage the harbor’s reputation—they affect the entire island.
That’s why Oceans 5 has taken on the responsibility of protecting this crucial zone. But here’s a polite but direct message to the western businesses on the island: If you say you’re eco-friendly, then show up. It’s easy to claim sustainability on your website or in your marketing, but when cleanups aren’t organized, trash accumulates—and tourists notice.

After the Cleanup
When the bags are full and the job is done, everyone returns to Oceans 5 for a well-deserved free drink and a group photo. It’s not just a thank-you—it’s a moment to celebrate community spirit and environmental action.
The collected trash is stored and sorted later in the week—plastics, glass, and metals are separated before being transported to Lombok, where it enters proper recycling streams.
It’s a simple yet effective system—and one that only works because of consistent effort and participation.

Saturday and Sunday: A Platform for Future Marine Scientists
As the weekend continues, a new wave of energy arrives at Oceans 5—not in the form of tourists, but in the form of students from the University of Mataram. Every Saturday and Sunday, these passionate young individuals arrive to conduct marine research projects under the guidance and sponsorship of Oceans 5 Gili Air.

Science Without Borders or Bureaucracy
These students are studying marine biology and conservation, and their dream is to become Indonesia’s next generation of marine scientists. What makes this project so meaningful is that it operates without external funding. No support from NGOs. No donations from guests. Instead, the project is entirely supported by Sander, the owner of Oceans 5.

Why?
Because he believes in investing in local talent and in keeping scientific data within Indonesia. Too often, marine research conducted in Indonesia is led by foreign universities or NGOs, and the knowledge either gets exported or fails to benefit the local community. At Oceans 5, the philosophy is different: empower local students, build local knowledge, and create real solutions.

What the Students Do
Throughout the weekend, students dive the reefs, conduct surveys on fish biodiversity, coral health, and invertebrate populations. They record data on coral bleaching, pollution, and fish movements. Their work provides a clearer picture of the current state of the Gili Islands’ marine ecosystems.
These aren’t simulated exercises. They are real research projects. And they’re helping to build a long-term conservation strategy for the Gili Matra Marine Park.

A New Chapter: The Conservation Department at Oceans 5 Gili Air
To further its environmental mission, Oceans 5 has launched a new internal division: the Conservation Department. And leading this initiative is one of our own—Instructor Cakra, who is not only a certified dive professional but also a marine scientist.

Meet Instructor Cakra
Cakra is the perfect example of what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Having studied marine science, he now dedicates his time to developing and teaching conservation courses at Oceans 5. These aren’t just box-ticking certifications. They’re genuine educational programs designed to empower divers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect the ocean.
Cakra offers 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day marine conservation courses. He is also putting the finishing touches on the PADI AWARE Reef Conservation Specialty and the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty, which are available to all divers visiting Oceans 5.

Daily Conservation Education
Every day, Cakra is available at the dive center to answer questions, guide interested guests, and deliver lectures or hands-on conservation experiences. If you’re interested in learning more about ocean protection, just pop by the dive center—he’s always happy to chat.
Whether you're an Open Water Diver or a seasoned instructor, you’ll walk away from his sessions with a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and a renewed commitment to conservation.

Why It All Matters
When you look at all these weekend initiatives—beach cleanups, student research programs, and conservation courses—they might seem like separate projects. But together, they form a powerful narrative:

A dive center that cares about the island, not just its profits.
A local business that takes action, rather than just talking about sustainability.
A platform that invests in Indonesia’s future, not foreign marketing campaigns.
The weekends at Oceans 5 Gili Air are special not because of what we do for ourselves, but because of what we do for others—the community, the environment, and the generations to come.
Join Us This Weekend

Whether you’re just passing through or planning a longer stay, make sure your weekend includes a visit to Oceans 5 Gili Air. You can:
Join the Friday beach cleanup at 17:00
Meet the University of Mataram students and learn about their projects
Enroll in a marine conservation course with Instructor Cakra
Have a real impact on the Gili Islands
These aren’t just activities. They are opportunities to connect with like-minded people, give back to the ocean that gives us so much, and become part of a larger mission.
Because every action counts. And at Oceans 5, we make every weekend matter.