Hunting your own fish on a single breath is one of the oldest ways of feeding yourself, and around Gili Air it happens over reef that is warm, clear and full of life. This private trip takes you out with an experienced instructor, puts a speargun in your hands and finishes with your catch on a plate.
Everything starts with a proper land briefing. Your instructor covers speargun handling and loading, in-water etiquette, how to identify target species, and the importance of taking only what will be eaten. You are then fitted with mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit or rash guard, and weight belt. Newcomers spend extra time on the fundamentals of freediving, learning how to breathe up, equalise comfortably and descend slowly without wasting energy, which is the difference between a frustrating session and a successful one.
From there a boat kept for your group alone runs out to the reef edges, channels and sandy patches where fish gather around Gili Air. Your instructor is in the water alongside you the whole time, spotting fish, positioning you correctly and talking through each approach between dives. The pace is deliberately unhurried. You watch, wait, choose your moment and take a single clean shot, which is what makes even one fish feel like a real achievement.
- Experienced spearfishing and freediving instructor
- Private boat with crew for your group only
- Speargun, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and weight belt provided
- Personalised in-water coaching throughout the session
- Lunch featuring the fish you catch
Afterwards the catch is cleaned and grilled fresh, typically served with rice, sambal and simple sides. It is a satisfying way to end the morning, and it changes how you think about the fish you order for the rest of your trip. Lunch is included regardless of how the hunting goes, so there is no pressure on the water.
The experience suits curious beginners who have never held a speargun as well as experienced freedivers who simply want a knowledgeable local to show them productive ground. No certification is required, but you should be a comfortable swimmer and reasonably at ease with your face in the water. Anyone with ear or sinus problems should mention it in advance so the instructor can adapt the session.
Allow roughly four hours including briefing, boat time, diving and the meal. Dive sites are chosen on the day based on current, visibility and wind. Send us your dates and tell us a little about your experience, and we will arrange a session pitched at the right level.