Gili Meno is the quietest of the three islands, and that calm extends to the water around it. Fewer boats and less traffic make it an excellent place to learn spearfishing, or simply to dive somewhere peaceful with a knowledgeable guide and come home with dinner in hand.
The session begins on shore with a full briefing. Your instructor walks you through the speargun, how to load and carry it safely, how to line up a shot, and which fish are appropriate to take. Equipment is fitted before you leave: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit or rash guard, weight belt and gun. Beginners also get a freediving primer on breathing up, equalising and moving efficiently underwater, since good technique matters far more than lung capacity when you are starting out.
You then head out on a boat reserved for your group alone to reef and rocky ground around the island. Visibility here is usually generous, and the reduced boat traffic means fish are often less skittish than in busier areas. Your instructor stays in the water with you, reading the terrain, showing you where fish hold and coaching your approach between dives. Nobody is rushed, and if you want to spend the first half hour just getting comfortable duck-diving, that is completely fine.
- Experienced spearfishing and freediving instructor
- Private boat with crew for your group only
- Speargun, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and weights included
- Step-by-step coaching tailored to your experience
- Fresh catch cleaned, cooked and served as lunch
When the diving is done, the catch is prepared and grilled, usually served simply with rice and sambal so the fish itself is the star. It is hard to overstate how good a fish tastes an hour after leaving the water, and the meal turns the trip into a complete experience rather than just an activity. Lunch is included whatever the sea decides to give you that day.
This is a strong choice for beginners who want space and patience while they learn, for couples or friends doing something different together, and for experienced freedivers who prefer quieter water. You need to be a competent swimmer and comfortable with your face submerged; no certification or previous spearfishing experience is necessary. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a hat for the boat.
The trip runs approximately four hours in total, leaving you free for the rest of the day. Exact sites depend on current, wind and visibility on the morning. Tell us your preferred date and skill level and we will build the session to match.