Keeping Gili Air Clean

As the rainy season comes to an end, the beaches of Gili Air tell a changing story. The amount of rubbish washing ashore has significantly decreased, signaling that the currents are no longer pushing vast amounts of debris onto our beaches. This is a great sign for the island’s marine ecosystem, but unfortunately, plastic waste still finds its way to our shores. Bottles, plastic wrappers, and even car tires are still being pulled from the ocean floor near the harbor.

With the upcoming high season, Gili Air will once again see a rise in the number of visitors. Tourists from all over the world will come to enjoy the pristine waters, the vibrant marine life, and the relaxed island vibe. However, with more people comes an increase in waste. Despite the best efforts of local businesses and environmental groups, rubbish often gets left behind in and around the harbor, posing a significant threat to marine life and the health of the island’s ecosystem.

The Reality of Waste on Gili Air

One of the most common questions we hear from visitors is whether Gili Air has environmental education programs. While we certainly do our best to raise awareness about the importance of conservation, many tourists fail to recognize that they are part of the problem. The plastic waste found on our beaches and in our waters doesn’t just come from faraway places—it also comes from daily activities on the island. Bottles left behind after a sunset drink, snack wrappers carelessly discarded, and single-use plastics used for convenience all contribute to the problem.

This is why our weekly beach cleanup at Oceans 5 Gili Air is so important. It’s a way for our community, our divemaster candidates, and visitors to take direct action. By participating in the cleanup, volunteers see firsthand the extent of the problem and gain a better understanding of how even the smallest choices—like refusing a plastic straw or bringing a reusable water bottle—can have a big impact.

Last Week’s Cleanup: 30 KG of Waste Removed

Last Friday, our dedicated team of divemaster interns and volunteers gathered once again at Oceans 5 Gili Air for our weekly cleanup. Together, we collected 30 kg of rubbish from the beach and surrounding areas. This included a mix of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, food wrappers, and even larger debris that had been buried in the sand or caught in the harbor’s shallow waters.

Among the more unusual finds was yet another car tire, resting on the seabed near the harbor. It’s not uncommon for large items like this to be discarded into the ocean, but they create serious hazards for marine life. Plastic, in particular, poses a deadly risk—sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and microplastics have now been found in the digestive systems of fish and other marine species around the world.

While it’s encouraging to see less waste washing up on our shores as the rainy season ends, the fight against marine pollution is far from over. We cannot afford to be complacent. With high season around the corner, we need to work harder than ever to ensure that Gili Air remains a beautiful and sustainable destination.

Why Beach Cleanups Matter

Beach cleanups do more than just remove visible waste. They serve several crucial purposes:

Preventing Marine Pollution – Every piece of plastic collected is one less piece that could harm sea life. By removing waste from the beaches and harbor, we prevent it from breaking down into microplastics, which are much harder to clean up and even more dangerous to marine ecosystems.

Raising Awareness – For many tourists, participating in a beach cleanup is an eye-opening experience. It gives them a direct, hands-on understanding of the impact that plastic pollution has on island environments.

Building a Community of Environmental Advocates – Beach cleanups bring together people from all walks of life—divers, locals, tourists, and conservationists—to work toward a common goal. This sense of community fosters long-term commitment to protecting the environment.

Encouraging Responsible Tourism – By participating in cleanups, visitors can see firsthand how their actions affect the environment. This encourages more sustainable travel habits, such as avoiding single-use plastics and properly disposing of waste.

What Visitors Can Do to Help

If you’re planning a trip to Gili Air, there are many simple ways to minimize your environmental footprint:

Say No to Single-Use Plastics – Bring a reusable water bottle, cutlery, and shopping bag. Many cafes and restaurants offer water refills to reduce plastic bottle usage.

Dispose of Waste Properly – Use designated trash and recycling bins. If you see waste lying around, pick it up and dispose of it correctly.

Join a Beach Cleanup – Every Friday at 17:00, Oceans 5 Gili Air organizes a beach cleanup. Whether you’re here for a day or a month, joining the cleanup is a great way to give back to the island.

Support Eco-Friendly Businesses – Choose restaurants, accommodations, and dive centers that prioritize sustainability. Businesses that take steps to reduce waste and conserve resources help keep Gili Air beautiful.

Looking Ahead: More Cleanups, More Impact

With high season approaching, we anticipate a surge in tourism and, unfortunately, an increase in littering. But this doesn’t have to be the case. With collective effort and conscious choices, we can keep our beaches clean and protect the ocean life that makes Gili Air so special.

Our weekly cleanups will continue, and we encourage more visitors and locals to join us. The more people that get involved, the greater the impact. We also hope to expand our conservation initiatives by partnering with more organizations and increasing community engagement in sustainable practices.

To all who joined us last Friday—thank you! Your efforts are truly making a difference. And to those who haven’t yet participated, we invite you to be a part of the solution.

See you all next Friday at 17:00 at Oceans 5 Gili Air for another round of making a difference, one cleanup at a time!