
Gerrit Kammler
8 months ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I did my Advanced Open Water Course with Boni – and once again, it was an absolutely perfect experience from start to finish! After doing my Open Water on Gili Meno, I already loved diving, but this course with Boni on Gili Air took it to another level. From the very first dive, I felt completely safe and well taken care of. Boni has a great way of combining professionalism with a relaxed and friendly attitude. Every briefing was super easy to follow – we discussed all the required skills for the Advanced Open Water course beforehand, and underwater he always kept an eye on me, making sure I felt comfortable and completed all the exercises. What made it even more special is that Boni is such an incredibly positive and cheerful person – the kind of energy that truly inspires you. The way he approaches life and starts each day with enthusiasm is something you can really take with you. He’s genuinely passionate about what he does, and you can see how much he enjoys finding and showing even the smallest animals underwater.
The dives themselves were simply incredible – from deep dives with amazing visibility to shallow dives full of corals and fish. My absolute favorite dive was at Shark Point. There we not only saw a wreck but also sharks in their natural environment. I absolutely loved that spot – it’s the perfect combination of a deep dive (30 meters) to explore the wreck, followed by spending the remaining air in shallower waters (14–18 meters) to enjoy the coral, fish, and everything else around.
After finishing the course, I also did two fun dives – I just wish I had had more time before leaving! The two instructors I dove with were also super kind and professional. I had a lovely chat with Ilak during the whole boat ride, and when we dove as a group of four, he always made sure everyone was doing well and took his time whenever we stopped to admire marine life – even though he probably sees those animals every day. He pointed out animals that a less experienced diver might have missed, which made the dives even more special. The last dive on Gili Air was also fantastic; the instructor, Dania, was just as enthusiastic, searching for octopuses and other underwater animals with genuine excitement. We had such a beautiful final dive together at Harlik Reef!
Just like on Gili Meno, the whole Blue Marlin Dive School team on Gili Air was absolutely wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly, helpful, and easygoing – you instantly feel welcome. And honestly, what would we do without the amazing crew who make sure all the equipment gets onto the boat and who take such good care of us as we enter and exit the water?
Between dives, it’s a super nice place to relax and chat with other divers, crew members, and instructors. The organization was also super easy and uncomplicated – the flexibility of the team made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
All in all, the course with Boni and the Blue Marlin Dive School on Gili Air was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much, had a lot of fun, and felt completely safe and supported the whole time. A huge thank you to Boni and the entire Blue Marlin team – you’re all amazing! 🌊🤿🐠🐢