The Superb SSI ITC Facilities at Oceans 5 Gili Air
When choosing where to complete your SSI Instructor Training Course (SSI ITC), the decision shouldn’t only be about the reputation of the Instructor Trainer or the pass rate on the Instructor Evaluation. It should also be about the environment in which you will learn, grow, and shape your future career as a scuba instructor. Oceans 5 Gili Air, located in the heart of the Gili Matra Marine Park, is one of the rare dive centers that didn’t just evolve into a SSI Instructor Training Center—it was designed from day one to become one.
From its inception, Oceans 5 Gili Air had a clear vision: to be a center of diving education excellence. This vision is evident in every wall, classroom, pool, and piece of infrastructure. Unlike many dive centers that later add an Instructor Trainer and adjust their operations to pursue an Instructor Training status, Oceans 5 was built with the SSI ITC concept in mind. This forward-thinking foundation is what sets it apart—not only in Indonesia but globally.
A Vision Realized in Brick, Water, and Air
Before the first course was ever taught or the first dive was ever made, the owner of Oceans 5 knew what kind of dive center he wanted to build: one that prioritizes space, comfort, professionalism, and environmental integrity. Every square meter of Oceans 5 was developed with the understanding that divers—especially professionals in training—need room to learn, room to move, and room to become confident underwater leaders.
This philosophy didn’t come as an afterthought or a marketing gimmick. It was—and still is—a core belief. And that belief materialized into what many now consider some of the best ITC facilities in Indonesia, if not Southeast Asia.
Two Massive Training Pools – Built for Real Skill Development
Most dive shops make do with one small pool, often shared among different groups. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, there are two enormous pools, each designed for specific types of training:
- The Main Pool:
25 meters long and 5 meters wide, with multiple depth levels to accommodate everything from beginner skills to instructor-level demonstrations. This pool is ideal for mastering confined water presentations, conducting rescue scenarios, and practicing skill demonstrations during the SSI ITC. - The Second Pool:
Located a few steps away, this pool allows for parallel training sessions. It also helps ITC candidates practice team teaching or observe their peers from a separate environment without distraction. The presence of two pools ensures that classes are never overcrowded, and every candidate has the space and attention needed for personal improvement.
A Professional Classroom That Matches Global Standards
Education doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. The Oceans 5 classroom is a 6-meter by 12-meter air-conditioned learning environment equipped with:
- High-speed, dedicated internet (no interruptions during research or online sessions)
- Modern multimedia teaching aids including large displays and whiteboards
- Comfortable chairs and plenty of desk space
- Access to all required SSI Instructor online materials
This is not a backroom with plastic chairs. It’s a real, fully equipped training center, built to allow candidates to focus without distraction. The spacious layout encourages discussion, interaction, and collaboration, especially during ITC prep presentations and knowledge development evaluations.
Dedicated ITC Equipment Storage Room
Instructor candidates need space to store, maintain, and organize their equipment—especially when going through a 20-day intensive course like the SSI ITC Indonesia. At Oceans 5, there’s a separate equipment room reserved specifically for IDC candidates, where:
- Gear can be stored safely and securely
- Maintenance can be performed away from the general dive operation area
- Candidates can organize their teaching aids and dive materials for their confined and open water presentations
This logistical support plays a huge role in reducing stress and helping candidates focus on what matters most—learning how to teach diving.
A Fleet of Comfortable Boats for Ocean Training
Getting to a dive site should be smooth, reliable, and stress-free. Oceans 5 Gili Air owns three spacious dive boats, ready to transport instructor candidates to the dive sites around the Gili Islands. These boats:
- Have ample shade and equipment storage
- Are manned by experienced boat crews who know the local waters well
- Are scheduled efficiently to ensure there is no rush or overcrowding
Instructor candidates practice Open Water presentations at real dive sites around the Gili Islands, applying neutral buoyancy techniques and real-world scenario training in some of Indonesia’s most beautiful coral environments.
Comfort and Relaxation Areas That Foster Learning
Learning is most effective when it’s paired with comfort and recovery. Oceans 5 understands that long days in the classroom and pool require balance. That’s why the center is surrounded by:
- Berugas – traditional Indonesian covered platforms with cushions and shade
- Beanbags and loungers – perfect for unwinding between training sessions
- Sunbeams and shaded picnic tables – for debriefings, logbook updates, or casual chats with fellow candidates
These relaxing spaces aren’t just about comfort—they create a community vibe where candidates connect, share ideas, and build friendships that often last long after the IDC is over.
A Dive Center Designed for Career Development
From the very beginning, Oceans 5 Gili Air had a clear mission: to be more than just a dive shop. While many centers around the world decide years later to “upgrade” by hiring an instructor trainer and applying for Instructor Training status, Oceans 5 did it differently.
Becoming a SSI Instructor Training Center was part of the original blueprint. This meant:
- Designing pools with instructor training in mind
- Building large classrooms to meet professional teaching requirements
- Integrating a teaching philosophy based on environmental awareness and student-centered learning
- Keeping class sizes small, to focus on quality over quantity
Today, that foresight is paying off—not only in the form of awards and recognition but in the satisfaction and success of hundreds of professional-level divers who have passed through the IDC program.
Environmental Awareness Embedded in the Facilities and Philosophy
What also makes the ITC experience at Oceans 5 unique is the commitment to marine conservation that permeates every aspect of the dive center. Facilities are designed not only for comfort and efficiency but with a minimal environmental footprint. For example:
- Single-use plastics are avoided on-site
- Marine debris collected during clean-ups is sorted and sent to Lombok for recycling
- Instructor candidates are taught to conduct all skills neutrally buoyant, reducing damage to reefs and teaching students by example
These practices aren’t trends—they’re part of the original vision when the dive shop was founded. Oceans 5 Gili Air is more than just a business; it’s a center that believes instructors should act as ambassadors of the ocean, and its facilities are built to support that belief.
A Dive Shop That Looks Big But Operates Small
One of the first things visitors say when they arrive at Oceans 5 Gili Air is, “Wow, this is a big dive shop.” And yes, visually it is spacious, with multiple buildings, pools, boats, and lounges. But in reality, Oceans 5 operates with a small team ethos.
- No more than six candidates per ITC means the classroom never feels overcrowded
- The instructor-to-student ratio is low, providing personalized coaching and feedback
- The support team is familiar, friendly, and deeply involved in each candidate’s journey
So while the facility might appear “large,” the experience is intimate, focused, and supportive—ideal for personal and professional growth.
Conclusion: A Dive Center Built for the Future of Diving Education
The superb facilities at Oceans 5 Gili Air aren’t just impressive—they are purpose-built for producing confident, environmentally conscious dive professionals. From day one, the vision was to build a true SSI Instructor Training Center, not just a dive shop that offered instructor courses. That vision is visible in every classroom, every pool, and every eco-conscious decision made.
If you’re considering becoming a SSI Instructor, ask yourself this: Do you want to train in a place that evolved into an Instructor Training Center—or in a place that was born to be one?
Oceans 5 Gili Air is not just a dive center. It’s a professional training ground designed for those who are serious about diving education, environmental responsibility, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re sitting in the shaded classroom, hovering neutrally in the pool, or relaxing in a beruga after a workshop, you’ll feel it: This place was made for you to succeed.
Next ITC Dates:
- 28th May
- 2nd July
Spaces are limited to six candidates per course. Contact Oceans 5 Gili Air today to reserve your spot and begin your transformation into a confident, responsible, and skilled SSI Instructor—trained in one of the best facilities in Indonesia.