I found the ultimate sanctuary for my diving career here in Nusa Lembongan

Believe it or not, my community of followers has reached over 1,500 people. In an era of "10k+ influencers," this might seem like a small number, but to me, it represents 1,500 shared dreams of diving and a longing for Nusa Lembongan.

Many students ask me: "Coach, with so many dive spots in Southeast Asia, why did you choose Lembongan?" I think it’s finally time to tell you the story behind it.

Four years ago today, I was still grinding away in an office building at Silverstone Square in Chengdu. My life was measured in minutes: the morning metro rush, an endless sea of emails and systems, the exhaustion of late-night overtime, and the gray sky outside my window. My only escape was counting down the days until my next dive trip. Back then, I never imagined that four years later, I’d be standing here on Nusa Lembongan with sun-kissed skin, calling the ocean my office.

So, why Nusa Lembongan?

Let’s rewind to 2014. That was my first time stepping onto this island as an ordinary diver. I remember diving at Mangrove—it was a true underwater forest. Endless hard corals covered the entire slope; the sheer scale of it took my breath away. But before I could even process the beauty, I was "schooled" by Lembongan’s signature strong currents. It was my first time experiencing "underwater flight"—it was so fast I almost felt out of control. Just as I felt I was about to be swept away, my dive guide grabbed my hand and helped me find my rhythm again. In that moment, I was deeply humbled by the raw power of the ocean.

From then on, Lembongan became my annual sanctuary. During those late nights at the office in Chengdu, whenever I closed my eyes, I was here: I missed the quiet streets and the pure social circle—an island where everyone is either a diver, a surfer, or a yogi. I missed the stillness of this "hermit island," its stunning vistas, and its vibrant underwater world. After countless vacations here, I made a life-changing decision: I didn't want to be a visitor anymore. I wanted to stay.

In 2022, I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket, and moved to Nusa Lembongan. I completed my Instructor training and officially became a "Lembongan Islander."

Being an instructor here isn't as "relaxing" as people imagine. The currents are unpredictable, but I love the challenge. My professionalism is defined by keeping students safe in these conditions and turning them into independent, confident divers who can handle complexity. But what I enjoy most is seeing people just like my former self—arriving exhausted from the city—and watching their expressions of pure awe as a massive Manta or Mola Mola glides over their heads.

As your instructor, I don’t just want to teach you how to dive; I want to share this lifestyle with you. Moving forward, I’ll be sharing more than just short clips. I’ll be writing about:

• Pro-Diving Tips: Useful knowledge and "hacks" for your diving journey.

• Island Life: The best food, hidden gems, and the unique lifestyle here.