Gili Trawangan · Adventure

Gili Meno Underwater Statues: How to Snorkel the Nest

A ring of 48 life-size figures in shallow water, a short swim off Gili Meno’s west coast.

By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 11 November 2026

Overview

Gili Meno Underwater Statues, before you go.

Nest is a ring of 48 life-size human figures by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, set on the sand in 2017 about 100 m off Gili Meno’s west coast, in 3 to 6 m of water. It is free, and any confident swimmer with a mask can see it, either from the beach or on a snorkel trip from Gili T. Go early, before the boats and the wind arrive.

The figures stand, kneel and lie in a circle on the seabed off the west coast of Gili Meno, the smallest and quietest of the three Gili Islands off Lombok. Couples hold each other around the outside of the ring, and more figures curl up on the sand within it. The artist, Jason deCaires Taylor, describes the circle as a symbol of time and continuity. The resort that commissioned the work says the figures are based on casts of real people. The last of the 48 went in by the end of July 2017, and the work was given to the island community.

Nest is art, but it was built to become a reef. The figures are made of pH-neutral cement over stainless steel, with basalt and aggregates, and anchored to the seabed so that sponges and corals can settle on them. Nine years on, soft corals and sponges coat the figures, reef fish shelter between the limbs, and turtles sometimes swim through. Officially the work sits at 4 m. The seabed slopes gently, so expect 3 to 6 m, shallow enough to see every figure clearly from the surface.

There are two ways to see it. From Gili Meno, walk to the west coast, find the marker buoys about 100 m offshore and swim out from the beach. No boat is needed. From Gili T, almost every shared snorkel trip stops here. In April 2025 one boat left Gili T at 9 AM with 22 people paying about IDR 150,000 each, and spent about 30 minutes at the statues between turtle stops. A boat guide quoted by detikBali called them the lovers’ statues, a nod to Gili Meno’s reputation as a honeymoon island.

The catches are crowds and the sea. From mid-morning, boats arrive one after another and the ring can fill with snorkelers in life vests, so the clear, quiet view belongs to people who swim out before about 10 AM. Tidal currents run harder around the full moon, especially in the wet season, and an onshore wind stirs up sand and makes the swim tiring. The water between the islands has claimed lives: a 25-year-old Finnish snorkeler died off Gili Meno’s turtle point in January 2020, and in January 2024 a boatman drowned after two boats collided between Gili Meno and Gili T.

Treat the statues as a reef. Do not stand on them, hold them or kick up sand around them. Use reef-safe sunscreen, and do not feed the fish. The Gilis lie inside the Gili Matra marine park, and every footprint on the coral sets the growth back.

Opening hours: Open sea, any time; calmest about 8–11 AM (checked Nov 2026)
Ticket: No ticket; Gili T snorkel trips about IDR 150,000 in 2025 (checked Nov 2026)
Time needed: 1–2 hours from the beach; about 30 min on a boat trip
Best time: Before 10 AM on a calm day, April–October; avoid full moon
Dress code: Swimwear on the beach; cover shoulders and knees in the village
Location: About 100 m off Gili Meno’s west coast; 15 min by boat from Gili T

Today at Gili Meno Underwater Statues

Thursday 12 November

Daylight: 5:46 AM to 6:14 PM
Hours of light: 12 hr 28 min of light

Checking the weather in the Gili Islands…

Times for this spot, in Bali time (WITA).

Off the west coast of Gili Meno, Gili Indah, Pemenang, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara 83352, Indonesia

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What to See

What to see at Gili Meno Underwater Statues.

01
The ring of 48 figures
The circle is the point of the piece. Embracing couples stand around its edge, while more figures curl up on the sand inside it. Float above the middle to take in the whole ring, then work your way around the outside to see individual faces. Taylor’s own notes describe the formation as an echo of the circle of life and of how people are connected.
02
Coral on the statues
Look closely at the figures, where sponges and soft corals have grown since 2017, and at the gaps between the limbs, where reef fish hide. The sculptures were designed for this: the cement is pH-neutral and the surfaces give larvae something to settle on. Do not touch them. Fresh growth is fragile, and fins and hands strip it off quickly.
03
Swimming out from the beach
If you are on Gili Meno, you can swim to the statues on your own. Walk to the west coast, look for the marker buoys about 100 m offshore and swim out over a gently sloping sandy bottom. Go in the morning on a calm day, take fins, and if you are a nervous swimmer bring a small float or snorkel with a friend. Check the current before you set off.
04
The shared snorkel trip from Gili T
The standard Gili day out leaves Gili T around 9 AM and makes four stops: a turtle point off Gili T, the turtle sanctuary on Gili Meno, the statues and a coral garden, with lunch on Gili Air. In 2025 a seat cost about IDR 150,000 with underwater photos. It is the easiest way to see the statues if you are not staying on Meno, but you share them with every other boat.
05
Diving Nest and Meno’s other sites
At about 4 m, Nest is a short, easy dive, and dive shops on the Gilis list it among their sites. Gili Meno’s other sites are gentle by Gili standards: Meno Wall drops from about 5 m, the Bounty Wreck lies between about 9 and 18 m, and Turtle Heaven, a pinnacle off the northeast, usually delivers green and hawksbill turtles. Divers pay a marine-park fee of IDR 100,000 once per calendar year.
06
Sunset on Meno’s west coast
The beach you swim from faces west across the channel to Gili T, and in the evening the sun goes down behind Gili T. Stay on after an afternoon swim, or come back for the evening, when the day boats have gone and Meno is at its quietest. Bring a flashlight for the walk back across the island, as the sandy paths are unlit.

Seasons

Best time to visit Gili Meno Underwater Statues.

Come between about 8 and 11 AM. The water is usually calmest then, before the afternoon wind builds and stirs up the sand, and you get to the ring before most of the snorkel boats from Gili T. Low tide around a new moon tends to bring the gentlest water, while the days around the full moon bring the strongest tidal currents, especially in the wet season.

April to October is the dry season on Lombok, with the clearest water and the most reliable boats from Bali, and the sea stays 27 to 30°C all year. From November to March, afternoon storms and onshore wind make the water murkier and the swim harder, though the islands are emptier. July, August and the Christmas and New Year weeks are the busiest times.

Ramadan is expected from about 8 February to 9 March 2027. Most islanders fast from dawn to dusk, so eat and drink discreetly in the village. Nyepi, on 8 March 2027, closes Bali’s ports for 24 hours, so no boats leave Bali that day, but life on the Gilis carries on.

Coming between November and March? Read our Bali rainy season guide →

Getting There

How to get to Gili Meno Underwater Statues.

Travel times to Gili Meno Underwater Statues
From	Time	How
Gili Meno harbor	15–20 min	Boats land on the southern part of the east coast. Walk about 1 km across the island on sandy paths to the west coast, or take a cidomo horse cart, then swim out to the buoys.
Gili Trawangan	15–30 min	The public island-hopper runs twice a day each way. In recent timetables it left Gili T around 9:30 AM and 4 PM, about IDR 40,000–45,000 in 2023. Shared snorkel trips leave around 9 AM, and charters run at any time for more money.
Gili Air	15–30 min	The island-hopper leaves Gili Air around 8:30 AM and 3 PM in recent timetables. Snorkel trips from Gili Air also stop at the statues.
Bangsal harbor (Lombok)	30–45 min	Public boats from Bangsal serve Gili Meno as well as Gili T and Gili Air, leaving when full until about 4 to 5 PM. North Lombok’s beach-recreation fee of IDR 20,000 is collected here.
Lombok airport (LOP)	2–3 hours	About 65 km (1.5–2 hours) by car to Bangsal, then the public boat to Meno, or a private speedboat from Teluk Nara.
Padang Bai (Bali)	2–3 hours	Fast boats take 1.5–2 hours to the Gilis; most land on Gili T or Gili Air, and a few call at Gili Meno. From Gili T, take the island-hopper or a charter across. Padang Bai is 1.5–2 hours by car from Bali airport.
Serangan or Sanur (Bali)	2.5–4.5 hours	Longer fast-boat routes with stops at Nusa Penida, Lembongan or Lombok, then the short hop to Meno. Leave Bali in the morning so you reach Meno in daylight.

Getting around Gili Meno Underwater Statues

Gili Meno has no cars or motorbikes, like the other two islands. You walk or cycle the sandy coastal path, which takes about 90 minutes to walk all the way around, or hire a cidomo horse cart at the harbor. Agree on the fare first. There is no Grab, Gojek or taxi. The statues are off the west coast, about 1 km from the harbor, a 15- to 20-minute walk.

Bring your own mask if you have one that fits. Snorkel boats and island shops supply gear, but quality varies, and on some shared boats choosing fins means giving up the life vest, so ask first. Gili Meno has only one or two ATMs, which can run out of cash, so arrive with enough for boats, gear and food.

On a shared trip from Gili T, you swim from the boat. Stay with your group, watch the crew for signals, and do not drift into the path of other boats arriving at the ring. If you swim from the beach, head straight for the marker buoys and stay close to shore on the way back.

Tickets & Tours

Gili Meno Underwater Statues tours on Klook.

You can visit on your own with the details above. If you would rather have the driver, guide or entry sorted, these Klook tours include Gili Meno Underwater Statues. Prices, pick-up areas and what is included vary, so check the listing before you book.

SnorkelingGili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air Private Snorkeling TourSee it on Klook (opens in a new tab)

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

Know Before You Go

Gili Meno Underwater Statues tips that save time and trouble.

01Swim out before about 10 AM, ahead of the snorkel boats and the afternoon wind.
02Wear fins. They make the swim back easier if the current picks up.
03Do not stand on, sit on or hold the statues. The coral growing on them is fragile.
04Use reef-safe sunscreen, or a rash guard, and do not feed the fish.
05If you are a nervous swimmer, avoid the days around the full moon, when tidal currents are strongest.
06Keep to the buoyed area and watch for boats. Never snorkel in the channel between the islands.
07Bring cash: Gili Meno has only one or two ATMs, and they can run dry.
08Cover shoulders and knees when you walk through the village, as most islanders are Muslim.

FAQ

Gili Meno Underwater Statues questions, answered.

Are the Gili Meno underwater statues worth it?

Yes, especially if you swim out early from Gili Meno. The ring of 48 figures, now coated in sponges and soft corals, is unlike any other snorkel in the region, and it is free. It is less rewarding at midday on a crowded boat trip, when dozens of snorkelers in life vests share the ring and the water is stirred up.

Where exactly are the Gili Meno statues?

About 100 m off the west coast of Gili Meno, the middle of the three Gili Islands off northwest Lombok. Marker buoys show the spot. From Gili Meno harbor, on the east coast, walk about 1 km across the island to the west coast. From Gili T the statues are about 15 minutes by boat.

How deep are the Gili Meno statues?

About 4 m, according to the artist’s project page. The seabed slopes gently, so expect 3 to 6 m depending on where you are in the ring and the tide. That is shallow enough to see every figure clearly from the surface, and many snorkelers duck-dive down for a closer look. You do not need to dive.

Can you swim to the Gili Meno statues from the beach?

Yes. From the west coast of Gili Meno it is a swim of about 100 m over a sandy bottom to the buoys above the statues, with no boat or ticket needed. Go in the morning on a calm day, wear fins, and check the current first. Around the full moon the tidal current is stronger, so nervous swimmers should bring a float or go with a boat.

How much does it cost to see the statues?

Nothing to swim out from the beach (checked Nov 2026). A shared snorkel trip from Gili T that stops at the statues cost about IDR 150,000 per person in 2025, including underwater photos. North Lombok charges a beach-recreation fee of IDR 20,000 per person at Bangsal or through boat operators, and divers pay a marine-park fee of IDR 100,000 per calendar year.

Who made the underwater statues at Gili Meno?

British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, best known for underwater museums in Mexico and Grenada. A resort on Gili Meno commissioned the work, called Nest, and it was installed in 2017 and given to the island community. The 48 figures are made of pH-neutral cement over stainless steel and were designed to grow coral.

Is it safe to snorkel at the Gili Meno statues?

Yes, in calm conditions inside the buoyed area. The risks are tidal currents, strongest around the full moon, and boat traffic between the islands. A Finnish snorkeler died off Gili Meno’s turtle point in January 2020, and a boatman drowned after a boat collision between Meno and Gili T in January 2024. Wear fins, stay close to shore and never swim alone.

Can you see turtles at the Gili Meno statues?

Sometimes. Turtles occasionally swim through the ring, but they are far more reliable at the turtle points off Gili T and at Turtle Heaven off Gili Meno’s northeast coast. Most shared snorkel trips pair the statues with a turtle stop. Keep a couple of meters away and never touch or chase them.

Can you visit the Gili Meno statues on a day trip from Bali?

Not comfortably. The fast boat from Padang Bai takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way, and longer from Serangan or Sanur, plus the hop from Gili T to Meno. Day tours exist, but you spend most of the day on boats and arrive when the statues are busiest. Plan at least one night on the Gilis.

What is the best time to see the Gili Meno statues?

Between about 8 and 11 AM on a calm day in the dry season, April to October. The water is clearest before the wind picks up, and you beat the shared boats from Gili T. Avoid the days around the full moon if you are a nervous swimmer, and skip stormy afternoons in the wet season, when the water turns murky.

Nearby

Where to go after Gili Meno Underwater Statues.

Places close by that fit into the same trip, with realistic travel times.

About 1 km, 15 min on foot
Gili Meno salt lake and mangroves
A boardwalk around a salty lake in the island’s western half, with herons, egrets and kingfishers.
About 1 km, 15 min on foot
Gili Meno turtle sanctuary
A small local hatchery that keeps young turtles in tanks before release; visit briefly.
Minutes by dive boat off Meno
Bounty Wreck and Meno Wall
An old jetty pontoon wrapped in coral at 9 to 18 m, and a wall that starts at about 5 m.
15–30 min by boat
Turtle Point, Gili Trawangan
Green and hawksbill turtles graze the reef a short swim off Gili T’s northeast coast.
15–30 min by boat
Gili Air
The most lived-in Gili, with good snorkeling off the east coast and sunset bars on the west.

Plan the rest of your time in Gili Trawangan.

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How we researched this

Sources and fact checks.

Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Gili Meno Underwater Statues guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 11 November 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.

We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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