🏛️ Deep beneath the turquoise waters of Gili Meno, an extraordinary art installation waits to be discovered. The Underwater Statues of Gili Meno — officially known as the “Nest” sculpture by world-renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor — is one of Indonesia’s most unique snorkeling attractions and a must-visit spot in the Gili Islands.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting the Gili Meno underwater statues, including how to get there, the best time to visit, what marine life to expect, and eco-friendly snorkeling tips.

What Are the Underwater Statues of Gili Meno?

The Underwater Statues of Gili Meno (also called the Gili Meno Nest Sculpture) is a circular arrangement of 48 life-sized human figures holding hands, standing on the seabed in approximately 3-5 meters (10-16 feet) of water. Created in 2017 by British eco-artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the sculpture was designed to:

• 🌊 Create an artificial reef for marine life
• 🎨 Promote eco-tourism and environmental awareness
• 🐠 Reduce pressure on natural reefs by attracting snorkelers
• 📸 Provide an unforgettable underwater photography experience

Today, the statues are covered in beautiful soft corals, sponges, and algae — home to hundreds of tropical fish, making it one of the best snorkeling spots in Gili Meno and all of Lombok.

📍 Where Exactly Are the Gili Meno Underwater Statues?

The statues are located on the northwest coast of Gili Meno, just off the shore of the Bask Nest Resort. You can swim from the beach — it’s only about 30-50 meters from the shoreline. The exact coordinates are approximately -8.3417° S, 116.0567° E.

How to reach the statues from:

• Gili Trawangan: 10-15 minute boat ride
• Gili Air: 10-15 minute boat ride
• Bangsal Harbor (Lombok): 20-30 minute fast boat
• Padang Bai (Bali): 1.5-2 hour fast boat to Gili Meno

Why You Must Visit the Nest Sculpture

🐠 Marine Life at the Underwater Statues of Gili Meno

The sculptures have become a thriving artificial reef. Here’s what you can expect to see when snorkeling the Gili Meno underwater statues:

• 🐠 Angelfish
• 🦋 Butterflyfish
• 🐡 Clownfish (Nemo!)
• 🦜 Parrotfish
• 🐟 Damselfish
• 🐠 Batfish
• 🐙 Octopus (if you’re lucky)
• 🦑 Cuttlefish
• 🐡 Pufferfish
• 🐟 Moorish idols
• 🌟 Starfish
• 🐚 Giant clams

Note: While Gili Trawangan is famous for its turtles at Turtle Point, the Gili Meno statues occasionally attract green turtles as well — so keep your eyes open!

Best Time to Visit the Underwater Statues of Gili Meno

The best time to visit the Gili Meno underwater statues is during the dry season (April to November) when visibility is at its peak (10-20 meters).

• Best time of day: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (calmest waters, best lighting for photos)
• Best months: May, June, July, August, September
• Avoid: December to March (rainy season, choppy water, lower visibility)

Water temperature: 27°C – 29°C (80°F – 84°F) — perfect for snorkeling without a wetsuit.

🚤 How to Get to Gili Meno Underwater Statues

Option 1: From Gili Trawangan or Gili Air
Hire a private snorkeling boat (15 minutes, ~Rp 300,000-500,000 per boat) or join a group snorkeling tour that visits all 3 Gili islands.

Option 2: From Lombok (Bangsal Harbor)
Take a fast boat to Gili Meno from Bangsal (15 minutes, Rp 139,000/person with Karya Bahari).

Option 3: From Bali (Padang Bai or Sanur)
Book a fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Meno with Wijaya Perkasa (1.5 hours, Rp 300,000/person) or from Sanur with Wijaya Buyuk (3.5 hours).

Option 4: Swim from Gili Meno Beach
The statues are only 50 meters from the northwest shore of Gili Meno. You can rent snorkeling gear on the beach and swim out yourself — completely free!

Pro Tips for Snorkeling the Gili Meno Statues

• ✅ Go early morning — Before 9 AM is the least crowded time
• ✅ Bring a waterproof camera — The lighting is best between 8-10 AM
• ✅ Wear reef-safe sunscreen — Chemicals in normal sunscreen damage the corals growing on the statues
• ✅ Don’t touch the statues — They are also an active reef, and touching damages marine life
• ✅ Stay on the surface — The statues are shallow enough to view without diving down
• ✅ Combine with other spots — Visit Turtle Point (Gili T) and Coral Gardens (Gili Air) on the same day
• ✅ Bring water and snacks — There are no vendors directly at the statue site

🌍 How Do Gili Meno Statues Compare to Other Underwater Sculptures?

Jason deCaires Taylor has created underwater museums around the world. Here’s how Gili Meno compares:

• 🏛️ Museo Atlántico (Lanzarote, Spain) — Larger, requires scuba diving (12-15m depth)
• 🌊 Grenada Underwater Museum (Caribbean) — 800+ statues, scuba required
• 🪸 Gili Meno Nest (Indonesia) — Accessible by snorkeling (3-5m depth) ✅ UNIQUE ADVANTAGE
• 🏝️ MUSA (Cancun, Mexico) — Requires scuba or glass-bottom boat

What makes Gili Meno special? It’s one of the only major underwater sculpture parks in the world accessible to snorkelers — no scuba certification needed!

💰 Entrance Fee & Rental Costs

• Swimming from shore: FREE (no entrance fee to the water)
• Snorkel gear rental on Gili Meno beach: ~Rp 30,000-50,000
• Private snorkeling boat (1-6 persons): Rp 300,000 – Rp 500,000 for 2-4 hours
• Group snorkeling tour (shared): Rp 150,000 – Rp 250,000 per person
• Gili islands marine park fee (retribution): Rp 15,000-25,000 (sometimes included in boat tours)

Frequently Asked Questions About Gili Meno Underwater Statues

Ready to Swim with the Statues of Gili Meno?

Book your snorkeling trip with Gili Transport — private boats, local guides, and eco-friendly tours to all 3 Gili islands.