Gili Meno Underwater Statues (Nest): Where They Are, How to Get There and Snorkelling Tips

28 October 202631 October 2026

Where exactly are the Gili Meno underwater statues? Can you see them if you are not a strong swimmer? Can you visit on a day trip from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air? These are the questions most people have once they start reading about the statues off Gili Meno. The short answer: the statues sit in shallow water about 100m off the west coast of Gili Meno, at a depth of around 4m, and you can see them from the surface with a snorkel. If you are staying on Gili Meno you can swim out from the beach; from the other two islands, most people visit on a snorkelling tour boat.

Bear in mind that you swim about 100m out from the beach and back again, and you cannot stand up around the statues. There can be currents, and boats pass through. If you are not confident in the water, going with a guided tour and wearing a flotation aid is safer than swimming out alone from the beach.

This article covers only what we could confirm as of October 2026 from the official site of the artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the official guides of BASK, the Gili Meno resort that commissioned the work, specialist dive media, a snorkelling spot guide, travel guides and Indonesian news reports. Where we could not confirm something from official information, such as tour prices or the island-hopping boat timetable, we say so.

It is written for travellers heading to the Gili Islands from Bali or Lombok who want to decide whether to see the statues, and from which island and how.

Information as of October 2026

What you’ll learn in this article

✓What the underwater sculpture “Nest” is, and who made it and when
✓Where it is (off the west coast of Gili Meno), how deep, and how far from the beach
✓Three ways to get there: swimming from the beach, a tour stop or a kayak
✓How to see it on a day trip from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air
✓The best time of day, currents and boat traffic, and the rules for protecting the statues and coral

The short answer

The Gili Meno underwater statues are “Nest”, a work installed in 2017 by the British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor: 48 life-size human figures arranged in a ring on the seabed. They are not an ancient ruin. They lie about 100m off the west coast of Gili Meno at a depth of around 4m, so you can see them by snorkelling without diving. If you are staying on Gili Meno, the easy option is to swim out from the beach in the morning; from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, a snorkelling tour stop is the realistic choice. Currents can pick up offshore and boats pass through, so if you are not a confident swimmer, wear a flotation aid and go with a guide (as of October 2026).

Contents

What are the Gili Meno statues? Not an ancient underwater ruin

The Gili Meno underwater statues are “Nest”, a work by the British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. According to the artist’s official site, it was installed in 2017 and consists of 48 life-size human figures in a ring, with couples embracing around figures curled up on the seabed. The dive media site DivePhotoGuide reported on 31 July 2017 that the work was completed and opened to the public when the last figure was put in place, and that it was the artist’s first work in Asia.

The work was commissioned by BASK, a resort on Gili Meno. The artist’s official site explains that it was gifted to the local community and is made of stainless steel, pH-neutral cement and basalt, among other materials, and fixed to the seabed. The idea is that coral and marine life settle on the surfaces formed by the figures and, over time, turn the work into a reef. In a March 2026 guide, BASK writes that soft coral is growing on the surface of the statues.

The statues are sometimes described online as an “underwater ruin”, but they are not a sunken ancient site. They are a contemporary sculpture placed in 2017. The figures are ordinary human shapes, not temples or religious statues.

Where are the statues? About 100m off the west coast, around 4m deep

Gili Meno is the middle island of the three, between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. According to BASK’s snorkelling guide, the statues are about 100m off the beach on the west side of Gili Meno, and you swim out from the beach towards a marker buoy floating offshore. Another BASK guide describes the spot as “opposite the BASK sign”. The snorkelling spot guide Snorkeling Report also puts it about 100 yards (about 90m) off the beach.

The depth is given as about 4m by the artist’s official site and Snorkeling Report, and about 3 to 6m by BASK. As Snorkeling Report describes it, from the beach you cross shallow sand and seagrass (about 0.5 to 2m), then an area with coral (about 2 to 3m), before reaching the drop-off, where the reef falls away to 6m and deeper. You see the statues by floating on the surface and looking down.

One thing to note is that the harbour and the statues are on opposite sides of the island. According to BASK, public boats arrive on the east side of Gili Meno, and from there you take a cidomo (horse cart) across to the west side. For the feel of the island and how to spend your time there, see Gili Air vs Gili Meno.

Figure: The harbour and the statues on Gili Meno (schematic)

Diagram: a schematic based on the artist’s official site, BASK’s official guides and Snorkeling Report.

How to get there: swim from the beach, stop on a tour, or kayak

There are three main ways. The first is to swim out from the beach on the west side of Gili Meno. BASK’s guide says “no boat needed” and that snorkel gear can be hired on the island. The artist’s official site and Lonely Planet both explain that the statues are within swimming distance of a public beach. On entry fees, Snorkeling Report lists the site as “free access”, and we found no official notice of any charge.

The second is to stop there on a snorkelling tour boat. The booking page of Gili Island Snorkeling, a tour company on Gili Trawangan, lists a shared three-island tour that visits the statues, Turtle Point (where you are more likely to see turtles) and coral-rich spots. Tour prices vary by company, departure island and group size, and we could not find an official price list as of October 2026. When booking, check whether the price includes gear and a life jacket.

The third is by kayak. The travel site Atlas Obscura says you can reach the statues by swimming or by hiring a kayak. This only works on calm days, and because boats pass near the statues, you need to stay out of their path.

← Scroll the table sideways

How	Suits	Watch out for
Swim from the beach	People staying on Gili Meno who can swim about 100m out and back	Gear can be hired on the island. Watch for currents and boats, and go in the morning
Stop on a tour boat	People staying on Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, and less confident swimmers	Prices and content vary by company. Check whether life jackets are provided and how long you get in the water at the statues
Kayak	People who want to go at their own pace on a calm day	Not suitable on windy or choppy days. Stay out of the boat lanes

* Compiled from BASK’s official guides, Atlas Obscura and a tour company booking page. As of October 2026.

Can you visit on a day trip from Gili Trawangan or Gili Air?

Yes. Either join a snorkelling tour, or take the island-hopping boat to Gili Meno, cross from the harbour to the west coast and swim out from the beach. A tour takes you by boat to the statues, so you do not have to cross the island. The travel blog Salt in our Hair says the boat ride takes about 15 minutes from either Gili Trawangan or Gili Air.

If you go independently, there is a shared boat that circuits the three islands at set times, and private charter boats. According to a December 2023 report by the travel site Bali Untold, the shared boat ran twice a day in each direction (morning and afternoon), cost Rp40,000 to 45,000 one way (about US$2 to 3), and took about 15 minutes between Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. The same report said it could not confirm that the shared fast boat that used to run was still operating, and that charter boats have no fixed price and are negotiated.

We could not confirm an official timetable as of October 2026. With so few departures, missing the return boat can throw your plans off, so check the return time at the harbour as soon as you arrive.

Take care too if you are heading straight to Gili Meno from Bangsal Port on Lombok or from Bali. According to BASK, some boat companies run services that do not stop at Gili Meno and only call at Gili Trawangan or Gili Air. In that case you will need to change boats at the island where you arrive.

When is visibility best? Mornings, calm days and lower tides

BASK’s guide says the best time is around 8:00 to 11:00 in the morning, before the wind picks up. Ideally, go on a calm day close to low tide and around the new moon. Around the full moon, it says, currents get stronger, especially in the rainy season, so it is not a good time for less experienced swimmers. On days with strong onshore wind, the water gets murky and swimming out is harder, so BASK recommends giving it a miss.

Crowds also vary with the time of day. According to BASK, day-trippers sometimes arrive by boat, and the busiest time is mid-afternoon on busy days. For a quiet visit, it recommends swimming out from the beach in the morning. Another BASK guide also advises going early, because boat companies run tours several times a day.

Around Lombok, the rainy season runs from November to March and the dry season from April to October. The sea is not rough every day in the rainy season, and there are windy days in the dry season too. Rather than going by season, check the wind and waves on the morning itself.

Tips for less confident swimmers and families with children

Snorkeling Report rates the site as intermediate. Entry from the sandy beach is easy, but it warns that moderate currents can occur even in good conditions and that boats pass frequently around the drop-off. Going about 100m out and back means a round-trip swim of about 200m, and you cannot stand up around the statues.

Snorkelling accidents do happen in the Gili Islands. In September 2018, The Jakarta Post reported that two South Korean tourists were caught in a strong current while snorkelling off Gili Trawangan; one was found dead and the other was missing. This was not at Gili Meno, but it shows that currents in the Gili Islands can be life-threatening.

BASK’s guide recommends that people new to open-water snorkelling go with a guide, and says children can go if they are confident swimmers, but small children should stay right next to an adult. It also lists a small float (a snorkel buoy) as something to bring if you are unsure about the distance. A float also makes you easier for boats to see. For choosing where and how to snorkel around Lombok, see our snorkelling and diving guide to Lombok.

Caution

Do not swim alone: The statues are about 100m offshore and currents can occur. Go with someone, and turn back while you still have the energy to return.
Watch the boat lanes: Boats pass frequently around the drop-off. Wear a float and move away when a boat approaches.
Skip it when the sea is bad: Do not push it on days with strong onshore wind, high waves, or strong currents around the full moon.

Rules for protecting the statues and coral

The statues were made as a base for coral to grow on. BASK’s guide points out that the coral on the statues is fragile and asks visitors to follow these rules: do not stand on, touch or hold on to the statues; keep well above the seabed and kick gently so you do not stir up sand; use reef-safe sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate; and do not feed the fish.

The sea around the three Gili Islands (Meno, Air and Trawangan) is a national marine protected area, TWP Gili Matra. According to Indonesian news reports (2021), it is managed by the national marine protected area office of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (BKKPN Kupang), and a local monitoring group of fishers, tour guides, environmental activists and tour boat crews works on monitoring and restoring the coral reefs. If you meet a turtle nearby, keep 6 to 10 feet (about 2 to 3m) away, as Snorkeling Report suggests, and do not chase or touch it.

Figure: Swimming out to the statues from the beach, step by step

Diagram: compiled from BASK’s official guides and Snorkeling Report’s cautions. For people staying on Gili Meno and swimming from the beach.

✓Do you know the statues are off the west coast, so you need to cross the island from the harbour on the east side?
✓Can you swim about 200m out and back? If not, have you chosen a tour and a float?
✓Have you checked the wind and waves that morning?
✓If you are coming from another island, have you checked the return boat time at the harbour?
✓Do you have reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard to cover your skin?

A word from Sekotong

On the day you plan to see the statues, check the forecast for the next morning’s wind and waves the night before, keep breakfast light and head to the beach early, and you will be in the water during the quiet time before it gets busy. If you are going on a tour from another island, ask before booking what time it leaves, whether life jackets are provided and roughly how many minutes you will have in the water near the statues, so there are no surprises on the day. Before using a waterproof phone pouch in the sea, sink it empty in water once to check that it does not leak.

Who Gili Meno suits and who it does not, and where else to find quiet water

The drawbacks first. The statues are about 100m off the beach, not a place an inexperienced swimmer should go alone. There are currents and passing boats, and on days with strong onshore wind the water turns murky and visibility drops. If you visit on a day trip from another island, island-hopping boats are limited and your day is tied to the return time. Tours and boats increase in the afternoon, so if you want a quiet visit you need to go in the morning.

That said, it suits people who stay on Gili Meno and can swim at their own pace in the calm morning sea. For anyone interested in an artificial reef in the process of growing coral, or in the sculpture as a work of art, being within swimming distance of the beach is a big advantage.

Apart from the three Gilis, there is a group of small islands known as the “Southern Gilis” off Sekotong in southwest Lombok. They see fewer visitors than the three Gilis and are one option for people who want to spend time in quiet water. We explain how the two areas differ in North Gilis or South Gilis, and introduce each island in The Southern Gili Islands off Sekotong. We run a beach cafe and a market with local Sasak people in a fishing village in Sekotong.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do I need to dive to see the statues?

No. At around 4m deep, they are shallow enough to see from the surface with a snorkel. Dive media also say they can be seen either snorkelling or diving. If you want a closer look, you can dive there too.

Q. Can I see the statues if I cannot swim?

We do not recommend non-swimmers going out alone from the beach. The statues are about 100m offshore, with currents and passing boats. The realistic option is to wear a life jacket or float, go by boat to the statues on a guided tour, and look down from the surface next to your guide.

Q. Is there an entry fee?

A snorkelling spot guide lists the site as “free access”, and we found no official notice of a charge for seeing the statues (as of October 2026). Gear hire and tours cost extra.

Q. What is the best time to see them?

BASK’s guide suggests around 8:00 to 11:00 in the morning, before the wind picks up. Ideally go on a calm day near low tide and around the new moon; currents are stronger around the full moon. Day-trip boats increase in the afternoon.

Q. Are they an ancient underwater ruin?

No. The Gili Meno statues are “Nest”, a contemporary sculpture installed in 2017, not an ancient site. It is made up of 48 life-size human figures arranged in a ring.

Q. Can I visit on a day trip from Gili Trawangan?

Yes. The easiest way is to join a snorkelling tour that stops at the statues. If you take the island-hopping boat yourself, the Gili Meno harbour is on the east side and the statues are on the west, so you need to cross the island, and you should check the return boat time first.

Summary

The Gili Meno underwater statues are “Nest”, a sculpture installed in 2017 by Jason deCaires Taylor: 48 life-size human figures in a ring on the seabed about 100m off the west coast, at a depth of around 4m. They are not an ancient ruin but an artificial reef designed as a base for coral to grow on. You can see them by snorkelling, and we found no official notice of an entry fee.

If you stay on Gili Meno, swim out from the beach in the morning; from the other two islands, a snorkelling tour is the realistic option. Because of currents and passing boats, less confident swimmers should wear a float and go with a guide, and everyone should avoid touching or standing on the statues or stirring up sand. Tour prices and island-hopping boat times change easily, so treat this as information as of October 2026 and check the latest details locally.