What Are the Underwater Statues in Gili Meno?

The underwater statues off Gili Meno have become one of the most recognizable images of the Gili Islands — a circle of human figures standing motionless on the sandy seabed, gradually being reclaimed by coral and marine life. Part art installation, part artificial reef, they represent an unusual intersection of creativity and conservation that has drawn visitors since their installation in 2017.

Jason deCaires Taylor is the world's foremost underwater sculptor. His career has been dedicated to creating submerged installations that serve dual purposes: compelling art that draws human attention to the ocean, and functional artificial reefs that provide substrate for coral growth and habitat for marine species.

The Gili Meno installation, officially titled "Nest," consists of 48 life-size human figures arranged in a rough circle. The figures depict people in contemplative poses — some standing, some kneeling, many with eyes closed as if in meditation or sleep. They hold each other's hands and shoulders, creating a connected ring of humanity on the ocean floor.

The figures are cast from a specially formulated marine cement with a neutral pH level that encourages coral larvae to settle and grow. Over the years since installation, the sculptures have progressively been colonized by hard and soft corals, sponges, and algae. Fish have adopted the installation as territory, and the surrounding sand has developed its own micro-ecosystem. The intended transformation from sterile art object to living reef is well underway.

The commission came from a resort development on Gili Meno, and the installation was intended to serve as both an artistic attraction and a demonstration of artificial reef technology. It has succeeded on both counts — the statues draw visitors who might not otherwise snorkel or dive, while the reef ecology developing around them contributes to the broader Gili marine environment.

### By Snorkeling (Most Popular)

The statues sit at approximately 4 meters depth, making them easily visible from the surface on clear days. This is a snorkeling-accessible attraction — you do not need scuba certification or special equipment.

From Gili Meno beach: Walk to the west coast of Gili Meno, roughly in front of where the Bask area is located. Look for marker buoys in the water approximately 50-80 meters offshore. Swim out to the buoys and look down — on clear days, you will see the figures standing on the sandy bottom below you.

From a boat tour: Most snorkeling boat tours departing from Gili Trawangan and Gili Air include the underwater statues as one of their snorkeling stops. A typical half-day tour costs 150,000-200,000 IDR per person and visits 3-4 snorkeling spots including the statues, turtle points, and coral reef areas. This is the most convenient option if you are not staying on Gili Meno.

Best conditions: Visit on a calm, sunny morning between 8-10 AM. The sun angle provides the best lighting for viewing and photography. Calm water means better visibility and easier swimming. Avoid midday when the sun is directly overhead and creates harsh underwater shadows.

### By Diving

Diving provides a dramatically different perspective. At 4 meters depth, the statues are accessible to divers of all certification levels, including Discover Scuba (introductory) divers.

The diving advantage: Being at the same level as the figures — looking into their faces rather than down at their heads — creates a more intimate and powerful experience. You can swim around and between the figures, examine the coral growth up close, and observe the fish that have colonized the installation. Underwater photographers strongly prefer diving to snorkeling for the composition possibilities.

A dedicated statue dive from a Gili Meno or Gili Trawangan dive shop costs approximately 500,000-700,000 IDR for a single dive including equipment. Most dive shops combine the statues with other shallow reef dives in the area for a two-dive package at 800,000-1,000,000 IDR.

Freediving is another option for experienced breath-hold divers who want the up-close perspective without scuba equipment. The 4-meter depth is manageable for intermediate freedivers. Several freediving schools on the Gilis offer statue visits as part of their courses.

The underwater statues are intensely photogenic and among the most Instagrammed underwater images from Indonesia. A few tips for capturing them well.

### Snorkeling Photography

Use a wide-angle setting (GoPro, wide-angle phone case) to capture the full circle of figures from above. The statues are spread across a roughly 10-meter diameter, so a narrow field of view only captures a few figures at a time.

Shoot downward at a slight angle rather than straight down. An angled shot shows the figures' faces and postures; a top-down shot shows mostly heads and shoulders.

Morning light between 8-10 AM creates the most dramatic underwater lighting, with sun rays penetrating the water and illuminating the figures. Overcast days produce flat, blue-tinted images.

Include a snorkeler or diver in the frame for scale. The human figures are life-size, but without a reference point in the image, viewers cannot appreciate their scale.

### Diving Photography

Shoot upward or horizontally to capture the figures against the blue water background and surface light. This is the iconic angle that makes the Gili Meno statues look most dramatic in photographs.

Get close to individual figures for portrait-style shots showing coral colonization detail on faces and hands. The texture of coral growth on human features creates compelling images.

Wide-angle lenses (10-17mm range) work best for capturing the full installation. Macro lenses are useful for coral growth detail but miss the grand composition.

Strobes or video lights help restore color at 4 meters depth, where red and orange wavelengths are already partially absorbed by water. Even a small video light significantly improves color rendering.

The statues serve a genuine conservation purpose beyond their artistic value. The installation demonstrates how artificial reef structures can accelerate coral recovery in areas where natural reef has been damaged.

The Gili Islands' reefs suffered significant damage from destructive fishing practices (cyanide and dynamite fishing) in decades past, from coral bleaching events linked to rising water temperatures, and from the 2018 earthquakes that impacted some reef areas. Artificial reef structures like the statues provide hard substrate for coral larvae to settle on, kickstarting reef recovery in areas where natural hard bottom may have been destroyed.

Since installation, marine biologists monitoring the statues have documented progressive colonization by hard corals, soft corals, and sponges. Fish diversity around the installation has increased, and the surrounding sand flat has developed more marine life than comparable areas without structures. While the scale is small — 48 statues cannot restore an entire reef system — the demonstration effect is valuable for advocating broader artificial reef deployment.

Several coral restoration organizations operate in the Gili Islands, and visiting the statues often sparks visitor interest in these programs. Some dive shops offer coral restoration experiences where visitors can transplant coral fragments onto artificial structures, contributing to reef recovery during their vacation.

The underwater statues are genuinely impressive as art and increasingly interesting as reef ecology. However, managing expectations improves the experience.

What is great: The artistic quality of the figures, the surreal experience of looking at human forms underwater, the coral growth transformation, and the ease of access (snorkeling from the beach with no specialized equipment).

What can disappoint: On busy days (particularly during peak season afternoons), dozens of snorkelers cluster above the statues, fins kicking and cameras pointing, which diminishes the contemplative quality of the installation. Visibility varies — after rain or on windy days, the statues may be hazy or difficult to see from the surface. The figures are also smaller and closer together than many visitors expect from photographs (wide-angle lenses make them look more spread out than they are).

The verdict: Worth a visit, particularly if you are already on or near Gili Meno. Combine the statues with general snorkeling around Gili Meno's west coast (the reef in the area is itself worth exploring) and a visit to the turtle areas on the east coast for a full half-day of excellent water activities.