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Quick Answer: Best Way to Visit the Gili Meno Statues
The easiest and most popular way to visit the Gili Meno statues is by joining a snorkeling tour from Gili Trawangan, especially if it’s your first time exploring the Gili Islands.
| Option | Best For | Price | Travel Style |
| Snorkeling Tour | First-timers & social travelers | IDR 150,000–350,000 ($9–$22 USD) | Social & chaotic |
| DIY Boat Trip | Budget travelers | IDR 35,000–85,000 ($2–$5 USD) | Flexible & independent |
| Stay on Gili Meno | Quiet mornings & photos | Varies | Quiet island energy |
If you’re backpacking the Gilis for the first time, chances are you’ll end up staying in Gili T anyway since most tours, hostels, and nightlife are based there. But if you want calmer mornings and fewer people around the statues, Gili Meno is a completely different vibe.
Inside the Gili Meno Underwater Statues
The Gili Meno statues, also known as Nest, are easily one of the most recognizable snorkeling spots around the Gili Islands.
Created by Jason deCaires Taylor, the installation features 48 life-size human sculptures arranged in a circle on the ocean floor near Gili Meno.
Seeing them underwater for the first time feels slightly eerie in the best way possible. Fish move through the statues while coral slowly grows across the surface, and the deeper you float into the middle of the installation, the quieter everything starts to feel.
More Than Just an Instagram Spot
The statues were designed to help support marine life and encourage coral growth around the Gili Islands, not just for tourism. The sculptures use eco-friendly materials that slowly turn the whole installation into an artificial reef over time.
So while everyone shows up for the underwater photos, the installation actually serves a bigger purpose beneath all the GoPros, snorkel tours, and slightly messy boat stops. The statues already look completely different compared to when they were first installed, which makes the whole place feel even more alive underwater.
Where to Find the Gili Meno Statues
The Gili Meno statues are located on the west coast of Gili Meno, one of the three Gili Islands near Lombok. The statues sit about 100 meters offshore in shallow water, roughly 3 to 4 meters deep.
If you’re still figuring out boats, routes, and which island to stay on first, check out our guide on how to get to the Gili Islands before planning your trip.
Most days, the water is so clear you can already spot the darker shape of the statues underwater before you even swim all the way over. Dry season mornings usually have the clearest visibility, especially before the first wave of snorkeling boats starts pulling up around the statues.
Before your trip: If you’re mainly visiting for photos and visibility, aim for an early morning visit during the dry season when the water is usually calmer and clearer.
Best Ways to Visit the Gili Meno Statues
1. Snorkeling Tour from Gili Trawangan (Best Overall)
Most backpackers stay on Gili Trawangan because it’s social, lively, and way easier to organize tours from after a few drinks the night before. Snorkeling tours are the simplest option since you’ll hit multiple reefs and turtle spots in one trip.
- Price: IDR 150,000 to 350,000 (around $9–$22 USD)
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Includes: Turtle Point, coral reefs, and the Gili Meno statues
Expect loud boat speakers, salty hair, sea turtles casually swimming past you, and at least one person trying way too hard to get the perfect underwater Instagram shot.
2. Public Boat + Swim (Best Budget Option)
You can also visit the Gili Meno statues independently by taking a local boat between the islands.
- Boat fare: Usually around IDR 35,000 to 85,000 ($2–$5 USD) depending on the season and where you book
- Travel time: Around 15 minutes
Once you arrive at Gili Meno, walk 15 to 20 minutes to the west coast snorkeling area, then swim out to the statues. It takes more effort than joining a tour, but you’ll have way more flexibility and fewer people accidentally kicking you with snorkel fins while trying to film a Reel.
If you’re comfortable swimming and don’t mind organizing things yourself, this is one of the best ways to experience the statues without the full tour-boat chaos.
3. Stay on Gili Meno (Best for Timing & Photos)
Staying overnight on Gili Meno completely changes the vibe of the experience. Early mornings feel calmer, quieter, and way less hectic before the first tour boats start showing up.
Compared to lively Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno feels like the quieter island that just wants everyone to slow down for a bit. If you want calm mornings, slower island energy, and quieter snorkeling sessions, spending a night on Gili Meno is absolutely worth it.
The Best Time to Visit the Gili Meno Statues
The best time to visit the Gili Meno statues is before 9 AM when the water is calmer, and most tour boats haven’t arrived yet.
- Before 9 AM: calm water, fewer people
- Around 1 PM: fewer boats
- 10 AM to 12 PM: peak crowds
By mid-morning, tour boats start pulling in fast, and the statues quickly turn into a floating mix of snorkel fins, GoPros, and backpackers trying not to lose their masks. Early mornings feel completely different, especially when the water is calm enough to just float there quietly before the island fully wakes up.
Before your visit: If you’re staying on Gili Trawangan, try booking one of the earliest snorkeling tours available. The experience feels way better before the crowds start building up.
What Should You Know Before Visiting the Gili Meno Statues?
A few small details can make a big difference when visiting the Gili Meno statues, especially if you want a smoother experience and better snorkeling conditions.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect coral and marine life
- Bring fins for easier swimming and diving down to the statues
- Watch for sharp coral when entering the water from shore
- Avoid touching the statues or any marine life to help preserve the reef
- Do not feed fish, as it disrupts the natural ecosystem
- Go early in the morning if you want clearer water and fewer crowds
- Be mindful of boat traffic, especially during peak snorkeling hours
- Visibility can change depending on tides and weather, so conditions may vary throughout the day
If you’re staying on Gili Meno, bike rentals typically cost IDR 50,000 to 75,000 per day (around $3–$5 USD), which is a convenient way to get around the island.
Bring a waterproof phone pouch or GoPro if you want photos. Morning light underwater can look ridiculously good once the sunlight starts hitting the statues properly, especially before the boats start filling up the area.
How Long Should You Spend at the Gili Meno Statues?
Most travelers spend around 45 minutes to 1 hour at the statues. If you’re joining a snorkeling tour, this is usually one stop among several snorkeling spots around the Gili Islands, so the full trip normally lasts around 4 to 5 hours.
If you’re visiting without a tour, you can easily stay longer without feeling rushed. Give yourself 1 to 2 hours if you want time to float around properly, chase sea turtles nearby, and retry the same underwater photo 47 times because your mask fogged up again.
What Else Can You Do in Gili Trawangan?
If you’re visiting the Gili Meno statues, chances are you’ll end up spending most of your trip in Gili Trawangan anyway. It’s the social hub of the Gili Islands, where backpackers somehow come for “just a few days” and accidentally stay a week after one sunset party and a couple of snorkeling trips.
And honestly, the island’s way more fun when you do more than just hop on a boat tour and leave. Between beach bars, group dinners, snorkeling trips, volleyball games, and slow mornings recovering from the night before, this is where the whole Gili backpacker experience actually happens. If you want the easiest social base, you can also stay at Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan and join activities directly from the island.
- Monkey Sea, Monkey Do Snorkeling Tour: Explore the best snorkeling spots around the Gili Islands, including turtle areas and the Gili Meno statues
- Private Snorkeling Experience (4-Hour Boat): A more flexible and quieter way to explore the islands
- Mexican Family Dinner: A social dining experience with great food and fellow travelers
- Foam Party: Beach party with a live DJ and a high-energy crowd
- Beach Volleyball Tournament: An easy way to meet people and join a fun activity
- Gili T Beach Clean-Up: A simple way to give back and help keep the island clean
If you prefer everything in one place, you can also use the Mad Monkey Experience app to book tours and events while earning points for perks during your stay.
Final Thoughts: Are the Gili Meno Statues Worth Visiting?
Yes, the Gili Meno statues are worth visiting, especially if you are traveling through the Gili Islands in Indonesia.
- First-time travelers: snorkeling tour
- Budget travelers: public boat + swim
- Photo-focused travelers: stay on Gili Meno and go early
It’s one of the top highlights and a must-visit destination when island hopping in Indonesia.
FAQs About the Gili Meno Statues
Yes. It is one of the most unique snorkeling spots in Indonesia and a must-visit in the Gili Islands.
Yes. The statues are about 100 meters from shore and accessible for strong swimmers.
Around 3 to 4 meters, making them suitable for snorkeling.
Before 9 AM to avoid crowds and get better visibility.
Yes, especially between 10 AM and 12 PM when most snorkeling tours arrive.
Take a fast boat from Bali (usually departing from Padang Bai or Serangan) to the Gili Islands, then travel from Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno by boat or tour.
More About Gili Meno Statues
Did you enjoy this article about the Gili Meno underwater statues? Interested in finding more unique snorkeling spots and underwater statues? Then check out these other articles to discover more epic underwater worlds!
- Artificial Reefs Around the World by Alan Taylor from The Atlantic
- Jason deCaires Taylor from Artworks for Change
- 7 Amazing Underwater Sculptures and Sunken Gardens in Bali by Bali Indonesia
- 5 Top Underwater Spots for Instagram Photos in the Gili Islands by Roza Tsvetkova from Manta Dive
- 10 Mysterious Statues You Can Only See Underwater by Brooke Morton from Red Bull
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