A ring of 48 life-size human figures sunk off Gili Meno, now growing coral.
The Nest is an underwater sculpture by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, a circle of 48 life-size human figures sitting on the seabed off the west coast of Gili Meno. The figures hold hands in a ring, and over the years coral and marine life have begun colonizing them, which is part of the work's purpose as an artificial reef.
It lies in shallow water only a few meters deep and roughly 50 meters from shore, so snorkelers can see it clearly from the surface without diving. Free-divers and scuba divers get closer.
It has become one of the most photographed spots in the Gilis, so popular boat tours can stack up over it by mid-morning.
Getting there
From Gili Trawangan or Gili Air it is a short 10 to 15 minute boat ride, included on almost every Gili snorkeling and island-hopping tour. From Gili Meno itself you can sometimes swim out from the west beach. Glass-bottom and group snorkel boats run here daily.
Best time
Go on the first morning tours, around 7 to 8am, for calm, clear water and far fewer boats and snorkelers over the circle. Visibility is best in the dry season, May to September. Midday brings crowds and choppier conditions.
Good to know
Currents can run across the site, so weaker swimmers should wear a flotation vest and stay with the boat. Do not stand on or touch the statues, since they are now living reef. Arrive early if you want a clear shot without other people in the frame.
They sit off the west coast of Gili Meno, not Trawangan or Air, in shallow water about 50 meters from shore. Most snorkeling tours from all three islands stop here.
No. The circle sits only a few meters down, so snorkelers see it clearly from the surface. Diving or free-diving just lets you get closer.
Take the earliest morning boat, around 7 to 8am, before the day tours arrive. Later in the day many boats cluster over the same small circle.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
Build your trip
