Gili Meno
The smallest and quietest of the three Gili Islands, known as the 'honeymoon island.' Its underwater sculpture garden, Nest, with 48 ring-shaped human figures on the western seabed, and its abundant sea turtles make it a must-visit for snorkelers.
Gili Meno sits between Trawangan and Air. It is the smallest of the three islands (about 2 km long), has the smallest population (about 500 people), and is the most unspoiled. It has no nightlife, only a few dozen small guesthouses and beachfront restaurants, which is why it is known as the 'honeymoon island.' Its most famous attraction is Nest, an underwater sculpture group off the west coast in front of the BASK resort. Created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor in 2017, it consists of 48 life-size human figures arranged in two circles on the sandy bottom at a depth of 3-4 meters. They are now covered in coral and algae and can be seen while snorkeling. It is one of the most photogenic underwater spots in Indonesia. Green sea turtles often forage on the reef near the sculptures. The Turtle Point and Meno Wall on the northeast side of the island are also popular snorkeling spots for turtles. The island has a saltwater lake and a small bird sanctuary, and its south coast has the whitest and finest sand. Most visitors arrive by island-hopping snorkel boats from Trawangan or Air, which stop above Nest for 30 minutes. You can also take a public inter-island boat on your own. Those who stay on the island can enjoy Nest in the early morning when it is empty, and a sky full of stars at night. Transportation: a public boat from Bangsal pier takes about 25 minutes, and inter-island boats run twice daily. Tips: allow at least half a day. Go to Nest for snorkeling at 8-9 a.m., when it is quiet. Walking around the island takes about 1.5 hours. Have lunch at a west-coast restaurant with sea views. Note that power and internet on the island are unreliable. While snorkeling, do not touch the sculptures or the turtles. In late dry season (September-October), the west coast sometimes has more algae, which reduces underwater visibility.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Nest Underwater Sculptures
- Gili Trawangan
- Gili Air
- Malimbu Hill
- Senggigi Beach
- Pura Batu Bolong
- Islamic Center Mosque Mataram
- Mayura Water Palace