Bask Nest underwater sculptures — Attraction in West Nusa Tenggara

Beautiful, Bizarre… and Full of Floundering Tourists 🤿

The Bask Nest underwater statues off Gili Meno are absolutely worth seeing. Swimming around these life-sized stone figures beneath the surface felt like stumbling into a lost underwater civilisation.

The water was clear, the marine life was buzzing, and the vibe was magical, until the snorkel circus arrived.

Unfortunately, the statues are no longer the peaceful hidden gem they might have once been. Instead, expect crowds of people flapping around like confused sea cucumbers, most with zero snorkelling skills and a GoPro obsession.

Despite the fact nobody can talk underwater, the sense of entitlement was loud and clear. People actually elbowing for position as if the statues were about to swim off. A guide even shouted at me (underwater gesturing and all) to move so he could line his guests up one by one for their underwater photoshoot. I felt like an extra in a movie I hadn’t auditioned for.

One girl swam down seven times to get “THE SHOT.” Not judging (I respect the hustle) but it did start to feel more like a modelling agency than a snorkelling spot.

That said, if you go early (or just manage your expectations), it’s 100% worth the visit. It’s a genuinely unique experience and a great reminder that art, nature, and humans don’t always mix smoothly, but when they do, it’s pretty unforgettable.

Highly recommend! Just bring patience, fins, and your best...

Absolutely not worth it, it can become dangerous due to the currents in the channel, and it's not an ecotouristic activity by all means.

We are 2 dive professionals, at the beginning of the low season. We arrived at 6:30 am, and already, people were in the water (who were nice enough to point out the statues to us). At 6:40 am, the first two boats arrived with around six guests and four guides. The guides were holding onto the statues with their fins, the rope of the buoy they brought over, was attached to coral blocks, and customers were allowed to hold onto the statues as well. The intention was maybe initially to build an artificial reef, but there are no coral on them and if this is the practice to approach them it will never happen (statues were immersed in 2017).

The current was pretty strong despite being closed to slack tide, so it can get dangerous for inexperienced people. Especially when they go in by themselves from the shore. The shore entry is also not at all good for the last remaining living corals especially...

It is a great spot to do snorkeling and see a lot of fishes and turtles as well. You can book a private tour to go there: not recommended as you pay more but you still see the statues with 20 other people, as the boats get there at the same time and you cannot predict that. You can also book a group tour with 20 other people to see the statues, but it is very crowded and crazy. Guide tours have food for the fishes so they can get the best shots with their go pros and it is very crowded. People stand on the statues and they are not respectful at all. Lastly, you can swim from the shore and hang there until there are no boats to see the statues by yourself. IMPORTANT: if you’re going to do the third option, make sure you get in with proper shoes or you will hurt your feet!! There is plenty of coral and rocks!! There is a pipeline that you can walk on to get in and out without hurting your feet and...