Billy Bagus
Jun 12, 2025
Bali might be known for its temples and rice terraces, but some of the most mind-blowing art around the island is underwater. From sunken Buddhas to bio-rock motorbikes, the seas surrounding Bali and its neighbouring islands are hiding some truly surreal constructs. Ready to ditch the gallery walls and dive into something cooler (literally)? Here are the most jaw-dropping underwater structures around Bali and Lombok for your next diving reference!
From sunken Buddhas to bio-rock motorbikes, the seas surrounding Bali and its neighbouring islands are hiding some truly surreal constructs
Badung Underwater Cultural Park
Just off the coast of Samuh Beach in Nusa Dua, the Badung Underwater Cultural Park is where Balinese tradition goes aquatic. This submerged gallery features 26 Bali-themed reef sculptures, including kecak fire dancers and characters straight out of the Ramayana, all chilling about 11 metres below the surface. Coral’s been making itself at home here since 2012, turning this cultural park into a technicolour marine masterpiece. Not quite a snorkeler’s delight due to depth, but on crystal-clear days, you can catch a glimpse of this watery wonderland from above.
BASK Nest
Floating off Gili Meno’s shores is a dreamy (and slightly eerie) circle of 48 life-sized human figures, lovingly known as the BASK Nest. This haunting underwater installation is the work of Jason deCaires Taylor, whose sculptures have been immortalised in oceans across the globe. The site isn’t just art for art’s sake – it’s also a thriving reef. While swimming around these statues, expect possible surprise cameos from turtles, reef sharks, or even a curious octopus. Insta-gold, right here.
Boga Shipwreck
History buffs and adventurers alike will love the Boga Shipwreck – a WWII cargo ship that now rests 30 metres deep off Tulamben. Torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942, it’s transformed into a marine magnet. The rusting frame is now home to barracuda, angelfish, and even the occasional sunfish. There's also a sunken Volkswagen 181 onboard (because why not?). And yes, there’s a steering wheel – perfect for the most hardcore underwater selfies. Visit in October or November when the seas play nice.
Ceningan Buddha Point
Need a little serenity with your sea spray? Head over to Ceningan Buddha Point, where a 2.4-metre Buddha sits in tranquil meditation at about 7 metres deep. He’s flanked by smaller temple statues that wouldn’t look out of place in Borobudur. Whether you’re snorkelling, diving, or riding an underwater scooter (yes, that’s a thing), this peaceful site near Ceningan Island is like a deep breath for your soul – just watch out for the current, it’s not quite as chill as Buddha.
Deus BioRock
What do you get when a surf-motorbike brand collaborates with a reef foundation? An underwater motorbike reef, obviously. The crew at Deus Ex Machina teamed up with The Marine Foundation to drop a vintage-style bike six metres beneath Gili Trawangan’s waves, letting nature take over. Now encrusted with coral and sea life, it’s become a bio rock ‘n’ roll photo op for divers. Punk’s not dead, it’s just diving.
Jemeluk Bay Living Sea
Amed’s Jemeluk Bay is more than just a snorkelling paradise – it’s home to an eclectic and cheeky underwater art gallery dubbed Living Sea. Local Indonesian artists like Wayan Winten and Eddi Prabandono have created submerged sculptures ranging from majestic apsaras and mermaids to an oversized baby head and a fierce barong. Don’t miss the functional underwater mailbox – yes, you can actually send waterproof postcards from the ocean floor. How’s that for diving into your inbox?
Karang Lestari Bio-Rock Reef
Over in Pemuteran Bay, the Karang Lestari Bio-Rock Project is showing the world how reef restoration should be done. Here, coral-covered sculptures – from blooming lotuses and bicycles to Buddha heads and deities – are arranged across the seabed, fed with low-voltage electricity to supercharge coral growth. This underwater metal garden is not just beautiful but meaningful. Feeling philanthropic? You can sponsor a baby coral and have it planted next to your name in iron wire. Your legacy, reef style.
Suci Place
While the Boga Shipwreck often steals the spotlight in Tulamben, Suci Place is the area’s other submerged gem – quieter, holier, and arguably more serene. Just offshore, this spiritual dive site blends Hindu iconography with vibrant marine life. Imagine statues of deities nestled among blooming coral gardens, all watched over by the occasional curious parrotfish. It’s lesser known, less crowded, and all the more magical for it. If the Boga is for thrill-seekers, Suci Place is for soul searchers – like stumbling upon a forgotten temple that the ocean lovingly hid away.
