Bounty Wreck

The Bounty Wreck began life as a floating wooden pier moored off the coast of Gili Meno. After a storm in 2001 drove it onto the seabed, the structure was deemed beyond repair and was left in place — eventually integrated into one of the first bio-rock (electrolytic mineral accretion) projects in Lombok. The wreck now lies on a sandy bottom at 18 m, measuring approximately 30 m long and 15 m wide, with its highest point at around 8 m. The shallowest entry point and easy depth make it accessible to Open Water divers and above.

Over two decades of coral growth have transformed the Bounty into a thriving artificial reef. Hard and soft corals encrust every surface, and a large coral bommie beside the main structure shelters thousands of glassfish — a cloud of silver that shimmers and contracts around passing divers. The wreck is celebrated as a macro-photographer’s paradise: scorpionfish and frogfish in multiple colour morphs occupy prime spots on the hull, ghost pipefish hover near crinoids, and peacock mantis shrimp emerge from crevices in the coral-covered decking. On the southern side of the wreck, a pair of old bicycles draped in coral have become one of the most photographed subjects in the Gili Islands.

Current is generally light to none, and visibility averages 12–20 m. The combination of easy depth, accessible entry, and rich marine life makes this a popular site for second and third dives, night dives, and Wreck Diver specialty training.

Diver tips: Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon when light angles through the structure for the best photography. Bring a torch to illuminate the glassfish bommie and look carefully into the coral for frogfish — they are masters of camouflage. The bio-rock frames near the wreck are worth circling: they attract juvenile fish and offer a unique backdrop for wide-angle shots.