Artificial Reef - Statue Garden Project in Padang Bai, Bali

Starting in November 2013, the Geko Dive Team, along with volunteers from other Padang Bai operators, friends of Padang Bai and freelance dive professionals, aided by the porter association and the organisation of local fishermen, started an artificial reef project. Special thanks go to all those already involved.

This Statue Garden now has more than 30 individual Balinese sculptures underwanter, ranging from a lifesize horse to depictions of Hindu deities. Life is quicly colonising the sculptures. Barnacles, soft corals, nudibranches and even moray eels have already made this previously barren area their home.

The area of reef that was selected for this project is located on Amuk Bay's South shore, between the Jepun and Drop-off dive sites. Aided by an ideal water temperature and nutrients-loaded upwellings, corals grow at a stunning speed in this area. This location was ideal as corals had been deteriorated in this area as large junk fishing vessels used to anchor in this area until the 70's.

Padang Bai Statue Garden Artificial Reef Photography Gallery

Padang Bai divers hope to see more contributions from visiting divers and other dive centres. Please let us know if you would like to contribute a statue to Padang Bai's latest garden. Everyone is welcomed to participate in order to make this project better and better!

If you want to donate a statue to support this artificial reef, please make a donation. You can have your own underwater statue and help protect the environment for as little as 50$ (this includes sourcing the statue and laying it in place). Smaller contributions are also accepted.