An Underwater Art Gallery in Jemeluk Bay

Among the fishing villages of Amed, on the island’s Eastern coast, Jemeluk Bay is a splendid stretch of black sands at the foot of Mount Agung, the waters of which are host to an underwater art gallery. In the Jemeluk Bay Underwater Gallery, living statues and installations create an enchanted marine landscape where you can lose yourself, swimming amidst the coral with turtles, seahorses and tropical fish. Diving off the seashore into the calm and relatively shallow waters of the bay, you are transported into a submerged magical garden inhabited by mermaids, treasure chests, barong and Hindu nymphs. Local associations and NGOs have, over the years, filled the area with magnificent works upon which multicoloured coral can grow, creating a perfect marine ecosystem in which living creatures and the environment help maintain a reciprocal balance. Among the various works of the Marine Foundation, the famous giant child’s head on the sea bottom was created by Eddi Prabandono, Indonesian artist sensitive towards eco-sustainable themes, while sculptor Wayan Winten created the harmonious siren The Mermaid. By acquiring a postcard on the beach before submerging, you can send your best Balinese wishes to friends and family from a working letterbox which has, for years, been positioned in the underwater gallery. Here, art works become a means for preserving the marine eco-system, promoting responsible eco-tourism which helps take care of the environment