Bounty Gili Trawangan: exploring a submerged jetty reef

Diving the Bounty site, located off the coast of Lombok near Gili Meno, offers a unique exploration of an artificial reef born from both a practical necessity and a natural event. Your descent begins near Gili Meno, where a striking collection of statues positioned around 6 meters provides an interesting starting point. From this shallow entry, the topography gradually slopes downwards with a gentle incline. One of the first features encountered is an enormous seafan (Gorgonacea) at the start of the dive, anchored firmly and swaying gently in the subtle water movement, serving as a natural beacon. As you follow the slope, you'll find yourself surrounded by numerous coral formations known as bommies, which are independent coral heads rising from the seafloor. These bommies are dense with thriving hard and soft corals, forming a vibrant underwater garden. A beautiful bommie, situated conveniently close to the main structure of the Bounty, reaches up to 15 meters in depth.

The main attraction of the Bounty dive site consists of two distinct elements: the remnants of a floating pontoon, once used for the Bounty cruise ship, which was claimed by a storm in 2002 and settled into its current resting place, and a section of an old Gili Meno jetty that collapsed some 15 years ago. This combination of structures forms a complex foundation for an abundant ecosystem. The submerged jetty extends down to a maximum depth of 18 meters, creating intricate micro-habitats that shelter a variety of reef fish. The highest parts of the Bounty structure can be seen as shallow as 6 meters. This upper section is often a focal point for lionfish (Pterois volitans) and scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), which are frequently observed basking there.

Life flourishes around the Bounty structures, with an impressive variety of fish and corals making their home in these ideal conditions. The structure's nooks and crannies are perfect for resident species, offering a unique opportunity to observe marine life thriving on once-man-made objects. The interaction between the old structures and the evolving reef creates a constantly moving tapestry of undersea activity. Regular marine life includes various reef sharks, snappers, sweetlips, numerous butterflyfish, turtles, and schooling fish. Exploring the Bounty site is an exercise in observation, as you witness how nature reclaims and repurposes man-made objects. The relatively shallow depth encourages longer bottom times, allowing you to thoroughly investigate the intricacies of the wreck, peer into crevices, and appreciate the colonization of its surfaces by corals and other marine organisms.