The tribubble bongo, alternatively referred to as Gungan bongo submarines or simply bongos, represented a type of underwater vessel employed by the Gungans for navigating the oceans of Naboo. These vehicles were in operation both before the Invasion of Naboo and during the Clone Wars.
Crafted by the Otoh Gunga Bongameken Cooperative, Gungan bongo submarines encompassed a series of partially organic submarines. These were utilized by the Gungans for exploration and transit within the oceans surrounding the planet Naboo.
The bongo's manta ray-shaped structure was cultivated organically from coral through methods held secret by the Gungans, resulting in each vehicle being unique. This distinguishing hull, coupled with elongated, electromotive tentacles extending from the vehicle's rear and rotating for propulsion, endowed the bongo with an appearance akin to an unusual squid. Furthermore, the hull was heavily fortified to withstand potential assaults from dangerous marine life inhabiting Naboo's oceans.
These submarines also featured extended, spiraling, tentacle-like turbines that enabled the vessel to achieve exceptional speeds. The vehicle also incorporated several hydrostatic bubble shields which maintained a dry, breathable atmosphere within the cockpit and cargo areas. These shields could be activated or deactivated to facilitate entry and exit. Bongos seemingly possessed an unlimited depth capacity, capable of withstanding the immense pressures found within Naboo's waterways. Nevertheless, they typically operated at a standard depth of 500 meters.
A forward-pointing driving plane also protruded from the front of the cockpit module. In emergency situations, this cockpit module could detach from the vehicle, functioning as an escape pod.
Millennia prior to the Invasion of Naboo, the Gungans, natives of the Mid Rim planet Naboo, were compelled to relocate underwater due to a conflict over territory. After moving underwater, they discovered the mysterious deep-water plant species known as the Locap. This plant extracted plasma from the rocks it burrowed into. The Gungans then used specialized harvesting bongos, equipped with a front-mounted siphon, to extract plasma from the Locap plant. Although plasma harvesting was hazardous, the extracted plasma was then used in the underwater civilization they would develop.
During the initial phases of the Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, after failing to negotiate with the Trade Federation concerning the blockade of Naboo, arrived on the planet and discovered an ongoing invasion. Shortly after, they encountered the Gungan Jar Jar Binks. Upon learning of a nearby "hidden city," they were escorted to the underwater Gungan city of Otoh Gunga. There, the Jedi encountered Gungan leader Boss Rugor Nass, who dismissed the invasion above the surface. However, Nass sent them on their way to the Naboo with a bongo submarine.
With Binks' assistance, Jinn and Kenobi journeyed through the planet's core based on Boss Nass's recommendation. During their voyage, their bongo was attacked by an opee sea killer, who used its tongue to pull the vehicle in, damaging the starboard side. The bongo was rescued by the appearance of a sando aqua monster, which devoured the opee sea killer.
Further into their journey, the damage to the vehicle resulted in a power loss. After Kenobi restored power, the group was confronted by a colo claw fish, and again narrowly escaped after a sando aqua monster intervened.
The trio eventually reached Theed safely, abandoning the bongo as they continued to rescue Queen Padmé Amidala from the Trade Federation's forces.
During the Clone Wars in 20 BBY, rumors circulated that Boss Lyonie was urging the Gungans to assist the Confederacy of Independent Systems in attacking Theed. Seeking to uncover the truth, Amidala and Jedi General Anakin Skywalker traveled to Lake Paonga aboard a Naboo scout carrier to meet with Binks, who arrived in a bongo submarine. They utilized the submarine to reach Otoh Gunga, where they discovered Lyonie was being manipulated by minister Rish Loo.
Upon Vader's return to Naboo, he and Sabé met with Gregar Typho and Tonra, who guided Vader beneath the Varykino house. There, they boarded a bongo submarine and ventured into the waters of Naboo. The group encountered a colo claw fish, and during its attack, the submarine's hull was breached, ejecting them into the open water.
The sound effect used for the Gungan bongo submarine, as heard in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode Shadow Warrior, was repurposed for CB-23's underwater motor in the Star Wars Resistance episode "No Escape: Part 1."