Liveaboard Diving in Manta Point

What To Expect On A Manta Point Liveaboard

Liveaboards to Manta Point and the tiny island of Kurang Makassar, which sits close to the coast on the east side of Komodo Island in the heart of the Komodo National Park, are visiting one of the famous reefs in the area. Lying beneath the water is a chance to dive with many Manta Rays. Although protected by the National Park, some damage has been done to the reef and fish life in this area despite this protection. The fish life on the reef was adversely affected by illegal cyanide fishing. This method of poisoning the water to stun and capture live aquarium fish means that there is damage not only to the fish but also to sponges, sea fans, and coral.

However, despite the reef being perhaps less rich with life than other areas, Manta Point is known as one of the best dive sites in Komodo. The bottom topography of the shallow reef funnels strong currents through the dive site, acting as a highway for pelagic fish. These currents bring cold, nutrient-rich waters with them, which means the main attraction, no surprise, is mantas.

What You Can See at Manta Point

Numerous Komodo liveaboards will visit Manta Point as part of their dive schedule in this area.

The currents at Manta Point mean that most dives here are drift dives, like much of the diving in the Komodo Islands. The area can be huge, with the reef covering almost 2 square kilometers. The water is shallow, around 15 meters in most places, and home to many manta rays. These huge, strange creatures come here to feed on the nutritious waters the currents bring up from the deep. It is not unusual for divers to be able to swim along with a small group of mantas here. It is also possible to see them gliding above you closer to the surface as the visibility is excellent, sometimes over 30 meters.

Although the poaching of aquarium fish from the Manta Point has left the reef a little sparse, some other creatures can be seen here. Whitetip and Blacktip reef sharks are often spotted patrolling around during the dive, and the occasional turtle searches for food. The volcanic rocks and the corals make the perfect home for mantis shrimp, which seem to be all over the reef. Macro photographers will never lack opportunities to snap them hiding in little alcoves in the rocks.

Getting To Manta Point

On the east side of Komodo Island, Manta Point is just under an hour’s journey from Flores Island. There are some short day trips to Manta Point from there, but the most popular and enjoyable way to visit Manta Point is by diving liveaboard. Indonesia’s diving liveaboards come in all shapes and sizes, and there is something to suit a range of tastes and budgets.

Motor vessels customized for liveaboard diving are available for a comfortable and enjoyable diving cruise with purpose-built dive decks and luxurious cabins. However, traditional Indonesian sailing boats that have been redesigned for diving are Indonesia's most popular liveaboard type. These beautiful ships offer a peaceful and authentic cruising experience. Luxurious with a touch of tradition, phinisi, as they are known locally, is an amazing and unique experience.

Most Indonesian liveaboards depart from either Labuan Bajo in Flores or Bali; some depart from one and disembark at the other, giving you the maximum number of diving days. Bali International Airport offers flights from numerous major cities in Asia and further afield and connecting flights to Labuan Bajo. If you feel brave, taking the three-day ferry ride from Bali to Labuan Bajo is possible.


Manta Point Diving Reviews

  • 9.4 Superb
  • 51 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Victor B
  • United States United States

Good. Nice combination of big and small things. VERY healthy and lush reef.

Diving Manta Point in August on the Solitude Adventurer

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Joanna C
  • United States United States

Epic. Amazing and graceful Mantas. Magical diving

Diving Manta Point in October on the Cajoma IV

  • 7.2 Good
  • Frank F
  • United States United States

Fun drift with many mantas

Diving Manta Point in October on the Cajoma IV

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Peter C
  • United States United States

So many mantas! And pretty strong current., but it was a drift dive, so that was fine.

Diving Manta Point in October on the Cajoma IV

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Steven S
  • United States United States

Excellent, manatas everywhere.

Diving Manta Point in March on the Queenesia II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Mei R
  • Australia Australia

I sat 2m away from a 3m Manta Ray for a good few minutes, as it held its place in the currents. It was magical!

Diving Manta Point in July on the Cajoma IV

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Olga S
  • Netherlands Netherlands

I have hardly words to describe to sight of the many mantas at the different cleaning stations we took time to watch. So graceful animals.

Diving Manta Point in May on the Cajoma IV

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Catherine T
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Great but only four mantas, with an oceanic huge black one.

Diving Manta Point in January on the La Galigo

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jose A
  • Spain Spain

Due to the season, no mantas, we did an alternative location, but no mantas either. We only managed to see one manta at The Cauldron.

Diving Manta Point in July on the Nusantara

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christian S
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Manta point started out quite dull, not much current. However, the mantas showed up at the end of the dive and they stayed close by for a long time

Diving Manta Point in August on the Nusantara

  • 9.2 Superb
  • LUCIA A
  • Spain Spain

Saw three mantas in the cleaning station.. amazing

Diving Manta Point in August on the Cajoma IV

  • 8.0 Very good
  • steph W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

So many Manta's swimming so close to us

Diving Manta Point in September on the Cajoma IV

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Valérie S
  • Belgium Belgium

Less to see, with strong current , a bit a challenging dive, but very nice!

Diving Manta Point in November on the Nusantara

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Cécile J
  • France France

We saw more than 20 mantas on a single dive, so I will say great. But it is all there is to see here since the coral is dead due to past bombing fishing

Diving Manta Point in November on the Nusantara

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Emma T
  • Australia Australia

Saw a manta here - lives up to its name!

Diving Manta Point in April on the Mikumba 2

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Katherine J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Brilliant manta experience

Diving Manta Point in June on the Cajoma IV

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Stephanie G
  • Mauritania Mauritania

The best ever snorkelling that we have ever done

Diving Manta Point in June on the Adishree

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Chun L
  • Singapore Singapore

Manta point was amazing and the 25km drift dive was relaxing and we saw a whole lot of Giant Manta Rays.

Diving Manta Point in September on the Nusantara

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jennifer W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Lost count of the mantas once we saw the 10th… place is like a divers playground and the mantas come to play with you.

Diving Manta Point in September on the Mikumba Dua

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Luisa K
  • Germany Germany

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 We saw many mantas!

Diving Manta Point in October on the Cajoma IV

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jannik H
  • Germany Germany

Nice! Of course we saw manta and eagle rays

Diving Manta Point in January on the Queenesia