Scuba Diving Manta Point Nusa Penida – BEST Scuba Diving Near Bali
Manta Point is a bucket list dive destination. Here, you can experience diving alongside Manta Rays just an hour away from Bali. Manta Point is a cleaning station for these gentle giants. The Manta’s get clean, the fish get a meal and we get an amazing magical experience. Let’s dive into the wonders of this enchanting dive site.
Why is Manta Point the Best Place to Dive with Manta Rays?
Manta Point is actually a cleaning station. This means the dive site works as a spa for Manta Rays, where small fish wait around for them to come by to receive a feed of tiny parasites, algae, and any other organisms that may have attached themselves to the Manta Rays’ skin.
Getting cleaned helps Manta Rays stay healthy and lowers their risk of infection. They’ll show up day after day, and get pampered by the fish all while putting on an incredible show for us – the scuba divers!
This means that we have an approximate 90% chance to encounter the spectacular Manta Ray show when you come and dive at Manta Point with Scuba Center Asia. Of course, as with anything natural, we can’t 100% guarantee they’ll be there, however, they have been consistent for decades.
When is the best time of year to dive with Manta Rays?
Unlike other destinations around the globe renowned for diving with Manta’s, Nusa Penida offers year-round opportunities to dive with these gentle giants. Manta Point is home to a very large population of Manta Rays and sightings of both species; the smaller variety of Reef Manta as well as the larger species of Oceanic Manta, are possible at Manta Point any time of the year.
There are rare days of the year when we are unable to dive at Manta Point due to high swells, or unfavourable conditions. In this case we go to the north dive sites of Nusa Penida.
What is the visibility and water temperature like at Manta Point?
Visibility is often very good at Manta Point. The region is known for crystal clear waters and on a good day visibility can reach 30m+ (100ft+). The visibility at Manta Point can drop randomly throughout the year as this dive site is located where the colder current from the south meets the warmer northern current. The meeting of these two currents is what creates the “cleaning station” phenomenon, providing a nutrient-dense space for marine life to thrive.
Water temperature at Manta Point tends to stay relatively warm throughout the year at an average temperature of 23 to 29 degrees Celsius (73 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit) with the occasional drop to about 18 to 23 degrees (64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit). You’ll be very comfortable diving in these waters, especially when wearing a wetsuit.
Importantly, the island experiences two seasons per year. The dry season falls between April and October offering better overall visibility, while the wet season falls between November and March with the rain causing the temperature to drop a little, but attracts a wide variety of marine life.
Ocean conditions can be influenced by currents, tides, swell, and weather. With this in mind, Manta Point continues to offer incredible experiences with Manta Rays in all divable conditions. We dive year round and both seasons offer magical opportunities to scuba dive with Manta Rays at this special location.
Why Manta Rays Have Special Bellies: Decoding the Unique Patterns of Ocean Giants
Manta rays have this cool thing going on—they each have their own special belly patterns, kind of like how we have our unique fingerprints. These patterns are made up of dark spots and blotches, and they’re like a personal ID for each manta. Scientists use these patterns to learn about manta behavior, where they travel, and how many of them are out there. It’s pretty neat and reminds us why it’s important to keep our oceans safe for these awesome creatures.
Here at Lembongan, we are delighted to have the local research team Marine Mega Fauna Foundation living on the island! This means lots of VIP information we get on a monthly base. The best part every now and then you will meet the research team here with us at Scuba Center Asia as they join us for their research dives!
Where is the best place to stay if I want to dive at Manta Point?
Nusa Lembongan Island offers the most strategic advantage for diving at Manta Point. Nusa Lembongan is a smaller island compared to Nusa Penida – perfect for a stay of a few days to weeks, and just a 20-minute boat ride to access Manta Point ensuring you spend more time underwater than in transit.
Scuba Center Asia is located in the heart of Mushroom Beach, one of the two main areas of Nusa Lembongan. The perfect location to get the fastest to the Manta Point dive site, plus for completing your first (or next) PADI Course. You’ll have access to a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and sunset spots to really enhance your experience. Scooter rental is also available in Mushroom Beach for all your exploration needs.
If you’re ready to book your dive trip or have any further questions about diving at Manta Point, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to fulfilling your Manta dreams and helping you create memories that will last you a lifetime.
Scuba Center Asia Lembongan
