Reef manta ray diving: where and when
Largely resident / semi-resident (home ranges tens to ~150 km). 13 known encounter sites across 8 countries: USA (Hawaii), Maldives, Indonesia, Australia, Micronesia (Yap) and Palau and others. Best single site: Kona, Big Island (Manta Night Dive), USA (Hawaii) — very high reliability, peak year-round. No certification is required at the easiest sites — some are snorkel or freedive only.
- Sites
- 13
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable
- Min. certification
- No certification
- Typical depth
- Surface–25 m
8 countries
Every known reef manta ray site
Very high reliability
Kona, Big Island (Manta Night Dive)
USA (Hawaii)
Peak Year-round · 8-12 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll
Maldives
Peak Jun-Nov · Surface
No certification needed
High reliability
Ari Atoll manta points (Dhigurah, Rangali)
Maldives
Peak Year-round · 5-20 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Komodo NP: Karang Makassar & Manta Alley
Indonesia
Peak Year-round · 5-20 m
Needs: Advanced
High reliability
Raja Ampat (Dampier Strait): Manta Sandy, Arborek jetty
Indonesia
Peak Oct-Apr · 3-18 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Nusa Penida & Lembongan (Manta Point / Bay), Bali
Indonesia
Peak Apr-Nov · 3-20 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Ningaloo Reef (Coral Bay / Exmouth)
Australia
Peak Apr-Nov · Surface-20 m
No certification needed
High reliability
Lady Elliot Island, Southern GBR
Australia
Peak Jun-Oct · 5-20 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Manta Ridge & Mill Channel, Yap
Micronesia (Yap)
Peak Dec-Apr · 8-25 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
German Channel & Blue Corner
Palau
Peak Nov-Apr · 5-25 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Yasawa Islands (Manta Ray Island)
Fiji
Peak May-Oct · Surface-15 m
No certification needed
High reliability
Ishigaki (Manta Scramble), Okinawa
Japan
Peak Jul-Oct · 5-20 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Raja Ampat (Dampier Strait): Manta Ridge
Indonesia
Peak Oct-Apr · 5-25 m
Needs: Advanced
Other ray encounters
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