Manta Point dive site is located off the south coast of Nusa Penida Island. As the name implies, the site features an opportunity to encounter numerous manta rays. Even a single manta ray species is a fascinating sight, but in this particular area divers can closely watch seven of eight of them at a time. The reason why this site features such a large concentration of mantas is that the surrounding waters are full of plankton that attracts mantas to this site all year round. The manta's cleaning station, which is a large rock that located only 5m/16ft below the surface, is the main focus for most dives. Besides the mantas, other great pelagics can regularly be seen at Manta Point, and among them are numerous stingrays and sharks. Sometimes, not only the currents, but also the swell can make this site difficult to be accessed even by a powerful boat. However, when the conditions are favorable, divers enjoy not only the dive, but also the boat ride to Manta Point as they go along a spectacular coastline with beautiful limestone cliffs that descend straight into the ocean.
When To Go Diving
The annual water temperature in this area ranges from the minimum of 18C/64F to the maximum of 27C/80F, making it possible to dive this site all year long with the use of 5mm wetsuit during the winter time.
What to see
Regular encounters with numerous manta rays make this site popular with experienced divers. Other pelagic species that can regularly be seen in this area include stingrays, bamboo sharks and big tuna.