Scuba diving in Karang Makassar (Manta Point)


The Karang Makassar (also known as Manta Point) dive site offers the opportunity to dive with numerous manta rays. This site doesn't have rich coral growth or spectacular underwater scenery, but still it is one of the most interesting dive sites on the Komodo Archipelago, because the main attraction, manta rays, can be seen everywhere at this site. They go closer to the sea surface to feed and closer to the sea bed to be cleaned, so at any depth and at any time mantas can be seen here. The dives at Karang Makassar are mostly nice drift dives, because the exposed location of this site means that there is always a current here.
When to go
It is possible to dive at Karang Makassar all year round, because the annual water temperature of 25-28C/77-82F provides for comfortable diving conditions at any time. Manta rays are also seen all year round, but more mantas are sighted from December to February.
What to see
Besides manta rays, other marine creatures that can be seen at Karang Makassar are sharks, eagle rays, trevallies, and shoaling small reef fish.