Manta Point

Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesiareef20 m maxbeginner

Conditions & tides

Channel site — tidal current funnels through here and can run fast, changing quickly with the tide. It is usually strongest around mid-tide and eases near the slack windows below. Dive with a local operator who knows the timing.

Manta PointNusa Tenggara Timur

Good · 5/5

conditions visualisation

Good5/5

Calm and diveable right now — best window today 8 AM–6 PM.

Wind3 kn SE

Current~0.2 kn WNW · model

Swell

0.2 m · 8s · SW

Water

30 °C

Max depth

20 m

Conditions through the day

7 AM7 PM

Calmest current near slack — 17:30 & 06:30 local

Sunrise 05:31 · Sunset 17:59 local

Show details

Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.0 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Strong-current reef: plan a drift and enter near the slack windows above. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Manta Point, also known as Karang Makassar, is a dive site in Komodo National Park situated between Komodo Island and Tatawa Besar, and is one of the most well-known spots in the park specifically for encounters with manta rays.

The site is shallow, ranging from 5 m to 15 m, with a sandy bottom and coral bommies that serve as cleaning stations where mantas hover while cleaner wrasses remove parasites from their skin. The terrain lends itself to a long, relaxed drift dive with generally mild to moderate current, though it can run strong at times. Because the site stays shallow throughout, divers enjoy generous bottom time.

Manta rays are the centrepiece, and sightings are considered close to guaranteed during the peak season of December through April, when groups ranging from single animals to dozens can be seen feeding and being cleaned. Mantas can also appear outside this window year-round. Blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and eagle rays are also regularly spotted at the site. Good buoyancy control over the sandy bottom is important, as kicking up sediment disturbs both visibility and the mantas; staying low and calm gives the best chance of close encounters.

Read the full guide

Manta Point is suited to Open Water and Advanced divers alike, and its gentle drift and shallow depth make it accessible to beginners. The verified difficulty rating is beginner level, with light current and great visibility noted as typical conditions.

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