Scuba Diving with Manta Rays in komodo National park

Scuba Diving with Manta Rays in Komodo National Park.

Have you ever been snorkelling or scuba diving with Manta Rays?  If so, you would remember the experience for sure.  Many people say that being in the water with Manta Rays if one of the best experiences they have ever had while in the ocean. 

Komodo National Park is well known for spotting Manta Rays while snorkelling or diving.  They are some of the most graceful creatures in the world and if you are lucky, you will find them gliding elegantly around you why you are in the ocean.  Reef Mantas average a width of about 5 meters and can measure up to 7 meters wide.  This can be intimidating for some people, but have no fear, Manta Rays are harmless.  They are usually extremely curious and love to swim around scuba divers and snorkelers.  

What is a Manta Ray?
Manta Rays are closely related to stingrays and are the largest rays in the world.  There are two types of Manta Rays, which are called Reef Mantas and Giant Mantas.  In Komodo National Park, you will find Reef Mantas.  They have a large wingspan, a diamond shaped body, extremely wide mouths, and laterally placed eyes.  In a recent study, they identified 1,085 different reef manta rays in Komodo National park, so there is a very good chance you will see them while in the National park.  

Are Manta Rays Dangerous?
Not at all. They can not harm divers in water and are actually very curious creatures.  They have no poisonous sting and are not aggressive at all.  They can very big, so yes, they can be intimidating for some people at first, but soon you will see why they are amazing creature to witness in the ocean.  Mantas actually have the largest brains of all fish in the world, which helps with communicating, problem solving, and learning.   Each one has different patterns on their underside which can be used to identify them and also study them as well.  Some people even call their under markings, their finger prints, because each one is unique in its own way. 

Why come to Komodo to swim or dive with Manta Rays?
Considering that Komodo National Park is a UNESCO heritage site and the Indonesian government put a ban on exporting and fishing of Manta Rays, if is a great place to spot them in the wild.  This makes the area the largest sanctuary for manta rays and can be seen quite often, especially during rainy season.  
 
Is there a Manta Ray season in Komodo?
Fortunately the area has an abundance of food, so you can see Manta Rays all year around in the National park.  You can see them all year around, but it is more common to see them in much higher numbers during the rainy season, which is between about Dec - Feb.  

What are the best dive site in Komodo to see Mantas?
The most popular spots to see Mantas are Makassar Reef, (which is well known as Manta Point) Manta Alley, as well as an island called Mawan Island.  The mantas enjoy these areas because there is usually a light current where they can feed on zooplankton.  They also tend to stay in these areas because there are cleaning stations that help to remove parasites. 


The area of Komodo National Park consist of 29 islands.  The largest and most popular of these islands is Komodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island. In 1986 UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site because of the Komodo Dragons, which are on Komodo and Rinca Islands, and as well as the diverse marine life in the park.  In 2012, Komodo National Park was also selected as one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the world.  There are many beautiful places in the world to visit, scuba dive, and snorkel, but rest assured Komodo is famous for a reason.  If you visit this area, you are guaranteed to see amazing natural wonders of the underwater world.  If you are interested in Scuba diving Komodo or a Komodo Island Tour package, please contact Maika Komodo Tour.

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