Location: Bali, Indonesia
Recommended by Catherine of Nomadicated
How do I know it’s ethical?
As a year-round manta ray cleaning station, the chances of spotting these majestic creatures are high but as wild animals, never guaranteed. Only divers are allowed at this location and are instructed not to chase or attempt to touch the manta rays. The Indonesian government has also limited the time limit of dives to 45 minutes so that the area will not be overcrowded.
As curious creatures, manta rays often come close to divers or fly overhead as they enjoy the air bubble exhalations tickling their undersides.
Description of the Experience
Bali may be known for its jungle waterfalls, towering volcanoes, and picturesque beaches, but many don’t take the time to explore its underwater wonders. Just off the coast of Bali, an array of diving and snorkeling opportunities await adventurers in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida islands. Two locations, Manta Point and Manta Bay, offer some of the world’s highest chances of encountering manta rays.
People love diving at Manta Point because they have an excellent chance of seeing manta rays and other types of sea creatures. As a dive-only experience with a one-hour plus boat ride from shore, Manta Point enjoys fewer crowds to a site with a higher concentration of manta rays. As a cleaning station, visitors can often see these elegant creatures tail one another in a manta train or see cleaning fish attached to their white bellies.
Manta Bay is a stop on the Nusa island’s popular snorkeling tour, next to another well-known destination, Crystal Bay. As a popular tour, expect many other visitors to be searching for mantas in the same area as your boat.
Manta rays are typically only found 10 meters below the surface, so you won’t be at a disadvantage if you’re snorkeling. However, divers will have a much better view of them. As a beginner dive site, beginner divers only need your open water certification or can sign up for a discovery scuba session.
Because of its function as a feeding and cleaning station, Bali enjoys year-round potential to spot mantas. The water temperature does drop significantly in the dry season, from June to September. Be prepared for extremely cold waters, with temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius.
Company/ Cost:
Many dive shops are set up along Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan that take you to dive at Manta Point. A single dive starts at $40 USD, but most people opt to go on two dives in a day. Snacks, drinks, certified dive master, and rental equipment are included in the price.
Snorkeling tours are offered in every tourist agency and hotel, with prices starting from $15 for a 3-hour morning tour to four locations around the island.
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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.
Learn More About Ethical Animal Tourism
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