Did you know that Nusa Penida is one of the best spots in the world to see the majestic Manta Rays? And not only whilst diving, but also snorkelling? There are not too many places around like this, so Manta Point in Nusa Penida is quite unique.
Manta Point lays on the south coast of Nusa Penida and is one of the prime dive sites in Indonesia and most certainly one of the best to see and spot Manta Rays worldwide. There are actually a few dive and snorkel spots around the south coast of Nusa Penida, primarily the long stretched Manta Bay where Manta Rays can also be seen all year round but the most famous one is certainly Manta Point.
In a 6 year long study (January 2012-April 2018) 624 individual Manta rays were identified from over 5913 sightings in Nusa Penida, (Source mantamatcher.org) One can only imagine the real number when no cameras or divers were around, but most certainly the number will be much higher than 624.
While most people simply say they want to go to see the Mantas did you know that there are actually different species of Manta Rays? The one primarily seen in Nusa Penida is actually a species called Manta Alfredi and has just been described in 2009, so just over 10 years ago. They are also called Reef Mantas and are not to be confused with their bigger cousins the Manta Birostris or Giant Mantas that can reach wingspans of about 7 m and even bigger individuals have been reported.
This does not mean the Manta Alfredis from Nusa Penida are small, as the bigger ones we see on a regular basis also have an impressive width of 3 to 4 meters. Along the south coast of Nusa Penida you can also regularly see some small individuals as well, with just over a meter in wing span, which suggests that this area is also a breeding ground for Manta Rays and needs to be protected by all means. Mantas seen in Nusa Penida are generally not shy and sometimes come incredibly close to the divers. The best is to simply hover and watch these giants feed or getting cleaned by cleaner wrasse on one of the various cleaning stations.
Divers should not approach them, simply let it be the Mantas decision if they want to come near you, as they do many times. Don’t enter the cleaning stations and keep a distance and on a good day you can enjoy several Mantas circling the cleaning station for a full 60 minutes, all dive long 😊 On good days there are seemingly countless Mantas of all sizes around and to spot 20 or more on a single dive is not uncommon. So why don’t you come and check it out for yourself?