![]() There are also several cleaning stations at bommies along the reef, where divers can watch as the manta rays use the services of small cleaner wrasse and other fish that remove parasites and debris from their skin.So even if you’re on a quest to spot one of these majestic ocean-going beasts of the deep, come with a Plan B and try to seat your expectations low, because when it comes to spotting a Manta, there are never any guarantees-unless you’re rocking a pair of Manta Ray Fins !īut take heart, because there are some spots that you can go (post-Covid) that are likely to deliver a Manta sighting. Non-divers can swim and snorkel amongst the rays as they go about their business. Here, a series of sand channels funnel the prevailing currents and concentrate any plankton in the water, creating perfect feeding conditions for the manta rays that simply cruise along at the surface, hoovering up their food. However, scuba divers have a very good chance of encountering these incredible animals at several sites along Sangalaki’s north and northeastern reef. Sangalaki’s manta rays are thought to be resident year-round, although they will come and go according to their own schedule and sightings are never guaranteed. However, for many people it is diving with the manta rays of Sangalaki that is the highlight of a trip. The diving around the islands of the Derawan Archipelago has something for everyone - from ‘muck’ and critters around Derawan and stingless jellyfish at Kakaban, to schooling fish, sharks and beautiful reefs around Maratua. The reef here is not the prettiest, but when the tide is running, all eyes are on the groups of manta rays that congregate here.īest for: Diving with groups of manta rays at Manta Alley in the south and Karang Makassar in the north - Komodo’s most reliable manta dive sites.īest time to visit: October to December for the south, March to October for the north. The north can be dived year-round as the sites are sheltered from rough seas that can impact the south, whilst the south is best dived when the cold water and calm seas create perfect condition.īest place to stay: Book a trip aboard Wunderpus for a bespoke adventure far from the crowds, with a maximum of just eight guests on board. For those that still need their manta ray fix, Karang Makassar close to Batu Bulong and Tatawa is well known for congregations of manta rays that gather along the reef when the conditions and tides are perfect. The north of the park is dominated by warm, clear water and the marine life and habitats are typical of reefs throughout Indonesia. ![]() Great for: Snorkelling and swimming with manta rays and even whale sharks in large groups, as they feed on a plankton ‘soup’.īest time to visit: For the best chances to swim with a manta ray feeding congregation, we recommend visiting from late July to early October.īest place to stay: Join one of the Manta Expeditions citizen-science expeditions and assist with vital research on manta rays, or stay at one of the many great resorts that ZuBlu partner with in Baa Atoll. ![]() Visitors must purchase tokens prior to their visit with all proceeds going towards the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund and the future of the incredible manta ray congregations of Hanifaru. Scuba diving with manta rays is no longer permitted in the bay - you can only snorkel with the manta rays and whale sharks - and to keep any disturbance to a minimum, strict guidelines for visitors have been put in place. Hanifaru Bay was declared a Marine Protected Area in 2009, then incorporated into the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2011. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |