Manta point Komodo

Manta Point in Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia's most thrilling drift dives — a series of cleaning stations and feeding aggregation sites spread across a shallow sandy plateau off the southern coast of Komodo Island, where dozens of reef manta rays gather daily to feed on plankton-rich upwellings and be cleaned by resident wrasses. It is one of the few places in the world where divers can reliably observe mantas feeding in formation, cartwheeling, and chain-feeding in groups of ten or more. The site is a drift dive along a 200-meter sandy plateau at 8-18 meters, studded with coral bommies that serve as cleaning stations. Divers enter the current and drift through the feeding grounds, positioning themselves at a respectful distance while the mantas barrel-roll through the plankton. The strong, variable currents of Komodo concentrate plankton in upwellings, triggering the famous feeding frenzies — a spectacle where a dozen mantas may perform coordinated feeding patterns inches from each other. Beyond the mantas, the site is extraordinary. Komodo's position in the Indonesian Throughflow between the Pacific and Indian oceans delivers nutrient-rich waters that support exceptional biodiversity. Dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, and schools of barracuda patrol the plateau edges. Reef sharks — blacktip and whitetip — appear regularly, and the plateau supports a healthy population of reef fish, turtles, and macro life including nudibranchs, pipefish, and octopus. Currents at Manta Point can be strong and unpredictable, making this an Advanced Open Water drift dive. The site is accessible by day boat from Labuan Bajo (2 hours) or as part of a Komodo liveaboard itinerary. Water temperatures 24-28°C. Peak manta season runs December through March, when southwest monsoon upwellings are strongest, though mantas are seen year-round.