Mantas

[scubajunky17]

Hi All,
Where is the best place to see Mantas in August?
I'm guessing Nusa Pendia or Komodo?
How guaranteed are they and what kind of numbers / hit rate can you expect?
Thanks in advance

 

[Cali_diver]

You will see them at both locations... We have seen large groups of them at both places as well.

 

[scubajunky17]

During August?
Is nusa Pendia a nice place to hang out for a week?

 

[Dan]

I’ll be in Nusa Penida on 12 & 28 August 2023.

I won’t hang out there for a week, just for a day before crossing to Komodo and on the last day of the trip (see the map, below).

The nice thing about diving Nusa Penida in August, it’s Mola Mola season too. So, you are, not only going to see Manta, but also Mola Mola. My local DM told me that he has seen Mola Mola in Crystal Bay in the last couple of weeks.

 

[scubajunky17]

So is it a decent place to hang out for a week or so?
Are mantas pretty much guaranteed?
How many would you expect to see typically on a dive?
No guarantees of course.

 

[scubajunky17]

What trip is that?

 

[Dan]

I would stay a week in Padangbai instead of Nusa Penida.

 

[JustinJRL]

I've not stayed in nusa Penida but Lemongan is nice. It's mostly quiet, but there are decent restaurants and other activities. The drift diving around there and also Crystal Bay can be epic with chance for molas and big schools of fish.

Mantas are pretty much guaranteed. Anywhere from 1-2 to 10+.

Downsides; the manta dive site can be crowded.

 

[Cali_diver]

I would choose Komodo over Nusa any day and yes you could spend a week there!

 

[scubajunky17]

I would stay a week in Padangbai instead of Nusa Penida.

Ok thanks