Manta Point Komodo
Karang Makassar
Komodo's most iconic manta ray encounter — a shallow rubble plateau where reef mantas gather to feed and be cleaned. Open to divers and snorkelers alike.
⚡ Manta Point at a Glance
- Also known as
- Karang Makassar
- Zone
- Central Komodo
- Depth
- 5m – 16m
- Dive type
- Drift dive (mild–moderate)
- Level
- Open Water+ (current briefing)
- Snorkeling
- Yes — when conditions allow
- Best time
- ⭐ Nov–Jun (Central peak)
- Year-round
- ✓ Resident manta population
About Manta Point (Karang Makassar)
Manta Point — officially Karang Makassar — is a long, shallow rubble plateau scattered with coral bommies in the Central zone of Komodo National Park. When the current picks up, mantas ride the flow in a near-continuous procession, hovering above the cleaning stations where small cleaner fish remove parasites from their skin and gills. It is one of the most reliably manta-productive sites in Southeast Asia.
The site's shallow profile (starting at just 5 metres) makes it exceptional for photographers looking for silhouette shots with the surface light — and for snorkelers, who can observe feeding mantas from directly above.
What you'll see
The resident population of Mobula alfredi (Reef Manta Ray) is the headline act — individual mantas with wingspans of 3 to 5 metres circling slowly over the coral heads. Beyond mantas, the reef holds sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays passing in the blue water column, and dense schools of giant trevally shadowing the plateau edges. In the rubble and sand patches, cuttlefish and stonefish reward photographers who slow down.
Currents and conditions
Manta Point is a drift dive — the current does most of the work. Flow is typically mild to moderate, making it one of Komodo's more forgiving drift dives for Open Water certified divers. Our guides monitor tidal charts daily and brief every diver on entry timing, hand signals and the pick-up procedure before getting in. On stronger-current days, the site is still diveable from a different entry angle. Snorkeling is approved when surface conditions are calm.
⏱️ Your Day Trip — What to Expect
Here's how a typical day looks when Manta Point is on the itinerary. We depart early to be first in the water before the site gets busy.
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06:00 — Breakfast at the resort
A full breakfast is served at Dragon Dive Komodo before departure. Dive briefing materials and the day's site plan are shared over coffee.
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07:00 — Departure from Labuan Bajo
Board the dive boat at the harbour. Safety briefing on board, equipment check, and a 45-minute transit through the park towards Central Komodo.
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09:00 — First dive
Into the water at the first site. On Manta Point days this is typically Karang Makassar or a nearby warm-up site, conditions depending.
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10:30 — Snack & debrief
Surface interval on the boat. Review the dive, share photos, and receive the briefing for dive two while snacking on tropical fruit and local bites.
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11:00 — Second dive
The second site is chosen to complement the first — often Mawan cleaning station or a coral garden nearby, depending on current and visibility.
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12:30 — Fresh lunch on board
A full Indonesian lunch is served on deck. Nasi goreng, grilled fish, fresh salad — fuel up before the final dive while enjoying the national park views.
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13:00 — Third dive
The final dive of the day — often a reef or macro site chosen based on what the team wants to see. The guides take requests here if conditions allow.
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16:30 — Return to resort
Back at Dragon Dive Komodo by late afternoon. Log your dives at the dive centre, rinse gear at the tank station, and relax poolside with a cold drink.
🗓️ How to Dive Manta Point
Manta Point is included on our daily 3-dive day trips from Labuan Bajo. For Manta Alley in South Komodo — the bigger, more remote aggregation site — you need the Shenron liveaboard.
Daily dive trip
3 dives, Central Komodo. Manta Point included when conditions allow. Departs 07:00 daily from Labuan Bajo. Lunch on board. All equipment included.
Shenron Liveaboard
Access Manta Alley South (Nov–Mar) + Manta Point in the same trip. Max 8 divers, Nitrox free, 4 private cabins. 3 to 8-day itineraries.
⚠️ 2026 quota: Komodo National Park entry is capped at 1,000 visitors/day. Peak manta season dates book fast — park fees are included in all Dragon Dive Komodo packages.
📸 Manta Point Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Manta Point has resident reef mantas year-round. The strongest window for Central Komodo is November to June. November is the sweet spot — both this site and Manta Alley in South Komodo are simultaneously active, the park is quiet, and water is warm (27–29°C). July and August still produce sightings but manta density is lower at Manta Point.
Yes — Manta Point is one of the most beginner-friendly manta sites in Komodo. At 5–16m with mild to moderate current, it is accessible to Open Water certified divers when conditions allow. Our guides do a thorough current briefing before entry and adapt the dive plan to conditions each morning.
Yes. When surface conditions are calm, manta rays feed near the surface and cleaning stations are visible from above. Snorkeling at Manta Point is approved as part of our day trips when the guide deems conditions safe. A life vest is provided and you stay with your guide at all times.
Manta Point (Karang Makassar) is in Central Komodo — accessible by day trip year-round, best November to June. Shallow, suitable for all levels. Manta Alley is in South Komodo — remote, accessible only by liveaboard, peak season November to March with the largest aggregations of the year. For both in a single trip, the Shenron liveaboard covers both zones.
Approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Labuan Bajo harbour. Dragon Dive Komodo departs daily at 07:00. The site is in Central Komodo National Park — park fees are included in all our packages from 2026.
