Manta Bay

A shallow bay used as a manta feeding ground rather than a cleaning station. Easier and calmer than Manta Point, but the same rays and the same boats, plus snorkellers directly overhead.

Depth

3–12m

Current

Mild

Diver level

Open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

Surface-feeding reef mantas — foraging in 79% of sightings, with immature males dominating
Sheltered on the west coast, so it runs when Manta Point is closed by swell
Shared with heavy snorkel-boat traffic; the shallow depth puts everyone in the same few metres

Sources & last checked

Checked August 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

Contrasting Habitat Use and Population Dynamics of Reef Manta Rays Within the Nusa Penida MPA — Frontiers in Marine Science

Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.