Black Rock

A single exposed limestone rock in open water, sloping to reef and sand. Strong current including down-currents is normal, and it is a long overnight steam from anywhere. Mantas were recorded cleaning on 31% of encounters, with up to 28 individuals identified in one day — but blank dives are equally normal, and gillnet fishing continues nearby.

Depth

5–40m

Current

Strong

Diver level

Advanced open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

  • Limestone islet roughly 160km northwest of Kawthaung; the region's oceanic manta site, with cleaning stations on the reef
  • Over 95% of the area's logged manta encounters happen here — 276 encounters and 216 photo-identified individuals since 2011
  • Ranong guitarfish have been found resting in groups on sand at 25–30m in December and January of positive Indian Ocean Dipole years

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.

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