Oceanic Manta Ray — see destinations where it is seen
Mobula birostris
Coral Triangle · Indonesia
Raja Ampat
Essentials
- Dive difficulty
- Advanced
- By site: Beginner → Advanced
- Best months
- Dec – Feb
- Access
- Day boat
- Liveaboard recommended · Documented liveaboard itinerary · no confirmed departure
- Experience & eligibility
- Advanced Open Water recommended
- 1 of 2 sites
Wildlife
Documented presence, never a guaranteed sighting.
Reef Manta Ray — see destinations where it is seen
Mobula alfredi
Dive sites
Blue Magic
- Depth : 8–22m
- Level : Advanced
- Dive type : Drift · Pelagic / blue water
- Access : Day boat · Liveaboard recommended
Advanced Open Water recommended — also accepted: SSI Advanced Adventurer, NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver, CMAS 2★
A seamount between Kri and Waigeo in the Dampier Strait, reachable by day boat from either a liveaboard or a land-based resort. Currents run medium to… Read moreShow less
A seamount between Kri and Waigeo in the Dampier Strait, reachable by day boat from either a liveaboard or a land-based resort. Currents run medium to strong and an Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent experience) is advised — a meaningfully harder site than Manta Sandy despite being in the same strait.
Manta Sandy
- Depth : 10–20m
- Level : Beginner
- Dive type : Reef · Muck / macro
- Access : Day boat · Liveaboard recommended
Main wildlife : Oceanic Manta Ray, Reef Manta Ray
A sloping sand bank with a manta cleaning station in the Dampier Strait, reachable by day boat from either a liveaboard or a land-based resort.… Read moreShow less
A sloping sand bank with a manta cleaning station in the Dampier Strait, reachable by day boat from either a liveaboard or a land-based resort. Currents are typically moderate and the site is shallow and sheltered enough that operators routinely bring first-time and Beginner divers here — unlike most of Raja Ampat's current-swept sites.
When to go
Choose a month
Documented best months
Conditions in Dec
Water29–30°C
VisibilityNot documented
CurrentNot documented
In season this month: Oceanic Manta Ray, Reef Manta Ray
Water temperature: NOAA OISST satellite sea-surface normals (2020–2024, typical range for the month). It can be cooler at depth or below a thermocline — check with your operator for exposure protection.
Experience & eligibility
- Recommended
Advanced Open Water
Site concerned (1/2): Blue Magic
also accepted: SSI Advanced Adventurer, NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver, CMAS 2★
A required level is a floor: a more experienced diver always qualifies.
How to dive here
Real dive operators and their published trip options for this destination — DiveFinder does not sell or book these; continue on the operator's own site.
10-Night Raja Ampat Liveaboard
Pindito · Liveaboard operator
Price not published
package price
Liveaboard10 nightsVessel: Pindito
Accommodation · IncludedDiving · IncludedFlights · Not included
Source: DiveFinder research from public listings — not yet verified with the operator
6-Night Dive Resort Package
Papua Explorers Dive Resort · Dive resort
Price not published
package price
Resort package6 nights
Accommodation · IncludedDiving · IncludedFlights · Not includedMandatory park fee · Not included
Source: DiveFinder research from public listings — not yet verified with the operator