Komodo National Park Dive Sites
KARANG MAKASSAR/MANTA POINT Central Komodo | Glide with giants — Komodo’s best-known manta highway.
8.6136°S, 119.5120°E
Overview:
Karang Makassar, often called Manta Point, is one of the most iconic dive sites in Komodo National Park. This long, shallow reef plateau is famous for one thing above all: manta rays. Located between Komodo and Tatawa, it’s a natural cleaning and feeding station where these graceful giants can be seen year-round — sometimes in numbers, sometimes alone, but always unforgettable.
While it’s not known for coral, the broad channel is rich in plankton and current flow, which draws in mantas, eagle rays, turtles, and more. A relatively easy dive in terms of depth, it can still offer powerful drifts — and huge reward.
Fast Facts
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Dive Type: Drift / Sandy Channel
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Experience Level: Beginner – Advanced
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Depth Range: 8–18m
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Best Time to Dive: Year-round (best sightings Dec–March)
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Key Features: Long shallow plateau, cleaning stations, steady current
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Marine Life Highlights: Manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, marble rays, sweetlips, snappers
Tips for Divers
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Stay low, still, and horizontal to avoid startling mantas — let them come to you.
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Drift slowly with the current and keep an eye on bommies — many act as cleaning stations.
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Great site for snorkelers as well as divers, with shallow, clear water when the tide is right.
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Visibility can vary with plankton blooms — mantas still show up!
About Lotus Liveaboards
Lotus Liveaboards offers immersive, small-group dive expeditions in the heart of Komodo National Park, operating out of Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia. As the liveaboard division of Azul Komodo — the first PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center (IDC) in Komodo and a certified Green Fins member — we specialize in high-quality, eco-conscious diving experiences aboard our handcrafted wooden vessels.
From our flagship Blue Lotus Phinisi to the beloved day boat Biru Asmara, our fleet blends traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with modern dive functionality and comfort. Every journey is guided by experienced crew and PADI professionals who are passionate about marine life, conservation, and creating unforgettable underwater adventures.
Whether you’re here to complete your next certification, encounter Komodo’s famous manta rays, or simply relax between dives with fresh, chef-prepared meals, Lotus Liveaboards delivers personalized service and five-star experiences — both above and below the surface.
