Manta Point Nusa Penida: The Complete Dive Guide (With Map Dive Guide (With Map & Conservation Tips)

Photo by Benjamin Khachaturian, @benkhach Instagram, April 2025 Manta Point

What Is Manta Point in Nusa Penida?

Manta Point is one of the most iconic dive sites in Bali, Indonesia. Known for its resident population of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi), dramatic limestone cliffs, and long sweeping cleaning stations, it’s a must-dive location for both beginners and professionals. Situated off the southern coast of Nusa Penida, this exposed site combines the thrill of manta encounters with surprisingly accessible depths of 12–17 meters.

For divers planning a trip, conditions at Manta Point can be unpredictable—ranging from serene and glassy to powerful surge and rolling swell. But for many, this is one of those rare sites where the journey is worth every moment underwater.This guide gives you a diver-focused breakdown of the site, what to expect, seasonal patterns, conservation notes, and a detailed walk-through of the custom dive map I created to help you navigate the terrain safely and responsibly.

Why Manta Point Is So Special

A reliable manta cleaning station

Manta Point is unique because it hosts a natural cleaning station, where mantas glide slowly over coral bommies while cleaner fish remove parasites. Divers often see the same behavior at popular manta sites worldwide, but Manta Point stands out for accessibility, year-round manta activity, and its shallow profile.

The geological setting

The limestone cliff rises sharply above the water, creating dramatic topography below the surface. The site features:

Large shallow sand plains (12–17m)
Rocky coral outcrops
Multiple table corals and brain corals
A deeper slope descending to 25–30m

Biodiversity beyond mantas

While mantas steal the spotlight, the site also hosts:

Blue-spotted stingrays
Napoleon wrasse
White-tip reef sharks (occasional)
Sea turtles
Macro life on the rocky substrate
Seasonal mola sightings (rare but possible)

Your Guide to My Manta Point Dive Map (2025 Edition)

To help divers navigate Manta Point more confidently, I created a detailed custom map based on real kick-cycle measurements, depth readings, and the most consistent coral landmarks.

How to Use the Map

The map is intended for orientation and briefing, not precise underwater navigation. It highlights patterns seen consistently during dives—rock formations, coral heads, depth contours, and the main cleaning station used by mantas.

Key Features on the Map

Numerous Mantas circling the Cleaning Station, April 2025

1. The Cleaning Station (Top 9m, Bottom 12m)

This is the heart of the dive and one of the most predictable manta aggregation points. The large coral bommie sits in 12m of water, surrounded by several smaller coral structures.

Expect:

Slow-moving mantas
Cleaner wrasse activity
Occasional swirling groups during plankton-rich days

I marked the topography so divers know where to position themselves without disturbing the mantas. Always stay low, stationary, and never swim upward toward a manta.

2. Rocky Coral Substrate Field (13–15m)

Southwest of the cleaning station lies a region with:

Sideways table coral
Lime-green table coral cluster
Gold brain coral

This field often becomes a gather-and-wait area used by guides when the cleaning station is crowded. It’s also a good macro photography zone.

3. The Sand Field (14–17m)

Between rock formations lies a rolling sand plain where swell becomes more noticeable. The map outlines depth contour lines to show the gentle slope.

Divers often transition through this area while searching for mantas circling in the blue.

4. The Overhang Rock (Landmark)

Easy to identify because of its shape, this formation marks the boundary between the central dive site and the sandy plateau extending eastward.

5. Entry/Exit Routes

The map shows two common descent patterns used by guides depending on surface conditions and current direction.

Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RCBlirUFj7xt-A0IjEH45gcdg9qSi6cQ/view?usp=sharing

Myself (Benjamin Khachaturian) with a Manta at 18m depth and about 30m due North of the Top Hat coral on the Manta Point map.

How Difficult Is the Dive at Manta Point?

Skill Level: Open Water+ (with good comfort in swell)

While technically shallow, Manta Point often has:

Cold water (18–23°C thermoclines)
Significant surge
Occasional down-currents near the cliff wall
Moderate surface chop

A 3mm–5mm wetsuit is recommended year-round. 7mm is even better.

Best Time of Year to Dive Manta Point

While mantas are seen year-round, conditions vary:

Dry Season (April–October)

More swell
Rougher surface conditions
Often better visibility
High manta activity

Wet Season (November–March)

Milder ocean surface
Warmer water
Slightly reduced visibility
Still excellent manta encounters

Conservation Notes: How Divers Can Protect Manta Point

Nusa Penida is a marine protected area, but pressures remain high due to tourism. Mantas are vulnerable to disturbance, pollution, and habitat degradation.

Follow These Rules at Manta Point:

Never touch, chase, or block mantas.
Maintain a low profile—kneeling or hovering horizontally at 1–2m above the bottom.
Avoid kicking the reef or creating clouds of sand near the cleaning station.
Use only reef-safe sunscreen—or none at all.
Limit bubbles near the cleaning station top.

Why It Matters:

Cleaning stations are delicate behavioral zones. Even mild harassment can cause mantas to abandon the bommie temporarily, disrupting feeding and parasite removal.

Your map helps by giving divers a clear sense of where to station themselves without interfering.

Tips for First-Time Visitors to Manta Point

1. Choose the right dive operator

Look for shops that limit group size and emphasize manta etiquette. Avoid operations that crowd the cleaning station.

2. Time your dive early

Morning dives (7–9am) tend to be less crowded and often calmer.

3. Bring a hood or thicker suit

The thermoclines can be somewhat shocking even for experienced divers. The water temps vary pretty widely throughout the year at Manta Point.

4. Use proper weighting

Neutral buoyancy is absolutely essential in surge zones. Surge is pretty common here at Manta Point.

5. Respect the wildlife

This isn’t just a dive site; it’s a living ecosystem that’s under tremendous pressure. Never touch, chase, or otherwise harass the Mantas. And, no flash photography.

Why Manta Point Still Feels Like Magic

Local Dive Instructor at Blue Corner Dive Penida, Cut Malinda, admires a rare all-black “Ninja” Melanistic Manta Ray commonly seen at Manta Point. Photo taken March 2025.

Even with increased tourism, Manta Point continues to be one of those mystical sites where wildlife still moves on its own terms. When a manta circles overhead, the site becomes quiet… divers hover… everyone simply watches.

And, this is a place where you can enjoy sightings of the rare Melanistic “Ninja” Manta Rays as pictured above. Local dive pros say these Melanistic Manta Rays frequent Manta Point.

The goal of sharing this guide and the dive map is to help visiting divers experience the same magic while minimizing their impact. Thoughtful, informed diving can help keep this site healthy for generations.

Final Thoughts

Manta Point in Nusa Penida remains one of Indonesia’s best manta dive experiences thanks to its unique topography, accessible cleaning stations, and rich marine life. By understanding the geography, respecting the site’s ecology, and diving with intention, we can protect this extraordinary place.

If you’re planning a Bali dive trip, download the map, study the layout, and approach each dive with conservation in mind. And if you capture photos or manta ID shots, consider submitting them to citizen science platforms—your contribution matters.

I was lucky to participate in a brief Manta Ray scientific survey that can be viewed here: dive log

ForTheCoral.com exists to help divers protect the places we love.
Stay curious. Stay gentle. Dive with purpose.