Manta Sandy
A manta ray cleaning station in the Dampier Strait where divers wait on the sandy bottom as giant manta rays glide overhead.
Manta Sandy lies in the Dampier Strait between Arborek Island and Mansuar Island. It is a cleaning station on a bottom of coral rubble and sand. Manta rays swim here so cleaner fish can pick parasites off their bodies, so they often circle right above the divers' heads. The dive site is about 5 to 18 metres deep and not difficult, so an Open Water certificate is enough to dive. To protect the mantas, a row of stones has been placed as an observation line. Divers must stay behind the line and may not approach or touch the rays. Non-divers can snorkel at the surface to watch, and when the season and tides are right, the chances of seeing mantas are high. Dives are booked through dive operators on Arborek, Kri and other islands. Timing depends heavily on currents, so follow your dive guide's instructions.
Opening hours
Daytime (dive times set by tides)
Nearby sights
- Arborek Village
- Sawinggrai Village Birds-of-Paradise
- Mansuar Island & Sauwandarek Jetty
- Cape Kri
- Pasir Timbul Sandbar
- Kabui Bay
- Blue Magic
- Friwen Wall