Video: Manta Rays in Komodo, Indonesia

I have dived with manta rays in many places like Similan Islands and Racha Noi (Raya Noi) in Thailand and also in Tubbataha Reef in Philippines. Anyway the most memorable dives were in Komodo. There we saw many mantas even on the surface.

This photo I took in Komodo just when snorkeling with mantas between the dives.

Here is a video from the same place. There is possible to see also many mantas together.

Another manta video from Komodo.

Great memories from Komodo!

Regards,
Mika

Remote beaches and diving places - Rent a motorcycle

Southeast Asia is a paradise for people who loves beaches, snorkeling and of course scuba diving. There are anyway many nice places, where is not so easy to go. Also inside the area moving can be difficult or just have to take always some kind of taxi. For that problem motorcycle or scooter is a perfect solution. Just find the motorcycle rent company and check the bikes. After you have found the good one, check especially that tires and breaks are ok. 

If you have plan to ride longer trip, check and confirm there are also enough oil and other liquids. Check the bike has needed papers and confirm you have the phone number for the owner. After that you are ready to go. 

Palawan in Philippines has lots of beautiful remote beaches and it´s also good place for scuba diving. Beach in Port Barton. 

Puerto Princesa area is good place for scuba diving. Whitetip reef shark in small cave. 

There is possible to go snorkeling with whale sharks in Puerto Princesa. The season is usually from end of April to October.

Bohol area in Philippines is also great for motorcycling. Beautiful white sand Alone Beach.

There is possible to see rare tarsiers in Bohol.

Balicasag Island near Alona Beach is great place for scuba diving. There is possible to see lots of big sea turtles.

Phuket in Thailand is also very good place, where you can combine motorcycling and diving. The island is quite large, so motorcycle/scooter is very usefully way to go from place to another. Phuket has also many beautiful beaches around the island.

There are many diving destinations in Phuket area like Racha Yai, Racha Noi, Koh Phi Phi and Shark Point. Here is Leopard Shark in Shark Point.

Indonesia has also many interesting place to explore. One of those is Labuan Bajo in Komodo, where you can find twisty mountain roads for motorcycling and beautiful views. 

Komodo is also amazing diving destination. Huge schools of fishes, lots of shark and big rays. Also manta rays. 

Komodo dragons are of course also one must see in Komodo. 

Using motorcycle/scooter it´s so much easier to reach many places. As a bonus you will see so much more on the trip even the scuba diving is the main focus. 

Regards,
Mika

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Batu Bolong and Manta Point, Komodo

Third diving day at Komodo area. First one was Batu Bolong and second Manta Point again.

Dive #: 199
Date: 16.3.2011
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Batu Bolong
Depth: 26,8m Average depth: 14,9m
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +28C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: long 3mm Weight: 6Kg

Dive Center: Dive Komodo
Price: 30€/dive

Here is very rich marine life like seems to be everywhere in Komodo area. Scorpionfish.
Whitetip in the bottom. I went very cafefully closer, closer, closer and finally I was next to "her". I have never seen before whitetips have "holes" in the skin.
Napoleon.
In the end of the dive there was lot of anthies.
We saw there also turtle, fusiliers, moray eels, giant trevallies, nudibranch, etc. etc.
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Dive #: 200
Date: 16.3.2011
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Manta Point
Depth: 15,2m Average depth: 10,3m
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +29C

Equipment
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air) Wetsuit: long 3mm Weight: 6Kg

If Manta Point was amazing on the first time it was also on this time. Manta Point is very near of Batu Bolong. After first dive we came immidiately to Manta Point area. What we saw there was something out of this world. About ten mantas swimming in the surface in the line in the same time. In one place there was a very tight group of four mantas swimming like in the diamond formation. There was still about 30min before next dive so everybody went snorkeling. This photo I took when snorkeling.
Breafing for the dive.
First 20min was quite boring and we just drifting with the strong current. Then the funny part started again.
This manta was totally black. Stealth.
Two mantas together.
I'm near manta and just taking photo. Big thanks to Petri Kolmonen about this photo!
Great dive again! There are several Manta Points in the world, but this one is The Real Thing!!! Last dive was my 200th dive.

Regards,
Mika

Amazing Manta Point, Komodo

Today I had a first dives here in Komodo, Indonesia. First one was Manta Point and second Siaba Kecil.

Dive #: 195
Place: Indonesia, Komodo, Manta Point
Visibility: 15-20m
Sea Temperature: +28C

Equipment 
Bottle: 12L/200bar (air)
Wetsuit: long 3mm
Weight: 6Kg

Dive Center: Dive Komodo

Price: 30€

I heard amazing stories about Manta Point before I came here. Diving at Manta Point was even better than the stories. On the dive we saw more than 10 mantas. Ones we saw three mantas on the same time together. There it comes...

Closer.

Up.

On the same dive we saw also few turtle.

I really recommend Manta Point. One of the best dive ever. We saw there even before the dive few mantas just on the surface. It was good start for the dive.

Regards,
Mika