Boulari Plateau Manta - Prony Bay

Boulari Plateau Manta in Prony Bay is exactly what it sounds like, a manta ray magnet. We're talking proper reef mantas, not just a passing glimpse. This plateau, sitting at a comfortable 13 metres, acts as a cleaning station, so you settle in and watch the show. We’ve had dives here where we barely moved, just observing these gentle giants glide in, hover over the coral heads, and get serviced by the smaller fish. The current can be stiff, sometimes really ripping, so it’s a drift dive for sure. You’ll be swept along the edge of the plateau, eyes peeled, then you hit the sweet spot. When the mantas are here, they're the main event. But don’t forget to look around. Schools of blue and gold fusiliers are everywhere, and we’ve seen some hefty grey reef sharks patrolling the deeper edges. Keep an eye out for orbicular batfish too, they often hang around the reef crest. Our pick for timing is definitely early morning, before any boat traffic picks up. The water generally holds 19 metres of visibility, a clear, warm blue that just feels like New Caledonia. This site is for divers who appreciate a reliable big animal encounter and don't mind a bit of a current. It's a drift that delivers.

Location
Prony Bay, New Caledonia, Australasia
Coordinates
-22.494900, 166.441100
Type
drift

Marine Protected Area: Réserve de la passe Amédée

Best Time to Dive in Prony Bay

The warmest water temperatures in Prony Bay occur in February, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 22.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.0°C
  • February: 27.4°C
  • March: 27.4°C
  • April: 26.5°C
  • May: 24.6°C
  • June: 23.4°C
  • July: 22.5°C
  • August: 22.0°C
  • September: 22.6°C
  • October: 23.6°C
  • November: 25.0°C
  • December: 26.5°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Prony Bay

Nearest Dive Centres to Boulari Plateau Manta

Marine Life in Prony Bay

Home to 84 recorded species including 62 reef fish, 7 sea cucumbers, 4 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Boulari Plateau Manta

Based on average water temperature of 24.9°C, currents 6 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories