Makassar Reef (Manta Point) - Komodo

Okay, Makassar Reef. Or as we’ve always called it, Manta Point. This site isn't about deep canyons or intricate coral gardens, though there are patches of hard coral and some impressive Gorgonian fans. It’s a shallower, sandy bottom with scattered rubble and bommies, stretching out into the blue. You’ll spend most of your time drifting along, eyes peeled, sometimes just a few metres down, sometimes closer to twenty. What we love about Makassar is its honesty. It's not trying to be anything but a cleaning station and feeding ground for mantas, and it delivers. We’ve had days here where the mantas just kept coming, circling back, gliding overhead, sometimes so close you can hear the faint rush of water over their wings. The sheer scale of them, shadows passing over the sand, is something that never gets old. Look for the little wrasse darting around them, cleaning parasites. Currents can be strong, a proper Komodo conveyor belt, so be ready for a drift. We always suggest going in with a good reef hook – not to hold onto the mantas, obviously, but to keep yourself steady on a patch of dead coral or rock while you wait for the show. Visibility can vary, especially after rain, but even in murkier water, the mantas cut through it like ghosts. It’s not a macro site, though you might spot a Fringe-eye Flathead camouflaged on the sand if you’re patient. But honestly, your gaze will be fixed upwards and outwards. Makassar Reef is for anyone who loves big pelagics and the thrill of a good drift.

Location
Komodo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.533545, 119.590600
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Komodo

Best Time to Dive in Komodo

The warmest water temperatures in Komodo occur in November, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 27.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.2°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 29.7°C
  • May: 29.4°C
  • June: 28.9°C
  • July: 28.1°C
  • August: 27.9°C
  • September: 28.2°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 30.3°C
  • December: 30.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Komodo

Nearest Dive Centres to Makassar Reef (Manta Point)

Marine Life in Komodo

Home to 220 recorded species including 95 reef fish, 92 hard corals, 13 seagrass & algae, 5 sharks & rays, 4 sea cucumbers, 3 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Makassar Reef (Manta Point)

Based on average water temperature of 29.1°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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