reef

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Mawan Komodo

Mawan Komodo. Just the name makes us smile. This site is everything we look for in Komodo: a shallow, vibrant reef that always delivers, whether you're looking for big pelagics or tiny, weird critters. The maximum depth of 16 metres means plenty of bottom time, and the usually clear water, around 16 metres of visibility, lets you take it all in. We love Mawan for its sheer consistency. It’s one of our favourite spots to see reef manta rays, often hanging out at the cleaning stations. We've watched them for ages here, circling and swooping with an almost balletic grace. It's not just the mantas, though. We often spot white tip reef sharks cruising by, and if you have a keen eye, the sand patches hide bamboo sharks. The corals themselves are beautiful, with expansive fields of staghorn and brain coral, alongside more delicate fluorescence grass coral. Keep an eye out for cuttlefish trying to blend in, and the smaller stuff like nudibranchs and orang-utan crabs hidden amongst the branches. Mawan is a site that suits everyone, from snorkelers enjoying the shallow reef to divers keen on long, relaxed dives. It’s perfect for photographers too, offering both wide-angle opportunities with the mantas and macro possibilities with the smaller, often rare, critters. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light is usually best then and the mantas are often more active. Just be prepared for other boats – it’s a popular spot for good reason.