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Manta Bowl

Manta Bowl is exactly what it sounds like, a big, often current-swept spot where we go looking for pelagics. It’s off the southeastern edge of the main Malapascua reef, and while a lot of people head out hoping for mantas, we've had plenty of solid dives even when they don’t show. You’ll anchor up, drop down, and find yourself on a gently sloping coral reef that tops out around 20 metres. The main event here are the cleaning stations, where we’ll tuck in, sometimes holding onto a reef hook, and just wait. While you’re waiting, orbicular batfish usually cruise by, and we’ve seen schools of Indian scad so thick they almost block the sun. If you’re lucky, an oceanic manta ray will glide in for a clean, a truly impressive sight. Even without mantas, there are often eagle rays doing fly-bys, and the occasional reef shark. Currents can be strong, so it’s best for divers comfortable with a bit of a drift and keeping an eye on their buddies.