North Malé Atoll · Maldives · Reef · Pelagic & blue water
Lankan Manta Point
Mantas on the cleaning stations, May to October
Area photo: Genet (Diskussion) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lankan Manta Point is a signature manta cleaning station on the outer reef in North Malé's south-east. During the southwest monsoon, from May to October, mantas visit the stations — mostly when the current is outgoing — and the dive runs from an average of 15 m to a maximum of 26 m, often in moderate to strong current.
Also known as Manta Point.
Where it is and how deep
4.2799° N, 73.5572° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The cleaning stations are located on the outer reef, and that is where the dive concentrates. Average depth is 15 m with a maximum of 26 m, and the water over the stations can carry a moderate to strong current — part of what brings the mantas in season. The rays visit in the southwest monsoon, from May to October, and mainly when the current is running out of the atoll; outside those months the reef itself carries the dive.
Dive The World notes that this corner of the atoll has plenty of reasons to recommend it quite apart from the rays that give the site its name, so the dive is not a write-off outside manta season. Visibility is rated good at 10 to 30 m. Reaching the site takes a boat ride — one operator quotes about 90 minutes by dhoni heading in the direction of Malé.
Marine life and season
- Manta rays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows North Malé Atoll: The dry northeast monsoon (Dec-May) is the calm season; currents from November bring pelagics to the channels. Late May to July is the weak window - most liveaboards relocate elsewhere.
Know before you go
- The current over the outer reef runs moderate to strong; stay low and behind cover near the stations and drift off with the group when the dive ends.
Questions divers ask
When is manta season at Lankan Manta Point?+
From May to October, during the southwest monsoon — and sightings favour an outgoing current. Outside those months the outer reef still makes a worthwhile dive in its own right.
Sources
- Lankan Manta Point — Scubago
- Lankan Manta Point — wannadive.net
- Diving sites Maldives North Male Atoll — Dive The World
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