The Gili Islands are famous for the two species of sea turtles that abound in these waters. Other remarkable species are sighted in our waters, including the famous Manta Ray or the Bamboo shark.
West of Gili Trawangan, there is also a nice wreck dive.
Video of Manta rays in Gili islands:
Manta sighting frequency in north of Lombok
The northwest of Lombok and the Gili Islands seem to be a passageway for Manta rays. Usually the magnificent ray swim pass these areas, however, if you are lucky, the ray would sometimes swim a few circles teasing the divers before heading off.
That is why it is possible to see them but each time is a very pleasant surprise.
Which dive sites around the Gili – Lombok ?
In 8 years of diving around Gili Islands, I saw Manta ray while diving in 4 dive sites:
- Shark point, once (about 30 meters deep)
- Sunset point, 3-4 times (between 0 and 18 meters)
- Meno slope, 3-4 times also shallow.
- Sire reef (near the dive center in Pantai Sire, Lombok) 1 time, snorkeling
Manta sighting are reported at other dive sites like Air wall, Bounty Wreck and Turtle city…
Manta Point dive site in Gili Trawangan
Located on the South of Gili Trawangan, the dive site has 2 different names:
- Sunset point
- Manta point
Since 2013, my arrival in the Gili Islands, I have only seen Manta 3-4 times in this dive site, including once during snorkeling, a very lucky discover scuba diving and during fun dives.
Given the rarity of Manta Ray, the name Sunset Point is much more suitable. Indeed, the sunset view is very enchanting.
Manta rays are rare, but their look a like family Mobulas are more common and smaller in size. It is more likely to see Mobulas at Sunset Point compared to Manta Ray.
And sometimes, Mobulas are in a school of thirty individuals.
It is possible to see Mobulas all year and especially from October to December.
