Good location in Indonesia for Manta rays, Whale sharks, and mola mola?

[44556j]

Hello,

I am trying to find a place in Indonesia that has all three of these animals: manta rays, whale sharks, and mola mola (ocean sunfish). I know you can find both reef and oceanic mantas in Raja Ampat, Whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, and Mola mola in Crystal Bay in Bali. I also heard that Triton Bay is a good area to observe whale sharks. I read that sometimes you can observe both species for example in Triton Bay or Raja Ampat but it is very rare, I am looking for a place where they are more common together (I know of the Maldives but I am not going to that country).

I need someone who has dove in all three of these locations in Indonesia to tell me if you observed both manta rays and whale sharks and if it is possible to encounter both species in what area along with mola mola (or if mola are only common in Crystal Bay).

Thanks

 

[matts1w]

I swear this is true. The Gili Islands. I have seen all three of these diving there.

Whale shark on Deep Turbo off Gili Trawangan. I have the pics to prove it.
Manta once buzzed by on Sunset Reef also off Gili Trawangan.
Mola Mola on the surface on Simon's Reef off Gili Meno. It was weird.

Based on this and all the turtles, the Gili Islands are easily the best diving in Indonesia.

 

[Indah]

I swear this is true. The Gili Islands. I have seen all three of these diving there.

Whale shark on Deep Turbo off Gili Trawangan. I have the pics to prove it.
Manta once buzzed by on Sunset Reef also off Gili Trawangan.
Mola Mola on the surface on Simon's Reef off Gili Meno. It was weird.

Based on this and all the turtles, the Gili Islands are easily the best diving in Indonesia.

okay, based on this once in a lifetime story, I am confident to say: Lembeh Strait...

 

[Dan]

Hello,

I am trying to find a place in Indonesia that has all three of these animals: manta rays, whale sharks, and mola mola (ocean sunfish). I know you can find both reef and oceanic mantas in Raja Ampat, Whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, and Mola mola in Crystal Bay in Bali. I also heard that Triton Bay is a good area to observe whale sharks. I read that sometimes you can observe both species for example in Triton Bay or Raja Ampat but it is very rare, I am looking for a place where they are more common together (I know of the Maldives but I am not going to that country).

I need someone who has dove in all three of these locations in Indonesia to tell me if you observed both manta rays and whale sharks and if it is possible to encounter both species in what area along with mola mola (or if mola are only common in Crystal Bay).

Thanks

Just to add to your list (and I can support my statement with videos in my YouTube channel: Dan Tirto).

Whale Sharks:
- Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
- Tali Sayang, Maratua

I saw them in Cendrawasih Bay in 2017 and plan to see them in Triton Bay next year.

Outside of Indonesia I saw plenty of them in Mexico (Socorro, Holbox, Lapaz, Isla Mujeres), Costa Rica (Cocos), Colombia (Malpelo), Ecuador (Galapagos), Maldives.

Mantas:
Manta Point, Nusa Penida
Manta Alley. Komodo
Makasar Reef, Komodo

I saw them also in Raja Ampat. I have been there about 10 times.

Outside of Indonesia I saw plenty of them in Mexico (Socorro, Holbox), Costa Rica (Cocos), Maldives.

For Mola Mola, I only saw them in Nusa Penida (Crystal Bay, Blue Corner, SD, Manta Bay).

I have never been lucky enough to see Mola Mola in Alor (I was there in 2012, 2019 & 2023).

Out side of Indonesia, I only saw them in Punta Vincente Roca, Galapagos.

I have seen Mola Mola & Manta in Nusa Penida, but not at the same time & same dive.

The only time I saw Manta & Whaleshark at the same time was in Lankan Beyru, Maldives. Check out my video, below at 3:00-3;05 period.

 

[HappyNoots]

I swear this is true. The Gili Islands. I have seen all three of these diving there.

Whale shark on Deep Turbo off Gili Trawangan. I have the pics to prove it.
Manta once buzzed by on Sunset Reef also off Gili Trawangan.
Mola Mola on the surface on Simon's Reef off Gili Meno. It was weird.

Based on this and all the turtles, the Gili Islands are easily the best diving in Indonesia.

sounds like a great opportunity to go pick up AWOD and a superb diving holiday experience.
I'm heading over on Jan'25. Any idea how the visibility may be like? I worry due to monsoon...

 

[matts1w]

sounds like a great opportunity to go pick up AWOD and a superb diving holiday experience.
I'm heading over on Jan'25. Any idea how the visibility may be like? I worry due to monsoon...

What is AWOD?

Just so all is clear, I was being tongue and cheek- the Gili Islands, despite my very, very, very rare encounters, are not the best diving in Indonesia. That being said, I love Gili Air.

Visibility is usually decent all year round... unless it isn't. We don't really have a monsoon season like other parts of Asia, but January is absolutely rainy season. It will often rain over Lombok while the three Gilis stay dry, but not always.

 

[HappyNoots]

What is AWOD?

Just so all is clear, I was being tongue and cheek- the Gili Islands, despite my very, very, very rare encounters, are not the best diving in Indonesia. That being said, I love Gili Air.

Visibility is usually decent all year round... unless it isn't. We don't really have a monsoon season like other parts of Asia, but January is absolutely rainy season. It will often rain over Lombok while the three Gilis stay dry, but not always.

Ah That was a Typo. I meant Advance Open Water Diver Certification (AOWD).

Unless it's really heavy, (and I hope not), I don't think it should affect much.

Other than getting certified to go deeper, where would you recommend diving in Indonesia during early Jan to see those amazing creatures?

 

[Centrals]

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