MV Blue Manta dive boat review
MV Blue Manta is the largest, most sumptuous vessel of the famous White Manta fleet. White Manta Fleet operate through Asia in most of the most desirable scuba destinations.
The Forgotten Islands, Komodo and Raja Ampat are legendary in the scuba diving community as offering some of the best diving on the planet. The Forgotten Islands, also sometimes known as Maluku Tenggara, are an isolated group of islands running from Timor to West Papua. Then there is Komodo, home to the famous Komodo Dragon, and Raja Ampat – which translates as ‘Four Kings’. This archipelago of approximately 1,500 islands in the West Papua province of Indonesia offers breathtaking natural beauty and unspoiled coral reefs. These three destinations offer arguable the best, more diverse aquatic life on the planet. Experts say some 1,200 fish species, 600 coral species and close to 700 mollusc species make their home there. You might expect to see octopus, moray eels of all varieties, cuttlefish, turtles, jackfish, dolphin…sharks, rays. The marine life also includes invertebrates such as sea fans, sponges, soft corals, feather stars and an abundance of colourful, exquisite nudibranchs. Raja Ampat is a diver’s dream. If you’re a photographer one of the toughest decisions will be where to point your camera. The diving can be demanding; sometimes there are strong currents. It’s recommended divers have the necessary training, skills, experience and confidence before visiting.
Launched into service as a bespoke diving vessel in 2014, Blue Manta is an impressive sight cutting through the waves. At 45m in length and 9m in beam her obvious competitor in size terms – although a very different style – is Euphoria. Blue Manta has two huge 826hp motors which allow this monstrous boat to cruise at 10 knots under the guidance of her professional Captain and crew. She has the complete range of safety and emergency equipment to cover every eventuality. 3 dinghies, radar, GPS, radio, life vests, first aid, fire alarms and a crew trained in first aid to deal with immediate medical issues are just some of the features. Constructed of thick steel, she has a stability and strength exceeding some of her wooden-hulled competitors.
You can check the availability and prices for this Boat here.
Cabins and Boat Layout
The Blue Manta is generally home to a maximum of 18-22 guests across her cabins.
The cabins are all of approximately 20m2 in area. There is the choice of twin single occupancy or double depending on your circumstance. There are 6 cabins on the upper deck with a window, 4 cabins on the main deck with a window and 4 below deck cabins with a porthole. Each cabin is tastefully decorated, spacious and offers ensuite bathroom facilities. Air-conditioning is standard, allowing you to benefit from a relaxed night’s sleep away from the tropical heat.
Outside the sleeping quarters Blue Manta is spacious and inviting for divers and non-divers alike. If you’re an underwater photographer, this is one of the ultimate vessels to find yourself on; Blue Manta has individual rinse tanks, a wide outdoor work table, an indoor dry camera room and blow-dry stations. You’ll have plenty of space to prepare your equipment or review your results both pre and post dive.
The dining is a delicious combination of local and western styles including freshly baked breads. There are up to 5 meals each day and you’re guaranteed to never be left wanting food. There are both indoor and outdoor dining and relaxing areas and a large sundeck.
Indoors you may choose to relax in the salon area on soft sofas in air-conditioning luxury and make us of the TV/DVD entertainment system. Or have a massage. Or, take advantage of the wi-fi onboard to stay connected and boast to your friends and colleagues about your wonderful holiday!
Diving onboard Blue Manta
Dive groups are small with 4 divers to one guide generally the maximum, ensuring a more personal service. 3 dive tenders or ‘chase boats’ accompany the main vessel and coordinate for diver pick-ups and drops. All diving is conducted from the diving tenders. This allows you the optimum drop point for each dive.
There is a EANX Nitrox system onboard. Nitrox is highly recommended for repetitive diving. If you’re bringing your own regulators from Europe, DIN adaptors are available on request.
Itineraries
There are a choice of different itineraries; Forgotten Islands, Banda Sea, Misool, Raja Ampat or Komodo – depending on season. Choose your voyage carefully. Voyages range from 8-12 days.
Expect to pay around EUR2,873 for a 9 day trip. This equates to EUR319/day, making her marginally more expensive than some in the region. However, the facilities are superb. Please note that this does not include some extras such as port/marine park fees, equipment rental, alcoholic drinks and crew tips. Please contact us for further details.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
Komodo Island
Diving in Komodo Islands is all about action! It is BIG fishes land! With wonderful coral, it is just incredible diving all year round.
Raja Ampat
Richest Reef in the World, Amazing Biodiversity, Wonderful Coral, perfect place for underwater photography.
Tulamben
One of the best Wreck Dives in the World!!! And the most easy for sure, 30m from the Shore and starts at 4m deep! Fantastic Marine life and great Coral!
Pemutaran, Lovina
No current, Good visibility, unusual Marine Life and one of the BEST Diving sites around Bali for Muck Diving: Puri Jati (P.J.).
Padang Bai
Night Diving, Underwater Macro Photography, Resident Whitetip Reef Sharks, Huge green Turtles, and crystal clear water! Also a great Snorkelling spot!
Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan
One of the best spots in the world to see the rare Mola Mola and the graceful Manta Rays! Big fishes and action with lots of sharks. Very good Visibility and stunning Coral.
Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is famous worldwide for Wall diving with small caverns to explore. The reef and Coral are also great. A very nice wooden wreck from the 19th century: Anker Wreck.
Candidasa
It is all about action! Big pelagic fishes, hunting action in the current, and many Sharks! Regular seeing of Hammerhead Sharks and Mola Mola!
Bali
Diving in Bali is simply amazing as you will see both an incredible array of marine life and plenty of wrecks. Indeed, Bali's underwater world will expose you to meet interesting critters, fishes of all sizes and mantas rays among others! Plus, scuba diving in Bali means being all in for stunning underwater visibility and great opportunities for drift diving. !
Amed
Magnificent coral, no current, relaxed and easy diving, possibilities for night diving, good place for underwater macro photography, and a great snorkelling spot.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Bali & Komodo Island & Raja Ampat, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip .
Hi there,
Nice to meet you!
I would like to check on the vacancy and quotation of your diving package from 9.26-10.3 (diving day from 9.27-10.2; 6days), could you kindly advise the following :
Adult x2, AOW divers(over 50dives), flying in Bali on 9.26, flying out on 10.3, bring our own diving equipments, One bedroom required
1) Is your diving package (9.26-10.3) including accommodation ? If so, what are the options and prices?
2) which diving spots will be covered?
3) what additional costs might be charged?
Looking forward to your reply!
Thanks!:)
Best regards,
Stella Chiu
I recently witnessed both the Blue Manta and the White Manta on different dive sites in Raja Ampat (Mike’s Point, Cape Kri, Arborek, etc.). These boats are diving factories, dropping a very large amount of divers out of overloaded inflatables on a single dive site, without any consideration for the site topography, the tides and the currents. As a result, some divers might have a pleasant dive, but most won’t. Current diving requires a good knowledge of the site and a proper entry is essential. I also witnessed unacceptable diver behaviour (i.e. female diver with gloves lying flat on a table coral in order to take a picture. Please note that gloves are not permitted in the national park section of Raja Ampat) showing tgat management and guides are not in control of their divers. Absolutely avoid.
I had the pleasure of doing a week long live aboard post Covid with this ship and its amazing crew and owner. Being an American our expectations are high for service and amenities and this boat did not disappoint. The staff are amazing (they handle all your gear from the time you board until the end), the food was amazing and had variety, and the diving was phenomenal. After diving with another boat in Bali I can tell you do not book with any other operator, these guys are the BEST and love what they do. The ship is also WAY better in person than photos!