A Labuan Bajo manta ray diving trip is booked by picking one of three formats — a day trip to Manta Point (Karang Makassar) in the north, a day trip or overnight run to Manta Alley in the south, or a multi-day liveaboard that strings both sites into one Komodo circuit. Because current strength, boat availability and manta activity shift with the season, the fastest way to lock in real dates and a real price is to message your preferred window on WhatsApp so an operator can check the schedule first. Below is what each trip type includes, how booking works, and an indicative price range for planning.
What Does a Labuan Bajo Manta Ray Diving Trip Include?
Both of Komodo National Park’s signature manta sites are sold as bookable trips rather than a single fixed itinerary, so the right pick depends on how many days you have and whether you want one site or both.
- Manta Point (Karang Makassar) day trip. A speedboat departs Labuan Bajo harbour for a north-Komodo circuit, usually pairing the manta cleaning station with one or two nearby sites across 2-3 dives, returning the same evening. This is the fastest way to dive with mantas on a short visit — see the full site profile on our Manta Point dive guide.
- Manta Alley trip. Manta Alley sits further south, near Rinca, and is generally sold as a longer day trip with an earlier departure, or as a stop on a multi-day liveaboard route, since transit time from Labuan Bajo is greater than to Manta Point. Read our dedicated Manta Alley diving guide for site profile and depth details.
- Liveaboard manta combo. A 3-4 day (or longer) liveaboard is the most efficient way to dive both Manta Point and Manta Alley on one trip, since the boat covers the north-south transit overnight instead of eating into your dive day. This format also opens up other well-known sites along the way.
Typical inclusions are dive guide and boat crew, tank and weight rental, drinking water and lunch (or full board on liveaboard), plus coordination of the Komodo National Park entrance and conservation fees that apply on every dive day. Full BCD/regulator/wetsuit rental, Nitrox and camera rental are usually available as add-ons — confirm what is bundled versus optional when you inquire, since this varies by boat and operator. If you are not yet certified, a manta trip can be combined with an Open Water or Advanced PADI course, so certification and the dive happen back-to-back on the same visit.
When Is the Best Time to Book a Manta Ray Trip?
Manta sightings at Karang Makassar are reported fairly consistently across the year because it functions as a cleaning station, but current strength, visibility and which of the two manta sites is easiest to reach both shift with Komodo’s north-south seasonal pattern. Rather than repeat that breakdown here, see our season-specific guide — Komodo manta season — for month-by-month detail, and tell us your travel dates on WhatsApp so we can match them to the site and boat that make sense that week.
How Do You Book a Manta Ray Diving Trip in Labuan Bajo?
Booking is a short back-and-forth rather than an instant checkout, since boat slots, certification level and group size all affect which trip fits:
- Step 1 — Send your dates and diver count. Message WhatsApp +62 811-3823-875 (or email bd@juaraholding.com) with your travel window, number of divers, and whether you are certified.
- Step 2 — Get a trip match. Based on availability that week, you will be offered a Manta Point day trip, a Manta Alley day trip, or a liveaboard slot that covers both — with boat type, dive count and an all-in price.
- Step 3 — Confirm and pay a deposit. Once you choose a trip, a deposit secures the boat slot; balance is typically settled locally or before departure, as agreed at booking.
- Step 4 — Dive day logistics. You will get a pickup time and harbour point (day trips) or a boarding time and location (liveaboard), plus a gear checklist so nothing is missing on the morning of the trip.
Day-trip slots for Manta Point can sometimes be confirmed within a day or two of departure if boats have space, while Manta Alley day trips and liveaboard combo itineraries fill further ahead, especially in peak months — booking a few weeks out gives more flexibility on boat type and cabin.
How Much Does a Manta Ray Diving Trip Cost?
Prices below are indicative only, for planning purposes as of 2026. Final quotes depend on boat type (shared speedboat vs private charter vs liveaboard cabin category), group size, season, and current Komodo National Park entrance and conservation fees, which are set by the park authority and can change — your operator will confirm the exact figure at the time of booking.
| Trip type | Typical duration | Indicative price per diver* |
|---|---|---|
| Manta Point day trip (shared speedboat) | 1 day, 2-3 dives | Approx. USD 85-150 |
| Manta Point private charter | 1 day, 2-3 dives | Approx. USD 200-400+ (charter split across group) |
| Manta Alley day trip | 1 long day, 2-3 dives | Approx. USD 120-200 |
| Liveaboard manta combo (Manta Point + Manta Alley) | 3-4+ days | Approx. USD 450-900+ depending on cabin and length |
*Indicative ranges only, not a fixed quote; park fees, rental gear, Nitrox and single-supplement charges are typically extra unless stated otherwise. To compare the day-trip versus liveaboard trade-off in more depth, see day trip vs liveaboard for Komodo diving.
Can beginners join a manta ray diving trip in Labuan Bajo?
Yes, provided you hold at least an Open Water certification, since Manta Point and Manta Alley both involve current and open-water conditions. Divers who are not yet certified can complete a course first and then join a manta trip once certified, sometimes on the same visit.
Is it better to see Manta Point or Manta Alley first?
There is no single correct order — it depends on your itinerary length and which sites are running well that week. A short visit usually favours the closer Manta Point day trip, while a longer stay or liveaboard lets you dive both without picking one over the other.
Do I need my own dive gear?
No, full rental gear (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask and fins) is generally available through the boat operator; bringing your own mask or dive computer is common among regular divers but not required.
How far in advance should I book a manta trip?
A Manta Point day trip can sometimes be arranged with just a day or two of notice if boats have space, but Manta Alley trips and liveaboard combo itineraries are worth booking a few weeks ahead, particularly around peak travel months, to get the boat and cabin you want.
Part of Juara Holding Group — operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015 — the Komodo Luxury team can match your dates to a Manta Point day trip, a Manta Alley trip, or a liveaboard that covers both. Send your travel dates, diver count and certification level on WhatsApp +62 811-3823-875 or email bd@juaraholding.com, and we’ll come back with the boat options and price for that week.