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Manta ray · Season

Which months to see manta rays

Operators stating a season 40Year-round 19Countries 11Sourced 7Published prices 34
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About this list

Manta ray seasons differ by country, and even within one country operators give different months. Maptlantis took the 40 operators that name the manta ray as a target species and state their program season in months, and counted those months as written. The 19 that only say year-round are counted separately. The months most operators name are Mar–Nov. The countries with the most operators are Maldives (May–Nov), Australia (Mar–Oct), Egypt (Mar–Nov) and Indonesia (Sep–Jun). For Japan and Hawaii, the season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator is included with its source and check date. 34 of the 49 operators (69%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The months are the operating periods operators state, not a promise that the animals will appear. No wildlife program can guarantee an encounter, and even within the same month it depends on the sea and migration routes.

Manta ray season by country

The darker a cell, the more of that country's operators name the month as their season. A ringed cell is a month operators single out as the peak. Operators that only say year-round are not counted; their number is shown next to the country. The line under the cells is the season stated by a tourism board, research body or local operator (all twelve cells when year-round); the sources are listed under "Sourced seasons" below.

Manta ray season: operators by country and month
CountryJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Maldives22 operators · year-round 4
Australia6 operators · year-round 2
Egypt5 operators
Indonesia2 operators · year-round 4
Mozambique2 operators · year-round 2
Japan1 operator · year-round 3Source
Comoros1 operator
Mexico1 operator
Hawaiiyear-round 2Source

Sourced manta ray seasons

Seasons stated by tourism boards, research bodies and local operators. Each entry has a source link and a check date, and none is mixed into the operator counts above. An entry with a region name is a source about that region, so it is not used as the whole country's season.

Manta ray season in Japan

Year-round

  1. JanJanuary: in season
  2. FebFebruary: in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season, singled out
  7. JulJuly: in season, singled out
  8. AugAugust: in season, singled out
  9. SepSeptember: in season, singled out
  10. OctOctober: in season, singled out
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

Months the source singles out: Jun–Oct

Manta rays can be seen at Ishigaki Island all year, but most encounters are from June to October.

Source: Ishigaki Island Diving Tours (tour booking site, Ishigaki) · A Guide to Manta Ray Diving & Snorkeling on Ishigaki Island · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Hawaii

Year-round

  1. JanJanuary: in season
  2. FebFebruary: in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season
  7. JulJuly: in season
  8. AugAugust: in season
  9. SepSeptember: in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

The manta rays off Kona are a resident population that does not migrate, so night manta dives and snorkels run all year.

Source: Kona Snorkel Trips (operator, Kona) · Manta Ray Night Dive Kona · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Koror & Malakal, Palau

Dec–Mar

  1. JanJanuary: in season, singled out
  2. FebFebruary: in season, singled out
  3. MarMarch: in season, singled out
  4. AprApril: not in season
  5. MayMay: not in season
  6. JunJune: not in season
  7. JulJuly: not in season
  8. AugAugust: not in season
  9. SepSeptember: not in season
  10. OctOctober: not in season
  11. NovNovember: not in season
  12. DecDecember: in season, singled out

Months the source singles out: Dec–Mar

Fish 'n Fins, a dive center in Palau, says the most manta rays gather at German Channel from December to March, when plankton increases.

Source: Fish 'n Fins (dive center, Palau) · German Channel · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Nusa Penida & Lembongan, Indonesia

Year-round

  1. JanJanuary: in season
  2. FebFebruary: in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season
  7. JulJuly: in season
  8. AugAugust: in season
  9. SepSeptember: in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

Nusa Penida has a resident population of more than 800 reef manta rays, so mantas can be seen at the dive sites on its south coast all year.

Source: Scuba Junkie Penida (dive center, Nusa Penida) · Manta rays & Molas · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Komodo & Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Year-round

  1. JanJanuary: in season, singled out
  2. FebFebruary: in season, singled out
  3. MarMarch: in season, singled out
  4. AprApril: in season, singled out
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season
  7. JulJuly: in season
  8. AugAugust: in season
  9. SepSeptember: in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season, singled out
  12. DecDecember: in season, singled out

Months the source singles out: Nov–Apr

Komodo's reef manta rays can be seen all year. From November to April, when plankton increases, dozens gather at the cleaning stations.

Source: Manta Dive Komodo (dive center, Komodo) · Manta Rays in Komodo: Where & When to See Them · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Nov–May

  1. JanJanuary: in season
  2. FebFebruary: in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: not in season
  7. JulJuly: not in season
  8. AugAugust: not in season
  9. SepSeptember: not in season
  10. OctOctober: not in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

Raja Ampat is one of the rare places where both oceanic and reef manta rays are resident, but a local resort advises aiming for November to May if you are going for the mantas.

Source: Papua Paradise (eco resort, Raja Ampat) · Manta Season in Raja Ampat · checked Sep 14, 2026

Manta ray season in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand

Oct–May

  1. JanJanuary: in season, singled out
  2. FebFebruary: in season, singled out
  3. MarMarch: in season, singled out
  4. AprApril: in season, singled out
  5. MayMay: in season, singled out
  6. JunJune: not in season
  7. JulJuly: not in season
  8. AugAugust: not in season
  9. SepSeptember: not in season
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season, singled out

Months the source singles out: Dec–May

The manta season in the Similan Islands runs from mid-October to mid-May, with the peak from December to May. About 20 resident mantas identified by divers live at Koh Bon.

Source: Khao Lak Explorer (dive center, Khao Lak) · Manta Ray Season Similan · checked Sep 14, 2026

Seasons as operators wrote them

The table above counts the months read from these listings. The original wording sits next to each one so you can check the reading.

  • AquaNautica · The Nautilus MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    공식 안내상 5–11월 · 보호구역 운영·해황·출현별

    May–Nov
  • Aquafanatics @ AVANI+ Fares MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    5–11월 · 일반적 피크 6–10월 · 출현 비보장

    May–Nov
  • Dive Butler Amilla · Home of the Underwater BiosphereMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2026-05-01–2026-12-01 공식 방문 창구 · 출현·조류별

    May–Dec
  • Dive Butler FinolhuMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    시즌 한정 · 공식 페이지상 6–10월 절정 · 격일 운영 가능

    Jun–Oct
  • Dive Oceanus Royal IslandMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    통상 5–11월 · 허가일별

    May–Nov
  • Elements Anantara KihavahMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    6–11월 · 해황·허가·출현별

    Jun–Nov
  • Four Seasons Dive Centre Landaa GiraavaruMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    5월~12월

    May–Dec
  • Island Luxury Underwater Institute MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    5–11월 · 공원 규정·해황·출현별

    May–Nov
  • Voavah Activity CentreMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    Baa 5–11월 · Raa 12–4월 · 출현 비보장

    Year-round
  • Drift Dive & Water Sports Centre · The Standard MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    5–11월 · 일반적 피크 6–10월 · 출현 비보장

    May–Nov
  • Huravalhi ProdiversMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10–4월 중심

    Oct–Apr
  • Komandoo ProdiversMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10–4월 중심

    Oct–Apr
  • Oceanico Maldives Diving · Cocoon MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    통상 5–11월 · 보호구역 운영·해황·출현별

    May–Nov
  • Carpe Diem MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    7–9월 · 남서계절풍·해황·출현별 · 1–4월 · 북동계절풍·출항표·해황별

    Jul–Sep
  • Emperor Maldives LiveaboardsMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    7–10월 · 신월·보름·출항표·출현별 · 4–7월 요청 출항 · 해황·출현별 · 연중 · 출항 캘린더·해황별

    Jul–Oct
  • Maldives Aggressor IIMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 출항 · 만타 5~11월 강세 · 고래상어 4~5월·10~11월 가능성 안내

    Apr–Nov
  • Maldives MasterMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2027년 5–12월 출항 공개

    May–Dec
  • Maldivian Stars · ORTUSMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2026-07-25–08-01, 08-08–08-15, 08-22–08-29, 09-05–09-12, 09-19–09-26 지정 출항 · Hanifaru 개방·해황별

    Jul–Aug
  • Whale & Dolphin CompanyMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2026-11-08~19 · 2027-04-05~22 · 2027-10-21~11-03

    Oct–Nov
  • Dive Oceanus Villa Nautica Paradise IslandMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    6월 말–11월

    Jun–Nov
  • Divers Baros MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2–4월 · 해황·출현별 · 목격 비보장

    Feb–Apr
  • Ocean Dive Centre IthaafushiMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    5–11월

    May–Nov
  • Coral Bay EcotoursAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    만타 연중 · 고래상어 3–7월 · 혹등고래 7–10월

    Mar–Oct
  • Ningaloo Marine InteractionsAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    만타 연중 · 고래상어 3–7월 · 혹등고래 7–10월

    Mar–Oct
  • Kings Ningaloo Reef ToursAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    8–9월

    Aug–Sep
  • Live NingalooAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 3–8월 · Life on Ningaloo 8–10월

    Mar–Oct
  • Three Islands Whale Shark DiveAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 3–10월 · 혹등고래 8–10월 중순

    Mar–Oct
  • Island Life AdventuresAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    4–11월 중심

    Apr–Nov
  • Long IslandEgypt
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3월–11월 권장 · 항로별 확인

    Mar–Nov
  • New LifeEgypt
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3월–11월 권장 · 항로별 확인

    Mar–Nov
  • IconEgypt
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3월–11월 권장 · 항로별 확인

    Mar–Nov
  • Ramadan Safaga 3Egypt
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3월–11월 권장 · 항로별 확인

    Mar–Nov
  • VIP ShrouqEgypt
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3월–11월 권장 · 항로별 확인

    Mar–Nov
  • SEE Activity Center MozambiqueMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 야생동물 비보장 · Ocean Safari·다이빙 연중 · 혹등고래 6–9월(일부 관찰 10월 초까지)

    Jun–Oct
  • Maputo Dive CenterMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10월–3월 · 6월–9월

    Oct–Mar
  • Mohéli Laka LodgeComoros
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    다이빙·리프 스노클 연중 · 혹등고래 7월 중순–10월 말, 최적 가능성 8월 중순–10월 중순

    Jul–Oct
  • Nautilus Liveaboards MexicoMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11월–7월

    Nov–Jul
  • Fari Dive Center DhigurahMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • South Ari DiveMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • South Ari Sanctuary Dive CentreMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 연중 표기 · 만타 시즌성 · 해황·야생 출현별

    Year-round
  • Deep & Breeze · ROBINSON MALDIVESMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황·조류·출현별

    Year-round
  • Ningaloo Coral Bay BoatsAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    만타 연중 · 프리다이빙 일정별

    Year-round
  • Perfect Nature CruisesAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    듀공·돌고래 연중 · 해황 확인

    Year-round
  • Peri-Peri DiversMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 종별 계절성

    Year-round
  • Tofo ScubaMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 야생동물 비보장

    Year-round
  • Big Island DiversHawaii
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황 허용 시 · 연중 · 만타 출현은 야생동물·해황에 따라 달라짐

    Year-round
  • Jack's Diving LockerHawaii
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중

    Year-round
  • Galápagos Below Ocean SchoolEcuador
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 일정제 · 파크 허가·해황별

    Year-round
  • Lagon AventureMayotte
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 동물별 계절·해황에 따라

    Year-round

49 listed operators

How to meet manta rays

Manta rays by country

Other marine life seasons

Frequently asked questions

When is the season for seeing manta rays?

Combining the seasons of 40 operators, most fall in Mar–Nov. The table by country shows how many operators run in each month.

Where is the manta ray season backed by a source?

Japan: year-round (Ishigaki Island Diving Tours (tour booking site, Ishigaki)) and Hawaii: year-round (Kona Snorkel Trips (operator, Kona)). Each entry links to its source with a check date.

Which months are the manta ray peak season?

Among operators that name a peak, a high season or the most animals, it is May–Nov. Few operators say so, so treat it as a guide.

What does a year-round listing mean?

19 operators only say their program runs year-round. That means bookings are taken all year, not that the animals are there all year, so those listings are left out of the monthly count.

If I go in one of these months, will I see manta rays?

That is not guaranteed. The months are when operators say they run programs; actual sightings vary from year to year with sea conditions, water temperature and migration. Ask the operator about recent sightings before you book.