This dive site, Manta Bommie, is situated off the southern end of Lady Musgrave Island and is celebrated as a premier Manta Ray cleaning station. The dive is typically a drift, allowing divers to glide along with the current while observing the spectacle. A prominent coral bommie forms the heart of the site, rising from a base of 18-20 meters to its tip at 14-16 meters, providing the perfect structure for the cleaning station. There is no significant historical narrative associated with the site beyond its natural ecological function.
The waters surrounding Manta Bommie are teeming with a diverse array of marine life. The undisputed stars are the magnificent Manta Rays that regularly visit the cleaning station. Divers can also frequently encounter large Grouper, graceful Green Sea Turtles, and various Reef sharks. The vibrant coral bommie supports an ecosystem rich with smaller reef inhabitants, including colourful Wrasse, Coral Trout, and a multitude of damsel and anemone fish, all thriving within healthy coral formations.
The best time to visit Manta Bommie for optimal Manta Ray encounters often falls within the warmer months, roughly from October to May, when these majestic creatures are more abundant. Divers should be prepared for a drift dive experience, which adds an exciting dynamic to the exploration. It is an ideal location for wide-angle photography, especially with the frequent appearances of large pelagics. Both freedivers and snorkelers will find the relatively shallow average depth and the likelihood of observing manta rays at shallower levels to be incredibly rewarding, though access requires a boat trip.
