Manta Point Kadavu – Kadavu Island and Great Astrolabe Reef

Site Overview

Manta Point Kadavu is a dedicated manta ray cleaning station on the Great Astrolabe Reef where resident reef manta rays gather throughout the year to be serviced by cleaner wrasse and cleaner shrimp. This site offers one of the most reliable manta ray encounters in the South Pacific, with resident mantas visiting the cleaning station daily and peak encounters occurring from May to October when oceanic conditions bring additional visitors. The cleaning station itself is a coral-covered bommie at approximately 10 to 15 metres depth where specific coral heads serve as designated cleaning areas. Cleaner wrasse and cleaner shrimp establish territories on these coral heads, and manta rays approach in graceful arcs, hovering motionless while the cleaners remove parasites from their skin, gills, and mouth. The mantas wingspans range from three to five metres, and their acrobatic displays as they perform barrel rolls and loops around the cleaning station are among the most mesmerising spectacles in the underwater world. Multiple mantas may be present simultaneously, queueing patiently for their turn at the cleaning station while smaller reef fish dart around their bodies. The surrounding reef supports healthy hard coral communities with abundant butterflyfish, angelfish, and anthias that add colour and interest when mantas are between visits. Hawksbill turtles and reef sharks are also occasionally observed passing through the area. The site has been carefully managed by Kadavu dive operators to minimise disturbance to the mantas, with strict protocols requiring divers to remain stationary and allow the mantas to approach on their own terms. This respectful approach has resulted in mantas becoming increasingly comfortable with diver presence, providing extraordinary close encounters.