Manta Ray Pass Yasawa – Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Site Overview

Manta Ray Pass off Drawaqa Island in the Yasawa chain is a seasonal manta ray cleaning station that hosts reef manta rays from May to October, providing one of the most reliable and accessible manta ray encounters in the South Pacific. The cleaning station is located in a channel between Drawaqa Island and the surrounding reef, where specific coral bommies serve as designated cleaning areas. Cleaner wrasse and cleaner shrimp establish territories on these coral heads, and manta rays approach in graceful arcs to be serviced. During the peak season from May to October, multiple mantas may be present simultaneously, their wingspans ranging from three to five metres as they perform barrel rolls and loops around the cleaning station. The mantas hover motionless while cleaners remove parasites from their skin, gills, and mouth, providing extraordinary close-up observation opportunities for divers who remain stationary on the adjacent sandy bottom. The surrounding channel supports healthy coral communities with butterflyfish, angelfish, and anthias adding colour and interest between manta visits. Hawksbill turtles and reef sharks are occasionally observed passing through the area. The site has been carefully managed by Yasawa dive operators to minimise disturbance, with strict protocols requiring divers to remain stationary and allow mantas to approach on their own terms. This respectful approach has resulted in mantas becoming increasingly comfortable with diver presence. The shallow depth and calm channel conditions make this one of the most accessible manta ray encounters in the world, suitable for Open Water certified divers. The seasonal nature of the manta visits means that timing is important, with the best encounters from June to August.