Manta Point (Barren Island) – Dive Site

30m Max

15-35m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Manta Point at Barren Island is the most extraordinary and remote dive site in India offering reliable encounters with reef manta rays at cleaning stations situated on the volcanic reef surrounding India only active volcano in the eastern Andaman Sea. The volcanic reef slope descends from 8 meters along the black sand substrate to a maximum depth of 30 meters across dramatic volcanic rock formations, coral bommies, and cleaning station areas where manta rays congregate to be cleaned by smaller reef fish during their daily visits. Reef manta rays with wingspans of 3 to 5 meters glide gracefully past the cleaning stations during the peak season from November to May creating once-in-a-lifetime diving encounters that rival the best manta destinations in the world. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks patrol the deeper volcanic reef sections while dogtooth tuna and giant trevally hunt along the current-swept perimeter creating adrenaline-charged pelagic encounters on every dive. The volcanic substrate creates a unique underwater landscape of black sand and dark rock formations contrasting with the vibrant coral communities and the graceful movements of the visiting manta rays. The extreme remote location means that diving at Manta Point is typically limited to liveaboard expeditions or dedicated day trips during the calmest weather windows making every visit an exclusive and unforgettable adventure. The combination of reliable manta ray encounters, volcanic geology, and the adventure of diving at India most remote offshore location makes Manta Point at Barren Island the ultimate bucket-list dive site for experienced divers visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Dive Briefing

"A typical dive at Manta Point begins with a timed entry from the liveaboard or dive boat at the shallowest cleaning station area at approximately 8 to 12 meters allowing divers to orient themselves and assess the current strength before beginning the descent along the volcanic reef slope. Once established on the reef divers should position themselves near the cleaning stations and remain stationary to avoid disturbing the manta rays during their visits while observing the graceful animals as they glide past the cleaning fish and hover above the volcanic substrate. The most productive depth zone is between 12 and 25 meters where manta rays visit the cleaning stations and grey reef sharks patrol the deeper volcanic reef sections. Deploy your reef hook on the up-current side of the reef to maintain position and observe the manta ray activity without exhausting your air supply fighting the current. Scan the blue water at regular intervals for approaching manta rays, grey reef sharks, and dogtooth tuna that use the current corridor to travel between the cleaning stations and feeding areas. Monitor depth carefully particularly below 25 meters where nitrogen narcosis can become a factor and always maintain conservative ascent rates given the extreme distance to the Port Blair hyperbaric chamber. Conclude the dive on the shallower volcanic reef sections enjoying the unique black sand and coral formations before completing a generous safety stop at 5 meters deploying your DSMB before the boat collects the group."