Best places for mantas or whale sharks at their best month
20 trip bases match. Ranked for any diver.
Typical values are 1991–2020 averages and our site seasons.
Live switches on 48 hours before your trip. Add a start date under When.
BestGoodPossibleOff seasonYour month
#1IndonesiaDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far Best month: July
- Strength: Mantas: reliable in July (peak April to October)
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in July
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Rain on about half the days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best July to NovemberWhy this match: 37 + 31 + 19 + 9 = 96
Season37 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in July; calm on almost every day.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in July; Whale sharks: possible in July (best of these).
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather9 / 13
Rain on about half the days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#2IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●●●High confidence: 8 sites, every factor sourced Best month: January
- Strength: Mantas: reliable in January (peak December to March)
- Strength: 8 of 8 sites are in season in January
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best October to AprilWhy this match: 38 + 31 + 19 + 6 = 94
Season38 / 38
8 of 8 sites are in season in January; calm on almost every day.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in January; Whale sharks: possible in January (best of these).
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 8 sites count.
Weather6 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#3MexicoLiveaboard only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far Best month: January
- Strength: Mantas: reliable in January (peak November to May)
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in January
- Strength: Mostly dry: rain on few days
- Trade-off: Rough seas on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Good November to MayWhy this match: 28 + 31 + 19 + 12 = 90
Season28 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in January; calm on about 1 day in 10.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in January; Whale sharks: possible in January (best of these).
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather12 / 13
Rain on few days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#4IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●○○Low confidence: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far Best month: December
- Strength: Mantas: reliable in December (peak December to March)
- Strength: December is in season here
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
- Unknown: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to DecemberWhy this match: 37 + 31 + 19 + 6 = 93
Season37 / 38
The site is in season in December; calm on almost every day.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in December; Whale sharks: possible in December (best of these).
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 1 sites count.
Weather6 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#5PalauDay boat or liveaboard●●●High confidence: 7 sites, every factor sourced Best month: January
- Strength: Mantas: reliable in January (peak December to February)
- Strength: 7 of 7 sites are in season in January
- Strength: Water 28–29°C in January
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to MayWhy this match: 31 + 31 + 19 + 6 = 87
Season31 / 38
7 of 7 sites are in season in January; calm on about 1 day in 3.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in January; Whale sharks: possible in January (best of these).
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 7 sites count.
Weather6 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
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Always check local conditions with your dive centre. Rankings are never paid for. Every month also has its own page: where to dive in November.
