Best places for mantas or whale sharks in January
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
#1IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●●●High confidence: 8 sites, every factor sourced - 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
#2MexicoLiveaboard only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - 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
#3PalauDay boat or liveaboard●●●High confidence: 7 sites, every factor sourced - 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
#4MaldivesLiveaboard or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: Mantas: likely in January
- Strength: Whale sharks: likely in January
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in January
- Trade-off: Rain on about half the days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to AprilWhy this match: 35 + 19 + 19 + 9 = 82
Season35 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in January; calm on most days.
Interests19 / 31
Mantas: likely in January; Whale sharks: likely in January (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
#5ThailandLiveaboard or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 4 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: Mantas: likely in January
- Strength: 3 of 4 sites are in season in January
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in January, not reliable; best February to April
JFMAMJJASOND
Best December to AprilWhy this match: 31 + 19 + 18 + 11 = 79
Season31 / 38
3 of 4 sites are in season in January; calm on almost every day.
Interests19 / 31
Mantas: likely in January; Whale sharks: possible in January (best of these).
Your level18 / 19
No level picked, so all 4 sites count.
Weather11 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 5; 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 January.
