Best places for mantas in December
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 December (peak December to March)
- Strength: 8 of 8 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best October to AprilWhy this match: 37 + 31 + 19 + 6 = 93
Season37 / 38
8 of 8 sites are in season in December; calm on almost every day.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in December.
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 December (peak November to May)
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Water 25–26°C in December
- Trade-off: Rough seas on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Good November to MayWhy this match: 27 + 31 + 19 + 12 = 89
Season27 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in December; calm on about 1 day in 10.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather12 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 10; 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 December (peak December to February)
- Strength: 7 of 7 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Water 28–29°C in December
- Trade-off: Storm risk: a named storm passed within 250 km in 13% of Decembers
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to MayWhy this match: 32 + 31 + 19 + 5 = 87
Season32 / 38
7 of 7 sites are in season in December; calm on about half the days.
Interests31 / 31
Mantas: reliable in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 7 sites count.
Weather5 / 13
Rain on almost every day; named storm nearby in 13% of years.
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 - 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.
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
#5MaldivesLiveaboard or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: Mantas: likely in December
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Calm seas on most days
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to AprilWhy this match: 36 + 19 + 19 + 7 = 81
Season36 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in December; calm on most days.
Interests19 / 31
Mantas: likely in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather7 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
Book your trip
Partner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Partners never change the ranking.
Always check local conditions with your dive centre. Rankings are never paid for. Every month also has its own page: where to dive in December.