Explore Barefoot Manta Island
Barefoot Manta Island, also known as Drawaqa Island, offers a unique diving experience that captivates enthusiasts with its vibrant marine life and diverse dive environments. Located in the southern Yasawa Islands, the island is renowned for its manta rays, which gather in the channels off Manta-Ray Beach. Divers have the extraordinary opportunity to swim alongside these graceful creatures, an experience enhanced by the island's dedicated manta ray research facility. Here, marine biologists and conservationists study the behavior and population dynamics of these majestic animals, offering divers a chance to learn and contribute to conservation efforts. The island's diving experiences extend beyond manta rays, with the surrounding waters offering a rich tapestry of coral reefs, walls, and wrecks.
Dive sites like the Glory and Navigator wrecks invite exploration, each telling its own story beneath the waves. The reefs around Barefoot Manta are home to a plethora of marine species, from colorful schools of fish to the occasional sighting of a turtle or reef shark. Whether diving from shore or taking a boat to explore distant sites, divers can expect clear waters and abundant sea life, making every dive an unforgettable adventure. Seasonal changes bring subtle variations to the diving experience, with manta rays seen most frequently during the feeding season from May to October. The island’s commitment to eco-friendly practices ensures that the natural beauty remains pristine, making Barefoot Manta not only a paradise for divers but also a sustainable destination that respects and preserves its unique underwater environment.
Dive Activity
Diving in Barefoot Manta Island
Barefoot Manta Island is a diver's paradise offering diverse underwater experiences. Among the top dive sites is "The Maze," renowned for its intricate coral formations and vibrant marine life including manta rays and reef sharks. Another highlight is the "Cabbage Patch," famous for its expansive coral gardens that house a variety of colorful fish.
For those interested in wreck dives, the "Manta Bommie" provides a thrilling underwater adventure with its sunken treasures. Shore dives are equally captivating, offering easy access to rich marine habitats directly from the island's beaches. Night dives reveal the island's nocturnal wonders, where divers can witness the mesmerizing dance of bioluminescent organisms. Dive travelers can enjoy the flexibility of both shore and liveaboard diving options, making it a versatile destination for all levels of divers.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Barefoot Manta Island
Barefoot Manta Island, nestled in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, offers a vibrant array of marine life that enchants divers year-round. The coral reefs surrounding the island teem with colorful reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These species are commonly encountered on any dive, providing a kaleidoscope of colors as they dart among the corals. Seasonal highlights include the majestic manta rays, often seen between May and October. During this period, mantas frequently glide through the channels, especially around the cleaning stations where they gather to be groomed by cleaner fish. Sharks, such as the reef and blacktip varieties, are also spotted year-round, although sightings can increase during the cooler months. Additionally, green and hawksbill turtles are regular visitors, and divers can often observe them leisurely grazing on sea grass or resting on the reef.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
51 Sightings
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Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
20 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
129 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
120 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
118 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
104 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
56 Sightings
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iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
49 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
46 Sightings
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The best Months to dive in Barefoot Manta Island
Barefoot Manta Island offers diving conditions suitable for enthusiasts year-round. Sea temperatures fluctuate between 25°C–30°C/77°F–86°F, providing comfortable waters for diving. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 30 meters/49 to 98 feet, ensuring clear views of vibrant marine life.
While diving is possible throughout the year, the months between May and October are particularly favorable due to calmer seas and mild winds. However, between November and April, divers may encounter stronger winds and currents, leading to choppier waters and slightly reduced visibility.
