Bluemanta is cruising all year round in the beautiful seas of the indonesian archipelago, but no other route gives a sense of adventure and discovery as much as our CROSSING trips in the vast and deep BANDA SEA.

It’s that time of year again, Hammertime! Every year as the Komodo season comes to an end the thoughts and dreams of our guests and crew turn to the allure of the magical, remote and beautiful Banda Sea. Filled with highlights both above and below the waves, guests from all over the world come to enjoy amazing sunsets, stunning Volcanic islands, clear blue waters, thriving coral reefs, diverse marine life and, of course, the chance to encounter huge schools of scalloped hammerheads which can be found in these waters in massive numbers. Over the last few seasons we have had great success in locating the hammers, but of course nothing in nature is guaranteed and so as the first Banda sea trip of the season begun, one question hung in the air… would we enjoy a spectacular “hammertime?” This year, for the first time, the trip would be onboard our KM Raja Manta (previously the White Manta) – recently renamed and relocated to Indonesia this would be her maiden voyage – and so hopes were high for a spectacular trip.

This was the last trip in 2016 for KM Blue Manta in Komodo. We welcomed a group of young divers from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Western Australia. This group was assembled by Ravin (pictured 3rd from left) - whom had joined a couple of our trips in Raja Ampat previously.

Bluemanta is back in Komodo and it is so goooooooood! Guests and dive crew alike are enjoying plenty of Mantas from North to South, Frogfishes, Sharks, clear water, and of course the famous Komodo Dragons on the beach. This trip we could hear our guests saying waowwwwww during everydive thanks to their fullface masks

From the very first day, welcoming our guests onboard the beautiful KM Blue Manta, it was clear that anticipation levels were high amongst dive staff and guests alike! Everyone was excitied to be embarking upon a true diving trip of a life time. Diving and wish list sightings dominated every conversation as all thoughts of the real world receeded and thoughts turned only to what mysteries the blue would reveal on this special crossing trip from Sorong to Saumlaki exploring the remote and exotic 'Forgotten Islands.'

The Blue Manta is now operating in Indonesia, currently in Raja Ampat, the vessel has been delighting our guests with incredible levels of service, wonderful food and of course great diving. They say a picture paints a thousand words - so this video should paint a million! Thanks to Nu our onboard Videographer for this stunning video filmed onboard this January.

As repeat customers who have been on the old White Manta, New White Manta and Black Manta, Blue Manta is definitely in a class of its own.

The first fish seen by the guests on this trip was a whale shark.

Photo courtesy of Laura Gordon WMDM

A long weekend in Singapore can mean only one thing... A White Manta diving trip to little explored and remote diving destinations!!! This Hari Raya holiday was no exception, and for those lucky guests who joined us - it proved to be one of, if not THE best, trip of the season! On this longer 4D4N trip we set out from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) to the distant submerged reef of Batu Acasta; almost 150nm from Singapore in the azure Indonesian waters of the South China Sea.

Photo courtesy of Russell Dark

A repeat fixture of last weekends’ trip to Anambas and the Igara wreck was on the cards for MV White Manta – but it wouldn’t be the same as the last week; because we hosted different guests and experienced different conditions!