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Stunning view of a manta ray swimming gracefully underwater in Coron, Philippines.
📷 Emma Li · Pexels

Manta Bowl

3.2 — based on 9 community signals
New spot

Manta Bowl, Philippines offers year-round manta ray encounters in unprotected waters with minimal coral stress.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

updated 4 months ago
Pelagic hotspotPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Marine life
Manta ray

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Manta Bowl location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
1.9 kn
Wave
0.02 m
Water
29.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WNW (31%)
Now: WSW (258°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.57m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1.38m)

+1.4 m0 m-0.1 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.38m ▼ 10:00 · +0.17m ▲ 15:00 · +0.44m ▼ 19:00 · +0.4m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.7 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 05:34 17:43
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 6.7 0.04 9 4mm
09-20 8.4 0.24 9 6mm
09-21 7.5 0.14 7 6mm
09-22 7.3 0.1 8 3mm
09-23 3.7 0.04 9 2mm
09-24 6.2 0.02 9 1mm
09-25 6.1 0.02 9 1mm

About this spot

Manta Bowl is a Philippine dive destination known for manta ray sightings. The site sits outside a marine protected area, making it accessible without permit restrictions. Coral health shows no stress indicators, supporting a stable reef environment for diving operations. The spot draws divers seeking manta encounters. Marine life records include documented species observations, suggesting consistent wildlife presence. Community members have recorded three videos from the site, offering reference footage of conditions and marine activity. Access details and specific depth parameters are not widely standardized in available sources. Divers should confirm current conditions, seasonal patterns, and site requirements with local operators before booking. Year-round availability suggests stable diving conditions throughout the calendar. Visibility, water temperature, and technical difficulty ratings vary by season and operator reports. Standard pre-dive research with recent visitor accounts will clarify what to expect on your visit.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Philippines: 119 Sites, Wrecks & Walls Worth the Flight

Marine life

Manta ray

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11100km · ~2553kg · €46

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 11h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Manta Bowl?

The site is accessible year-round. However, seasonal conditions vary. Check with local operators for peak manta activity and visibility windows before booking your trip.

What depth and difficulty level is Manta Bowl?

Depth and difficulty data are not standardized in current records. Contact dive operators in the area for site-specific briefings on bottom depth, current strength, and recommended experience levels.

What marine life will I see at Manta Bowl?

Manta rays are the primary draw. Documented species observations confirm wildlife presence. Local operators and community videos provide insight into other animals encountered on recent dives.

Do I need permits to dive Manta Bowl?

The site is not within a marine protected area, so no MPA permits are required. Verify current local regulations and any operator-specific requirements with dive shops in the Philippines before your visit.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

322 records · 42 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Chromodoris annae

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 May 2026
×1records

Phyllidia ocellata

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 May 2026
×1records

Nembrotha kubaryana

Gastropoda · Polyceridae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 May 2026
×1records

Melibe viridis

Gastropoda · Tethydidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Apr 2026
×1records

Goniobranchus fabulus

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Apr 2026
×1records

Linckia laevigata

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Mar 2026
×1records

Holothuria leucospilota

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Mar 2026
×1records

Patelloida saccharina

Gastropoda · Lottiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Mar 2026
×1records

Nardoa tuberculata

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Mar 2026
×1records

Rhincodon typus

Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×1records

Sarasinula plebeia

Gastropoda · Veronicellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×1records

Tridacna crocea

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

World Famous Manta Bowl, Scuba Diving in Ticao Masbate, Philippines!!!

Our Backman Family
💬 3 top comments
  • Finally Sam get into the deep blue sea 😍😍😍😍

    @Queenuniverse721 · 👍 8
  • The father is in love with the seahorse 🤣. Some goals are materialized 1. Family bonding 2. Enjoy life, less stress 3. Scuba diving certification and renewal for the parents 4. Able to spend the savings wisely 5. Able to help other's economy and boost tourism 6. Etc. Name i

    @zethcao11 · 👍 11
  • Sam is really adorable to watch

    @IyeRivermxm · 👍 0

Dive 2025 with the huge Manta ray in Ticao shoal MANTA BOWL

DIVE BICOL
💬 2 top comments
  • Wow amazing nice one full watch suportahan po😊

    @familyg3508 · 👍 2
  • Putol ang Isang wing nya😢

    @rubylita · 👍 0

SCUBA DIVING MANTA BOWL WHALE SHARKS: PHILIPPINES 2012

Chris Loizou
💬 3 top comments
  • Wow, this truly is one of the worlds best diving sites. I was there last year, 7 dives over 3 days, and all but one had mantas or whale sharks. But this many whale shark, this close, wow, just...

    @Oktobermedia · 👍 1
  • I will be back next year!

    @quiddity65 · 👍 0
  • Amazing!

    @quiddity65 · 👍 0
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Dec, calmest Oct-Aug-Jun, dry Feb-May.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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