AYANA Komodo Marks World Manta Day with Three New Ways to Explore the National Park

There is a particular kind of stillness that settles over a boat the moment a manta ray is spotted beneath the surface. In the nutrient-rich currents of Komodo National Park, where the water runs cool and clear over thriving coral gardens, that moment happens often. To mark World Manta Day, AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach is inviting travelers deeper into this marine wilderness with its new Manta Rays & Sea Turtles Adventure, joined by two further cruise experiences that trace the wilder edges of Komodo's islands and reefs.

Celebrated annually on September 17, World Manta Day turns the spotlight on one of the ocean's most captivating creatures, and few places on Earth offer a better stage than Komodo's waters.

The Manta Rays & Sea Turtles Adventure starts at Taka Makassar, a sliver of a sandbar just holding its shape against the tide, its sand blushing white and pink and its shallows glowing turquoise. Small enough to circle on foot, it slips half underwater as the hours pass—a fleeting, photogenic introduction to the park before the boat continues.

From there, guests are bound for Manta Point, where the same nutrient-rich waters that draw manta rays to feed also pull them toward natural cleaning stations—coral outcrops known as "bommies," where they hover while small reef fish pick them clean. Slip into the water here and, with luck, a manta will glide past close enough to watch.

The way they move is mesmerizing: vast wings beating in slow, unhurried arcs, dipping and rolling through the water like a wave rather than a hurried motion. Unlike most marine life, mantas seem entirely unbothered by an audience, gliding and looping with the same slow grace whether watched or not. It's this elegant, dreamlike quality—more underwater acrobatics than swimming—that makes even a few minutes in their company unforgettable.

The morning closes at Siaba Island, where the water is calm and clear and sea turtles glide among the coral and sea grasses. It's a final chance to drift, look down, and see what other astonishing creatures await.

The experience runs from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM, with three distinct experiences folded into a single morning.

This celebration of marine life is an extension of AYANA Komodo's broader conservation work. Guided by in-house marine biologist Lee Miles and his team, the resort's Coral Trail experience and Marine Discovery Center give guests a closer understanding of the reefs beneath them—work that echoes World Manta Day's own call to protect these extraordinary ocean residents.

For those drawn to smaller wonders, the Baby Sharks & Coral Reef Adventure begins at Kelor Island, an uninhabited outcrop ringed by white sand and shallow, glass-clear water where juvenile blacktip reef sharks flicker through the shadows close to shore. From there, the journey continues to Manjarite, where calm waters and shallow coral gardens can be explored at the surface or observed through the floor of a glass-bottom boat.

While for travelers wanting the full sweep of Komodo in a single day, the Komodo Dragons & Pink Beach Adventure climbs Padar Island's short trail to a viewpoint that has become one of Indonesia's most photographed: three curved bays cradled by rugged hills and turquoise water. The journey descends to Pink Beach, its sand tinted with the faintest wash of rose, before continuing to Rinca Island for a guided encounter with Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.

Together, the three cruises trace the full character of the region: coral reefs and powder white sandbars, rose-tinted shores, rugged trails and creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Boat trips are subject to weather conditions and may be modified or canceled accordingly.

For more information and reservations, please visit AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach's official website.

7:00 AM–11:30 AM | IDR 3,800,000++ per adult; IDR 3,450,000++ per child

A half-day marine adventure visiting Taka Makassar, Manta Point and Siaba Island, with opportunities to swim and snorkel, encounter manta rays and spot sea turtles.

7:00 AM–2:00 PM | IDR 5,040,000++ per adult; IDR 4,200,000++ per child

A full-day exploration of Padar Island, Pink Beach and Rinca Island, combining a hike to Padar's renowned viewpoint with a visit to Pink Beach and the opportunity to observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.

8:00 AM–11:30 AM | IDR 3,500,000++ per adult; IDR 2,800,000++ per child

A half-day exploration of Kelor Island and Manjarite, with opportunities to swim and snorkel around Kelor's clear waters and spot juvenile blacktip reef sharks, followed by snorkeling or glass-bottom boat exploration of Manjarite's coral gardens.

All three experiences include snorkeling equipment, mineral water, soft drinks, snacks, towels and boat fees. The Manta Rays & Sea Turtles Adventure and Baby Sharks & Coral Reef Adventure include a club sandwich, while the Komodo Dragons & Pink Beach Adventure includes a lunch box. National Park entrance fees are not included in the Komodo Dragons & Pink Beach Adventure. Boat trips are subject to weather conditions and may be modified or canceled accordingly.

The Manta Rays & Sea Turtles Adventure and Baby Sharks & Coral Reef Adventure are available to both staying and non-staying guests. Staying guests receive a 10% discount on all three experiences, while the Komodo Dragons & Pink Beach Adventure is currently reserved exclusively for staying guests.

Located on a peninsula just north of the small town of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island in East Indonesia, AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach is a five-star resort with 205 ocean-facing guest rooms and suites and seven distinct dining options. An ideal gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park, the resort caters to all age groups and offers a diverse array of activities and experiences managed end-to-end by the property. Guests can engage in marine conservation activities, enjoy a romantic dinner on a private deck, practice yoga overlooking the water, and indulge in locally inspired spa treatments.

AYANA Cruises also invites guests to explore Komodo National Park aboard the star of its fleet, AYANA Lako di’a, a 54-meter luxury wooden yacht built in the tradition of Indonesia’s phinisi sailing vessels. Available for privately chartered or shared multi-day cruising adventures, the magnificent vessel features five-star accommodation and AYANA’s signature refined hospitality for up to 18 guests. Travelers can also immerse themselves in the region’s rich biodiversity aboard AYANA Cruise’s four other vessels: the AYANA Lako Sae, a stylish three-deck cruise boat; the AYANA Lako Cama, a 12-meter speed boat for intimate day trips; the AYANA Lako Lelo, a 12-meter boat for fishing trips; and the AYANA Lako Taka, a custom-made glass-bottom boat. The resort’s world class luxury and AYANA’s signature five-star hospitality make AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach and AYANA Cruises the ideal choice for families, friends and romantic getaways, and the ultimate way to discover the natural wonders of Komodo National Park.

AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach and AYANA Cruises are proud to collaborate in creating exceptional travel experiences. While working closely together, each operates independently and is solely responsible for its own services and operations.

E pr.komodo@ayana.com