In the heart of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands lagoon sits a remarkable coral outcrop that serves as an underwater spa for reef manta rays. Manta Cleaning Station is exactly that — a dedicated cleaning station where reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) slowly circle a bommie at around 9 m depth, pausing to be groomed by cleaner wrasse and shrimp. The flat sandy bottom and scattered reef formations create crystal-clear viewing conditions, and the adjacent reef teems with checkerboard wrasse, parrotfish, goatfish, and blacktip reef sharks. It is one of the most reliable places in the Indian Ocean to witness manta rays up close, with encounters possible year-round.
Manta Cleaning Station
IntermediateGO
GO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 2.5 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Boat Traffic
Boat traffic in the lagoon, especially near the cleaning station where tour boats gather. Snorkellers should stay aware of approaching vessels.
Low risk: Depth (8–9 m)
The cleaning station sits at approximately 8–9 m depth, requiring competent snorkellers who are comfortable with deeper freediving or scuba.
Low risk: Lagoon Tidal Currents
Tidal currents can flow through the lagoon, particularly during spring tides, potentially carrying snorkellers away from the bommie.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Located in the heart of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands lagoon, accessible only by boat. Book a tour with Cocos Dive, Cocos Blue Charters, or Cocos Islands Boat Tours to reach this spot. Most tours depart from West Island or Direction Island.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the jetty area on West Island near the tour departure point.
Requires a paid boat tour — typically $100–$150 AUD per person depending on the operator and trip duration.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports