Question 1

Can I use a GoPro or underwater camera at Manta Point Komodo?

Accepted Answer

Yes, action cameras and compact underwater systems are common at Manta Point and work well in the drift conditions. The limitation is control and low-light performance compared with larger systems. Use a wide field of view, a sturdy handle or tray, and consider a colour-correction filter. Always keep one hand and your attention available for buoyancy and current, not only for framing.

Question 2

Do flash photos disturb manta rays Manta Point?

Accepted Answer

Moderate, occasional strobe use at Manta Point is generally tolerated by manta rays, but repeated flashing at close range can alter behaviour. Avoid aiming lights directly into the eyes and do not fire bursts as animals approach head-on. Ambient light photography and gentle video lighting are often sufficient. If any ray twitches, banks sharply away or accelerates, back off and reassess your lighting intensity and angle.

Question 3

Why do photos fill with white specks, and how do you stop it?

Accepted Answer

Reducing backscatter starts with getting physically close to the manta so there is less water between lens and subject. Angle strobes or video lights outward and slightly behind the port, letting only the soft edge of the beam reach the frame. Use a wide-angle lens and avoid overexposing the water column. In low visibility, a small aperture and careful strobe positioning matter more than adding power.

Question 4

Do Manta Point Komodo tours include photos or video?

Accepted Answer

Some trips have guides who carry cameras, and in those cases images may be shared afterwards, but it is not guaranteed and policies differ by operator. Treat any media from the crew as a bonus, not an entitlement. If you want specific coverage of your group or particular compositions, bring your own equipment or arrange expectations clearly with the organiser before departure from Labuan Bajo.

Question 5

How do you keep camera gear alive in salt water?

Accepted Answer

Protection starts with a well-maintained housing and careful handling on the boat, keeping ports capped and cameras out of direct spray when possible. Use a dedicated freshwater rinse bucket if provided, and dry o-ring grooves thoroughly before opening housings. Between dives, keep gear shaded and wrapped in a towel or soft bag. After the trip, soak equipment in fresh water and operate all controls to flush out salt.

Question 6

What settings work for mantas on a GoPro?

Accepted Answer

For action cameras, set a wide field of view, 4K resolution and at least 50/60 frames per second, then aim for steady, slow movements rather than chasing. Mounting the GoPro on a short handle or tray helps stabilise footage in current. Get slightly below the manta’s path and let it pass rather than swimming after it. Short clips with good proximity beat long, distant recordings.

Question 7

How do you hold on to a camera in current?

Accepted Answer

In stronger current, a coiled lanyard clipped to your BCD provides a safety link without leaving the camera dangling. Hold the rig in both hands during the drift so it does not swing and affect trim. Avoid rigid, long tethers that could snag on reef or other divers. If you need both hands free, tuck the camera close to your body before clipping off, and never anchor yourself to the reef with any gear.

Question 8

What time of day is best?

Accepted Answer

Roughly 10:00 to 14:00. The site runs entirely on ambient light, so the highest sun gives the strongest penetration to the 8–18 m range.

Question 9

Can I fly a drone?

Accepted Answer

Only with a SIMAKSI permit from the park authority, BTNK, applied for in advance. It applies anywhere inside Komodo National Park.

Question 10

Do I need a strobe?

Accepted Answer

No, and you should not use one close to the animals. The depth is shallow enough that daylight does the job, which is exactly why this site suits wide-angle.

Question 11

What about low-visibility days?

Accepted Answer

Wet-season plankton can cut visibility to 10–15 m. Get closer, go wider, raise ISO rather than letting the frame underexpose, and accept grain over mush.

Question 12

Snorkel or dive for photography?

Accepted Answer

Snorkelling gives you the surface silhouette and the light rays. Diving puts you level with the cleaning station. Different pictures, same animal.

Question 13

Can my photos be useful to researchers?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a clear shot of the underside, especially between the gill slits, can identify an individual animal and feed a long-term catalogue.

Shallow enough to shoot on daylight alone

Where to set the dials

What to actually bring

Wide, not long

A red filter, and a leash

Autofocus over zoom

Rent on the boat

Drones need a permit

Getting the shot without costing the site

Let it come to you

No flash at close range

A belly shot is data

Questions about shooting here

What Manta Point is

Marine life

Conservation & law

Map & travel time

The full guide

Book the light, not just the day