About Blue Manta Explorer

Scuba diving in Indonesia

The 22 passenger M/V Blue Manta Explorer provides 14 spacious ensuite cabins situated over three decks. All rooms feature air conditioning, stereos, personal fridges & safes, and en-suite bathrooms with jet showers. There is plenty of space onboard, both on the dive deck and in the extensive and welcoming main deck salon with a separate dining area. On surface intervals, divers can unwind on the covered sun decks, watch movies or listen to music on the latest entertainment systems.

There is a salon with a Plasma TV, DVD, and media server. 24-hour satellite internet is also available (with extra cost) so you can easily stay in touch with family at home. The dive deck is equipped with personal rinse tanks and a wide outdoor work table for underwater digital cameras. There is also a dedicated indoor camera room with plenty of space & charging stations to set up your camera equipment. Full equipment rentals are available onboard, all scuba tanks have din or yoke fittings and there are larger tanks available for those requiring a little extra air.

Blue Manta at sea 768x447 1 | Explorer Ventures Fleet® Liveaboard Diving

Aboard Blue Manta Explorer, comfort and exceptional service are as much a part of the experience as the diving. Spacious cabins, thoughtfully designed dive facilities, delicious meals and a crew that takes care of the details make exploring Indonesia’s remarkable underwater world even more enjoyable.

Here’s what one experienced diver had to say about their time aboard:

Blue Manta is a standout liveaboard! 🌊

As a seasoned diver, I was blown away by the level of comfort and thoughtfulness. This massive ship is designed for divers, offering spacious, cozy cabins – even the standard ones feel luxurious.
The service? Absolutely top-notch! The large crew is incredibly attentive – you’ll barely lift a finger. Cruise director Cedric is brilliant, with detailed, engaging briefs and a personal touch. The dive team of 5 dive masters takes care of every little detail, ensuring a smooth experience underwater. And the food? A culinary treat – restaurant-style dinners you will remember.
Blue Manta sets the bar high for liveaboard comfort, service, and diving experience. Can’t recommend it enough!

– Valeriia, November 28, 2024

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Photographer Amenities Aboard Blue Manta Explorer

Indonesia can take a photographer from a tiny, rare macro subject to a manta ray or schooling hammerheads in the space of a single trip. Blue Manta Explorer has extensive dedicated camera facilities for photographers travelling with serious underwater setups. 

Camera Facilities 

  • Camera room: Large, dedicated air-conditioned camera room  
  • Workspaces: Individual desks with non-slip mats, towels and tools  
  • Charging: Multiple international and USB sockets; 220V  
  • Additional camera tables: Available on the tenders, dive platform and dive deck  
  • Camera rinse: Dedicated rinse facilities on the dive deck  
  • Drying: Air guns available on the dive deck  
  • Storage: Camera equipment can be stored in the dedicated camera room  
  • Camera handling: Easy access between the camera room and dive deck, with crew assistance carrying camera systems  
  • Important: Battery charging is not permitted in guest cabins  

What Underwater Photographers Can Shoot 

Depending on the itinerary, Indonesia can bring rare macro life, vibrant reefs, manta rays in Komodo and Misool, schooling hammerheads in the Banda Sea, wobbegong sharks in Raja Ampat and endemic species around Triton Bay and Halmahera. Few destinations give underwater photographers quite this much range. 

Best for:

Photographers chasing majestic manta rays, schooling hammerheads and elusive wobbegong sharks, alongside rare endemic species, incredible macro life, colourful coral reefs and spectacular wide-angle scenes across Indonesia.

Blue Manta Explorer at a Glance

Everything you need to know about Blue Manta Explorer, from accommodations and onboard amenities to the dive deck and technical specifications.

Length overall: 148 ft (45 meters)
Beam: 29 ft (9 meters)
Main engines: 3x Yanmar, 826 hp
Generators: 3x Yanmar
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Fuel Capacity: 11,887 gallons (45,000 liters)
Accommodations: 22 passengers in 14 air-conditioned cabins situated over three decks, all with private bathrooms and showers. Up to 22 crew members.
Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment
Air Systems: 3 electric Bauer compressors with nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage
Tenders: (2) Fiberglass & (2) Rigid hull inflatables, used for passenger transport and diver pickup
Accessories: Diving Equipment

The Upper Deck features four double cabins (#1-4) and two twin share cabins (#5-6), each with private bath and shower. There is a spacious outdoor dining area and the partially covered sun deck is accessed by stairs.

The Main Deck features two twin share cabins (#7-8) and two double/twin share cabins (#9-10), each with private bath and shower. The saloon, indoor dining area, dive deck and camera room are also located on the Main Deck.

The Lower Deck comprises four twin share cabins (#11-14) each with private bath and shower.