Two purpose-built steel-hulled diving liveaboards, run by a long-standing Singaporean operator with roots back to 1989. White Manta and Blue Manta are on Coralbound.

This is an operator spotlight. If you're here to plan an Indonesia liveaboard trip, start with the Indonesia liveaboard guide.

White Manta Diving

White Manta Diving started in 1989 as a one-man operation running trips to West Malaysian dive sites, and has since grown into a Singapore-based operator running steel-hulled liveaboards across Indonesia.

These are purpose-built diving boats, run by an experienced crew, with itineraries built around diving a lot rather than a resort-style pace. Steel hulls make for a quieter, more stable ride than a traditional wooden phinisi, handling rough sea conditions and long, fast crossings with less pitch and roll — closer to an expedition-style operation than a leisurely cruise.

Both vessels also hold RINA CLASS certification, issued by Registro Italiano Navale — one of the world's leading independent bodies for marine safety and vessel construction standards, and not something many Indonesian liveaboards can claim.

One standout for solo travelers: single supplement on both boats is just 20% above the standard cabin rate, among the lowest in the Indonesian liveaboard market for getting a cabin to yourself.

A third vessel, Manta X, is currently under construction and due to launch in late 2026 — not yet live on Coralbound. She's being built in a different, more luxury-oriented category, closer to a yacht experience than the dive-focused White Manta and Blue Manta, with several master suites among her ensuite cabins. More detail to follow as she nears completion.

White Manta

White Manta is a steel-hulled liveaboard and one of the larger purpose-built dive vessels in the region, with fourteen en-suite cabins averaging 20 sqm across three decks in twin and double configurations, most with sea views. She takes up to 24 guests depending on the itinerary and whether the boat is booked as a full charter.

Twin engines and dual generators give her a cruising speed of 10 knots, built for long-haul passages and fast, blue-water crossings. Outdoor alfresco dining sits alongside an indoor air-conditioned dining room, and a partially shaded sundeck with loungers and day beds gives guests a spot to unwind between dives.

Blue Manta

Blue Manta is a steel-hulled liveaboard accommodating up to 22 guests across fourteen en-suite cabins in twin and double configurations across three decks, most with sea views. She's one of the few purpose-built steel-hulled liveaboards operating in Indonesia, a construction choice that holds up well on open-water crossings and rougher conditions.

An extended dive deck with individual rinse tanks and a separate dive platform with hot showers rounds out the setup, alongside an air-conditioned camera room and indoor and outdoor lounge spaces.

She's the older of the operator's two vessels and is scheduled for a refit between January and April 2027. Trips originally booked on Blue Manta during that window, and through October 2027, will run on Manta X instead, with itinerary, cabin arrangement, and pricing unchanged. Blue Manta resumes her own schedule from late October 2027.

Diving and comfort on both boats

Both vessels run small dive groups, with nitrox available at an additional charge. Each has a dedicated indoor camera room with individual stations and blow-dry facilities for underwater photographers, plus an outdoor workstation on the dive deck. Onboard chefs prepare five meals a day across indoor air-conditioned and outdoor dining areas, and both boats carry onboard massage therapists and satellite WiFi.

Where they sail

Between them, White Manta and Blue Manta cover destinations across Indonesia, including Raja Ampat, Komodo, Halmahera, the Banda Sea, Triton Bay, the Derawan Islands, and Cenderawasih Bay. The exact split between the two boats shifts a little during Blue Manta's 2027 refit, but combined coverage across the archipelago stays much the same.

What's available to book

Both vessels' upcoming departures are live on Coralbound with real-time availability and pricing direct from the operator. The operator also runs periodic discounts, typically in the 10–20% range, on last-minute departures with unsold cabins — worth checking if your dates are flexible.

Questions? Reach us on live chat on the site, via WhatsApp, or through the contact form. Bookings through Coralbound come at the same price as booking direct, with booking gifts including the option of a complimentary hotel night.