Manta Festival Stradbroke Island
One Of The World's Largest Sand Islands
North Stradbroke Island has some of the most spectacular scenery found in Queensland. White sandy beaches stretch into an endless horizon fringed by the aqua blue ocean, while a system of freshwater lakes in the island's centre provides beautiful picnic and swimming spots.
What people often overlook about "Straddie," as it is affectionately known by Brisbane's locals, is the sheer diversity of the marine life found just on Brisbane's doorstep. Diving Stradbroke Island will bring you up close to turtles, bull rays, eagle rays, guitar sharks, wobbegongs, dolphins, octopus, manta rays and leopard sharks during Summer (November to April) and grey nurse sharks and humpback whales during Winter (June to October.)
Manta Bommie
Manta Bommie is ranked in the top 10 dive sites in Australia. It is located a short 10 minute boat trip and is a group of rocky reefs interspersed with large and small sand patches, small caves and holes and a long wall forming part of the dive. The bommie itself is a cleaning station for the migratory Manta Rays and other large marine life that frequent the area during summer (November - April).
On any given dive trip at the Bommie it’s not uncommon for divers to come face to face with multiple manta rays, as well as leopard sharks, guitar sharks, turtles, wobbegong and bamboo sharks, octopus, pelagics, bull, eagle and other large rays, lionfish plus much more all on the one dive.
Current can be an issue at the bommie, however it is often used as part of the dive in order to conserve energy and maximise bottom time.
Manta Festival
The 2012 manta festival is set for the 17th - 19th February 2012, and this is your chance to dive, photograph, video and marvel at these incredibly beautiful and graceful giants of the sea. Stradbroke Island is well known to be the playground and breading area of these majestic creatures. The Moreton Bay Research Station based at Stradbroke has identified the only two species of mantas that are known to mankind.
You will have the opportunity to do 4 dives at Manta Bommie, which is the known playground site to the mantas. This dive site is also well known for the Leopard sharks, Bull Rays and Pelagic Fish.
There will be guest speakers giving educational talks about the Mantas on the Saturday night and prizes to be won. It promises to be a fun filled weekend.
Weekend Trip Details
The weekend will begin Friday night as we meet at Snorkel Safari and head accross the ferry from Cleveland to Dunich in our comfortable air conditioned bus. You will enjoy two nights accommodation at a a 3½ star lodge located right on the beach at Point Lookout, with private double and twin rooms, as well as clean, comfortable and secure dorm share rooms.
Over the weekend there will be four single dives, two each day, off our custom built semi-rigid NAIAD inflatable dive boat spent playing and interacting with the beautiful manta rays at Manta Bommie. After each dive you will return to the lodge for a sausage sizzle, to relax and to spend your surface interval any way you wish. There will also be the chance to win great prizes and sit in on educational presentations by the guest speakers at Mantafest.
$545
Photos & Videos
Click on the filmstrip below to view photos and videos from around Stradbroke Island.
Bookings
To make a booking or check availability please phone us in the store on 07 3368 3766 or download and complete the appropriate booking form.
To view trip dates please see our online calendar.
Important Information
Included: Two nights accommodation, six boat dives, tanks, weights, transportation including the ferry across to the island, dive guide services, BBQ dinner on Saturday night.
Not Included: Please note dive equipment hire is not included in the price above. For safety and comfort Snorkel Safari Brisbane recommend using your own dive equipment. If you do not have your own equipment hire gear is available. Hire gear rates for a BCD, regulator with computer & compass, and wetsuit $129. Complete kit (including fins, mask, snorkel, and boots) $139.