Manta Ray Philippines February – Encounter Guide & Best Sites

Ticao Pass aggregations – oceanic mantas (up to 7 m wingspan) aggregate here Feb-May in current-swept channel.

Encounter overview

Diving or snorkelling with manta rays in Philippines during February is high season, with an encounter probability of approximately 75% under normal conditions. Manta rays are the ocean’s most graceful megafauna – enormous, intelligent animals that barrel-roll through plankton clouds and visit cleaning stations with clockwork regularity.

Best sites

• Ticao Pass
• Batangas (Manta Bowl)
• Tubbataha

What to expect

Reef mantas (M. alfredi) are resident and predictable; oceanic mantas (M. birostris) range widely. Both species visit cleaning stations daily, often early morning. Night dives near lights can trigger spectacular feeding aggregations.

Water conditions in February

Water temperature in Philippines typically ranges 26-30°C. Visibility at Ticao Pass in February is generally good; check local liveaboard or dive operator reports the week of your trip for specific conditions. Wall diving, macro, pelagic is the primary dive style in Philippines.

Practical tips

Never touch mantas – the mucus coat protects them from infection. Approach slowly from below and ahead; never chase. A horizontal body position causes far less disturbance than standing upright in the water column.

Getting there

Fly into Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), or Puerto Princesa (PPS). Tubbataha reef, malapascua threshers, oslob whale sharks, sardine run. 30-day visa-free for most nationalities. Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP).

Is February a good time to visit Philippines for manta ray?

Yes – February is high season for manta rays in Philippines. Encounter probability is around 75% on a dedicated trip. Best sites include Ticao Pass, Batangas (Manta Bowl), Tubbataha. Check availability at Ticao Pass as spaces fill quickly in peak months.