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Banta Island lies off to the northwest of Komodo,
currents are usually strong here as it is one of the widest gaps between islands in Nusa Tenggara. Cold water from the Flores basin in the north is forced through this channel which often attracts big pelagics.
The Dive Sites
GPS Point is a great spot located to the north of Banta. The submerged sea bank attracts barracuda, dogtooth tuna, spanish mackerel and sharks since the currents are usually strong.
Upto five species of shark have been identified in a single dive at GPS Point. Unfortunately hard coral was damaged by dynamite fishing in 1997 and 1998 and sharks have been extensively fished by sharksfinners.
Tanjung Rasa is around the northern most peninsular of Banta, it consists of steep slopes to 40 meters swept with vertical as well as horizontal currents. With large rock formations and deep canyons sharks are abundant at this dive site including greys, whitetips and blacktips. This spot which attracts two different species of barracuda is also often refered to as Highway to Heaven. In contrast a number of macro creatures such as frogfish and leaffish can be found at the coral gardens of Toro Oi or It's a Small World on the other peninsular.
Star Wars, a gentle slope down to 30 meters, has excellent small fish numbers that look like they're taking part in some epic space battle, very good coral growth and the occasional mantas. Pygmy seahorses may be found on close inspection of gorgonians at this dive site.
Galley Rock to the south of Banta is another big fish dive suitable only in the right conditions when the surface is calm.
Topography is a gentle slope which changes into a wall, then flattens out at around 30m with large sponges abundant. Plenty of tuna, barracuda and sharks here too.
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