Sea Familia
Sea Familia
Which month for which water
Updated 28 October 2026
Mantas are often seen at Manta Point roughly December to February and July to September. The published 2026 rate does not change by month. Sunrise at Padar runs from 05:31 to 06:18, and sunset at Kalong from 17:49 to 18:27, through the year.
All twelve months side by side
Read the table below twice. First pick the one thing you won't give up, calm water for the children, say, or a chance of mantas. Then see what else comes with that month.
The sea runs from calm in April to June and October to November to rough in January, February, July and August. Visibility is high in the dry months and low in January and February. Crowds peak in July and August.
None of this changes the price. There's no monthly supplement on the published 2026 rates, so three days and two nights on Sea Familia 1 for six is IDR 97,100,000 (≈ USD 5,957) for the whole boat in any month. Sea Familia 2 is the same all year as well: IDR 19,070,000 (≈ USD 1,170) per person for six.
| Month | Sea | Visibility | Mantas | Crowds | Rain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Wet season at its height: heavy showers, the roughest sea of the year and low visibility. Mantas are at their best and the anchorages are quiet, so a family that accepts a lively sea can book it. |
| February | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Still wet, with a rough sea and low visibility. The reef is quiet and mantas stay at their peak, which suits a party that wants space more than calm water. |
| March | moderate | medium | good | low | wet | The last wet month. Showers ease, the sea settles to moderate and visibility is medium, with few boats about. Mantas are rated good. |
| April | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | The dry season opens with a calm sea and some of the best underwater visibility of the year. Crowds are medium, and mantas are fair. |
| May | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry, calm and clear. Snorkelling and walking are reliable, which makes May an easy month for children and grandparents. |
| June | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry and clear, with the south-east winds starting to build towards July. Book June if you want calm water and the busy months still ahead. |
| July | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | Dry but windier, with a rougher sea and medium visibility. Manta season picks up, and this is a peak month for crowds at the main stops. |
| August | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | The windiest dry month, with busy anchorages. Mantas are common, but the sea is rough, so pack a windproof layer and plan shorter swims for small children. |
| September | moderate | high | peak | medium | dry | Winds ease and visibility improves while mantas are still around. A strong shoulder month for a party that wants both. |
| October | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Calm, clear and hot, with fewer crowds than July and August. Mantas are fair, and the sea is kind to young snorkellers. |
| November | calm | high | fair | low | dry | The end of the dry season: calm sea, clear water and quieter stops. Mantas are fair, and November suits a first trip with children. |
| December | moderate | medium | peak | medium | wet | The wet season starts and mantas return. Late December is busy with holiday travellers, so ask for dates early and expect a moderate sea. |
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Manta months, and what "often" means
Mantas are most often seen at Manta Point from December to February and again from July to September. January, February, July, August, September and December are the peak months, March is good and the rest are fair.
"Often" means that in those months mantas turn up on many drifts, because the season brings them to the reef. It doesn't mean every drift. Mantas, turtles and dolphins are often seen in season, never promised. Sightings depend on tide and current, and a fair month can still give a good day.
If mantas are what decides your date, read the Manta Point page for the drift itself, and the snorkel-first page for the other stops. If it's the children, forget the mantas and choose the calm months.
Weather, visibility and crowds by month
The wet season runs from December to March, with short heavy downpours, heaviest in February, and a rougher sea from December to February. The dry season runs from April to November, with calmer water except for wind and chop in July and August.
Visibility is high from April to June and in September, October and November, and low in January and February. Crowds are low in January, February, March and November, medium in April to June, September, October and December, and high in July and August.
The harbour authority suspends sailings mainly in the wet season and during spells of strong south-east wind. A suspension can come at a day's notice. If the booked Sea Familia cannot sail for a reason beyond our control, we arrange a replacement boat of the same class, or refund you in full within 14 days.
Take the monthly picture as a tendency, not a forecast, and ask us in writing about your dates.
When the sun comes up at Padar and goes down at Kalong
Sunrise at Padar is 06:18 in July and 05:31 in November, and through the year it runs from 05:31 to 06:18. The Padar climb starts about 65 minutes before it. Sunset at Kalong is 17:57 in July and 18:01 in November, and it runs from 17:49 to 18:27 through the year.
The bats leave about 15 minutes after sunset. So daylight fixes two points on the listed Sea Familia 1 route: the dusk watch on day 1 and the start in the dark on day 2.
Both tables go month by month. Find yours and allow for the margins above.
| Month | Sunrise | Leave the boat by | On the ridge by |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 05:54 | 04:49 | 05:34 |
| February | 06:05 | 05:00 | 05:45 |
| March | 06:06 | 05:01 | 05:46 |
| April | 06:04 | 04:59 | 05:44 |
| May | 06:07 | 05:02 | 05:47 |
| June | 06:14 | 05:09 | 05:54 |
| July | 06:18 | 05:13 | 05:58 |
| August | 06:12 | 05:07 | 05:52 |
| September | 05:56 | 04:51 | 05:36 |
| October | 05:39 | 04:34 | 05:19 |
| November | 05:31 | 04:26 | 05:11 |
| December | 05:38 | 04:33 | 05:18 |
Computed for the location; accurate to a few minutes.
| Month | Sunset | Bats fly from about |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18:27 | 18:42 |
| February | 18:26 | 18:41 |
| March | 18:15 | 18:30 |
| April | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| May | 17:49 | 18:04 |
| June | 17:50 | 18:05 |
| July | 17:57 | 18:12 |
| August | 18:00 | 18:15 |
| September | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| October | 17:55 | 18:10 |
| November | 18:01 | 18:16 |
| December | 18:14 | 18:29 |
Computed for the location; accurate to a few minutes.
Booking for the month you want
A private charter can go on any free date, confirmed in writing, so ask early about the month you want. Open-trip dates are on the open-trip sailings page: Sea Familia 1 starts on Mondays and Fridays, Sea Familia 2 on Fridays. A date taken by a private charter is not listed.
The deposit is 50 percent of the fare, and the balance is due 30 days before departure. For school-holiday weeks, see the school holidays page. For rates at your party size, see the private charter page. Send us your dates, your party size and the boat you'd prefer, and we'll come back with a written quote and the open dates.
FAQ
Is the rainy season a bad time?
Not bad, just different. From December to March showers are short and heavy, the sea is rougher from December to February, and visibility is low in January and February. Mantas are at their best then and the stops are quiet. If calm water is what you're after, go for April to June or October to November.
When is visibility best?
Visibility is high from April to June and from September to November, medium in March, July, August and December, and low in January and February. High visibility helps snorkellers most at Pink Beach, Kanawa and Manta Point. These are general figures, not measurements.
Are mantas there in March?
March is rated good, between the peak months of December to February and the fair months that follow. Mantas are often seen in season, never promised, and sightings depend on tide and current. If mantas matter most, pick a peak month and hold your expectations lightly.
Is it hotter in November?
October is calm, clear and hot, and November is the end of the dry season, with calm sea, clear water and quieter stops. The cabins on both boats are air-conditioned, and a hat and reef-safe sunscreen matter in any dry month.
Check availability — Sea Familia
Sea Familia is published and booked by PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia, a booking partner for Sea Familia 1 and Sea Familia 2. The boats belong to their owner.