Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre

What Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre does

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre (legal entity North Stradbroke Island Operations Pty Ltd, ABN 36 107 714 974) is a privately held full-service dive centre and beachfront hostel founded in 1992 and located at 132 Dickson Way, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia. The company operates a fleet of three naiad inflatable dive vessels (Rigid One 5.5m, Rigid Too 6.1m, YaYaa 6.1m) running double-dive day trips to 15+ sites in the Moreton Bay Marine Park, including Manta Bommie (rated a Top 10 dive site in Australia). It is Brisbane's only SSI Technical, Rebreather and Instructor Training Centre, with multiple SSI Instructor Trainers on staff and Australia's only SSI rEvo instructor, offering the full SSI certification pathway from Open Water Diver through to Professional Instructor, plus technical Extended Range, trimix, overhead environment, and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) training on rEvo and Halcyon Symbios units.

The business generates revenue across multiple streams: dive trips ($215+/person), scuba courses, equipment sales and hire, equipment servicing (regulators, BCDs, computers across Halcyon, ScubaPro, Mares, Aqualung, Apeks, Oceanic, Hollis, Cressi), gas fills (air, nitrox via DiveTek membrane system, oxygen, helium), snorkel trips ($150+), beachfront hostel accommodation for up to 40 guests (dorm and private rooms), the Straddie Dive Club membership ($450/$360 annually), and international dive holidays to Philippines, PNG, Vanuatu, Palau, Raja Ampat, and Galapagos. GTM is community-led and direct-to-consumer: the business leverages its exclusive Brisbane SSI Instructor Training position to build a community of certified divers who return for trips, equipment, and ongoing education, supported by direct online booking, organic social media, annual Tech Weekend events, and third-party accommodation booking agents.

The company serves a diversified base of approximately 9-15 staff servicing beginner divers, certified recreational divers, technical/rebreather divers, school and college outdoor education groups, and budget backpackers, with strategic equipment partnerships (SSI, Halcyon, Mares, rEvo, Shearwater, Fourth Element, Santi, Suex, SeaYa), transport partnership with Gold Cats Stradbroke Flyer, YHA hostel affiliation, and tour partnerships with Dive Adventures and overseas operators (Pacific Dive, Sams Tours, Papua Explorers).

Name

Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre

Legal name

North Stradbroke Island Operations Pty Ltd

Website

https://mantalodge.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre is a privately held, full-service dive centre and 40-bed beachfront hostel on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, operating since 1992 and serving Brisbane-area recreational divers, technical/rebreather divers, school groups, and backpackers with courses, dive trips, equipment, and accommodation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Services and Training

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Marinas (713930)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Snorkeling Tours & Reef Experiences (THAJAJAE), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC)

Keywords

• Scuba diving training
• Dive boat charters
• Hostel accommodation
• Dive equipment servicing
• Rebreather diving courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Point Lookout

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Dive Trips: Double dive day trips (Friday-Tuesday) to Moreton Bay Marine Park sites including Manta Bommie, Flat Rock, and others. Prices from $215 per person. Includes tanks, weights, guide services, snacks and drinks.
2. Scuba Diving Courses: SSI certified courses from Open Water Diver through to Instructor Training. Includes Open Water ($215+), Advanced/Nitrox, Specialty Courses, Rescue, Professional courses. Equipment and certification included in pricing.
3. Hostel Accommodation: Beachfront accommodation for up to 40 guests. Dorm-style (4-8 beds) and private rooms available. 3.5-star hostel catering to backpackers and divers. Bookings via direct online system.
4. Equipment Hire: Hire equipment including surfboards ($25 half day/$40 full day), snorkel gear ($25/24hrs), GoPro cameras, technical dive gear, rebreather units.
5. Equipment Servicing: Annual servicing and repair for regulators, BCDs, computers. Brands serviced include Halcyon, ScubaPro, Mares, Aqualung, Apeks, Oceanic, Hollis, Cressi. Full set service from $155 + parts.
6. Dive Holidays: Organized international dive trips to Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Palau, Raja Ampat, Galapagos. Includes flights, accommodation, dives, transfers. Tour leaders from staff.
7. Gas Fills: Air ($15/tank), Membrane Nitrox ($20/tank), Oxygen and Helium available. Blending fees apply for custom mixes.
8. Dive Club Membership: Straddie Dive Club annual membership: $450 first year, $360 renewal. Benefits include discounted dives ($170 instead of $215), free nitrox, 10% off courses and gear, priority booking for trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre operates a full-service scuba centre and beachfront hostel at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, offering SSI-certified diving courses from Open Water through Professional Instructor levels, double-dive day trips to 15+ sites in Moreton Bay Marine Park, technical and rebreather training (rEvo and Halcyon Symbios CCR), equipment hire, sales and servicing, gas fills, and dorm-style/private accommodation for up to 40 guests.

Product overview

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre operates as a unified dive resort and training facility offering a comprehensive portfolio of scuba diving services. The core offering comprises scuba diving day trips to 15+ sites in Moreton Bay Marine Park, structured diving education from beginner Open Water Diver through to Professional Instructor levels, and technical/rebreather diving courses. Supporting services include equipment rental (including premium rebreathers and technical gear), on-site equipment servicing, beachfront accommodation for up to 40 guests, snorkel trips, international dive holidays, dive club membership, and school/college outdoor education camps. The training programs span SSI certification pathways across recreational, technical (Extended Range/Trimix), and rebreather diving (rEvo and Halcyon Symbios CCR), with the company being Brisbane's only SSI Technical, Rebreather, and Instructor Training Centre. Accommodation and activity rentals function as complementary add-ons enabling live-in dive training experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Water Diver Course Entry-level SSI scuba diving certification course qualifying divers to dive to 18m worldwide. Includes online academics, confined water pool training, and four ocean boat dives, with full equipment hire, certification, and a free Halcyon scuba mask. Targets first-time divers seeking internationally recognised certification.
• Scuba Diving Refresher Course Half-day pool refresher for existing Open Water divers who have been out of the water for 12+ months or completed overseas courses with limited in-water experience. Includes transport to/from pool, equipment for pool training, and can be combined with an afternoon double dive. Targets returning divers.
• Advanced Adventurer Course Two-day SSI Advanced Adventurer course with five specialty dives plus one fun dive, plus Enriched Air Nitrox certification, qualifying divers to 30m worldwide. Includes a free Halcyon SMB/spool. Targets newly certified divers seeking to extend depth and skills.
• Specialty Courses Continuing-education SSI specialty courses including Nitrox, Deep Diver, Night/Limited Visibility, Wreck Diving, Fish ID, Buoyancy, Boat Diver, Navigation, and Science of Diving. Targets certified divers building specific skillsets and digital training packages.
• Stress and Rescue Diver Course Two-day SSI Stress and Rescue Diver course combining confined water, one shore dive, and two boat dives, teaching stress management and in-water rescue techniques. Prerequisites include Open Water Diver and First Aid/CPR/Oxygen Provider. Targets divers progressing toward professional pathways.
• Professional Dive Courses Professional dive training from Dive Guide and Divemaster through to Open Water Instructor, including PADI to SSI instructor crossovers. Delivered as the only SSI Instructor Training facility in Brisbane with a live-in professional training model. Targets divers pursuing a professional dive career.
• First Aid Training Accredited first aid training including HLTAID003 Provide First Aid and HLTAID007 Provide Advanced Resuscitation, with optional Oxygen Administration and AED components. Targets divers and the general public seeking accredited emergency response certification.
• Technical Diving Courses SSI Extended Range technical diving programs covering decompression diving, multiple gas (trimix) use, and overhead environment diving, with training available up to technical instructor level. Targets advanced divers pursuing deep and wreck diving up to 60m+.
• rEvo Rebreather Training and Sales Queensland's only rEvo rebreather training centre, offering sales, service, consumables (CCR Sorb), hire units, and SSI rebreather training on rEvo III CCRs with dual scrubber and RMS configurations. Targets divers seeking CCR certification and equipment.
• Halcyon Symbios CCR Training and Sales Halcyon Symbios CCR training, sales, and support delivered under the TDI system, featuring axial scrubber (2.7kg), front-mounted counterlungs, BOV integrated into ADV system, and fully sealed dive computer HUD with rechargeable battery. Targets CCR divers.
• Scuba Diving Day Trips Double dive boat trips from $215 per person to 15+ Moreton Bay Marine Park sites including Manta Bommie and Flat Rock, running Friday through Tuesday with morning and afternoon sessions. Includes tanks, weights, guide services, snacks and drinks, with nitrox and rebreather-friendly options. Targets certified divers.
• Snorkel Trips 3-3.5 hour snorkelling tours from $150 per person to offshore sites around North Stradbroke Island, with all equipment provided, experienced guides, snacks and drinks on the boat, and warm towels and hot showers on return. Targets non-divers and recreational visitors.
• Activities and Hire Rental equipment including surfboards, bodyboards, snorkel gear, bikes, and GoPro cameras for exploring North Stradbroke Island. Targets hostel guests and day visitors needing recreational gear.
• Dive Equipment Servicing On-site scuba equipment servicing and repair covering regulators, BCDs, computer battery changes, and new equipment assembly for brands including Halcyon, ScubaPro, Mares, Aqualung, Apeks, Oceanic, Hollis, and Cressi. Full set regulator service from $155 plus parts. Targets divers needing annual maintenance.
• Beachfront Accommodation 3.5-star beachfront hostel at Point Lookout for up to 40 guests offering dorm-style (4-8 beds) and private rooms, communal kitchen, outdoor BBQ, free WiFi, and YHA affiliation. Targets backpackers, divers, and budget travellers to North Stradbroke Island.
• Schools and College Camps Outdoor education camps for school and college groups offering tailored adventure packages including accommodation, snorkelling, diving, 4WD tours, sea kayaking, and Aboriginal cultural tours, with ACARA-aligned programs for Biology, Outdoor Education, Physical Education, and Leadership. Targets schools and colleges.
• Straddie Dive Club Membership Annual Straddie Dive Club membership ($450 first year, $360 renewal) offering discounted double dive rates ($170 instead of $215), free banked 33% nitrox, 10% off courses and gear purchases, priority booking for trips, monthly club dives, and member-only events. Targets repeat and frequent divers.
• International Dive Holidays Organised international dive trips with flights, accommodation, diving, transfers, and Manta Lodge staff as tour leaders to destinations including Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Palau, Raja Ampat, and Galapagos, sold via Dive Adventures. Targets experienced divers seeking premium overseas dive holidays.
• Technical Diving Festival Annual Technical Diving Festival held in September featuring deep dive charters, guest speakers, pool demo days with equipment testing from Halcyon, rEvo, Mares, Fourth Element, Shearwater and Suex, Saturday night BBQ, and prize giveaways. Targets technical and rebreather divers.
• Tech Dive Charters Technical and rebreather dive charters to wreck and reef destinations available in both open circuit and CCR configurations. Targets certified technical and rebreather divers seeking guided deep dives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manta Bommie rated as Top 10 Dive Site in Australia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• SSI (Scuba Schools International)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs the only SSI Instructor Training facility in Brisbane and live-in Professional Dive Training centre in South East Queensland, Manta Lodge operates under SSI's certification programs. They offer SSI courses from beginner through to Instructor level, using SSI's digital training platform (divessi.com) and branding.
• Halcyon Diving EquipmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial stockist of Halcyon BC systems, Symbios CCR, and technical diving products. Also offering Halcyon Symbios CCR training, sales, and support under TDI system. Featured at Tech Weekend demos.
• MarescoreTechnology or IntegrationStock full range of Mares products including Mares XR technical equipment, diving gear, and accessories. Featured equipment brand at training courses and Tech Weekend demos.
• rEvo RebreatherscoreTechnology or IntegrationQueensland's only rEvo rebreather training centre. Offering sales, service, consumables, and SSI training on rEvo CCR units. Also hire units available. Australia's only SSI rEvo instructor.
• Shearwater ElectronicscoreTechnology or IntegrationStockist of Shearwater dive computers and electronics. Featured at Tech Weekend equipment demos. Compatible with rEvo rebreathers and technical diving setups.
• Gold Cats Stradbroke FlyercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransport partnership for ferry service between Toondah Harbour (Cleveland) and Dunwich (North Stradbroke Island). Manta Lodge staff meet guests at Dunwich terminal. Flyer tickets can be added to dive bookings.
• YHA (Youth Hostels Association)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliation with YHA for backpacker accommodation network. Mentioned in branding as 'Straddie, YHA' suggesting YHA membership benefits for hostel guests.
• Dive AdventurescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Dive Adventures for organizing international dive holiday packages. Manta Lodge staff serve as tour leaders for trips to Philippines, PNG, Vanuatu, Palau, Raja Ampat, and Galapagos.
• Pacific DiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal operator partner for Coolidge wreck dive trip in Santo, Vanuatu (March 2027). Manta Lodge packages include 10 dive package with Pacific Dive.
• Sams Tours (Palau)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Sams Tours for Palau dive holiday package (May 2027). 5-day boat dive package (2 dives per day) with tanks, weights, dive guide, and lunch included.
• Papua Explorers (Raja Ampat)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Papua Explorers resort for Raja Ampat dive holiday (Nov 2027). Package includes 7 nights water bungalow, all meals, and 4 dives/day with Papua Explorers.
• Scubaworld MooloolabaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for ex-HMAS Brisbane tech charter on Monday following Tech Weekend. Joint dive event for technical divers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Scubaworld Mooloolaba: Sunshine Coast-based full-service dive centre offering training, dive trips, equipment and tech diving charters. Already a joint partner with Manta Lodge on ex-HMAS Brisbane tech charters, making it the closest comparable QLD regional dive operator with overlapping course, charter and equipment servicing offerings.
• Pro Dive Cairns: Long-established Cairns dive operator offering Open Water through professional courses, daily reef trips, and liveaboard dive options. Comparable as a full-service training-plus-trip Australian dive centre with a strong school/course pipeline and international customer base.
• Cairns Dive Centre: Cairns-based dive centre providing diving courses, day trips and equipment hire on the Great Barrier Reef. Directly comparable as a multi-service Australian dive training and trip operator targeting both domestic and international recreational divers.
• Deep Sea Divers Den: One of Australia's oldest dive operators (founded 1972) based in Cairns, offering courses, daily reef trips, and liveaboard charters. Comparable in scale, longevity, and full-service model combining training, accommodation partnerships, and reef diving experiences.
• Mike Ball Dive Expeditions: Aussie-operated dive expedition company running liveaboard trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Cod Hole, and Coral Sea. Comparable as an Australian-owned dive holiday operator with technical diving capabilities and a destination-led business model.
• Spirit of Freedom: Queensland-based liveaboard dive vessel operator running itineraries to the Great Barrier Reef and remote reefs. Comparable for its Australian technical diving, training, and trip-based offerings even though the delivery format (liveaboard) differs from a land-based centre.

Regional players

• Ningaloo Reef Dive: Exmouth, Western Australia dive operator running snorkel and dive tours on Ningaloo Reef including whale shark encounters. Comparable as a regional Australian marine activity and dive tour operator but serving a different geography and not directly competing in the Brisbane/South East Queensland catchment.

Others

• Dive the World: Global online dive booking marketplace aggregating dive centres, liveaboards and dive resorts. Comparable as an ecosystem/distribution channel that Manta Lodge could partner with or that competes for digital bookings of dive holidays and courses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/mantalodge
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MantaLodgeScubaCentreNorthStradbrokeIsland
• Facebookfacebook.com/mantalodge
• Instagraminstagram.com/mantalodge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre