During a few minute time frame, I was able to count at least six different manta rays. We saw nothing for what felt like forever, and I had it in my head that was all we were seeing, the one manta ray for 10 seconds. And we cant recommend Trusted Housesitters enough! Thats more than 40% of the Maldivian population! Dont worry, plenty of light is provided to attract the plankton that the manta rays feed upon. Thats your cue to jump in the water. These graceful creatures are found year-round, but they do follow a seasonal migration around the atoll. Making sanitizing wipes available for any employee or guest to use at our facilities. Although the vog made it hard to admire the surrounding landscape, it made for an eerie yet beautiful sunset. I even got slapped in the head a few times by their wings as they swam by. BUBBLES:Divers, try to time your breathing so that you dont blow bubbles up into the manta if it is passing over your head. As our time with the Kona manta rays came to an end, Jason gathered us up and we all swam back towards the boat. Read more about our two-month Hawaii trip here. . But there is new hope on the horizon: in January 2021, Mozambique introduced new commercial fishing laws to protect manta rays and other endangered species. While manta rays can be found in Raja Ampat from October to May, December to March offers the best opportunity to dive with the many different types of manta rays in the area. To explain, manta rays normally spend about an hour at a cleaning station. Within a few minutes we saw another manta, then another. Those 45-minutes with the manta rays in the Kona water flew by and I couldnt wait to hear how Buddys experience went. These are the locations where you candive or snorkel with mantas. However, they are much further away and you probably wont see as many. Theres no better way to start your day! Home Outdoor Adventures Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii: Night Diving vs. Snorkeling. Glad this article could help you decide! . The only real risk is one of them bumping into you while they swim around. And I'm always extra, We're having the most fun with our family!!!! The German Channel also happens to include a manta ray cleaning station. TheMaldivesare a paradise for scuba divers. Then, reef mantas arrive in great numbers tofeed on the plankton. Required fields are marked *. The reason not to exhale was to not spook the manta ray as it swims right over your face. Julian Rocks off Byron Bay is another important site for the animals during the summer months. Costa Rica is Spanish for rich coast and its easy to see how it earned its name. Are there sharks? He thought it looked magical. Its one of the most memorable dive or snorkel trips that you can do in Hawaii and is one of the top 10 dives to experience in the world. We had arrived in Kona to a thick cloud of vog (volcanic fog) from the active volcano that had been making the news daily in Hawaii and on the mainland. Crystal clear water and wide open ocean invite explorers below the surface. Manta Bay and Manta Point are the best dive sites for finding them. I thought it sounded terrifying. The best time is from June to October when the population is estimated to be around 200-300 individuals. Along with a fewwhale sharks, these manta rays display the amazing spectacle known as cyclone feeding. Dont worry if you are the only certified diver in your group, or if no one in your party is certified. Minimize your equipment in the water column and let the mantas come to you. Thelight attracts plankton, and when there is a great concentration, the manta rays will come. And then I did my best to put it out of my mind. Afraid of the dark? Explore reefs and the best dive spots selected by our expert staff. This strange behavior is almost exclusive to an area known as Hanifaru Bay. They came in at multiple different angles, and a few even came from behind us, which was slightly terrifying, but magical at the same time. I cant even count the number of times I had to hold my breath while the rays swam over me. After five years of full-time travel with her husband Buddy, they made the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, their permanent home base. Many of the manta rays found near Socorro display therare all-black morphand enjoy a disc-width of more than 16 feet (5 meters)! Bring the whole family! These are perhaps more visible due to the growing popularity of the dive site known as theGerman Channel, considered one of the top three dive sites in Palau. Firstly,all manta dives in the area are night dives. The Manta Ray Night Dive offers divers and snorkelers the opportunity to observe these majestic animals up close and personal. As the home of the Great Barrier Reef,Australiafeatures amazing diving from tiny nudibranchs to hugegreat white sharks. No certification necessary! The zooplankton are funneled into the bay where a large concentration forms. The most famous of theRevillagigedos, tiny Socorro Island sits 375 miles (600 kilometers) off the coast ofBaja Californiain the open Pacific Ocean. At one point, I could barely see in front of me due to the massive swarm of plankton attracted to my light. MANTA POLICY: Manta Rays are wild animals. We all sat patiently pointing our flashlights upward to attract the plankton. So, are you ready to get in the water with these graceful animals? Thanks for sharing. Waimea, HI 96743. We recently returned from 5 months in Europe where we house sat in five countries, it is an amazing thing to do! If youre serious about getting in the water with mantas, firstly, decide which species youd like to see. Special thanks to Niv Froman, Tam Sawers, Sarah Lewis and Nicola Bassett fromManta Trust, Asia Armstrong fromProject Manta, Anna Flam fromMarine Megafauna Foundation,and Roberto Marchegiani for the cover image. This will rub off their protective mucus coating. On the south side of the island, a wall drops to 100 feet (30 meters). I didnt even have my snorkel in yet, so I was just holding my breath as this giant water beast swam inches from my face. Snorkeling with manta rays is easy and fun,especially while they are feeding on plankton at the surface. :It is very unlikely for sharks to be in this area due to how many people there are. Along the way, we were treated to the company of a pod of dolphins who swam alongside the boat. They are not just fish; they are a symbol of majesty, elegance and freedom, and have been around for 5 million years. And watching them dance below us as they turned and flipped was a show of its own. A massive manta ray swooped right over the campfire and then vanished. Im sure Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii try to get there early to secure the prime seating. Its varied underwater topography, including inner atoll reefs, pinnacles and channels, attracts all manner of large marine life. Few, however, will unlock the secrets hidden beneath its turquoise seas. Discover the best diving Hawaii has to offer with our most popular morning tour! In reality, these attacks are the reasonTofois a reliable destination for manta ray diving. What an awesome experience, thank you for sharing here and on IG! In fact, more than 1,600 individuals have been identified at Baa Atoll. Jason also told us where we would be going and what to expect once we were at our location. It was an experience Ill never forget. Join our mailing list to receive our updates & tips. Once the sky was dark enough, the scuba divers got all their gear on and jumped in the water. Heres a hot tip: consider a night dive in Palau, since the islands manta population tends to be more active after sunset. In addition to thousands of tourists, this small island also hosts hundreds of manta rays annually. Our team of licensed and certified PADI divemasters knows the best locations for manta ray interactions and will provide you with all the needed gear to enjoy your manta ray scuba expedition. The latter of these is much smaller, and only five boats are allowed to anchor at any one time leading to an even more personal and magical encounter for divers. As always, all opinions are our own. They are also totally harmless and each one can be individually identified. Way more chill and just a bunch of local farmers mainly. We stretched out flat with our faces in the water (and snorkels in), while the manta rays swam loops underneath us. I was looking into night snorkeling experience because Id love to go for our 10 year wedding anniversary, but I couldnt decide if its a wicked tourist trap or legit, so this is very reassuring and confirms it for me: its a must-see! Brooke is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager for various blog sites. You can see them at Rays on the Bay Lounge at the Sheraton Kona, as well as all the snorkelers and boats (they have a small public parking lot with no fee). Sightings are almost guaranteed in the area at high tide because there are three different cleaning stations in the dive path. But, too late now! Form a semi-circle with your group. Duration:2 hours Should you snorkel or dive? Known colloquially as The Cats, these 20 small rocky islands are located between 2-15 miles (3-24 kilometers) off the Guanacaste coastline. They stayed with us for what felt like at least five minutes, before going off on their own adventure. Amanda, thanks so much for the note! In addition to manta rays, divers who make the effort to visit Koh Bon will also be rewarded with leopard sharks,beautifulcorals and thousands of colorful reef fish. Video from my experience snorkeling with the manta rays in Kona: A Breathtaking Manta Ray Diving Experience, Q&A for Planning to Dive or Snorkel with the Kona Manta Rays, relaxing stay on the laid-back isle of Molokai, Read more about our two-month Hawaii trip here, Hiking to Kalaupapa - A Must-Do when Visiting Molokai, Hawaii, Things to Do in Hilo & Fun Day Trips on a Big Island Hawaii Vacation, How We Saved Big on Hawaii Activities with a Multi-Day Oahu All-Inclusive Pass, Points Trip to Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaiis Big Island, A Serene Spring Getaway to Orcas Island, Washington, https://trailingaway.com/snorkeling-in-molokai/. : They will have snorkel and dive gear, water, soda and snacks. This is told from Buddys point-of-view, since we had different experiences: When we arrived to the manta ray diving spot, our Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii dive master Jason gave us a rundown on manta rays. is your dress from Forever21?? Okay, I get it. Divers generally report the best manta ray interactions during these months. Although it was dark above us, the water below us was extremely well lit. At Aquatic Life Divers, we understand your dive time is precious, so we'll ensure you get access to some of the most vibrant and diverse sea life surrounding the island. Lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls and idyllic beaches come together to create exotic vistas packed with wildlife and thats just topside! This is perfect for dive beginners. These lights soon attract plankton which feed on the light. If youd like a getaway in paradise, plenty to see at thousands of dive sites, and wonderful manta ray encounters, then head to the islands of Micronesia for your next scuba adventure. Check out more manta ray facts here. I highly recommend it. If youre ready for an adventure on the cutting-edge of discovery, book a trip to Isla de la Plata. This geographical location along with the shape and morphology of its major bay,Hanifaru Bay, creates a tremendous concentration of plankton. Current meet time is published in the booking details or check with our shop. This manta ray dive is possible year-round because of its manufactured aspect. Discontinuing the use of communal rinse buckets for SCUBA and snorkeling equipment. Are manta rays dangerous? An open water column is necessary for the mantas to maneuver. Avoid contact with coral, sea urchins, or other marine life. Special thanks toManta Ray Dives of Hawaii for providing us with a discounted rate for this experience. We descended about 30 feet and then swam 50 yards over to the campfire. This, plus our dive flashlights, is what tricks the plankton into thinking it is daytime, which makes them come out of hiding. Can I see mantas without taking a tour? At the crossroads between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, more than 17,500 islands make upIndonesia. Ishigaki is one of over 150 islands in the Okinawa Prefecture although being nearly 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) from Tokyo, its actually closer to Taiwan than Japans mainland. Whether you're diving for the first time or you want advanced dive certification, we'll strive to see you're more than satisfied with our service. Koh Bon is approximately an hour north of theSimilan Islands. Or, take two separate trips to do both if you just really cant decide. During the same season (sometimes also from December) you can have excellent manta diving in Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. It is possible to dive or snorkel to see the manta rays at night. Sanitizing high touch surfaces, rental gear, and tank valves after every charter. Make sure to add Lady Elliot Island to your itinerary. In fact, it is one of the only experiences that is equally spectacular for divers and snorkelers. However, because the mantas in Tofo are cleaning shark wounds rather than parasites, alonger amount of time at the cleaning station is needed. The coral reefs that surround these atolls and islands are rich with marine biodiversity, creating the perfect home for more than 100 resident reef mantas. All Rights Reserved. On the surface, the rest of us got our snorkel gear on and prepared to face the manta rays (literally). Theyd dive down and then circle back as they swam with their bellies and faces toward ours and devoured hundreds of plankton with their wide-open mouths. This article was written by Mario Passoni and Luca Saponari two marine biologists involved in several projects concerning ocean conservation and education. We were instructed that when this would happen to hold our breath and turn our heads. However, they still travel regularly and are always planning their next trip. And since they dont visit the other islands, Oahu has its own ledger of their rays as well. To experience this fascinating phenomenon, head to Kona in Hawaii, Fesdu Lagoon or Maayafushi Lagoon in theMaldives, or Devilfish City in Palau. But the Hilo area of the Big Island is also gorgeous with lots to do and isnt usually affected by the vog (we stayed at some great B&Bs there that Ill share in an overview blog of our trip soon). But surprisingly, I was getting excited to see the manta rays at night. I did this with little thought as to what may be below me, which later surprised me to realize. OBSERVE ONLY:No touching. Snorkelers and novice divers should take care, because currents can be strong and variable. They were close enough to see inside their gills, look into their eyes, and notice their unique markings. Yay! The Central-American country has both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, offering a diverse range of dive sites for every skill and interest. Contact us today. At one point, Im sure there were at least 20 or more divers down there. Our dive instructors will guide you through your underwater adventure, pointing out ideal photo opportunities and ensuring you have a blast. We were also told that all manta rays have unique markings, similar to that of the human fingerprint. All around me were muffled screams and other exclamations coming out of snorkels. But what makes diving with manta rays even more special is the connection you create with them as they glide and dance around you. Wait for them to approach you, and simply let the magic of the manta rays reach you! Youll find more than 500 reef mantas in the area throughout the year. The Manta rays are as graceful as a dancer and the size of a van. In addition to frequentwhale sharksightings, most visitors caneasily spot manta rays feedingon the mass amounts of plankton brought in through the channels of this atoll. The country has thousands of amazing dive sites. Requiring all employees and guests to use face masks. However, youll find a few shops in Puerto Lopez willing to show you the wonders hidden beneath these waters. On the other hand, you can base yourself in Coral Bay to ensure daily departures during all months.
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