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Feet Do Blogging

Manta Madness: Best Places in the World to See Manta Rays

21/5/2017

22 Comments

 
Picture
Viewing a Manta Ray is a dream for many, and has been described as one of the most breath taking experiences a diver can have. Do you know you don’t have to be a Scuba Diver to see them?

When snorkelling in Sangalaki, Borneo, we saw mantas feeding on the surface. Nothing could prepare us for how we would feel when we had our first encounter with these majestic giants of the ocean.

We have been lucky to have had a few experiences with manta rays which weren’t just fleeting glimpses. When scuba diving in Komodo, Raja Ampat, and Nusa Penida, we hung around watching them being cleaned for hours. 

This article shares our amazing encounters, and if you aren’t a huge manta fan, I hope you will learn more about this intelligent, graceful fish.
​
We feel you can never have enough manta action, and we definitely still want more! Feet Do Travel share their Manta Madness.
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Manta Ray (now re-classified as Mobula Ray) are a beautiful, graceful, and very interesting marine life to watch. They have the largest brain of all fish species (yes they are a fish, just like salmon or tuna) and are ranked as the most intelligent. Recent studies have shown they are able to recognise themselves in a mirror. 

Injured mantas have been known to ask scuba divers to help them, allowing humans to free them from entangled fishing line when they have become entangled. To do this, mantas slow down their swimming speed so the diver can cut the fishing line or net from around their bodies.  
Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel

​Diving with Manta Rays in Komodo National Park

Komodo is famous for its giant lizards, the Komodo Dragon, but it’s also one of the best places in the world to see the majestic Manta Ray. Our diving friend Bert managed to capture a video of around 70-100 mantas as they swam past him just under the surface as he finished his dive. At first he thought he was videoing one manta, then all of a sudden a huge manta-train came from behind and he was surrounded. Mantas were to the left of him, to the right and underneath, it took around three minutes for the whole group to pass by! This encounter was special enough for PADI to share on their Facebook page.
Komodo National Park is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle – the most diverse are in the world for marine life. The nutrient rich cold water from the Indian Ocean meets the warm Pacific Ocean causing two tidal shifts between the bodies of water. The Coral Triangle has 76% of the world’s known coral species, and over 3,000 fish species.
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In 1991, Komodo became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Terrestrial Park to protect the Komodo Dragons, however the plight of the Manta Ray was concerning, and conservation goals were expanded to protect the entire biodiversity of marine and terrestrial life.
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A Komodo Dragon on Rinca Island, Komodo National Park
​There is a cleaning station in Komodo National Park on a dive site called Mawan; we dived a here a few times and saw mantas on every occasion. Mantas spend most of their time in the open water and only get close to the sea bed when they want to be cleaned. 
​
As we descended, we swam towards an underwater hill and there in front of us was a manta, gently floating around getting cleaned. We were elated when we swam closer and counted five.
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Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel
They swam around the coral mountain over and over, and we were able to see just how truly large and graceful they are.

During the three dives we probably spent around 2.5 hours with these graceful creatures. We had the privilege of spending around 45 – 60 minutes each time with between five and seven mantas, watching in awe as they swam silently and effortlessly around and around the coral mountain.

​Each time they swam over us, they became closer and closer as we hovered near the sandy bottom. 

Their eyes were looking at us. It was obvious they were aware of who we were.
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Can you see the manta's eyes looking at you?
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Angie with a Manta
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Sy and a Manta ...they just kept swimming closer and closer to us
​You should always follow manta protocol and never chase a manta, it’s also useless because they will swim away and you will not be able to catch them; a large manta can glide at speeds of up to 9 miles an hour with small bursts of 22 miles an hour. If you stay still and hover, they will come to you. Mantas are inquisitive creatures and will often play in the bubbles produced by scuba divers, they certainly appeared to be playing in ours.
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​We never dreamt we would have so much quality time with manta rays, and have the opportunity them swimming so close.
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Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel
We watched the chevron mantas take it in turns to swim over our heads then around the coral mountain, we were also able to identify a black ninja named Theo. They all looked pretty big from where we were hovering but in reality, at three to four metres wide, they were only average size.

There were still a few more surprises in store for us; the elusive Devil Ray came swimming by, if we blinked we would have missed it. Thank goodness we were watching all the action intently and had the camera ready.

​Before we began to ascend, the sun moved around in the sky and shone into the ocean showing off the manta’s stunning silhouette shape. Just when we didn’t think the manta could be any more beautiful.
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If we weren’t low on air, we would have stayed watching them for much longer. Thank goodness we were only nine metres down because this meant we were able to spend an entire dive with them.

Snorkelling with  Mantas in Sangalaki

You don’t have to be a diver to see mantas, one of our best experiences for observing manta behaviour was snorkelling in Sangalaki. We were sitting on our dive boat at a surface interval, then saw manta fins just on the surface. You didn’t have to ask us twice if we wanted to jump in! 

We grabbed our mask and snorkels and dropped in close by making sure we were far enough away not to startle them.
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​We didn’t have to swim far to see their dark shape just below the surface and, as we were following manta protocol of not chasing after them, we stopped and waited for the manta to come to us. Wow, what a show they performed for us! Mantas feed on plankton so on this occasion, they were enjoying a banquet right in front of us. They barrel rolled over and over, filling themselves up on as much as they could.
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A Manta feeds by barrel rolling to scoop up the plankton on the surface
​At one point, three of them formed a circle and swam around, it was rare to be in a position to witness this behaviour and it felt very special.
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​We spent an incredible 20 minutes with them just floating on the surface watching the mantas just below us. They often swum so close, we were able to see right into their mouths.
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Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel
We knew if we were lucky enough to get a clear underbelly photo, we could send it to either Manta Trust or Manta Matcher (who advertise “you can help photograph, identify and protect mantas”).*

Both organisations are part of the MMF (Marine Megafauna Foundation) and have a visual database of resident and migrating mantas around the world. Scuba Divers and snorkelers are encouraged to send any photos showing the spot pattern on the underbelly because this is their unique ID like a human finger print. Manta Matcher can track and better protect mantas with your help.

*We received an email response to advise that one of the mantas we had sent was brand new to their database.
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Not only did we have a surface encounter with Manta Rays in Sangalaki, we saw them diving.

At a cleaning station we nicknamed Manta Mount, we saw a medium sized manta (around two to three meters). We watched him for about 20 minutes as he also swum swim around and over us again and again, it was wonderful.
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Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel
Manta Madness, Best Places in the World to See Manta Ray, Mobular Ray, Manta Alfredi, Reef Mantas, Manta Birostis, Oceanic or Giant Manta, best places in the world for viewing mantas, Komodo National Park, Nusa Penida, Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, Sangalaki, Borneo, Raja Ampat, snorkelling with manta ray, most intelligent fish, facts about mantas Feet Do Travel
​We were also lucky to capture another underbelly ID photo, and felt so happy were able to help the mantas, even if it was in a small way.  In my imagination, this is what the manta wanted which is why they posed for us over and over. In my mind they were saying “take my picture! … Did you get a clear shot?, if not, let me swim over you again” … that’s what it felt like, and we loved it!
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If seeing manta rays is something you want to do, I sincerely hope you make it a priority, as you will never forget your first manta viewing.

Best places in the world for viewing Manta Rays 

​There are many places in the world for manta ray viewing so take your pick! Listed below are the best sites according to Dive Magazine and Diviac Travel. We have seen mantas in Sangalaki, Komodo, Raja Ampat and Nusa Penida all of which are in Indonesia.
  • Raja Amput, Indonesia
  • Komodo National Park from Flores, Indonesia
  • Air Atoll & Baa Atoll, Maldives
  • Hawaii
  • Revillagigedos Islands & Socorro Island, Mexico
  • Isla de la Plata, Ecuador
  • Yap, Micronesia
  • Rangiroa, Manihi and Fakarava atolls in French Polynesia
  • Uepi Island Manta Rays, Solomon islands
  • Yasawa Island, Fiji
  • Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
  • Ishigaki Island, Japan
  • Cabo Marshal, Galapagos
  • Koh Bon & Similan Islands, Thailand
  • Sangalaki on the Indonesian side of Borneo
  • Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Penida which can both be reached from Bali
Manta Facts
  • The word “manta” is Spanish for cloak.
  • There are two different species of mantas (before 2009, there was only one category of species, but then scientists realised they were different and split them into two). Manta Alfredi also know as Reef Mantas  tend to be the species you see travelling or being cleaned in groups. Manta Birostis (the Oceanic or Giant Manta) are larger and more solitary.
  • The Oceanic Manta is often found near the surface but can also dive to depths of 1,000 metres.
  • A full grown Oceanic Manta’s wing span can reach up to 7 metres (23 feet) and weigh up to 2 tonnes.
  • The Reef mantas are smaller and grow up to 3 to 3.5 metres (9-11.5 feet) weighing up to 1.4 tonnes.
  • Chevron pattern is the most popular but there is also all black.
  • Mantas are sexually mature around 10 – 15 years old.
  • Gestation period is 13 months and they give birth to one pup at a time every other year.
  • Mantas can have as many as 15-18 pups in their lifetime,
  • Mantas give birth to live young but have never been filmed giving birth in the wild.
  • Mantas live to at least 50 years old however scientists still know little about this and continue to study.
  • They have around 300 tiny teeth – all of which are useless as they are filter feeders.
If you want to know more about mantas, have a look at Manta Trust’s website! 

If you are want to support the Marina Megafauna Foundation's work protecting mantas, adopt a manta today!

We would love to know your thoughts on mantas, whether you are a scuba diver or not, please share with us in the comments section below.
Manta Rays (Mobula Rays) are one of the most intelligent fish species in our ocean. We have had plenty of #manta action in some of the best places in the world to see manta rays. Raja Ampat, Nusa Penida, Komodo, Sangalaki, Borneo, Feet Do Travel share Manta Madness. #mantas #mantaray #mobularay #dive #diving #scuba #scubadiving #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia #visitindonesia #exploreindonesia #travel #thingstodo

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​
​Pin this post for future reference!
Manta Rays (Mobula Rays) are one of the most intelligent fish species in our ocean. We have had plenty of #manta action in some of the best places in the world to see manta rays. Raja Ampat, Nusa Penida, Komodo, Sangalaki, Borneo, Feet Do Travel share Manta Madness. #mantas #mantaray #mobularay #dive #diving #scuba #scubadiving #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia #visitindonesia #exploreindonesia #travel #thingstodo
Manta Rays (Mobula Rays) are one of the most intelligent fish species in our ocean. We have had plenty of #manta action in some of the best places in the world to see manta rays. Raja Ampat, Nusa Penida, Komodo, Sangalaki, Borneo, Feet Do Travel share Manta Madness. #mantas #mantaray #mobularay #dive #diving #scuba #scubadiving #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia #visitindonesia #exploreindonesia #travel #thingstodo
22 Comments
Kelly link
26/5/2017 06:07:26 am

OMG! I am so jealous of you right now. Swimming with the mantas is something I have always wanted to do! And I will! I have pinned this post for further reference - thanks for pointing out some of the best places to see them.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:24:09 am

Mantas are incredibly special and I just cannot get enough of them! I hope you have a chance to snorkel with them when you are next sailing around Indonesia :D

Reply
Clair Kelly link
26/5/2017 06:11:01 am

Wow this is such a fascinating post, so full of information! I love the photography too.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:25:00 am

Thank you Clair, Mantas are such fascinating creatures aren't they!

Reply
Kate and Kris link
26/5/2017 07:06:32 am

I'm so jealous! We missed the mantas at both Komodo and Nusa Penida. Your photos are amazing. Now we're just going to have to hunt harder for them!

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:27:14 am

Oh that is such a shame you missed the mantas in two of the top places, I would have been spitting feathers! I hope you return to Indonesia to try and see them again :D

Reply
Marian
26/5/2017 03:14:24 pm

I swam with them too! In so called Stingray City off Gran Cayman. There they are so tame, I'm not sure they don't feed them something to keep them calm though. But there are literally hundreds in very shallow water too. It was a beautiful feeling though......and got the photo to prove it, of course!

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:31:49 am

I have heard of Stingray City but I didn't know mantas stopped here, I thought it was just stingrays so that's interesting. Glad you got the photo to prove it, as we say in the diving world "if you don't have a photo, it didn't happen" haha.

Reply
Jane @ Raincity Librarian link
27/5/2017 12:37:08 am

WOW! What an incredible experience! I've seen mantas in aquariums, but I've never been able to experience them swimming freely in the wild, so graceful and free.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:32:51 am

Watching Manta Rays swimming freely in the wild is magical. Knowing that they are they because they chose to be there is very special and humbling, I hope you have an opportunity to experience this for yourself some day :D

Reply
Ava Meena link
27/5/2017 08:04:36 pm

What a beautiful experience! Your photos are breathtaking! I definitely learned a few things from this post, thanks!

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:40:40 am

It truly was a beautiful experience Ava, and I want to do it again! So glad you enjoyed the photographs, thank you for your kind words.

Reply
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) link
28/5/2017 05:12:43 am

Wow wow wow!! That is so cool! Rob is as much a herp guy as marine, so he's double geeking out - Mantas AND Kimodos??? That's right up his alley. We would love to snorkel with the Manta rays. They just seem so graceful. Thanks for sharing, you guys. We loved it!

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 04:47:22 am

Mantas are incredibly graceful, they just glide through the water with no effort even if there is a current. Yes Mantas and Kimodos - awesome or what :D

Reply
Sandy N Vyjay link
29/5/2017 11:39:54 pm

The Manta rays are indeed fascinating creatures. Learnt a lot about them through this post. I can see why an encounter with them is considered as a unique experience. Hope to have the privilege of having the Manta experience soon.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 05:09:40 am

I agree, Mantas are fascinating and I also learnt so much from them through diving and writing this post. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you get the experience yourself one day.

Reply
Shona @ paraphernalia.co link
30/5/2017 11:21:37 am

What a great read! No one would have finished reading that and not wanted to swim with mantas. I love how they can recognise themselves in a mirror. You guys have been so fortunate to have had so much time with them. I'm pinning for when I have the cajones to face my fear. ;-)

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 05:28:58 am

I was amazed when I found out mantas can recognise themselves, marine life are far more intelligent than people give them credit for. You can see mantas eyes watching you and moving knowing they are aware of you and are thinking about what they will do next. Brilliant.

Reply
Only By Land link
2/6/2017 09:36:15 am

I went swimming with mantas in Bora Bora a few years ago and although I'm not a huge fan of Mantas I still enjoyed the experience! I had no idea there was an option to go swimming with Mantas on Komodo Island. Komodo Island is high on my list as I really want to photograph the real Komodo Dragon (not the monitor lizards in Thailand!). You took some wonderful photos, very impressive use of the underwater camera!

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 05:30:56 am

Wow, you have been swimming with mantas in Bora Bora, that is awesome! Glad you enjoyed the experience even if you aren't a manta fan, it's hard not to :D Check out our Komodo Dragon Hike in Rinca post if you like the dragons!

Reply
Siddharth and Shruti link
4/6/2017 10:43:21 am

Wow! We are headed to Komodo in September! This is so exciting! We have never done scuba diving before. Will we be able to do it? This seems like an amazing experience! Your photographs are beautiful.

Reply
FeetDoTravel
2/12/2017 05:35:41 am

That's awesome you are heading to Komodo, hope this post was helpful Yes you can learn to Scuba Dive anywhere in Indonesia but if you don't have enough time, I hope you have a chance to snorkel with these beautiful creatures instead :D

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