At Manta Point Komodo, locally known as Karang Makassar (Makassar Reef), mantas are the biggest attraction, but its also home to reef sharks, turtles, giant trevally, sponges, and many other fascinating marine life. Manta rays can be spotted here year-round, however, they do follow the plankton blooms which flourish on different sides of the archipelago depending on the season. Interested in diving Socorro? At iconic sites such as Manta Alley and The Cauldron, dozens can also be seen feeding and visiting shallow water cleaning stations along the reef. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, safest large animal encounter in the world. One of our most popularshore dive combosthat we have to offer here at Maui Diving is our Manta/Shark package. Water temperatures range from 70F (21C) through the upper 70s (25 - 26C). Although Maui Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. The timing has to be right, and it only happens several times each season, but when the lunar tide pushes against the Indian Oceans southwestern monsoon current, it creates a suction effect that pulls deepwater krill and plankton up to the surface of Hanifaru Bay. Bluewater Travel can book youon any of the group trips that we have listed above, or help arrange a trip just for you! We'll provide recommendations andget you booked on any boat or resort, help sort out your flights, transfers, and just about everything else you need to have an amazing trip--all that atno additional cost than doing it all yourself., Email us, call us at+1-310-915-6677or write to us throughthe live chat box to start planning your trip!, Check out these useful resources from our sister websites,Bluewater Photo, andUnderwater Photography Guide, Comprehensive Guide to Shooting Wide-Angle, Coral Reefs Now More Resistant to Ocean Warming (2019), 310-915-6677 Numerous divers whove experienced diving with mantas have said that they seem to be as curious about people as people are about them, often coming close to take a good look. Hawaii Things To Do - A Night Out on Maui, Customizable Your Vacation with Custom Group Tours in Hawaii, Hawaii History - King Kamehameha the Great, Interesting Facts That You May Not Know About the Hawaiian Islands. with validated privacy protection. The islands southern coastline experiences cool upwellings from the deep Indian Ocean, encouraging brisk currents and a thick plankton soup that feeds all manner of reef species, large and small. Sea Paradise - Moonlight Manta Ray Snorkel Tour. VIDEO LINK At Cabo Marshall, youll wait among the black coral at a rocky plateau which drops off to over 30 meters (100+ ft), where many of the mantas come and feed. Please see cancel policy for activities on the order page for any exceptions. Our favorite dive destinations in the world. Looking for the best present for the holidays or an anniversary? BWT has a number of upcoming trips to the Galapagos, and youre certainly welcome to join us! There are several boat tour companies that take people out to these prime spots where the manta rays can be observed. Divers have said that encounters with mantas here can last for as long as half an hour. Divers often see Manta Rays on the Wailea Point Reef at Wailea Beach, directly in front of the dive shop located on the Four Seasons Resort Maui Property. Otherwise, check out our list and schedules of liveaboards that dive Raja Ampat, or check out dive resorts in the area like Papua Paradise Eco Resort or Kri Eco Resort. Tubbataha Reefs National Park, Palawan, the Philippines--as part of the Coral Triangle with its incredible biodiversity, Tubbataha is home to reef mantas, an exciting (and recent!) discovery. For more information about swimming with manta rays on Maui, go online. With a wingspan of up to 20 feet, manta rays are known as the oceans gentle giants. Add a GoPro 9 to your EcoAdventure to capture stunning footage of your EcoAdventure! Komodo can be dived via liveaboard, on the Pearl of Papua or the MV Ambai, for example. Mantas can grow to a size of up to 12 ft and will spend time visiting certain reef areas for feeding and for cleaning. Water temperatures remain at a consistent 28 to 32 degrees. The mantas go where the monsoons are, since the monsoons affect the supply of plankton. Galapagos has its very own manta season, which is between December and May, when water temps are a little warmer, and visibility is better. BWT has a number of upcoming trips to the Raja Ampat, and youre certainly welcome to join us! It is at these cleaning stations that we will often find these magnificent creatures hanging out on the reef being cleaned. In the picture belowyou can see the Manta that we got to name through the Manta Pacific Research Foundation. There are a number of excellent dive spots around Baa Atoll, however, where mantas can be seen. With over 5 acres of Hard Corals growing on a lava rock base, divers can experience all that Hawaii has for sea life from the shallows to the edge of the reef and beyond. When the waters are warmer, the mantas go over to Goofnuw Channel., Additionally, Yaps waters are where many divers have been witness to small groups of mantas dancing, as part of their courtship ritual, especially between October and March.. Arguably the best site in the world to interact with oceanic mantas, The Boiler is a submerged pinnacle off the rugged San Benedicto Island, where incredibly friendly mantas gather at cleaning stations to rid themselves of bothersome parasites. Our top seven choices for the best places to see manta rays around the world. Sightings of more than 16 foot wingspans have been reported over the years, mostly off the back wall of Molokini or other deep water sites. Visitors have the option of diving in this part of Kona in the daytime or in the evenings, which makes for a pretty special experience. Pro-tip: How to get there -- If youre planning to go to Komodo, youll need to fly in from either Jakarta or Denpasar to Labuan Bajo. Mexico's best spots PLUS all the info you need to pick the perfect location for your next vacation! The larger giant oceanic mantas are more widely distributed and tend to gather around offshore seamounts and islands. Komodo is famous for the Komodo Dragons, of course, but its also well-established as a place where guests can reliably see manta rays -- and here youll see both Reef Mantas and Giant Oceanic Mantas. Nearest Airport: Velana International Airport (MLE), Male, If youre planning a trip to the Maldives any time, there are plenty of amazing Maldives liveaboards, including MV Fun Azul and the Maldives Explorer. Diving or snorkeling with mantas is considered to be the safest large animal encounter in the world since manta rays neither bite nor sting. Raja Ampat is also home to Giant Oceanic Mantas, although they are fewer here than reef mantas. 910 Honoapiilani Hwy Annex B This is actually the warm season for the Galapagos, when temperatures in the water range between 78 to 84 F (25.5 - 29 C), and so divers with a low tolerance for cold may want to bring their 5mm or 7mm wetsuits. They have a catalogue of Mantas that been named by those who submitted photos of their Manta,and we found one that had not yet been identified! This Moonlight Manta Ray Snorkel Tour is a later tour focusing on guests who are a little more sensitive to motion sickness and prefer a shorter boat tour. your activities are reserved and guaranteed. BWT owner Scott Gietler, who visited Socorro for the first time early in 2019, called the experience in Socorro"the best manta ray encounters that I have ever had in my life. Depending on the time of year, visibility can be between 20 to 70 feet. Hawaii Discount offers a great selection of the Big Islands best manta ray snorkel tours at the best prices. Raja Ampat Photo Workshop Dec 2021| July 7 - 18, 2021 | Trip Leader: Craig Dietrich | From $6,545, Raja Ampat Photo Workshop Feb 2022 |February 9 - 19, 2022 | Trip Leader: Maya Hanna Saad |From $4,450, There are only two words to describe Yaps waters-- crystal and clear. These friendly manta rays allow you to swim inches away from them, for several minutes at a time. Please view at your own discretion. Cabo Marshall is only accessible via liveaboard, such as the Galapagos Aggressor III and the Galapagos Master. Mantas have very specific patterns on their underside, which allows us to identify them, like a finger print! Since the early 2018 winter season, Mauis Manta Rays have been making consistent visits to the South Shore reef areas. After boarding just in time to watch the sunset, enjoy the cruise out to Keauhou Bay to swim and see the manta rays. These are fully-guided tours and all instruction and snorkeling or diving equipment is provided. Watch manta rays up close in their natural habitat! After dark, spotlights are placed into the water to attract manta rays. Or, check out our full list of Galapagos liveaboards here. Scott Gietler's "epic" Galapagos trip here. Costa Rica -- Massive Pacific manta rays can be found at the Bat Islands, Catalina Islands, and Cano Island along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. When theres an abundance of plankton in Raja Ampats waters, Black Mantas can even be seen leaping above the waters surface, taking their ballet into the air and then belly-flopping gracefully. The whole country of Indonesia has been a manta ray sanctuary for some years now. The particular dive site that we are often able to find the Mantas at, may not be diveable due to conditions during the winter months due to extreme surf conditions, however, it never hurts to ask if it is possible to go do these dives. Please do not touch, feed or pet the manta rayseven if they come right up to you! The Maldives, where there are about 5,000 manta rays, is home to the largest manta feeding station in the world, found in tiny Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll. Looking to dive multiple days in the clear blue Kona coast? Photo courtesy Lyle Krannichfeld. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FDhJquWGNw&feature=youtu.be. The Canyon, on the southern side of San Benedicto, is another popular cleaning station for oceanic mantas, and dive groups can often enjoy huge schools of them circling in the strong currents above. enter the pelagic zone to explore the world of the deep blue & come across oceanic white tips and much more. Safe, secure online booking system Dolphin Discoveries - Manta Discovery Adventure. Nearest Airport: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), Mexico. Some of the best dive spots for reef mantas in these waters are Manta Ridge, Manta Sandy, Eagle Rock and Wayag Lagoon, while at Blue Magic and Magic Mountain, divers will see both types of mantas. Find out about other great Hawaiian dive destinations. Lying in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is an island nation of 26 natural coral atolls, known for great reefs and lively currents. This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Some activities need 72 hours to cancel and large parties of 6 or more need 72 hours or more. Another place in the Maldives to see mantas is South Ari Atoll, also known as Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, on the eastern side of the Maldives.. Unlike other mantas, which migrate depending on the time of year, Konas mantas stay in these waters all year long. Diving with manta rays is an incredible, nearly otherworldly experience, for those whove had the opportunity to experience seeing these graceful, gentle creatures up close. Witness the majestic Humpback Whales, as they become temporary Kama'aina in the warm waters off the Hawaiian Islands. Email us at Bluewater Dive Travel and wed be happy to assist you for your Komodo trip. Gift a loved one with a ticket for an amazing EcoAdventure! Skill Level: Best for experienced divers due to choppy seas and often strong currents. Yaps waters remain in the comfortable 80sF the whole year round. An uninhabited outcrop of islands lying 370 miles west of mainland Mexico, the Revillagigedo Archipelago, commonly referred to as Socorro, experiences the full force of the Pacific Ocean along its isolated coastline. You may think that its a little crazy to swim with manta rays in the ocean, but lots of people think its a good idea. But many believe that the best place to find mantas in the Galapagos is at Cabo (or Cape) Marshall, just south of the equator, off the northeastern shore of Isabela Island. Read more about Bluewater Travels Raja Ampat 2019 trip led by travel expertKatie Yonker. Kona can be dived through liveaboards such as the Kona Aggressor II or via the numerous dive operators throughout the island. Attracted by the tasty soup, manta rays gather in their hundreds to chain feed, following each other nose to tail in increasingly expanding spirals. We dive with these Mantas in as little as 10 feet of water, but mostly they are found in the 20-40 depth. This will also be on your voucher. The Galapagos hosts fifteen different species of rays, including the manta ray. For more of Lyles photography, visit www.krannichfeld.com. These dives alone are worth the trip to Socorro - they are not easily forgotten, and you will always cherish your moments with the most intelligent fish in the ocean.. Check out our full list of liveaboards here. info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. The various types of rays can also be found in different areas around the Galapagos, with giant mantas often found off of Darwin and Wolf islands between Sombrero Chino islet and Santiago island. Scooter Snorkel Tours on Maui are the best. A swim with the Big Island's manta rays is truly a magical experience. Ocean Encounters - Manta Ray Night Snorkel. And while they feed, smaller fish come and clean the parasites off their bodies. They look prehistoric and may actually be prehistoric, with wingspans up to 20-feet long and larger. You can see there is a good chunk of his right wing that is missing just by his rear end. If you're looking for that 'next big trip' - hopefully this list ofthe world's best coral reefshas helped either add some new ones or help prioritize your list! Often, when theyre done getting cleaned and they see divers, they are known to swim quite close. For South Ari Atoll, which is on the western side of the Maldives, mantas are around from September-October through May, and the best time to see them is between February and April. In 2015, a manta ray nursery was discovered in Wayag, and last year, a new group of mantas was discovered in the remote island of Palu. And, at Socorro, were talking about manta rays that are over 22 feet (7 meters) in width, the Giant Oceanic Mantas.. Resorts in Kona abound, and if youre doing the night dive with the mantas, finding accommodations will be no problem.. Lahaina, HI 96761, The ONLY Authorized Scubapro & Aqualung Dealership in Lahaina, Designed by Creative Soup / All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2017-2022. Socorro can only be accessed via liveaboard, which only sail to Socorro between November and June. From May to November there is an enormous buildup of plankton on the western side, which means the manta rays (and whale sharks) make their way to Hanifaru Bay in droves, to an area no bigger than a football field. On theManta dive,we may have the opportunity to be visited bysome of the most peaceful and beautiful creatures that call Maui home, the Coastal MantaRays! Our certified PADI Instructors/Dive Masters will guide you through two dives at two different sites for the best scuba diving experience on the big island. It is speculated that he may have had an encounter with a shark, and we named him Laki which means Lucky in Hawaiian. La Paz, Mexico --This area has become famous for its mini-mantas the manta rays smaller cousins. But if you want to take a chance on seeing the mantas mating dance, then schedule a trip between October and March. Joining a night dive to see dozens of Mobula rays is simply unforgettable. Therefore coming to this remote part of the world to see manta rays in their cleaning stations is worth the trip, as visibility can go up to 100 feet (30.45 m)!, Yap is located between Palau and Guam and is to the east of the Philippines. The four islands that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site are comparable to the Galapagos Islands, and the marine ecosystem is equally rich, offering a refuge for migrating pelagics and resident species alike. Paddle boarders, snorkelers, and Outrigger Canoe Crews have enjoyed watching the Manta Rays skim the surface feeding on Plankton, Hydroids and other micro-organisms floating in the sea. With wingspans averaging from 6-10 feet wide, these animals are amazing to watch as the fly by. If you havent checked out the Shark Dive page, have a look to see what you can expect on that particular dive site. Person after person has described these encounters as sheer joy because theres nothing quite like being in the ocean and having a manta ray swim right up to you, and look you in the eye., Of the two recognized species of manta, the smaller reef mantas often school in large numbers and are most commonly found on inshore reefs in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. come abroad and plan your exclusive ecoadventure. Bluewater Travel's March 2019 Raja Ampat Trip Report, Exploring Sri Lanka and Diving the Maldives, An uninhabited outcrop of islands lying 370 miles west of. Read more about BWT owner Scott Gietler's "epic" Galapagos trip here.. So when dive operators shine their lights, the plankton comes, followed by the mantas, swimming gracefully with their mouths wide open, essentially letting the current push the plankton to them, at times turning somersaults. The implementation of protected marine areas benefits the entire local marine ecosystem and improves the underwater experience for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of a manta ray.. Manta rays have marks that distinguish them along their underside, almost similar to how humans are identified by our fingerprints. Manta ray night snorkeling tours are only offered on Hawaiis Big Island, just off the Kona Coast. Similan Islands, Thailand--Between December and April each year, manta rays stop-off on their migration to feed in the Andaman Seas plankton-rich waters.. At the cleaning stations in these areas, mantas have even been seen lining up to be cleaned!. In the Maldives, tour operators take guests out snorkeling as well as diving to see mantas, and divers can get equally good manta interaction while diving or snorkeling in these waters. Every night they feed at Garden Eel Cove, nicknamed Manta Heaven, in Makako Bay, which is very popular with Konas guests. Maui Diving-Scuba & Snorkel Center taking over Khei, Man on Scuba Diving Tour off Molokai Found Unresponsive, Scuba Diver Found Unresponsive at Mkena Landing, Maui Woman Dies, Reported Unresponsive on Dive Boat, Maui police investigate "suspicious" incident; seek, Coast Guard Looking for Owner of Dive Float Found, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FDhJquWGNw&feature=youtu.be, Maui Top 20: Maui Visitor & Tourism Information. One caveat though: the currents are usually strong in Komodo in these months, and so its best for divers who have their Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Over 200 vibrant coral species and many colorful sponges create a haven for a myriad of bright reef fish, and a spectacular backdrop to the manta rays swooping back and forth., This area, which is between Komodo and Rinca Islands, is only accessible via liveaboard. Bali, Indonesia --The manta rays around Bali are huge! As intimidating and otherworldly they may appear, they are actually friendly creatures, and unlike stingrays, mantas have no stingers. Designed by Blue Tiki Productions. The mantas at Kona are Reef Mantas, smaller than Socorros Giant Oceanic Mantas, with a width of around 12 feet (3.66 meters). While diving is no longer permitted in Hanifaru Bay since it was declared a Marine Protected Area in 2009, a limited number of snorkelers are allowed daily, but for only 45 minutes maximum. Mantas move so beautifully that some have called it flight, as suggested by their moving wings, or compared it to a ballet. What brings mantas to this area over and over again are its plankton-filled waters, where the graceful giants come to feed and be cleaned on the regular. Or, check out our list of liveaboards in Socorro here. Any diver whos been here, however, will tell you those 45 minutes are well worth it. There are a number of other great places in the world where manta rays can be found, but the BWT team has three, in particular, that deserve special mention. Go snorkeling off the Big Islands shore after dark and watch manta rays feed on microscopic plankton a truly magical experience! Its two most famous sites for diving with manta rays are the Miil Channel, where mantas can be found from November through May, and Goofnuw Channel, for the other months of the year. Mantas frequent the waters of Raja Ampat from October through May, but the best time to visit is between December and March, when the waters are the calmest and theres optimum visibility. Mark an item off your bucket list and join us for an incredible encounter with the Kona Manta Rays at night. The reef mantas at Raja Ampat are distinct from mantas in other areas, as they are dark both on their undersides and on top, which is why theyre called Black Mantas. The curiously evasive hahalua (manta ray in the ancient Hawaiian language) is one of the largest fish in our Hawaiian oceans. Also note that the currents and surge can be quite strong in these waters, and so theyre recommended for Intermediate to Advanced divers. There are 240 manta rays in Kona, and each one has its own name.. Mantas are found in feeding and cleaning stations. Check out our boy Laki herehttp://www.mprf.net/identificationmaui/Male/103.html. While manta rays are found in Komodo from November through May, the best time to visit Komodo is between December and February, when water temperatures hover around 83 - 84 F (28C). If youre visiting Hanifaru Bay, as mentioned above, plan your trip from the months of May through November, although the peak period would be between late July and October. Join our next trip: Socorro Big Animal Group Trip Feb 2021 | Feb 5 - 14, 2021 | From $3,995, OR view the availability of some of the best liveaboards in Socorro and book online at the best price!, Visiting manta rays on the Hawaiian island ofKona is as easy as hopping into a plane and getting there. If you need any assistance booking a reservation, please call us: (808) 325-1687were available Monday thru friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturday thru Sunday 10am to 4pm HST. But, thats not all youll see at Cabo Marshall, where mobula rays also happily swim about in massive schools, along with hammerhead sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, pufferfish, parrotfish, among others. Looking for a fun and unique snorkeling or diving adventure? At times, there are as many as 150 mantas feeding at the same time.. Manta rays can be found in many waters around the world, and we at Bluewater Dive Travel have come up with a list of the very best sites, where divers encounter manta rays under the best possible circumstances. @fsmaui @blue_tiki_maui #theultimateoceanexperience #mantaraydiving #mauiscubadiving #mauisnorkeltours #mauiscootersnorkel #waileabeach, 2021 Maui Undersea Adventures, Inc. Many divers have Yaps waters as part of their bucket list because it is home to some of the healthiest barrier reefs in all of the Pacific, replete with walls and caverns, and the opportunity for some amazing twilight diving. The best months for spotting manta rays are between February and May, with water temperatures hovering around 24-27C (75-81F). Eventually, the chains break down and a mass feeding frenzy ensues, with mantas jostling against each other, and dozens of whale sharks, to filter the last remaining krill..
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