There are two species of manta ray: the reef manta ray (manta alfredi) and the giant manta ray (manta birostris). Not only that, but manta rays actually have the largest brains out of all the fish in the world.īut just how big can manta rays get? We’ll dive into the largest manta ray ever recorded and what size ancient manta rays may have reached! The Background on Manta RaysĪs well as their distinctive shape and massive wings, manta rays can easily be distinguished by their wide mouths and “horns” that are actually called cephalic fins or lobes and are used for channeling water and food into their mouths while they are feeding. Also known as birds of the sea, these huge fish have an average wingspan of 23 feet and a weight of about 4,500 pounds. With a diamond-shaped appearance and huge fins that look like wings, manta rays glide through the water with an ease that belies their size. Of all the fish in the sea, manta rays have got to be amongst the most graceful and breathtaking creatures. Hannah Ward reports on the biggest manta ray ever for A-Z Animals. The southwest monsoon also brings with it the opportunity of night diving with feeding manta rays at Fesdu Lagoon.Our manta ray tours are one of the best on the Big Island to view these beautiful animals in their own environment. During the southwest monsoon (June to November), look to the east side of the atoll.
During the northeast monsoon (January to April), look to the west side of the atoll for the best manta diving. These graceful creatures are found year-round, but they do follow a seasonal migration around the atoll. While manta rays can appear in many places, Ukulhas Thila and Panettone are the most predictable dive sites. In addition to frequent whale shark sightings, most visitors can easily spot manta rays feeding on the mass amounts of plankton brought in through the channels of this atoll. Its varied underwater topography, including inner atoll reefs, pinnacles and channels, attracts all manner of large marine life. The Ari Atoll is one of the most visited atolls of the Maldives and is particularly popular with pelagic-lovers. You can dive with manta rays in Tofo year-round. 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. Previously, between 20, they saw an 88% drop in manta sightings – the largest decline of manta numbers recorded in the world. Researchers have identified 1,159 manta rays at Tofo. This gives you a longer window to find a few. However, because the mantas in Tofo are cleaning shark wounds rather than parasites, a longer amount of time at the cleaning station is needed. To explain, manta rays normally spend about an hour at a cleaning station. In reality, these attacks are the reason Tofo is a reliable destination for manta ray diving. Approximately 75% of these mantas are female and many have suffered from shark attacks. This reliable food source attracts nearly 900 reef mantas and 100 oceanic mantas a year. Here’s a hot tip: consider a night dive in Palau, since the island’s manta population tends to be more active after sunset.īecause of unique current patterns off the coast of Mozambique, a 124-mile (200-kilometer) stretch of plankton-rich waters has been created.
Divers generally report the best manta ray interactions during these months. Ready to pack your bags? Book your trip from October to May. Other famous dive sites are Stadium and the Dome. Sightings are almost guaranteed in the area at high tide because there are three different cleaning stations in the dive path. Devilfish City is a second, essential dive for anyone looking for mantas.
The German Channel also happens to include a manta ray cleaning station. These are perhaps more visible due to the growing popularity of the dive site known as the German Channel, considered one of the top three dive sites in Palau. The manta population is estimated to include around 350-450 individuals. It’s also recently had 80% of its surrounding waters designated as a Marine Protected Area in January 2020. Previously overshadowed by Yap in terms of manta ray diving, Palau is now recognized as one of the best and most consistent areas for seeing manta rays.
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