Manta Vista: 14 Places To Find Manta Rays
Manta rays are the biggest rays in the ocean. UW360 gives you a global list of where to find these majestic creatures
MANTA VISTA
Manta rays are the biggest rays in the ocean. Despite their size, these majestic beauties pose little threat to humans, making them very popular among divers. They are generally found in warm waters across the planet, and are declared as “vulnerable” by the Internation
1.KONA & THE BIG ISLAND, HAWAII (Kona Coast)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
<350. Main attraction is the night dive/snorkel with mantas off Kona
2. REVILLAGIGEDO ISLANDS, MEXICO (The Boiler)
Manta birostris
Peak Season:
Year round
(best Nov-Jun)
Population:
>350 but expected to be much larger. This location consistently has sightings of very large individuals with wingspan >5m. Black mantas are also common at this site
3.ISLA MUJERES & ISLA HOLBOX, MEXICO (Bahia de las Mantas)
Manta birostris
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
Unknown. This Caribbean manta could well be a third species of manta ray
4.ISLA DE LA PLATA, ECUADOR
Manta birostris
Peak Season:
Year round
(best Jun-Oct)
Population:
~350 but expected to be much larger. Weather conditions make this site hard to access at certain times of the year
5.MALDIVES
Manta birostris/Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Jul-Sep
Population:
5,000-6,000
6. KOH BON,SIMILAN ISLANDS, THAILAND (West Ridge, Koh Bon Pinnacle)
Manta birostris
Peak Season:
Year round
(best Jan-May)
Population:
Unknown
7.YAEYAMA ISLANDS, JAPAN (Manta Scramble)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round, but bad weather in the winter often prevents diving at the main manta site
Population:
300
8.YAP, PALAU, KIRIBATI & GUAM (Manta Ridge, Manta Ray Bay, Valley of the Rays)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
~100. All these small islands have small populations of reef mantas year round
9.KOMODO NATIONAL PARK, INDONESIA (Manta Alley, German Flag, Batu Tiga, Karang Makasar, Tatawa Kecil, Tatawa Besar)
Manta birostris/Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
Unknown. Black morph mantas are found at this site. Mantas migrate from the north to south of the park with the seasons
10.KADAVU ISLAND, FIJI (Manta Reef)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
Unknown, but likely to be fairly small
11.GREAT BARRIER REEF, EASTERN AUSTRALIA (North Bommie, Coral Grotto, Plate LEdge, Pam’s Point, Heron Bommie)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
>500
12.CORAL BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
>500
Note: Coral Bay is a location along the Ningaloo Reef, where the manta population is said to be between 1,200 and 1,500
13.NUSA PENIDA ISLAND, BALI, INDONESIA (Manta Point, Mola Mola)
Manta birostris/
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Year round
Population:
Unknown
14.TOFO, INHAMBANE, MOZAMBIQUE & SODWANA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA (Bass City, Shallow Malongane, Bread Loaf, Paradise Ledge, Turtle Creek, Fingers, Checkers, Doodles, Ponta do Ouro)
Manta alfredi
Peak Season:
Reef mantas >900. Oceanic mantas >100 (pop estimate 600)
Population:
Unknown
Read the rest of this article in No.113 Issue 3/2018 of Scuba Diver magazine by subscribing here or check out all of our publications here.