Understanding Manta Rays

Snorkeling to swim with manta rays is one of the most exhilarating adventures you can have in the ocean. Do not let their size and possibly alarming shape fool you - they are mild creatures and do not harm humans so you are safe with them. Of course, you should always have a qualified snorkeling guide with you.

What They Are

Manta rays are cartilaginous fish and belong to the shark family, although they are distantly related. Mantas live in temperate tropical waters and are open ocean creatures. However, they often visit reefs regularly to feed on plankton and allow small fish to clean their skins. There are two types of manta rays – the larger is known as the manta birostris and the smaller is the manta alfredi. The alfredi is usually found nearer the coast. Although they are found in groups near the reefs, mantas are solitary creatures that swim alone and only gather to feed and to mate. They are intelligent animals and have the largest brain to body ratio in the ray and shark family.

What They Look Like

Manta rays have flat disc like bodies of a diamond shape. While being similar in appearance to other types of rays, mantas are the largest of their type. Because the shape of their horns is said to give them a devilish appearance, they are also known as Devil Rays. Adult rays usually have a wingspan of about 11 feet although some have been found with spans of up to 25 feet. Female rays tend to be larger than the males. Manta are black and gray on the top and mainly white on the underside. The black and gray pattern is unique to each manta and can be used to identify individual rays similar to the way stripes are used to identify individual tigers. The weight of the mantas varies, but a thumb rule is to estimate a weight of 50 to 100 pounds for each foot of length. Their lifespan is believed to be anywhere between 50 to 100 years.

Where They Swim

The manta alfredi is found in the waters, off the Big Island of Hawaii. Although they can dive as deep as 700 feet, they usually swim between the surface and 80 feet down, making it easy for snorkelers to get close to them. On an average, they can be found at depths of around 30 feet.

The best way to get the manta ray experience is to do a night time snorkel when the rays come to the coral reefs to feed on plankton. Go out with an experienced charter boat and crew that knows the best places to find the rays. Ideally, it should be a spot that both the rays and snorkelers frequent so the creatures are comfortable having humans around. The best boats will have special lights to attract the rays and allow you to get a good look at them. Hawaii is a great place to get close to these magnificent creatures. Find a charter boat and crew on the Big Island that are experts in snorkeling with manta rays and prepare to enjoy a magical experience.