Snorkelling with manta rays is one of the most incredible marine wildlife experiences that you can have, so I’ve put together this guide for you to cover these areas:
- What’s so special about manta rays?
- How to snorkel safely with manta rays
- The ethics of snorkelling with manta rays
- My experience of snorkelling with manta rays
- Can you see manta rays at night?
- How do you photograph manta rays underwater?
- Places in the world where you can find manta rays
Without further ado, this is my complete guide to snorkelling with manta rays:
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What’s so special about manta rays?
One of the most incredible things about manta rays is their sheer size, they’re basically like floating blankets. There are two species, the reef manta and the giant manta ray. The giant ones can grow up to 7m, and the reef mantas are around 3-4m on average. They can also live for up to 50 years. You are most likely to see the reef mantas as they feed closer to shore than the big ‘uns.
Discover 12 amazing facts about manta rays that you might not know.
How to snorkel safely with manta rays
They feed on plankton primarily as they are filter feeders, but the larger ones also eat fish. This is good news as it means that they’re not going to eat you and they don’t eat anything particularly dangerous (turtles tend to eat jellyfish which means there are usually bits of jellyfish in the water around them).
If you are concerned about jellyfish then consider purchasing a wetsuit and follow these tips for avoiding jellyfish as well as what to do if you do get minor stings. I got stung when snorkelling with rays which were a pain (literally) but if there are dangerous jellies around then don’t get in the water.
Always remember to look out for boats and don’t crowd marine life. For your own safety, don’t get in the water if it’s too choppy and use a lifejacket if you’re not a strong swimmer.
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The ethics of snorkelling with manta rays
Be sure to adhere to the snorkelling code of conduct in order to protect the reef, do not touch any coral or marine life, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going into the water and don’t take anything from the ocean, unless it’s trash.
Read more of my sustainable snorkelling tips and for reef-safe sunscreen recommendations here.
My full guide to snorkelling with bioluminescent plankton at nighttime.
Here are the 21 fish species you’ll see when snorkelling or diving in Bali or Lombok
My experience of snorkelling with manta rays
I was lucky to see manta rays in two places in Indonesia, at Manta Point near Komodo Island and at Manta Point off the island of Nusa Lembongan in Bali. In the Komodo Islands, we could see the mantas really well from the boat as they were feeding on the surface, once we jumped in it was difficult to find them in the choppy waters.
In Nusa Lembongan, it was a totally different experience as they were underwater. The water was much calmer so it was a better experience, albeit a very crowded one. The trick is to jump in as soon as it is safe to do so, in order to get to see the rays before they disappear.
Can you see manta rays at night?
To see manta rays at night, you need to go on a night dive but make sure you go with a good provider and be careful. The ocean can be dangerous at night, there could be currents, predators like jellyfish or even sharks around as well as the chance of bumping into sharp rocks or marine litter like fish hooks. Don’t go anywhere without your torch and your buddy.
How do you photograph manta rays underwater?
If you want to photograph manta rays, then I suggest doing it in the daytime. For keen photographers then the sheer size of the rays means that it is worth investing in a fish-eye lens to get the whole thing in the frame.
Try and get them in shallow waters to use the natural sunlight or use a strobe if you’re diving deeper. Be patient as you’ll get a better shot from waiting than by chasing the manta around. If you’re snorkelling then you can get a decent shot by using a GoPro in an underwater housing.
More tips for photographing manta rays underwater.
Places in the world where you can see manta rays in action:
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Ecuador
- Maldives
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Hawaii
- Fiji
- Micronesia
So if you’re planning on visiting any of these places, find out whether you’ll be passing a manta ray bay along the way!
Check reviews before you go:
Don’t forget your water bottle:
Have you ever been snorkelling with manta rays? If so, whereabouts in the world did you see them? Let me know in the comments below!
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