
Manta rays are often seen in “cleaning stations” near the reef to let cleaner wrasse remove small parasites and gill cavities. These animals are not bothered by human presence; they may approach and solicit attention from divers enjoying the bubbles created during scuba diving. It is better to position yourself along the bottom to observe them close up. However, in areas frequented by divers, they become very vigilant and cease to approach.
Although flash from photography or video doesn’t seem to bother them, you shouldn’t disturb them while feeding or cleaning. Even if they are not bothered by your presence, the best experience is to let them decide if they want to approach you or not. Remember that direct eye contact is a form of friendly connection which they seem to enjoy.
The word “manta” comes from the word in Spanish which means “cloak”. In the Maldivian language, the word “manta” is known as “small fish eating rays”. These terms are very descriptive for the manta rays.
Manta rays are the largest of all rays. They have a distinctive body shape with triangular ‘wings’. The disc width can reach at least 7m and can weigh up to 1,400 kg. They can live up to at least 50 years and possibly to 100 years. They mostly eat plankton (20-30 kilograms per day).
There are two living species, the oceanic manta also called giant manta ray (Birostris) and the reef manta (Alfredi) and are both located worldwide.
Both species live in the open ocean, visiting reefs to feed and be cleaned. However, the oceanic mantas are more widely distributed: tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters. Manta birostris is more often seen off shore whereas the reef mantas are more sighted inshore around coral reefs in tropical waters. The Maldives are a hotspot for plankton and consequently for reef mantas (6000-7000 reef mantas throughout the year).
Manta rays have few natural predators such as certain species of sharks, orcas and false killer sharks. Manta rays main worries are unfortunately human activities. Mainly fishing lines and fishing entanglement are causes of death. Recently manta rays became a desirable catch and are hunted for their gill rakers for Chinese medicine. These allow the mantas to filter their planktonic prey from the water.
In 2011, manta rays became strictly protected in international waters thanks to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported giant Manta Rays as “Vulnerable with an elevated risk of extinction” in November 2011.
More detailed information about Manta Rays can be found here.
Ari Atoll, Maldives
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Baa Atoll & Raa Atoll, Maldives
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Bimini, Bahamas
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Byron Bay, Australia
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Exmouth, Australia
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Faafu Atoll & Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
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Gaafu Atoll, Maldives
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Gili Islands, Lombok
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Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
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Hurghada, Egypt
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La Paz, Mexico
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Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
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Male Atoll, Maldives
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Marsa Alam, Egypt
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North Caicos, Turks and Caicos
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Northern Atolls, Maldives
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Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
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Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
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Seenu Atoll, Maldives
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Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
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Socorro Islands, Mexico
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Tofo Beach, Mozambique
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Tutukaka, New Zealand
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Vaavu Atoll, Maldives
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Watamu, Kenya
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