Ask anyone who has seen them, being underwater with manta rays is one of the finest diving experiences going.
A combination of their size and grace make them a breathtaking spectacle as they glide past.
Possessing wing-like pectoral fins which can easily span between 22 and 28 feet (the largest ever recorded was 30 feet) they are filter feeders, consuming plankton and small fish by swimming with their mouths wide open.
It is a moment that can only be described as once seen, never forgotten.
So why choose to mention them now? Well, today (September 17th if you’re reading this at a later date!) is World Manta Day. And besides, at Emperor Divers we never shy away from the opportunity to talk about these beautiful beings.
World Manta Day is an opportunity for people across the globe to come together and advocate for the protection of manta rays. Conservation groups, researchers, and ocean enthusiasts use this day to highlight the importance of creating marine protected areas, enforcing fishing regulations, and promoting sustainable tourism.
Something we happily support.
There are so many places we can take you to see these creatures and, once you have marvelled at them, you will be a fan for life.
For example, on our Best of Maldives itinerary the Moofushi cleaning station on Ari Atoll is a hotspot for manta as they come to perform their symbiotic affair with cleaner wrasse.
Addu Atoll is another fantastic spot we always try to take it on our Deep South trip with Maa Kandu a site that will leave a lasting impression while, on Northern Highlights, there is Dhigu Thila where the strong currents cause a funnel effect which attracts manta to feed.
Northern Highlights can also visit Hanifaru Bay (known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi) which regularly sees some of the largest gatherings of Manta rays worldwide with up to one hundred individuals in a small inlet.
Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, diving is not permitted at Hanifaru Bay but it does provide an exceptional snorkelling experience.
If you haven’t already, give yourself a memory you will treasure for life and dive with us with mantas.
And, in the meantime, happy World Manta Day!