And, at Socorro, we’re talking about manta rays that are over 22 feet (7 meters) in width, the Giant Oceanic Mantas. The Canyon, on the southern side of San Benedicto, is another popular cleaning station for oceanic mantas, and dive groups can often enjoy huge schools of them circling in the strong currents above.įrom November to June each year, the waters around Socorro Island in Mexico are home to over 500 oceanic manta rays (and scores of sharks as well). These gentle giants are not put off by divers or their bubbles, often gliding only inches away and making for some fantastic photo opportunities. The four islands that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site are comparable to the Galapagos Islands, and the marine ecosystem is equally rich, offering a refuge for migrating pelagics and resident species alike.Īrguably the best site in the world to interact with oceanic mantas, The Boiler is a submerged pinnacle off the rugged San Benedicto Island, where incredibly friendly mantas gather at cleaning stations to rid themselves of bothersome parasites.
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Socorro Island, Mexico Home of the Giant Oceanic MantasĪn uninhabited outcrop of islands lying 370 miles west of mainland Mexico, the Revillagigedo Archipelago, commonly referred to as Socorro, experiences the full force of the Pacific Ocean along its isolated coastline. Manta rays can be found in many waters around the world, and we at Bluewater Dive Travel have come up with a list of the very best sites, where divers encounter manta rays under the best possible circumstances.ġ. Numerous divers who’ve experienced diving with mantas have said that they seem to be as curious about people as people are about them, often coming close to take a good look.
And manta rays have the biggest brains of all species of fish, causing many to remark about how smart they are. Diving or snorkeling with mantas is considered to be the safest large animal encounter in the world since manta rays neither bite nor sting. Manta rays have marks that distinguish them along their underside, almost similar to how humans are identified by our fingerprints. The implementation of protected marine areas benefits the entire local marine ecosystem and improves the underwater experience for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of a manta ray. Sadly, both species are listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, however, more countries are starting to recognize the importance of safeguarding these key species. The larger giant oceanic mantas are more widely distributed and tend to gather around offshore seamounts and islands. Of the two recognized species of manta, the smaller reef mantas often school in large numbers and are most commonly found on inshore reefs in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. Person after person has described these encounters as “sheer joy” because there’s nothing quite like being in the ocean and having a manta ray swim right up to you, and look you in the eye. Diving with manta rays is an incredible, nearly otherworldly experience, for those who’ve had the opportunity to experience seeing these graceful, gentle creatures up close.
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