Manta Ray

Manta Rays belong to the most charming and majestic marine animals, right after nudibranchs. I will never forget the many private moments I had with them. When other divers were out of air, I was allowed to stay another 15 minutes on my own. That is when they showed up and cruised around more readily. There was nobody trying to chase them. Please don't (unless you are a scientist who needs to tag them)! It simply does not make sense to scare them away and ruin the fun for everyone else. Relax and sit back and the animals will come to you. Most of my Manta Ray footage is on video. With the cameras I had in those days shooting videos was the safer option if a lasting memory and not just blurr was the goal. Often I was simply so mesmerised that I forgot. These animals like current and were encountered in places with murky, probably nutrient rich water. We normally encounter the Manta alfredi, the Inshore Manta.