Swimming with manta rays is a life-changing experience for many divers. Yap’s Manta Ray Bay is one of the world’s premier destinations for these encounters, providing scuba divers and snorkelers a rare chance to experience manta rays in their natural habitat. In this guide, we’ll explore all you need to know to make the most of your experience at Manta Ray Bay Resort, from understanding manta behavior to practicing eco-friendly interaction.

Introduction to Manta Rays

Manta rays are large filter-feeders and belong to the family Mobulidae. There are two main species of manta rays: reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris). Reef mantas are generally smaller, reaching up to 5 meters (16 feet) across, while oceanic mantas can grow to over 7 meters (23 feet) in wingspan.

Mantas play an important role in maintaining the health and diversity of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. They also play a key role in cycling nutrients and their presence signals a healthy marine environment. However, they face numerous threats from human activities, such as entanglement in fishing nets, climate change, and ocean pollution. They are also hunted for their gill plates.

1. Why Swim with Manta Rays?

For divers, mantas are particularly captivating due to their curious nature and slow, almost hypnotic swimming style. Swimming with mantas in Yap is more than just a dive; it’s a memorable and moving experience that connects divers with these remarkable animals. There is nothing like looking a manta in the eye as it glides past you.

These encounters foster a sense of respect and stewardship, encouraging eco-tourism that supports manta conservation efforts. By engaging in responsible interactions, divers not only enrich their experience but also contribute to the protection of these magnificent creatures for future generations.

2. Observing Manta Behavior.

One of the highlights of encountering manta rays is observing their unique behaviors, particularly when feeding and at cleaning stations. Mantas often engage in “barrel rolling” when feeding on plankton, looping gracefully in the water as they feed. At cleaning stations, they allow smaller fish, like wrasses, to remove parasites from their bodies, staying nearly stationary as they’re groomed. This provides divers with a rare opportunity to observe the mantas up close.

Yap’s manta rays are generally present year-round, though encounters peak during the mating season from December to April. During this time, mantas congregate more densely and may perform courtship behaviors like synchronized swimming. Seasonal plankton blooms also draw mantas closer to Manta Ray Bay and nearby dive sites, where they can be seen feeding and socializing in large numbers.

3. Best Locations to Swim with Manta Rays.

Yap is home to a variety of manta ray hotspots, where both divers and snorkelers have ample chances to swim with mantas.

Popular Dive and Snorkel Sites:

• Stammtisch: This is one of the most renowned cleaning stations for mantas in Yap. Located at around 5-7 meters (15-20 feet), it offers excellent visibility and the chance to observe mantas hovering in the water while cleaner fish tend to them. Divers can often see multiple mantas gathering here, especially during mating season.
• Goofnuw Mini Wall: Another top location, this site offers a fast drift dive through a channel to the Valley of the Rays. There are vertical walls and coral slopes along the sides of the channel and abundant fish life. This channel is the only passage into the Valley of the Rays, so all mantas entering and leaving the channel pass through this area. Here, you’ll often see mantas cruising through the channel with a backdrop of coral and vibrant fish.
• Valley of the Rays: This unique area is known for its manta cleaning stations. The currents can be strong here, but the rewards are worth it, with beautiful coral formations, whitetip reef sharks, and the stars of the show – numerous manta rays coming in to be cleaned.

4. Best Times to Visit for Manta Ray Encounters.

Yap’s mantas are resident to the island and can be sighted year-round. The manta mating season is from December to April, and during this season, mantas are more active and visible around cleaning stations and feeding areas. The early morning and late afternoon often provide the best light conditions and calm waters, maximizing visibility and reducing crowding.

Manta ray activity in Yap is influenced by factors such as plankton blooms and water temperatures, which are consistent at around 27-29°C (80-84°F) throughout the year. Higher plankton levels, often around December, attract more mantas to the area, creating prime conditions for sightings and observation.

5. What to Expect When Encountering Mantas.

A typical manta ray experience starts with a briefing from your dive or snorkel guide, who will cover safety, entry points, and responsible interaction practices. After a gentle entry, divers and snorkelers head to likely manta spots, where time is spent observing the rays’ natural behavior. Groups are generally kept small to avoid overcrowding, enhancing the chance for a peaceful, respectful encounter.

As mantas approach, stay calm and maintain a slow, steady pace. Watching mantas feed or glide through cleaning stations is both serene and exhilarating but following the guides’ instructions ensures a better experience for you and others. Mantas are naturally curious and may come close, so keep a respectful distance and avoid sudden movements.

6. Safety Tips for Swimming with Manta Rays.

When swimming with manta rays, it’s important to avoid disturbing them. Maintain a minimum distance of about 3 meters (10 feet), allowing them space to move naturally. Avoid blocking their path, particularly in feeding or cleaning areas, where they may have specific routines.

Keep calm, maintain your buoyancy, and move carefully when around manta rays. Use proper weighting to avoid accidental contact with the reef or mantas and maintain awareness of your surroundings to ensure you don’t corner the mantas. Flash photography may be discouraged as it can disturb them, so check with your dive guide about camera etiquette.

7. Eco-Friendly Practices.

Diving responsibly with manta rays helps ensure their continued presence in the region. Avoid touching or chasing mantas and be mindful of coral structures and the reef ecosystem when diving or snorkeling. Manta Ray Bay Resort supports sustainability and conservation efforts to protect manta populations, so consider learning more about their initiatives and ways you can contribute.

To further support eco-tourism, refrain from using harmful sunscreens, which can damage coral reefs. Choose reef-safe sunscreen instead such as Stream2Sea, Badger Balm, or Raw Elements.

Participate in local conservation programs whenever possible and minimize your use of single-use plastics when you travel. Understanding and practicing eco-friendly behaviors such as these is easy, and your efforts help protect manta rays for generations to come.

8. Recommended Gear and Preparation.

For diving with mantas, bring standard scuba equipment, including a wetsuit appropriate for the local water temperatures. A 3mm wetsuit is usually sufficient in Yap’s warm waters. If you are snorkeling, a snorkel, mask, and fins are essential.

Underwater cameras are excellent for capturing encounters but be sure to use them responsibly. You can easily lose track of your depth and surroundings when taking photographs, so make sure you practice using your camera before your manta dives. Consider bringing a camera with a red filter for underwater photography to capture the mantas’ movements against Yap’s clear blue waters.

9. Dive Courses to Consider.

To maximize your manta ray experience, consider becoming a Manta and Ray Ecology Diver. This course provides insights into manta behavior, conservation, and techniques for respectful observation. It gives you a deeper appreciation for these gentle giants and ensures you’re prepared for eco-conscious encounters. A Perfect Buoyancy course is also recommended to enhance your buoyancy skills and help you observe the mantas responsibly.

This article was written by Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for Scuba Schools International (SSI)