Manta rays love warm weather and calm waters. As a result, you often will see manta rays most abundantly in the summer months. In January through March, or Hawaii’s winter, there tend to be fewer manta ray sightings around the islands. During winter, the oceans are a little rough.
Is Manta Ray snorkel worth it?
So, is the Manta Ray Kona Night Snorkel Worth It? Absolutely! If you are staying near Kailua-Kona it is an amazing experience to get up close to Manta Rays in their natural habitat. With so many amazing Kona snorkeling tours to choose from, this tour was certainly high on my list for unique experiences.
Where can I swim with manta rays in Kona?
The most popular scuba diving spot for manta rays in Hawaii is Manta Point. Manta point is located in Kauna’oa Bay, which is on the north side of the Kona coast. It has a very high success rate, with tourists seeing between four and six manta rays per dive.
Can you scuba dive with manta rays?
Diving or snorkeling with a manta ray is an unforgettable experience. It is something you absolutely must do. They are not just fish; they are a symbol of majesty, elegance and freedom, and have been around for 5 million years.
What is the best time for manta rays in Kona? – Related Questions
Can a stingray sting through a wetsuit?
The Shuffle
It alarms stingrays and gives them time to swim away, preventing you from getting stung. Be sure to shuffle even if you’re wearing a wetsuit or boots since a stingray’s barb is strong enough to pierce through either.
Is it OK to touch manta rays?
Still, manta rays are wild animals and wild animals deserve respect. Moreover, touching a manta ray while snorkeling could have serious consequences. While a manta ray is not likely to attack you, you should not touch a manta ray.
Is it better to snorkel or dive with manta rays?
Q&A for Planning to Dive or Snorkel with the Kona Manta Rays
Should you snorkel or dive?: If you are scuba certified and want a more adventurous experience, do the dive. But, if you want a more relaxing experience that takes little effort, the snorkeling is probably for you.
Why are divers not allowed to touch a manta ray?
Manta rays have a protective slime coating their body. Touching removes this mucus layer and compromises the creatures immune system which could cause an infection. Chances are if you are diving with a Manta, you will be encountering them on a cleaning station.
Can you dive with manta rays in Hawaii?
There are three spots where you’ll be able to snorkel or dive with manta rays on the Big Island: Manta Point, Manta Heaven, and Manta Village (Keauhou). These spots have such a high chance of seeing manta rays because they consistently show up to feed here night after night.
Why are manta rays prohibited for catching?
Specifically, FAO 193 bans the catching, selling, purchasing and possession, transport and export of whale sharks and manta rays. “The FAO bans only the catching of whale shark or butanding because it was identified by the CITES as among the endangered species.
What to do if a manta ray approaches you?
Remain still and allow the mantas to come to you. Passive interaction is always best advised, to keep everyone – including the marine animals- safe. Keep the natural water columns open so the manta rays can swim around you without any interference. To do this as a diver, keep low to the sea bed at all times.
How much does a manta ray cost?
According to a 2013 study , a single manta ray might fetch five to six million rupiah (US$350-420) at market, while a living animal could make up to 12 billion rupiah for the tourism industry over its lifetime.
Can manta ray hurt you?
They peacefully glide through the water. The manta rays are one of the largest creatures in the ocean, so if you plan to swim with them, be prepared for their sheer size which can be intimidating at first. In this blog, you’ll see that manta rays are completely harmless to humans.
Has a manta ray ever killed a human?
Manta Rays are not dangerous. They are even harmless and can’t hurt any diver or swimmer.
What happens if you touch a manta rays tail?
The tail on a manta ray does not contain a barb, which effectively makes them harmless to humans.
Are sharks afraid of manta rays?
Threats and Solutions. The natural predators of manta rays are a few types of sharks, killer whales and false killer whales.
Is manta ray Night snorkeling safe?
Manta rays are not dangerous. In fact, they are harmless creatures. Night snorkeling is an ideal way to swim with manta rays as they feed off phytoplankton. The phytoplankton is attracted to the light from your group’s shared swimming flotation device.
What predator eats manta rays?
Do manta rays have any predators? Due to their large size and speed, they have very few natural predators, these include large sharks and killer whales.