An aerial survey supported by GSL Aviation located our manta ray among the coral reefs off Cairns, then radioed a boat-based research team which travelled to the reef to send up a drone pinpointing the position of the manta.
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Our irreplaceable Reef is home to thousands of incredible species and manta rays are no exception. Highly intelligent, social creatures often spotted in the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, manta rays have a curious and sometimes playful nature, making them popular among divers.
Indonesia on Friday instituted the world's biggest manta ray sanctuary covering millions of square kilometers as it seeks to protect the huge winged fish and draw more tourists to the sprawling archipelago.
Swim with manta rays on the Southern Great Barrier ReefSo much so, Lady Elliot Island is referred to as the home of the manta ray. You'll see them throughout the year, but mantas are particularly prevalent in large numbers during the cooler months of May - August.
Generally speaking, however, May to October is a great time to visit the reef as the water is still warm enough for a swim and the underwater visibility is at its best. The Great Barrier Reef is one of those places you must visit, whether you love the water or just want to see one of the great wonders of the world.
See Sting Rays, Manta Rays and more of what the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Day Tours to Lady Musgrave Island are available with Lady Musgrave Experience and offer you, your friends and family to experience one of the most pristine and beautiful locations of the Great Barrier Reef.
The short answer is no; manta rays don't pose much of a threat to humans in terms of physical harm. Unlike other species such as sharks or stingrays, which may attack if provoked or startled, manta rays are typically passive and docile animals who do not display aggressive behavior towards people.
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.
Manta rays are friendly. They may approach you and often allow you to get reasonably close to them (which is why snorkeling with manta rays is such a breathtaking experience). But because they allow you to get close to them does not mean you should touch them.
Giant oceanic manta rays are pretty rare; any diver or snorkelers who gets to witness one is a lucky person. Giant mantas are also known as oceanic manta rays, pelagic manta rays – or by their Latin name, mobula birostris.
Snorkeling with manta rays is one of the most popular things to do in Kona and almost all of the tour operators follow essentially the same formula. Guests will meet at a harbor and then be taken out in a boat to one of the spots in Kona where manta rays like to hang out (more on that below!).