Magnificent Manta Ray

Incredible Encounters All Year Round

Magnificent Manta Ray

Incredible Encounters All Year Round

CLASSIFICATION
Vulnerable

CLASSIFICATION
Vulnerable

SIZE
Up to 4,5 meters

SIZE
Up to 4,5 meters

SEASON
All year round

SEASON
All year round

LIFESPAN
40 years

LIFESPAN
40 years

Those intriguing and mysterious beings

What do we understand about Manta rays in Lembongan

Manta ray Nusa Lembongan are one of the biggest highlights when diving with us. People travel here from all over the globe to see these majestic creatures. In fact, Manta Bay and Manta Point are some of our most requested dive sites. Let’s learn about why these marine animals so widely loved

the ways in which you can see them either diving or snorkeling with us, and their conservation!
Manta ray belong to a group of large cartilaginous fish. There are two main types: Reef Manta Rays and Oceanic Manta Rays. Reef Mantas are a bit smaller, with a maximum wingspan of 5.5 meters, whereas Oceanic Manta rays can reach a wingspan of up to 8.8 meters. In our waters, the Reef Manta Ray is the one you are most likely to encounter. However, there is still a chance to observe an Oceanic Manta Ray. 

The morphology of these two species is roughly the same. It is very simple to recognize these magical creatures. You can recognize them from their two pectoral fins, much like to a bird’s wing. Many refer to them as “flying carpets” or “birds of the sea.” In addition, their mouths consist of cephalic lobes that extend forward. Mantas have a flat body and long whip-like tail. Furthermore, their large rectangular mouths allow them to capture their food. Their diet consists of tiny creatures known as zooplankton. They simply filter through the water using the comb-like structures of their gills. It does not use teeth for consuming food!

In terms of color, they can vary. You will most likely spot one with a dark upper body and white bottom. Furthermore, they often have patches on their undersides. Each pattern is unique and is how we identify every Manta ray. Moreover, there are special color variations such as the “Ninja manta ray” which is all black. We work with MantaWatch to help ID manta ray. You can help as well by submitting photos.

Besides over-tourism, there are two main factors that pose the greatest threat to Manta ray. Firstly, it is pollution. During the rainy season, the streets in Indonesia are often flooded and much of the trash ends up washed out to sea. It is not uncommon to see a lot of trash floating about during this season. This is very harmful to Manta ray health. Research has shown that Manta ray ingest and filter 90m3 of water per hour. With the amount of trash in the waters, they end up taking in a large amount of microplastic.
Marine Megafauna Foundation has determined that they will take in 63 pieces of plastic per hour of feeding in our waters. It is very important to improve our trash management systems to keep Manta ray populations healthy. Moreover, pieces of fishing line or other debris can get stuck on Manta ray which will injury them. It has been shown that this affects up to 14% of Manta ray in our waters.

The other threat to Manta ray is overfishing. Though they are not targeted as a food source, some fishermen still hunt them for the Chinese traditional medicine trade. Raising awareness against these practices and tightening conservation laws will help curb this. Nevertheless, many Manta ray will still get caught in bycatch. Again, raising awareness to fishermen in regards to their benefits in conservation can help populations. A Manta ray brings in many dollars in terms of tourism, and are more important alive than dead.

The popularity of these two dive sites does pose a problem. Large amounts of tourist vessels will stress out these creatures. Findings from the Marine Megafauna Foundation have determined that seasonal closures of these sites will greatly benefit these populations. Besides, it is important for operators to follow Green-Fins protocols. This will mitigate the effects of over-tourism.

Protecting and Educating

Support the Protection of These Gentle Creatures

We offer a 3.5-day program for conservation enthusiasts that focuses on the marine megafauna of the Nusa Penida Marine Sanctuary. During this training, you’ll have the opportunity to collect data, monitor populations, and advocate for the preservation of these magnificent creatures

Our waters here in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area are lucky enough to be a habitat for numerous young Manta Rays. This is an indication that nearby areas serve as breeding grounds by. Female mantas reach their reproductive stage around 8-10 years old. Males do so earlier, at around 6 years. Their fertility rates are quite low and each female usually only has one or two offspring.
This is why careful protection of their populations are so important! Diving with Mantas in our waters is generally at Manta Bay and Manta Point. At Manta Bay, you will see mostly juvenile males who are feeding. Research has shown that the same Mantas will repeatedly return to this site.
Additionally, this shows that it is part of a nursery habitat and is crucial towards the local Manta ray population. Manta Point on the other hand is full of Adult Manta Rays. They come to this site to visit the many cleaning stations. It is very important to their health for them to get parasites off their body!

Learn More

Ethical Code 

Best Practices for Diving with Manta Rays

We have created these set of guidelines for a safe and fun time when diving with Mantas. At the same time, we aim to ensure the health and safety of our resident wildlife. The main goal is for the Manta rays to be undisturbed at cleaning stations. It is very important for them to be cleaned of parasites

at these stations. Once settled, they will remain for long periods of time. This definitely allows for a better dive.

  • Do not touch any marine life or anything when scuba diving. If a Manta ray approaches you, stay still and refrain from any physical contact!
  • Approach manta rays slowly and in their field fo vision. Do not cause splashes in the water and never surround them.
  • Avoid getting close to the cleaning station. When the cleaning fish is disturbed, the station sustains damage, and Manta rays may not return.
  • Keep at least 3 meters between yourself and the closest Manta ray.
  • When they are neither cleaning nor coming close to the reef, stay a distance of 10 meters.
  • Do not be closer to the Manta ray than your guide.
  • Do not go directly behind the majestic Manta Ray. They will interpret this as predatory behavior.
  • Avoid positioning yourself directly below or above the Manta Ray, as this can disrupt them. However, if they swim over you, try to minimize the number of bubbles you exhale.
  • Ensure that you do not obstruct their escape
  • Never use diver propulsion vehicles or any other loud gadgets around them.
  • Pay close attention to the guidance provided by your dive guide!
  • Be careful around the coral and maintain good buoyancy.

Not everyone is able to scuba dive but our concern remains the same for swimmers and snorkelers. As a result, you can get our best tips on how to swim with those gentle giants HERE.

Those intriguing and mysterious beings

What do we understand about Manta rays in Lembongan

Manta ray Nusa Lembongan are one of the biggest highlights when diving with us. People travel here from all over the globe to see these majestic creatures. In fact, Manta Bay and Manta Point are some of our most requested dive sites. Let’s learn about why these marine animals so widely loved

the ways in which you can see them either diving or snorkeling with us, and their conservation!
Manta ray belong to a group of large cartilaginous fish. There are two main types: Reef Manta Rays and Oceanic Manta Rays. Reef Mantas are a bit smaller, with a maximum wingspan of 5.5 meters, whereas Oceanic Manta rays can reach a wingspan of up to 8.8 meters. In our waters, the Reef Manta Ray is the one you are most likely to encounter. However, there is still a chance to observe an Oceanic Manta Ray. 

The morphology of these two species is roughly the same. It is very simple to recognize these magical creatures. You can recognize them from their two pectoral fins, much like to a bird’s wing. Many refer to them as “flying carpets” or “birds of the sea.” In addition, their mouths consist of cephalic lobes that extend forward. Mantas have a flat body and long whip-like tail. Furthermore, their large rectangular mouths allow them to capture their food. Their diet consists of tiny creatures known as zooplankton. They simply filter through the water using the comb-like structures of their gills. It does not use teeth for consuming food!

In terms of color, they can vary. You will most likely spot one with a dark upper body and white bottom. Furthermore, they often have patches on their undersides. Each pattern is unique and is how we identify every Manta ray. Moreover, there are special color variations such as the “Ninja manta ray” which is all black. We work with MantaWatch to help ID manta ray. You can help as well by submitting photos.

Besides over-tourism, there are two main factors that pose the greatest threat to Manta ray. Firstly, it is pollution. During the rainy season, the streets in Indonesia are often flooded and much of the trash ends up washed out to sea. It is not uncommon to see a lot of trash floating about during this season. This is very harmful to Manta ray health. Research has shown that Manta ray ingest and filter 90m3 of water per hour. With the amount of trash in the waters, they end up taking in a large amount of microplastic.
Marine Megafauna Foundation has determined that they will take in 63 pieces of plastic per hour of feeding in our waters. It is very important to improve our trash management systems to keep Manta ray populations healthy. Moreover, pieces of fishing line or other debris can get stuck on Manta ray which will injury them. It has been shown that this affects up to 14% of Manta ray in our waters.

The other threat to Manta ray is overfishing. Though they are not targeted as a food source, some fishermen still hunt them for the Chinese traditional medicine trade. Raising awareness against these practices and tightening conservation laws will help curb this. Nevertheless, many Manta ray will still get caught in bycatch. Again, raising awareness to fishermen in regards to their benefits in conservation can help populations. A Manta ray brings in many dollars in terms of tourism, and are more important alive than dead.

The popularity of these two dive sites does pose a problem. Large amounts of tourist vessels will stress out these creatures. Findings from the Marine Megafauna Foundation have determined that seasonal closures of these sites will greatly benefit these populations. Besides, it is important for operators to follow Green-Fins protocols. This will mitigate the effects of over-tourism.

Protecting and Educating

Support the Protection of These Gentle Creatures

We offer a 3.5-day program for conservation enthusiasts that focuses on the marine megafauna of the Nusa Penida Marine Sanctuary. During this training, you’ll have the opportunity to collect data, monitor populations, and advocate for the preservation of these magnificent creatures

Our waters here in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area are lucky enough to be a habitat for numerous young Manta Rays. This is an indication that nearby areas serve as breeding grounds by. Female mantas reach their reproductive stage around 8-10 years old. Males do so earlier, at around 6 years. Their fertility rates are quite low and each female usually only has one or two offspring.
This is why careful protection of their populations are so important! Diving with Mantas in our waters is generally at Manta Bay and Manta Point. At Manta Bay, you will see mostly juvenile males who are feeding. Research has shown that the same Mantas will repeatedly return to this site.
Additionally, this shows that it is part of a nursery habitat and is crucial towards the local Manta ray population. Manta Point on the other hand is full of Adult Manta Rays. They come to this site to visit the many cleaning stations. It is very important to their health for them to get parasites off their body!

Learn More

Ethical Code 

Best Practices for Diving with Manta Rays

We have created these set of guidelines for a safe and fun time when diving with Mantas. You can access the download through this link. At the same time, we aim to guarantee the health and safety of our resident wildlife. The main goal is for the Manta rays to be undisturbed at cleaning stations. It is very important for them to be cleaned of parasites

at these stations. Once settled, they will remain for long periods of time. This definitely allows for a better dive.

  • Do not touch any marine life or anything when scuba diving. If a Manta ray approaches you, stay still and refrain from any physical contact!
  • Approach manta rays slowly and in their field fo vision. Do not cause splashes in the water and never surround them.
  • Avoid getting close to the cleaning station. When the cleaning fish is disturbed, the station sustains damage, and Manta rays may not return.
  • Keep at least 3 meters between yourself and the closest Manta ray.
  • When they are neither cleaning nor coming close to the reef, stay a distance of 10 meters.
  • Do not be closer to the Manta ray than your guide.
  • Do not go directly behind the majestic Manta Ray. They will interpret this as predatory behavior.
  • Avoid positioning yourself directly below or above the Manta Ray, as this can disrupt them. However, if they swim over you, try to minimize the number of bubbles you exhale.
  • Ensure that you do not obstruct their escape
  • Never use diver propulsion vehicles or any other loud gadgets around them.
  • Pay close attention to the guidance provided by your dive guide!
  • Be careful around the coral and maintain good buoyancy.

Not everyone is able to scuba dive but our concern remains the same for swimmers and snorkelers. As a result, you can get our best tips on how to swim with those gentle giants HERE.