Jounal

All of these peculiar fish, which seem to fly rather than swim underwater, are classified by the scientific community within the Mobulidae family, commonly known as manta rays and mobulas. This family includes a total of nine species of mobulas and two species of manta rays. Manta rays are possibly the best known, perhaps due to their wide distribution and ease of observation in typical diving spots. Mobulas are more varied but not as common, given their pelagic habits. However, knowing where to find them and how to identify them will guarantee exciting dives. We will discuss all of them below.

ID

It's common among divers to hear about seeing a whitetip reef shark, a leopard shark, a tiger shark, or a longimanus shark, but when it comes to manta rays and mobulas, the usual explanation is simply "we saw a manta ray...". Learning a little more about these species will help us enrich our dive. As a starting point, we'll need to differentiate between manta rays and mobulas, and this is really easy, since manta rays have their mouths on the front of their heads, while mobulas' mouths have been moved to the lower front part. This will suffice as a starting point, but now we'll try to be a little more specific.

In this small family we have the genus of manta rays, which as previously indicated is made up of only two species: the Oceanic Manta Ray (Manta birostris) and the Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi).

Oceanic Manta Ray – This is the largest of all manta rays, reaching a wingspan of up to 7 meters. Its distribution is circumtropical, but this manta ray is less common because it is found mainly in oceanic waters or near islands of this type. Seen from above, it is clearly identified by the bulge at the base of its tail, just behind the dorsal fin, and the two light spots on its head that outline a black "T." Seen from below – more common when diving – we will see that they do not have black spots or, if they do, they are grouped in the ventral region; the edges of the pectoral fins are blurred in a dark way. Varieties with an almost completely black underside may occur.

REEF MANTA – Also distributed throughout the tropics, it can reach over 4 meters in length. It is the manta ray that a diver is most likely to see, as its habitat is associated with the warm waters of coral reefs. We can identify it by the absence of a bulge behind the dorsal fin and because the spots on its head – which it may not have – are not as clearly defined and form a "Y." Although there is an almost completely black variety, its underside is usually completely white with black spots between the gill slits, the ventral area, and the edges of the pectoral fins.

In the genus Mobula, identification becomes a little more complicated. To begin with, there are nine species:

• Mobula eregoodootenkee
• Mobula hypostoma
• Mobula japonica
• Mobula kuhlii
• Mobula mobular
• Mobula munkiana
• Mobula rochebrunei
• Mobula tarapacana
• Mobula thurstoni

Of these, three are not very common in the marine environments where divers operate. Even the Mobula Mobular—native to the Mediterranean—is a very rare animal for those of us who frequent the eastern waters. Therefore, we'll focus on the other six:

M. EREGOODOOTENKEE – One of the smallest of all, with a wingspan of less than one meter. It is usually found in coastal waters throughout the Indian Ocean, but mainly in the Indo-Pacific. It has a short tail, but a long neck and cephalic fins. Its mantle is brown and its underside is white, with characteristic dark spots on the middle part of the leading edge of the pectoral fins. 

M. japanica – Found in virtually every ocean in the world, including tropical areas, it can grow to over 3 m in size and is identified by the white tip of its dorsal fin, the dark band across its head, and its long tail, much longer than the animal itself, with a spine at the base.

M. kuhlii – A small animal, usually no more than a meter wide, found only in the Indian Ocean and the central region of the Eastern Pacific. The tail, neck, and cephalic fins are short, with a white tip to the dorsal fin, but not always. The underside is white, sometimes shaded at the tips.  

M. munkiana – It typically does not exceed one meter in size, with a dark brown coat and bright eyes. Its neck is medium-sized, and its tail is smaller than the animal is wide. It forms groups, sometimes numbering hundreds, and its distribution is limited to the continental coast of the American Pacific, from Baja California to Peru.

M. tarapacana – A species widely distributed throughout the tropical and semi-tropical zone. It is an oceanic animal, striking for its olive-green coat and long neck. It usually grows to over 2 meters, and can reach a wingspan of 3 meters. It has a white underside with a grayish tinge at the rear end of the pectoral fins, which end in an unmistakable crescent-shaped curve.

M. THURSTONI – Typical of tropical waters, it is a not very large mobula (maximum 2 meters), its white tip on the dorsal fin and its long tail may make us think of the M. Japanica, but its short neck, equally short cephalic fins, absence of spines and the double curvature of the tip of the pectoral fins make it unmistakable.

LOCATION

Being able to identify a manta ray from a mobula or knowing who's who in this universe of myliobatoideis is all well and good, but what any diver possibly wants is to be able to see these animals in their natural environment. To do this, we must know the best spots where encounters with these majestic fish are a daily occurrence. To that end, we'll discuss some of the best destinations.

Maldives – Without a doubt, the most famous spot for reef manta rays. The protection of the seabed, and especially of the manta rays, has allowed them to proliferate, and their population is currently the largest on the planet. They can be seen year-round at numerous localized cleaning stations; they are also frequently spotted at night, attracted by boat lights and the concentrated plankton. However, the best-known spot—where the manta rays come to feed—is Hanifaru Lagoon (Baa Atoll), primarily between the months of July and October.

Socorro – The Revillagigedo Archipelago is one of the best destinations on the planet for diving with large animals, but of all of them, the oceanic manta ray is the species that has made this remote spot in the Mexican Pacific the most famous. On any dive we take, but especially in San Benedicto, we'll be surprised by the visit of these giants. They don't come to eat or to be dewormed; they simply come to see us; the curiosity of these large manta rays will lead them to accompany us throughout the entire dive.

Santa Maria – Without a doubt, this small Azores island is the number one destination for diving with mobulas, specifically the tarapacana. From mid-June to late October, dozens of specimens gather in the ocean waters surrounding a deep shoal known as Ambrosio. Entire pods rise almost to the surface, attracted by their curiosity for divers; a unique behavior that guarantees truly unique and exciting moments.

Kona – In Hawaii, the largest of the islands and the archipelago's name, lies the Kona coast. These volcanic seabeds are the summit of the planet's highest mountain—even higher than Everest—which rises from the abyssal depths, and its waters are home to countless pelagic and reef species. Although an encounter with a manta ray can occur on any dive, the "house specialty" is night diving with manta rays. Underwater spotlights attract an incredible amount of plankton, which attracts them. We'll primarily see reef manta rays, performing their classic pirouettes while feeding; a dive of nonstop activity and unimaginable encounters.

La Paz – This is the ultimate diving destination in Baja California: whale sharks, sea lions, hammerhead sharks, and of course, mobulas. On its seabed, we can encounter four species: japanica, munkiana, tarapacana, and thursoni. The mobulas' "flights" are famous, as all the locals are accustomed to seeing them leaping out of the water, flapping their fins. They can form large schools that cover a large area, especially during May and July. At night, attracted by the light, it is very common to see dozens of munkianas. During the day, the most common is the thursoni.

Komodo – This is another of the world's key diving spots for coral reefs. The waters of Komodo and Rinca National Park (Indonesia) are home to all kinds of marine life, from tiny nudibranchs to reef sharks, carangids, and manta rays. Alfredi or reef sharks are the most common species we'll see, as cruise ships often plan dives at various spots where they come for their daily grooming or feeding. They are shy animals, and our behavior shouldn't scare them, allowing them to approach visitors.

Yap – Due to the vast plankton slick (the largest in the Pacific) that forms around this tiny Micronesian state, Yap has for decades been another "hot spot" for those seeking encounters with reef manta rays. They feed in the ocean waters, but come daily to the cleaning stations located in the middle of the channels, where we can spend an entire dive surrounded by several large specimens.

Raja Ampat – This region of Indonesia is famous for its rich reefs, for the largest concentration of marine species on the planet… and also for its manta rays. A few miles west of Kri Island lies a truly interesting “Manta Point.” If the current is gentle or non-existent, the manta rays will come primarily to relieve parasites, and if the current is strong, they will come to feed. In either case, we will see large numbers of reef manta rays, but the unusual feature is that most of them are the black variety.

Tofo – Off the coast of Mozambique, this secluded spot is another year-round gathering place for reef manta rays. The high concentration of nutrients in the Mozambique Channel attracts a large number of pelagic species, including whale sharks and manta rays. Since their feeding habits lead them to open areas, sightings usually take place at cleaning stations where they come to be dewormed. A little patience and remaining as still as possible will guarantee a first-class dive.

These are just a few of the featured destinations, but we have to mention many others: Bali, the Andaman Islands, Layang Layang, Sangalaki, Tubbataha, Malpelo, Sudan, Myanmar, Coiba, Thailand, Cocos Island, Palau, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Galapagos Islands, and so on. Diving with these animals will provide us with truly breathtaking experiences, but we'll also be helping them. Recreational diving is already a more important source of income in many of these destinations than fishing; a live manta ray or mobula can bring in more money than a dead one. Together, we can ensure they continue to fly through the seas of planet Earth.