Giant oceanic manta ray diving: where and when
Migratory and oceanic, moving 1,000+ km between seamounts, upwellings and coastal cleaning stations, with seasonal presence at Revillagigedo, Galapagos, Cocos and Mozambique. 9 known encounter sites across 7 countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Philippines, Mozambique, Ecuador and Thailand and others. Best single site: Revillagigedo: The Boiler, San Benedicto, Mexico — very high reliability, peak nov-may. Minimum certification across sites varies; the easiest access points need only no certification, the deepest need Open Water.
- Sites
- 9
- IUCN status
- Endangered
- Min. certification
- Open Water
- Typical depth
- 10–40 m
7 countries
Every known giant oceanic manta ray site
Very high reliability
Revillagigedo: The Boiler, San Benedicto
Mexico
Peak Nov-May · 10-30 m
Needs: Experienced
High reliability
Catalina Islands, Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Peak Jan-Apr · 10-25 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Cocos Island (Isla del Coco)
Costa Rica
Peak Year-round · 15-35 m
Needs: Experienced
High reliability
Ticao Island (Manta Bowl), Masbate
Philippines
Peak Dec-Apr · 10-25 m
Needs: Advanced
High reliability
Tofo Reef & Giant's Castle, Inhambane
Mozambique
Peak Year-round · 15-30 m
Needs: Open Water
Moderate reliability
Galapagos: Isabela & Punta Vicente Roca
Ecuador
Peak Jun-Nov · 10-30 m
Needs: Advanced
Moderate reliability
Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock (Similan / Surin, Andaman)
Thailand
Peak Feb-Apr · 15-30 m
Needs: Advanced
Moderate reliability
Raja Ampat (Dampier Strait): Blue Magic, Mansuar
Indonesia
Peak Oct-Apr · 10-30 m
Needs: Experienced
Moderate reliability
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, Koh Lanta (Andaman Sea)
Thailand
Peak Feb-Apr · 15-40 m
Needs: Advanced
Other ray encounters
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