Diving With The Manta Rays Kona Hawaii

Scuba Diving with the magnificent Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, Manta birostris, is really special. The largest oceanic manta ray redcorded was in excess of twenty five ft (7.6 m) wing-tip to wing-tip and exceeded 5,300 pounds in weight. Manta Rays do not have a stinging spine furthermore they also have a exceptionally short tail. These rays are very acrobatic and you will see them do aerobatic flips and rolls as they fly through the water. These rays can even leap (breach) from the water and are amazing for underwater photography. It is interesting to realize that, Manta Rays possess the highest brain-to-body ratio among sharks and rays, with ratios approaching what is can be found in mammals rather than in species of fish.

Smeltzer completed two dives, one in the afternoon where he recorded 17 Mantas gliding next to the coral reef and a second night Manta Dive, where there were thirty one Manta Rays. The Rays feed on plankton that is in turn drawn to light. The dive companies provide individuals torches and also place a few additional lights in the water and you simply sit in about thirty five feet of water as the Mantas "fly" about you. It is certainly a memorable dive.

This is a excellent spot for an underwater photographer. The Rays are literally all around you and the problem is to be capable to prepare for, see and shoot your shots very rapidly. When diving at night, Smeltzer shoots at a reasonably high shutter speed 1/320 while his strobes are aimed wide of his lense to diminish backscatter brought about by the large quantity of bio-matter in the water column.. The lights attract plankton and other small marine life that consequently attracts the Rays. This poses a bit of a problem to get a clear shot but it is very achievable. The areobatic flips and rolls of these gentle beasts enables the photographer to create some extremely interesting marine life photos.

Breeding amongst Manta Rays is similar to other related types of rays. Mating occurs near the surface, at a depth no greater than one metre below the surface. It starts with the male pursuing the female ray, for up to 30 minutes, while both are frequently closely followed by a group of other hopeful suitors.. These mating trains seem to be triggered by the cycles of the moon. The male bites the pectoral fin and then moves its claspers into the cloaca to copulate. The eggs stay inside the female Manta Ray's body for as long as 12 months and hatch internally so that she gives birth to live juvenile rays. Manta Rays' usually give birth to one or two pups every other year.

Mature Manta Rays are easily recognized via their considerable Triangular pectoral fins and projecting u-shaped fins, forward extensions of the pectoral fins that project anteriorly on either side of the head. Each cephalic fin is roughly twice as long as its root is wide. The length of both cephalic lobe, end-to-end, is approximately 14% of the disc width. These fins are rolled into spirals whilst swimming and extended while they are eating. This ray has silky skin, a broad, rectangular mouth located towards the front of the head, and a tail that lacks a spine.

It is an opportunity not to be missed the next time you happen to be on the island of Hawaii or if you are visiting Hanifaru, a small lagoon located near an uninhabited island in the Maldives or another Manta Ray diving location. It is an remarkable chance to encounter some really fantastic marine animals.

Read additional dive site evaluations on Smeltzer's blog and look at additional underwater artwork on his website and follow him on Twitter @ images2inspire.The pool is open...