Bali's Seasonal Marine Life: Manta Ray SeasonApr 11 2025 | | Posted by Noey Widiarsa |
Snorkeling with manta rays is an unforgettable experience in Bali. You should understand the essentials, especially about manta ray season. At certain times, it will be more likely for you to find this sea creature. Let's learn more about the manta ray season.
Not every time of the year, manta rays often appear on the surface of Bali's ocean. If you plan to snorkel with them, you can choose between May and October, as that's when their population increases.
Several factors influence the activity of manta rays including:
The three factors are also interconnected and attract scientists to study them. Conservation efforts for manta rays in Bali are also well underway. To preserve them, it is important that divers and snorkelers do not do anything harmful to them.
Some areas of Bali, such as Nusa Penida, have rich ecosystems. This makes the island one of the most popular spots for manta rays.
Bali's waters can provide plenty of nutrients for manta rays. At certain times, the seawater will bring more nutrients to the surface so tourists can more easily watch the manta rays during these times.
Strong currents can support this upwelling so that manta rays look for plankton to eat near the surface. Another factor is that the water temperature in the Bali Sea is ideal for manta rays, 26-30oC.
The behavior of manta rays is an interesting thing to learn about. Despite their scary appearance, they are non-aggressive sea creatures. Not only are they friendly to humans, but they are also intelligent in understanding threats and finding food.
Manta rays are calm in their movements although they sometimes try to glide quickly with the ocean currents. Sometimes manta rays will approach divers to observe them. So, if manta rays approach you, there is no need to panic.
You also don't need to insist on chasing them as that could scare them away. Let the manta rays approach you naturally. If the manta rays come close to you, it is a rewarding experience as you get to witness the details of how their bodies look like.
Nusa Penida is a must-visit if you want to snorkel safely and comfortably, including watching manta rays. Manta Bay and Manta Point in Nusa Penida are home to many manta rays. The water temperature in Manta Bay is ideal for manta rays and the currents are also comfortable for their activities.
If you arrive at the right spot and time, you can watch a group of manta rays swim by. The sea of Nusa Penida is not only famous for its many manta rays but also for its stunning underwater scenery. Nusa Penida is also famous for its high cliffs.
From the top of the cliff, you can see the beauty of the Nusa Penida sea.
Snorkeling requires skill and insight to be safe. As a snorkeling tour operator in Bali, I recommend you to know some basic insights about this activity. Here are some important points you should know before snorkeling with manta rays:
You should stay at least 3-4 meters away from manta rays. If you get too close to the manta rays, they can feel stressed or threatened. Keep your distance so that the manta rays can exhibit their natural behavior and you can study them up close.
You should not make direct physical contact with manta rays. Touching manta rays can reduce the quality of the protective mucus on their bodies. If manta rays are touched frequently, they can be more susceptible to disease or infection. Furthermore, feeding the manta rays is also prohibited.
Because you want to get a closer look, you may want to swim close to the manta rays. However, try to swim calmly. Keep your fins down to avoid large splashes of water that could scare the manta rays.
You can also wait for the manta rays to approach you. Learn their swimming paths so you can tell when they are approaching.
Another rule is not to chase the manta rays as they may move further away from you. To behave when swimming with manta rays, stay in your position and let them approach or swim comfortably.
Before you dive, don't wear sunscreen to protect the underwater environment. If you do need sun protection, choose a sunscreen with environmentally friendly ingredients.
When taking underwater photos, you can only rely on natural light or artificial lighting. It is best to avoid turning on the flash when you take photos. A sudden burst of intense light such as a flash can make manta rays wary.
Ready to explore Bali's underwater to meet the manta rays, you can rely on Bali tour packages. Lembongan Trip is a reliable tour operator in Bali that provides Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida tour packages.
Read More Articles :
FAQs
When are there manta rays in Bali?
In Bali, you can snorkel with manta rays. Although manta rays are present throughout the year, July and October are more likely times to see manta rays in the Bali Sea.
What are the chances of spotting manta rays in Bali's seas?
There is a 90% or more chance of seeing manta rays, especially during the non-breeding season but many factors must be considered. Ask the tour operator for more details on the most likely spots for manta rays.
Is diving with manta rays safe?
Rather than worrying about the activity of the manta rays, the current should be more of a concern. Make sure to snorkel in safe spots as directed by your guide and do not disturb the manta rays.
Are manta rays seasonal?
One of the seasonal factors of manta rays is their foraging activity. Manta rays will surface when ocean currents carry microorganisms.
Where to see manta rays in Bali?
One of the most popular islands for spotting manta rays is Nusa Penida. There are at least two main locations that you can visit, namely the first Manta Point and the second Manta Point or Manta Bay.
Last changed: Apr 11 2025 at 4:36 PM
| No comment found | |
