One thing I really wanted to do on the Big Island was to swim with the Manta Rays. I did it 7 years ago here, but didn't see any Manta Rays that time. This time I went with Sunlight on Water, a company that I had done a dolphin cruise with on my prior trip, and I knew they were really good.
One thing I like is that they take pictures of your trip, and put them on Facebook for no charge. Here's their first picture - me, Karen and Rosemary.
We went south along the coast, and saw some dolphins along the way. Hard to get a picture - they move really fast.
We arrived at our spot, and waited for the sunset.
We then got in the water, and held on to a board that was lit up. The lights attract plankton, which then attracts the Manta Rays.
The Manta Rays came in below us -
And then spin upside down right underneath us while eating the plankton.
The last 2 pictures were the tour company's. Mine were not as good...
And the Mantas got so close, I sometimes just got a close-up of their bellies.
Here's a great video that they took. Not from the night we were there, but it will give you an idea of what we saw.
It was a great night!
What a cool adventure! You definitely get to a lot of lovely places! My name is Rawn,(parents did that too me!)I have read you for years, wanted to say hello!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and quite an adventure.
ReplyDeleteAnother place to see the Sting Rays is in the Grand Cayman Islands where you actually swim with the Rays in the middle of the afternoon. They use Squid to attract them.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.