The Marquesas III
28 April 2011 | Tahuata Island, Hana Moe Noa Bay

The Marquesas III
Tuahata Island, Hana Moe Noa Bay, April 22
The morning started as usual. I was up at 5:30, drinking a swiss mocha and doing chores/reading. I was sitting in the cockpit when Cory, from Rutea, paddled up in a kayak and said “you wanna go swim with some rays?”
My mind, suddenly filled with excitement, could only think of 2 words to blurt out - “Fuck yeah!”
I dove down below and grabbed my snorkeling gear while yelling at Yuka to wake up and did she want to come? Bleary eyed she said yes, of course she wanted to come and stumblingly threw on a bikini.
We hopped in our dingy and paddled over to where Cory was waiting about 200 meters from the boat. She was looking a little dejected. “I’ve been watching them for a half hour, but when I got back here, they were gone!”
Oh well! Let’s snorkel the point instead, which we did for the next 45 minutes or so. While we were paddling back to the boat for some breakfast, Cory looks up and says “Hey, there they are!” She had seen the ends of their “wings” above the surface. So, breakfast forgotten again, we padded over, went over the side and were instantly surrounded by gorgeous 4 to 6 foot Manta Rays! They were everywhere! 8 or 9 of them. Swimming slowly by with their mouths wide open, gathering plankton.
We stayed in the water mesmerized and watching these graceful creatures for the next 2 hours, totally enthralled by their silent dancing and unable to pull ourselves away..... We were in 50 feet of water, and could easily see the bottom. I kept hoping to see more sharks, but none came by. An incredible morning to remember..... Thanks Cory!