Swimming with Manta Rays
12 February 2012
Francis Bay, St John
Today Manta Rays were swimming around the boats in Francis Bay. As soon as we heard we grabbed our snorkels and camera and jumped in the water! They swam around at least 1/2 hour, going in circles with their huge mouths open. Several times I could almost reach out and touch them! I had heard they were in this bay before and everyone knew I had been Manta hunting for weeks. Thank you Chimayo for the heads up or we may have missed them.
Manta Rays are the largest species in the Ray family and can exceed 20 feet across. As in the whale family, it is interesting that the largest species lives on plankton. The Manta has 18 rows of teeth on the lower jaw. An average size Manta Ray will consume 44 to 46 pounds of plankton per day.
I will never forget this day! See more pictures in the Photo Gallery!