10-STEP GUIDE

How to sustainably interact with manta rays, wherever you are in the world.

Artwork by Rebecca Carter Art

STEP 1

Enter the water quietly and calmly, no closer than 10 meters / 33 feet from the manta ray.

STEP 2

Keep your fins below the water's surface when swimming. Splashing and noise can scare mantas away, so you want to approach the manta as quietly as possible. 

STEP 3

Do NOT approach closer than 3 meters / 10 feet. Instead, remain still and let the manta come to you.

STEP 4

You should approach the manta from their side, giving them a clear path ahead.

STEP 5

As the manta swims past you, do NOT chase after them! You will never catch up to a manta anyway, and will likely scare them away in the process.

STEP 6

Do NOT touch a manta ray. You will ruin the encounter and may receive a fine depending on local laws.

STEP 7 

For scuba divers only.

Chances are if you are diving with a manta, you will be encountering them on a cleaning station.

During the encounter, remain at the side of the cleaning station. Do NOT swim onto the main cleaning area.

Cleaning stations are important sites for manta rays. 

STEP 8

For scuba divers only.

Keep low and hover close to the seabed, but be careful not to damage the reef beneath you. Depending on the dive site, you may need to stay in an area designated for divers.