Eco-Friendly Manta Ray Swimming

Follow these simple tips by the Manta Trust to enjoy your encounter while keeping mantas safe and stress-free. 
 

The Golden Rules  

1. Give mantas space to swim 

Stay at least 10 meters (33 ft) away and let them come to you. 

2. Stay calm and quiet  

Loud noises and splashing can startle them. Enter the water quietly, swim with slow fluid movements and reduce noise by keeping your fins below the water’s surface. 

3. Never chase or touch mantas 

You can’t outrun a manta and touching them can harm their protective coating. 

4. Approach mantas from the side 

This lets them swim freely without feeling crowded or blocked off. 

5. Follow your guide’s instructions 

Each manta site may have extra rules that your guide is familiar with. Follow their instructions closely. 
 

Tips For Scuba Divers 

6. Respect reef cleaning stations 

These sites are vital for mantas, so you don’t want to scare them off by getting too close. Stay to the side and never enter the main cleaning area. 

7. Don’t block a manta’s path 

If a manta swims overhead, stay low and enjoy the view. 

8. Stay low, but mind the reef  

Hover close to the seabed without disturbing or stepping on the corals. 
 

Other Useful Tips 

9. Stay aware of your surroundings 

There may be other boats and snorkellers in the water so keep an out and move out of their path. 

10. Use a lifejacket or flotation aid (if snorkelling) 

You’ll enjoy the experience much more as the current at some locations can tire even strong and confident swimmers. 

11. Bring these things along 

Keep your action camera handy and don’t forget a towel or change of dry clothes to stay cozy on the boat ride back to your resort. 

Find out more about where to swim with manta rays in Fiji here.