When you are in Bali and want to have some amazing underwater experience, head to Nusa Penida. This little planet island just in the coast of Bali is home to some of the bluest, most pristine water with breathtaking big animal sighting almost guaranteed. Nusa Penida, along with its sister planet island Nusa Lembongan are famous for Manta Rays that live on its shores. One of its corners is even appropriately named Manta Point Bali — where squadrons of Manta Rays gathers for feeding and getting cleaned.
Visiting Manta Point Bali
Diving with the graceful huge Manta Rays at Manta Point Nusa Penida is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences you’ll ever had, and it’s something you should definitely include on your Bali bucket list.
Manta ray snorkeling is simple and enjoyable, especially while they are feeding on plankton at the surface. Slowly move around them and, above all, don’t chase them. Allow the manta rays’ charm to reach you by waiting for them to approach.
Prepare to Get Awed by the Manta Rays
Manta rays are among the ocean’s largest organisms. These huge beasts dwarf a fully grown adult, weighing 1,600kg and having a nine-metre wingspan. Manta rays are giant flat fish with wide-yawning mouths capable of digesting large amounts of food – around 5 kg per day. They are closely related to sharks.
They are swift, nimble, and self-assured animals. Manta rays are noted for their inquisitiveness and close proximity to humans. Divers and snorkelers swimming with manta rays should be aware that the ocean’s giants may approach them.
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Is Diving with Manta Ray Safe for Human?
The Manta Ray are huge and their size can be intimidating. Well, that’s before you get to know these majestic animals! Because of their size and curiosity to human—and also their large mouths—manta rays can be scary animals to encounter, but they are as harmless as a whale.
Diving with manta rays in Manta Point Nusa Penida, Bali is totally safe even for young divers. They are gentle, quiet animals that do not engage in aggressive behavior and are not predatory in nature. Filter feeders, these gentle giants glide over the ocean on their huge wings, grazing on minute plankton near the water’s surface.
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Manta Rays in Manta Point Bali Won’t Sting You
Manta rays are members of the same family as stingrays, although they are not stingrays. They have no barbs or stinging tails. Their tail may resemble that of a stingray, but it serves no use. This is assumed to be an evolutionary vestige from when manta rays and stingrays were once part of the same species but separated over time.
Manta rays don’t have stinging tails, therefore why don’t they? They have few predators, which is probably why. Manta rays are only known to be eaten by huge sharks and killer whales, and this is extremely rare. So yes, diving with the Mantas will not put your life at risk!