Did you know there’s actually a place in the Marquesas where manta rays come and swim every single day? Better yet, did you know you can sail there?
Well, I certainly didn’t! Imagine my surprise when we came into this beautiful bay and were greeted by several manta rays. Then the next morning, they were there again…
Manta rays are such special animals. It’s hard to explain the feeling when you get to swim with them — like you’re in the presence of something powerful yet graceful at the same time.
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Sailing Into the Bay
We’d been exploring the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia for a few days and decided to go find a rumoured anchorage that was supposedly less rolly, had a beautiful white sandy beach, and — most importantly — people had seen manta rays there.
I know what you’re thinking: sounds like paradise. Honestly, I’m kind of convinced it’s close.
We headed across to the island and let a squall pass before entering the bay. As we turned the corner, we found a picture-perfect anchorage: towering green mountains dropping down to a white sand beach lined with coconut trees, all meeting crystal blue water.
Unsurprisingly, there were already several other boats in the bay.
As we slowly made our way in, we noticed little splashes on the surface and fins flapping above the water before disappearing again. As we got closer, we realised… they were manta rays.
We were seeing them already, and we weren’t even anchored yet.
Swimming with Manta Rays
Now, we’ve swum with manta rays before, but usually we’d have to take the dinghy and go searching for them. Never before had we had them circling right next to the boat.
Once the anchor was down and we’d settled in, the crew jumped in to check the anchor was holding well. A little later, we looked off the stern and saw them again — swimming right beside the boat.
Grabbing our masks, we jumped in and swam over to them. Another cruiser was already in the water too.
It was crazy. Right next to us, these beautiful creatures were just chilling, gracefully circling between the boats.
Watching them move through the water made me feel decidedly ungraceful… but this isn’t about me — it’s about those graceful mantas.
They Kept Visiting Us
After swimming with manta rays for at least an hour and enjoying their peaceful company, we climbed back onboard and just looked at each other in awe.
That was so cool.
What we didn’t expect was to be eating breakfast the next morning and finding them back again. Then the next day… and the next day after that.
It was amazing. I mean, at what point does seeing manta rays every day become normal?
Whenever it is, I don’t know if I’ll ever get there.
Why Were the Manta Rays in the Bay?
As we soon found out, the manta rays were visiting because of the jellyfish and plankton they love to feed on.
Every day, on the right tide, these majestic animals would glide into the bay to eat — and we got to witness it firsthand.
Unfortunately, those jellyfish are also a bit stingy… like, ouch stingy.
But honestly? Totally worth it.
It was incredible watching the manta rays feeding on the plankton and jellyfish. Somehow it made the whole experience feel even more special.
Summary
Swimming with manta rays every day is definitely not normal. So, to make sure I never started treating it like it was, I had to write this post and properly appreciate just how amazing the experience really was.
The Marquesas are already one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever sailed to, but experiences like this made them feel even more amazing. Nowhere else in the world have we found a place where you can see manta rays every single day. It’s truly special.
And no — I’m not going to tell you exactly where it is. Sorry. The mantas and I are keeping that one a secret.
I will say this though: it’s absolutely beautiful, and honestly, if I were a manta ray, I’d probably live there too.
Have you ever had the opportunity to swim with manta rays? Or is it something you’d love to do one day?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments.