USVI-On-Line

Just wondering if the manta ray is still at Maho and Francis or has it moved on?

Diana, the Manta was spotted just yesterday at Francis and seems to be coming in very close to shore! Are you on Facebook? If so, go here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

If not, let me know and I'll post the picture here.

I was very blessed to see him/her at Francis on Monday. We could see its shadow from shore and in my frenzy to get on my mask and snorkel, I left my camera in my bag. The picture posted on Facebook is incredible!

I was curious as to whether or not it was still around. We don't come until June but I would sure love to see this magnificent creature for myself. There must be plenty to eat or it wouldn't hang around. It looks huge.

Diana,
I hope you get to see it! It is amazing! We were fortunate enough to see the giant manta ray last week at Francis. We saw the big dark shadow coming from the "Mary's Point" side of the bay. He came very close to the shore and we all managed to get in and get close. My son even "high fived" it. He swam all the way across the bay, then turned around swam the entire way back, like it was his encore performance. It definitely made my list of most spectacular things I've ever seen!

I don't know if that would thrill me or terrify me. I think I would like to see it from shore!

PA Girl wrote:I don't know if that would thrill me or terrify me. I think I would like to see it from shore!

PA Girl - It wasn't scary at all - very peaceful actually.

But please everyone, look but don't touch! Found this online:

"It seems that the Manta Ray is very curious when it comes to humans. They tend to gather around those that are scuba diving. While these creatures don’t pose a threat to humans the interaction can be deadly for them. When a Manta Ray touches a human their mucus membrane that protects them can be removed. As a result they are very susceptible to various viruses and bacteria found in the water."

Wow, simply amazing!!

But remember, for the health of the manta, please don't touch it!

Thank you so much for that facebook photo. What an amazing shot!

We are all hoping the same thing - that we may be as lucky as you guys who have seen this wonder.

Fingers crossed that he or she stays around til the end of the month for "us" to see it.

Again, that shot was amazing!!!

Thank you!

Sorry.... I knew we couldn't touch other sea life, but I was told it was fine to touch rays.

Edited to say: I answered my own question with enough research! Mantas and Southern Stingrays are the same when it comes to touching them.

When I was in Grand Cayman we went to Stingray City and hand-fed the Southern Stingrays. They rubbed up against us and we petted them and were taught how to lift them up and kiss them. They said nothing about our touch harming them, and apparently it happens all the time. The rays seemed extremely healthy to me. I know you're not supposed to touch turtles, are they wrong in Grand Cayman to let you touch the stingrays?



(no, that's not me in the picture)

Ok. Someone please tell me that the manta mania is not ruining my favorite beach on Earth so far. I'll be there in 28 days and have dreamed of my deserted early morning Francis Bay. I can't imagine it crowded with people searching for the manta.

I'm picturing that episode of Sponge Bob where the crowds are running in unison on the beach back and forth yelling that they've spotted whatever it was they were looking for. Hahahaha!!!!

Florida Girl wrote:Edited to say: I answered my own question with enough research! Mantas and Southern Stingrays are the same when it comes to touching them.

When I was in Grand Cayman we went to Stingray City and hand-fed the Southern Stingrays. They rubbed up against us and we petted them and were taught how to lift them up and kiss them. They said nothing about our touch harming them, and apparently it happens all the time. The rays seemed extremely healthy to me. I know you're not supposed to touch turtles, are they wrong in Grand Cayman to let you touch the stingrays?



(no, that's not me in the picture)

Thank you Florida Girl! (I still want to call you California Girl ) We went to Stingray City too, and were encouraged to touch them. I was told that rays liked to be touched (unless they feel like they are going to be harmed of course).

One of my underwater shots from that trip...