Manta Ray Advocates
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Manta Ray Advocates
@mantarayadvocates.bsky.social
Transformational and sustainable snorkeling adventures in Kona, Hawaii. Educating the public through articles and videos, and raising awareness about threats to the gentle giants of the ocean.
Christmas is just around the corner, and in sunny Hawaii, we do things a bit differently! 😎While the rest of the northern hemisphere might be dreaming of a white Christmas, here Santa swaps his sleigh for an outrigger canoe.

Learn all about how we celebrate Christmas in Hawaii.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄
How do we celebrate Christmas in Hawaii? - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
How do we celebrate Christmas in Hawaii? Here are five fun facts about how Christmas is celebrated in Hawaii from a German who lives and works in Hawaii.
mantarayadvocates.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM
For a long time, I’ve been looking for a way to share the beautiful stories of people who’ve met manta rays in their natural habitat - and now it’s happening: in my brand new podcast, Ocean Wings, we explore how nature can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life.
Ocean Wings Trailer
Ocean Wings is a podcast about conservation, civic courage and the ripple effect of nature. Tune in weekly for real stories of how manta ray magic leads to positive action, personal healing and…
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December 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If you’re looking for a great Christmas gift, Martina Wing’s book “Notch, the Rescued Dolphin” is a wonderful choice. Inspired by a true story, this children’s book teaches kids (ages 5-12) about ocean life, friendship, and our planet. With its lovely illustrations, it’s a must-have for adults too!
Notch, the Rescued Dolphin - a Children's Book featuring Marine Life in Hawaii
Children's book based on the heart-warming story of Notch, the Rescued Dolphin. Learn about marine life in Hawaii, ecosystems, and more!
mantarayadvocates.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Experience the healing effects of manta rays - right from home. Our collection of 8 free guided video meditations, each under 10 minutes, will help you take a quick break from your busy day and transport you into the natural habitat of these gentle giants.

Access them here.
Manta Ray Meditations - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Find your calm in less than 10 minutes a day
mantarayadvocates.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The 2026 Manta Rays of Kona Calendar is out!

Each month features our beautiful underwater photos and quirky manta ray stories - and it highlights the days box jellyfish are expected near Hawaii's shores.

Get the digital PDF or have a printed copy shipped from Hawaii! 👇
Calendar Archives - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Amaze your friends and family members with your knowledge of the gentle giants.
mantarayadvocates.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Swimming with manta rays at night is a life-changing experience, but preparation is key
If you're planning a trip to Hawaii sometime soon (or you know someone who is), follow these safety tips to avoid dangerous situations that can ruin the experience for you and your group.
8 Essential Safety Tips for Snorkeling with Manta Rays - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Swimming with manta rays at night is a life-changing experience, but it's not without risk. With these safety tips, you can avoid dangerous situations that can ruin the experience for you and your…
mantarayadvocates.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:05 AM
If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, download our free guide with everything you need to know about snorkeling or diving with manta rays!
Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Get this free PDF ebook before you book your manta ray dive in Hawaii! It'll teach you what you need to know about diving or snorkeling with manta rays.
mantarayadvocates.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta ray viewing sites are man-made locations in the ocean where mantas congregate to feed. This article explains how this works… or sometimes doesn't!
How Behavioral Conditioning leads Manta Rays to Feed at Manta Viewing Sites - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Manta ray viewing sites are man-made locations in the ocean where mantas congregate to feed. This article explains how this works... or sometimes doesn't!
mantarayadvocates.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM
If you’re planning to join our manta ray snorkeling tour in Hawaii, make sure you’re confident in the water! Strong swimming and snorkeling skills are required so you can stay safe and enjoy a magical encounter.
Why swimming and snorkeling skills are a prerequisite to join our manta ray tours - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Learn why we require swimming experience for our manta ray tours. Safety and enjoyment depend on proper ocean skills and recent snorkeling practice.
mantarayadvocates.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM
If you’ve ever mixed up manta rays with stingrays, you’re not alone. They share a similar shape, but their habits, diets, and even their personalities in the ocean are quite different. This is what you need to know to tell them apart easily. 👇
Manta rays vs stingrays: key differences explained - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
If you’ve ever mixed up manta rays with stingrays, you’re not alone. They share a similar shape but their habits, diets, and even their personalities in the ocean are quite different.
mantarayadvocates.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Follow the amazing journey of manta rays from the moment they are born, transitioning from lone pups to majestic adults, through a lifetime of nonstop swimming.

The life cycle of a manta ray holds many mysteries, and I'm excited to share what we know about it here! 👇
Decoding The Life Cycle of Manta Rays - and Our Role in Their Survival - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
From solitary pups to a lifetime of swimming and feeding, the life cycle of a manta ray holds many mysteries yet to be unravelled.
mantarayadvocates.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Good question.

The good news is that, more and more, we are hearing about the latest innovations to fight climate change, single use plastics, and other threats to our planet.
October 10, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Tracking a manta ray is no easy task. They don’t follow a schedule, and they don’t wear GPS (most of the time). But with belly photos, tags, and drones, scientists are figuring out their moving patterns.
Tracking manta rays: how researchers follow the gentle giants - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Explore the different techniques used worldwide to track manta rays and how you can contribute with your own photos.
mantarayadvocates.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta rays don’t have bones like we do. Their entire anatomy is adapted for nonstop swimming and filtering plankton. Take a closer look at how it all works.
The fascinating anatomy of manta rays - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Explore the anatomy of manta rays, how they're built to feed, move, and survive in the open ocean, and what makes them so unique among marine animals.
mantarayadvocates.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta ray tourism is becoming increasingly popular, and the manta viewing sites are over-saturated. This affects the marine wildlife, their habitat, and the people involved.
Read more about the challenges with ocean recreation we are currently facing - and how we hope to turn the tide.
The Dark Side of Manta Ray Tourism: the Impact of Ecotourism on People, Mantas, and the Environment - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Manta ray tourism is becoming increasingly popular, and manta viewing sites are over-saturated. This affects not just the marine wildlife and their habitat, but also has dire consequences for crew…
mantarayadvocates.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The ocean in Hawaii can get rough during winter, which means safety risks, less visibility, and sometimes no mantas showing up. That’s why we often have to cancel our moonlight swims. Read more about the winter conditions and how they can affect manta ray snorkeling tours.
What to expect if you book a moonlight swim during winter - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Winter in Hawaii brings bigger swells, lower visibility, and unpredictable seas. Find out how these conditions impact manta ray snorkeling tours.
mantarayadvocates.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The skin of manta rays is made of tiny tooth-like denticles, protected by a thin mucus layer that helps keep them healthy in the wild. Learn how it all works.
The skin of manta rays: slimy suits with built-in armor - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
The manta ray skin is structured to help them glide through water, fight infection, and recover from injuries, but it’s easily damaged by humans, reefs, and other hazards.
mantarayadvocates.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM
It’s official! 👏🏻 After years of research, a third species of manta ray has been recognized: the Mobula yarae! Learn all we know about it here.
Atlantic manta ray: science confirms third species - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
The Atlantic manta ray is now officially recognized as the third manta species. Explore this major marine discovery and what it means for conservation.
mantarayadvocates.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta rays consume ~12% of their body weight in plankton each week, and they have the largest brain-to-body weight ratio of any fish.

Learn more fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures in our free eBook: Fun Facts and Figures About Manta Rays.
Manta Ray eBook Facts and Figures - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Free PDF Ebook - Everything you need to know about manta rays. Facts and figures, threats, and mysteries!
mantarayadvocates.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM
If you're lucky enough to swim with manta rays, know that you're meeting a creature with 20 million years of evolutionary wisdom behind it. Find out how they became the graceful, gentle giants we know today 👇
Manta Ray evolution through (pre)history - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Manta rays evolved from jawed fish into the graceful ocean giants we know today. Here’s how they made that journey over millions of years.
mantarayadvocates.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Coral reefs are rich ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and structure for marine life. Learn how they work and why they’re so important for reef manta rays.
Inside the coral reefs, natural habitat of the reef manta - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Coral reefs are rich ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and structure for marine life. Learn how they work and why they’re so important for manta rays.
mantarayadvocates.com
August 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Since 1998, we’ve been tracking manta rays on the Kona Coast of Hawaii, each with a name and a unique story. Browse our collection of pictures, video clips, descriptions and stories below! 👇
Manta Ray Library - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Since 1998, we have been compiling a database of individual manta rays that are sighted along the West side of the Big Island of Hawaii.
mantarayadvocates.com
August 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
So true.

Every living thing on Earth is interdependent on each other.
July 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta rays aren’t your typical cold-blooded fish. This is how they heat specific areas of their bodies so they can swim faster and think quicker in the cold ocean 👇
Are Manta Rays Cold-Blooded or Warm-Blooded? - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
Manta rays aren’t your typical cold-blooded fish. Learn how they warm specific areas of their bodies to swim faster and think quicker in the ocean.
mantarayadvocates.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:01 AM
The graceful-but-efficient movements of manta rays have inspired engineers to create underwater robots, aircraft wing designs, water filters and more!

Learn how the gentle giants (and their researchers) are shaping the future of innovation 👏🏻
How Manta Rays' Movements Are Inspiring the Future of Engineering - Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii
The graceful movement of manta rays has led to engineering breakthroughs. Explore how their unique swimming patterns influence robots, art, and future tech
mantarayadvocates.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM