Snorkelling with Wild Manta Rays in Fiji

Location: Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Recommended by Tammy of Traveling Tam

How do I know it’s ethical?

Swimming with manta rays in the warm South Pacific Ocean waters of Fiji is an ethical wildlife experience as the manta rays behaviour is not altered or intercepted by humans in any way.

The most popular place to have this incredible wildlife encounter is in the Yasawa Islands, where during the months of April – October manta rays come to the narrow channel between Drawaqa and Naviti islands, typically at high tide, to feed on naturally abundant plankton.

Unlike many marine animal encounters where food is planted or given to attract the animals, manta rays come to the Drawaqa Passage on their own terms to feed completely naturally.

Touching manta rays is strictly forbidden and if the manta rays show signs of distress or annoyance, guides will not hesitate to call it a day and return to shore early.

Description of the Experience

The best way to swim with manta rays in the Yasawa Islands is to stay on the doorstep of the channel at Barefoot Manta Resort. As soon as the onsite marine biologist and their team spot the mantas on their daily recces, you’ll be notified by shouts of “mantas!” and loud bangs on a traditional drum.

As soon as you hear the call, quickly head to the onsite dive shop to grab a snorkel and be briefed on the do’s and don’ts of a manta snorkel. Minutes later you’ll be skimming the waves on a wooden boat and in the sea looking for the famed manta rays.

The boat does multiple ‘drop and glides’ meaning you’ll be dropped at one end of the channel so you can drift with the current and see these incredible ocean giants, and then repeat this process 2-5 more times. The advantage of this is that you’ll often see multiple different manta rays, who are typically solitary animals.

The sheer majesty of these reef species are a sight to behold – their graceful bodies flapping and gliding in almost slow-motion with their mouths wide open. You may also see them with their mouths closed, where their cephalic fins are rolled up around two frontal lobes. Their long barb may look terrifying, but it’s not sharp or stinging, which is why swimming with manta rays is a safe and family-friendly activity for competent swimmers. 

Company/ Cost: 

The first option as mentioned is to stay at Barefoot Manta Resort and join one of the daily tours with the resort activity crew and marine biologist. The experience costs $65 FJD for an hour and snorkel equipment is included. 

You can also do the same trip from the next resort along, Mantaray Island Resort which also costs $65 FJD.

The other option is joining an Awesome Adventures tour if you are staying elsewhere in the Yasawa Islands or have limited time, however, this tour will cost a little more. 

The channel can be busy with marine traffic and the current is strong, so independent snorkelling in the channel is highly discouraged. 

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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.

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